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My Gita
In My Gita, acclaimed mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik demystifies The Bhagavad Gita for the contemporary reader. His unique approach—thematic rather than verse-by-verse—makes the ancient treatise eminently accessible, combined as it is with his trademark illustrations and simple diagrams.
In a world that seems spellbound by argument over dialogue, vi-vaad over sam-vaad, Devdutt highlights how Krishna nudges Arjuna to understand rather than judge his relationships. This becomes relevant today when we are increasingly indulging and isolating the self (self-improvement, self-actualization, self-realization—even selfies!).We forget that we live in an ecosystem of others, where we can nourish each other with food, love and meaning, even when we fight.
So let My Gita inform your Gita.
In a world that seems spellbound by argument over dialogue, vi-vaad over sam-vaad, Devdutt highlights how Krishna nudges Arjuna to understand rather than judge his relationships. This becomes relevant today when we are increasingly indulging and isolating the self (self-improvement, self-actualization, self-realization—even selfies!).We forget that we live in an ecosystem of others, where we can nourish each other with food, love and meaning, even when we fight.
So let My Gita inform your Gita.
256 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2015
2376 people are currently reading
9404 people want to read
About the author
Devdutt Pattanaik
274 books3,312 followersDr. Devdutt Pattanaik (born December 11, 1970) is an Indian physician turned leadership consultant, mythologist and author whose works focus largely on the areas of myth, mythology, and also management. He has written a number of books related to Hindu mythology, including Myth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology, a novel, The Pregnant King, and Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata (2010).
He is the Chief Belief Officer of Future Group, one of India’s largest retailers, bringing the wisdom of Indian mythology into Indian business, especifically in human resource management. He also writes a column for the newspaper MID DAY.
He has also written a novel based on a tale from the Mahabharata titled 'The Pregnant King' published by Penguin Books India
He is the Chief Belief Officer of Future Group, one of India’s largest retailers, bringing the wisdom of Indian mythology into Indian business, especifically in human resource management. He also writes a column for the newspaper MID DAY.
He has also written a novel based on a tale from the Mahabharata titled 'The Pregnant King' published by Penguin Books India
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 725 reviews
March 7, 2019
Utter crappy book.
Wildy diverted from the original Gita. This book is one of the worst interpretation of Gita I have ever come across. This book is distorting the fact with misinterpreting the Sanskrit. Author is interpreting on his own logic. After reading this book it seems that the author does not even know how to interpret simplest sloks of sanskrit in its proper meaning. Rather than reading such false interpretation, it is better to read original Gita. Even those who know little bit of sanskrit can tell the difference. The author says this is a nonfiction but then he writes like fiction. In nonfiction you cant change the original meaning. I will rather suggest to read the original Gita instead of this book. It is totally confusing. The illustrations drawn by Devdutt are ambiguous. The author gives very little information on Gita and a general view on philosophy of Hinduism. Extremely disappointed specially the brand Devdutt Pattnaik have. I guess that whats marketing does.
Avoid it.
Highly disappointed.
I don't want to recommend it.
I recently came across this video. Following is the link. Everyone should watch it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtkMF...
Wildy diverted from the original Gita. This book is one of the worst interpretation of Gita I have ever come across. This book is distorting the fact with misinterpreting the Sanskrit. Author is interpreting on his own logic. After reading this book it seems that the author does not even know how to interpret simplest sloks of sanskrit in its proper meaning. Rather than reading such false interpretation, it is better to read original Gita. Even those who know little bit of sanskrit can tell the difference. The author says this is a nonfiction but then he writes like fiction. In nonfiction you cant change the original meaning. I will rather suggest to read the original Gita instead of this book. It is totally confusing. The illustrations drawn by Devdutt are ambiguous. The author gives very little information on Gita and a general view on philosophy of Hinduism. Extremely disappointed specially the brand Devdutt Pattnaik have. I guess that whats marketing does.
Avoid it.
Highly disappointed.
I don't want to recommend it.
I recently came across this video. Following is the link. Everyone should watch it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtkMF...
January 7, 2016
Another marvellous offering from Pattanaik. The author has done great service to the society by presenting complex epics and the personalities therein in a manner that a common man can relate to them and comprehend the inherent messages. He does the same in the context of Gita............makes it intelligible to the common reader. This book provides the finest and most simple presentation of concepts that form the essence of Gita. "As long as we seek validation from the world around us, we are entrapped by aham. As soon as we realize that all meaning comes from within, that it is we who make the world meaningful, we are liberated by atma". There couldn't be better explanation of what Gita is all about. The author goes on to elaborate the tenets of Gita in a simple sentence: "The greatest human fear is validation". "Action focussed on intent is better than action focussed on outcome" is the essence of Gita and Pattanaik drives home this point quite fluently.
An essential read for all those who want to understand Gita.
An essential read for all those who want to understand Gita.
July 18, 2016
According to myth, the whole discourse of the Bhagavad Gita (The song of God) began and ended in the hours that preceded the Kurukshetra war. The contents of the Gita has since then inspired and enriched the thought process of many a person who came in contact with it. There is also the curious fact that while the whole discourse is a dialog between Krishna and Arjuna, the reader does not get to hear from Krishna himself. It is a sort of meta narration wherein Sanjaya recites the whole of Krishna’s discourse to Dritharashtra. So for all this while we have been listening to Sanjaya telling Dhrithrashtra what he heard Krishna telling Arjuna. Truth be told, I had never given this fact much thought. The first time I encountered the Gita was as a confused pre-teen wondering what this book was all about and in the gap of the two and a half decades since my first read, this is a book that uplifts and frustrates me at equal measure with its message and content. Devdutt Pattanaik calls this book ‘My Gita’ which is sort of like saying – this is what I think, why don’t you give it a shot ? There cannot be too many holes poked about the book either since the author makes it very clear that his views are purely subjective.
If you have read Pattanaik, it would become evident to you that he delights in showering you with cross references jumping across the whole field of mythology. This goes to say that while we sit down to listen about Krishna talking to Arjuna, the track sidesteps into the Ramayana, Vishnu’s sleeping and waking, the ascetic called Shiva, the eternal cycle of devas vs asuras and so on. The book as a package should never be a primer for you to step into the Gita, it should be more of one of those countless interpretations of it. Pattanaik being widely informed of the myths also comes up with observations that are extremely interesting. For instance : The Gita is known to many a non-reader by a verse which can roughly be translated as thus :
(Krishna to Arjuna)
In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to establish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium.
This is something I gleaned off from the website of one of the most popular Gita translations out there. Interestingly, before and after these verses Krishna insists that the good and the bad stem from within us. What we cultivate within us takes shape and form in the world around us is his principal teaching. Keeping this light in sight, Pattanaik reinterprets the above verse as :
Arjuna, in age after age, whenever humanity forgets its potential and functions as it should not, I manifest to inspire those with faith and shake up those without faith, so that humanity can never forget what it is capable of.
This certainly makes more sense and does not put across that Krishna was some supernatural being. There is certainly the indication that Krishna was an incarnation of Vishnu and yet many a translation made him a living, walking god than the dispassionate strategist that he was. Well this is material for another review !
This book is quite good as a companion volume to the Gita. However if you have not read the Gita yet, then do so before you read this one.
If you have read Pattanaik, it would become evident to you that he delights in showering you with cross references jumping across the whole field of mythology. This goes to say that while we sit down to listen about Krishna talking to Arjuna, the track sidesteps into the Ramayana, Vishnu’s sleeping and waking, the ascetic called Shiva, the eternal cycle of devas vs asuras and so on. The book as a package should never be a primer for you to step into the Gita, it should be more of one of those countless interpretations of it. Pattanaik being widely informed of the myths also comes up with observations that are extremely interesting. For instance : The Gita is known to many a non-reader by a verse which can roughly be translated as thus :
(Krishna to Arjuna)
In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to establish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after millennium.
This is something I gleaned off from the website of one of the most popular Gita translations out there. Interestingly, before and after these verses Krishna insists that the good and the bad stem from within us. What we cultivate within us takes shape and form in the world around us is his principal teaching. Keeping this light in sight, Pattanaik reinterprets the above verse as :
Arjuna, in age after age, whenever humanity forgets its potential and functions as it should not, I manifest to inspire those with faith and shake up those without faith, so that humanity can never forget what it is capable of.
This certainly makes more sense and does not put across that Krishna was some supernatural being. There is certainly the indication that Krishna was an incarnation of Vishnu and yet many a translation made him a living, walking god than the dispassionate strategist that he was. Well this is material for another review !
This book is quite good as a companion volume to the Gita. However if you have not read the Gita yet, then do so before you read this one.
April 25, 2017
There is a latest trend in my city . The "religious" people book a large ground or a big hall or some other place like this (the only criteria is it should be big) , invite the great "pundits"-usually wearing heavy jewellery ( once I saw a famous pundit wearing a gold bracelet in which a large turquoise was studded - even larger than Salman Khan's ) and call themselves SAINTS . After getting a handsome amount in "dakshina" , a seven day feast of preaching of The Gita starts and belive me all these preachings are so funny that these sometimes also consists WhatsApp messages (it's no joke it's true) . Huge groups of people go to the preachings for all seven days and feel privileged by hearing whatever the preacher says .
When I read "My Gita" I came to know about there are nine types of Gita in The Mahabharata , in which meter The Gita is sung , who translated it in English etc . So I asked these questions to the preaching privileged people and believe me none of them , absolutely nobody even knew that there are nine Gitas in The Mahabharata .
I don't understand why we Indians look and believe almost everything blindly ?
The book "My Gita" by Devdutt Pattanaik formed a perspective of The Gita in a more rational , open minded and meaningful manner . Devdutt Pattanaik describes the themes of Gita with his trademark style of taking examples , stories from The Ramayana , The Mahabharata and of other mythologies . The description of evolution of The Gita and it's history of getting the current form is highly researched and very well written . The study done in describing the eighteen themes is very good and the different charts and illustrations helps in a better understanding .
But in some chapters I found some things repetitive and a bit dragging . I usually read fiction thus there were some themes which I re - read for better understanding .
The book is very good and extremely readable . But "Jaya : An Illustrated Retelling Of Mahabharata " still remains my favourite by Devdutt Pattanaik .
4 Stars .
When I read "My Gita" I came to know about there are nine types of Gita in The Mahabharata , in which meter The Gita is sung , who translated it in English etc . So I asked these questions to the preaching privileged people and believe me none of them , absolutely nobody even knew that there are nine Gitas in The Mahabharata .
I don't understand why we Indians look and believe almost everything blindly ?
The book "My Gita" by Devdutt Pattanaik formed a perspective of The Gita in a more rational , open minded and meaningful manner . Devdutt Pattanaik describes the themes of Gita with his trademark style of taking examples , stories from The Ramayana , The Mahabharata and of other mythologies . The description of evolution of The Gita and it's history of getting the current form is highly researched and very well written . The study done in describing the eighteen themes is very good and the different charts and illustrations helps in a better understanding .
But in some chapters I found some things repetitive and a bit dragging . I usually read fiction thus there were some themes which I re - read for better understanding .
The book is very good and extremely readable . But "Jaya : An Illustrated Retelling Of Mahabharata " still remains my favourite by Devdutt Pattanaik .
4 Stars .
October 15, 2018
When a book starts with, “this is my version or interpretation of a classic text,” there’s little that you can say about it.
My Gita is a broad and encompassing interpretation of The Bhagvad Gita, including Hindu philosophy, a bit of comparative study of religions, history, and social structure. It is a non-linear book, so to speak, in that it does not follow the sequence of the chapters as outlined in The Bhagvad Gita. Devdutt Pattanaik, creates his own sequence, for good reason — telling a story (which he usually does).
If you have studied The Bhagvad Gita before, there will be instances, where you may cringe a bit; but you remind yourself, it is his take. If you know little about The Bhagvad Gita, this is a good read to gain a broad context of the book, contemporary life & times, and an idea of the philosophy that is now commonly referred to as Hinduism.
The only risk, I felt, as I read through this easy read, is that if the reader was left with an impression that he or she has a full understanding of The Bhagvad Gita, after reading My Gita. For obvious reasons, there is simplification, and The Bhagvad Gita is much more than what you will read in this book. Perhaps the author should have stressed, at the end of the book, for the reader to read (not just a list of suggested reading) the original text.
Do read, but do not stop your study, with this book.
My Gita is a broad and encompassing interpretation of The Bhagvad Gita, including Hindu philosophy, a bit of comparative study of religions, history, and social structure. It is a non-linear book, so to speak, in that it does not follow the sequence of the chapters as outlined in The Bhagvad Gita. Devdutt Pattanaik, creates his own sequence, for good reason — telling a story (which he usually does).
If you have studied The Bhagvad Gita before, there will be instances, where you may cringe a bit; but you remind yourself, it is his take. If you know little about The Bhagvad Gita, this is a good read to gain a broad context of the book, contemporary life & times, and an idea of the philosophy that is now commonly referred to as Hinduism.
The only risk, I felt, as I read through this easy read, is that if the reader was left with an impression that he or she has a full understanding of The Bhagvad Gita, after reading My Gita. For obvious reasons, there is simplification, and The Bhagvad Gita is much more than what you will read in this book. Perhaps the author should have stressed, at the end of the book, for the reader to read (not just a list of suggested reading) the original text.
Do read, but do not stop your study, with this book.
October 8, 2019
Read only if you want to see how a man can distort every little piece of detail of the greatest literature. This is the cheapest shot taken by a leftist at our very much respected Gita. We desperately need a zero star rating option for such awful wannabes. If I could, I would want my precious 10 hours that I spent on this shithole of writing back.
The problem with this book is the author himself. Please read the original version of Gita.
The problem with this book is the author himself. Please read the original version of Gita.
November 28, 2019
It does not even deserve a star. Pattanaik's interpretation seems to be ramblings of an intoxicated mind. This book cannot be taken at the face value. In fact, by reading it I felt as if somebody is genuinely trying to miseducate me. The author does not know Sanskrit, and then claims to be authority on Indian texts. It's like a Physicist saying that I don't know Mathematics but I am expert in Physics. Basically, I would say avoid this book. But, if you are reading this book, try not to quote it anywhere, because it is completely wrong.
A fake expert that's what Devdutt is.
A fake expert that's what Devdutt is.
March 25, 2020
This book is just filled with the authors mental concoctions and has no real knowledge. Do not read this book at all.
February 28, 2018
This book is one of the worst interpretation of Gita I have ever come across. From distorting the facts, to misinterpreting Sanskrit words and connecting everything with sex, violence etc., the author has fairly been successful in misguiding the audience of his book.
He seem to have no responsibility of presenting the facts and seem to come up with his own version of Sanskrit language, the references from Puranas etc. The author seem to be highly influenced by the western indologists like Wendy Doniger and does not seem to have even basic knowledge about the Sanskrit language.
How credible can a book be from such an author!!
I would suggest the audience and the author to please cross check the facts before presenting them.
In case when someone criticises you, instead of making personal and casteist remarks, he should give a logical explanation.
I just pray to Krishna that he gives you wisdom for his next book so that he is able to present it without distorting the facts!!
I would suggest people to first please first read a Sanskrit version of Gita with word by word transliteration, followed by the translation from an authorised source. By authorised I mean which comes in the Parampara.
Thank you!!
He seem to have no responsibility of presenting the facts and seem to come up with his own version of Sanskrit language, the references from Puranas etc. The author seem to be highly influenced by the western indologists like Wendy Doniger and does not seem to have even basic knowledge about the Sanskrit language.
How credible can a book be from such an author!!
I would suggest the audience and the author to please cross check the facts before presenting them.
In case when someone criticises you, instead of making personal and casteist remarks, he should give a logical explanation.
I just pray to Krishna that he gives you wisdom for his next book so that he is able to present it without distorting the facts!!
I would suggest people to first please first read a Sanskrit version of Gita with word by word transliteration, followed by the translation from an authorised source. By authorised I mean which comes in the Parampara.
Thank you!!
May 14, 2017
The use of word 'My' obviously gives a great deal of liberty to the writer; still, the use of pictures to convey the philosophical ideas seems futile and some explanations were so simplistic that they came across as faulty.
However, the thematic division of book, the broad inclusive perspective and the parallels drawn with Buddhism or even parallels between the different strands of Hinduism makes it an enriching read.
Inclusion of some more verses from the Bhagwan Gita ,a little more in depth and detailed explanation of some crucial concepts, and alternate or even opposite interprations which vary from that of author would have made it even more engaging.
It, for sure has given me confidence to actually attempt to read the Gita verse by verse and has also made me appreciate certain aspects of Hinduism and most importantly it will continue to enable me to strive to be humane -in my terms. The discussions on empathy , infinity ,aham and many more will stay with me and keep impacting my being.
However, the thematic division of book, the broad inclusive perspective and the parallels drawn with Buddhism or even parallels between the different strands of Hinduism makes it an enriching read.
Inclusion of some more verses from the Bhagwan Gita ,a little more in depth and detailed explanation of some crucial concepts, and alternate or even opposite interprations which vary from that of author would have made it even more engaging.
It, for sure has given me confidence to actually attempt to read the Gita verse by verse and has also made me appreciate certain aspects of Hinduism and most importantly it will continue to enable me to strive to be humane -in my terms. The discussions on empathy , infinity ,aham and many more will stay with me and keep impacting my being.
July 25, 2016
Reading Jaya by the same author enriched the Mahabharata experience to a great extent. Due to this, had very high expectations with regard to Bhagavad Gita. If Gita is considered to be the milk of the vedas, was expecting this to be the shrikhand, but it wasn't even buttermilk :/
Interesting things from this book : Insightful observations on difference between asura and rakshas, derivation of word jugaad, laying importance to samvaad over vivaad.
Too many lucid references from Mahabharata and Ramayana made it feel like a masala chatterbox, reducing the intensity of Gita discussions. Also the illustrations (especially the stick figures) felt forced and were nothing as compared to Jaya.
A decent read to capture the main essence of Gita in a crash course kind of way, but anyday I would prefer the full Gita translation rather than these shallow interpretations.
Interesting things from this book : Insightful observations on difference between asura and rakshas, derivation of word jugaad, laying importance to samvaad over vivaad.
Too many lucid references from Mahabharata and Ramayana made it feel like a masala chatterbox, reducing the intensity of Gita discussions. Also the illustrations (especially the stick figures) felt forced and were nothing as compared to Jaya.
A decent read to capture the main essence of Gita in a crash course kind of way, but anyday I would prefer the full Gita translation rather than these shallow interpretations.
September 17, 2016
I don't believe in gods. And angels. And demons.
Nevertheless, once you start looking beyond Krishna as a 'god' and treat him as a character in a human play, you realize some of the explicit and implicit lessons that the 'Bhagavad Gita' (The Divine Song) teaches us.
Through his own interpretations, supported by diagrams and expertly written commentary, the author explains the actions (and the outcomes) of each character in the epic. Things get a little confusing at times, but that's largely an issue with the reader (especially this one!).
Even if you don't see yourself learning anything from the book, it's still a good read to get a better understanding of Hindu philosophy (Note: I'm not a subscriber) and a bit of mythology as well.
Nevertheless, once you start looking beyond Krishna as a 'god' and treat him as a character in a human play, you realize some of the explicit and implicit lessons that the 'Bhagavad Gita' (The Divine Song) teaches us.
Through his own interpretations, supported by diagrams and expertly written commentary, the author explains the actions (and the outcomes) of each character in the epic. Things get a little confusing at times, but that's largely an issue with the reader (especially this one!).
Even if you don't see yourself learning anything from the book, it's still a good read to get a better understanding of Hindu philosophy (Note: I'm not a subscriber) and a bit of mythology as well.
July 19, 2017
I tried my best to finish the book but I had patience to go upto 75 percent only. The concepts and ideas in the book are so scattered. Author is jumping from upnishads to vedas not explaining anything in perticular. I have read other versions of The Geeta and loved them. But this one I found pathetic as it never explains anything but just giving random terms from vedas and upnishads
December 14, 2015
To just observe and reserve judgement is a matter of infinite hope.
May 25, 2018
This is a worthless piece of work by the author.
April 13, 2017
Of the 781 books I have read before this on goodreads, I have not rated only 2 - One was Geeta, the other was Why I am Not a Muslim. One because I didnt understand the hype, the other because I understood it a little too well.
Devdutt Pattanaik has organised the Geeta by 18 themes here. So, it is NOT a verse by verse translation or commentary. This is the most important feature of this book. Because of this arrangement by themes, a chapter in this book may contain commentary from all the 18 chapters of the original Geeta as suitable. This makes understanding the messages of the Geeta easier.
Also, Devdutt Pattanaik has provided interesting and enlightening background info. Problem is when d author tries to play Dan Brown and tries to read too much into religious symbols, he seems laughable and tedious. Also, sometimes he plays Reza Aslan and tries to defend the indefensible in religion by "metaphors", he again seems unconvincing. We can reject some unsavoury/outdated aspects of our religion, right ? It wouldnt stop us from accepting and appreciating whats right !
Devdutt Pattanaik has organised the Geeta by 18 themes here. So, it is NOT a verse by verse translation or commentary. This is the most important feature of this book. Because of this arrangement by themes, a chapter in this book may contain commentary from all the 18 chapters of the original Geeta as suitable. This makes understanding the messages of the Geeta easier.
Also, Devdutt Pattanaik has provided interesting and enlightening background info. Problem is when d author tries to play Dan Brown and tries to read too much into religious symbols, he seems laughable and tedious. Also, sometimes he plays Reza Aslan and tries to defend the indefensible in religion by "metaphors", he again seems unconvincing. We can reject some unsavoury/outdated aspects of our religion, right ? It wouldnt stop us from accepting and appreciating whats right !
December 24, 2017
Honestly speaking, I can't rate this book 'coz I never did get past a few pages. But I've rated it all the same because unlike the author's other books, this one was woolly, unclear, vague and rambling. It killed all my interest in reading the book.
January 23, 2019
Wildy diverted from the original Gita, to misinterpreting Sanskrit words and connecting everything with sex, presenting no facts,it seems he don't understand Sanskrit words.I am disappointment by this book.
October 22, 2018
Not a very interesting read. A lot of portion are repeated all over the book. Slow narrative hence becomes boring.
August 15, 2019
Utter crap. Never expected such a horrible book from Mr. Pattanaik. He goes on interpreting Gita and mingling his own thoughts and unclear sketches till it becomes everything else but Gita.
September 29, 2019
Disappointing
July 7, 2020
If Goodreads had a option of giving negative infinity stars, I would have gladly chosen that. This is misguiding and most sacrilegious book on Gita.
April 18, 2017
"As long as we seek validation from the world around us, we are entrapped by aham. As soon as we realize that all meaning comes from within, that it is we who make the world meaningful, we are liberated by atma. "
A very enriching read by Devdutt Pattanaik. He has organized this book into 18 chapters, just like the original text. However, the organization is thematic and not a verse by verse translation/commentary of the Gita. I really like how he not only explains the philosophical concept involved but gives historical context as well. It states the history of Hinduism and how it differs from the Abrahamic religions. It also includes the comparison between the concepts of the major religions in the world. For example, the difference between the concepts of Nirvana (Buddhism) and that of Moksha (Hinduism), monotheism and polytheism, etc.
Many everyday Hindu terms and concepts are introduced along with their etymology and the meaning behind those practices such as darshan, havan, yoga etc. He tells us what these words actually mean vs their modern derived meanings. A simple translation of the Bhagavad Gita, a sermon that may come across as pretentious and even uninspiring, when put in the philosophical light, the way Pattanaik has, has a lot of life lessons to offer.
I love how he acknowledges that there is no one universal truth but it is important to accept the pluralism of interpretations. And to seek what binds them and separates them rather than searching for a single authentic message. He also gives the historical journey of how Gita gained prominence in the philosophy that has come to be known as Hinduism.
However, some of the metaphorical explanations at times can be painful to read. The author has gone a little overboard trying to give a philosophical angle to every dialogue in the story. Which according to me could be avoided. I also feel the diagrams in the book are one too many and quite unnecessary in most cases.
In all, he has made a very good attempt in giving us the history of the Gitas, of the 39 of whom Bhagvad Gita is the most popular. And while it is his personal interpretation, he makes a convincing case in most parts and may inspire the reader to go for the original text.
A very enriching read by Devdutt Pattanaik. He has organized this book into 18 chapters, just like the original text. However, the organization is thematic and not a verse by verse translation/commentary of the Gita. I really like how he not only explains the philosophical concept involved but gives historical context as well. It states the history of Hinduism and how it differs from the Abrahamic religions. It also includes the comparison between the concepts of the major religions in the world. For example, the difference between the concepts of Nirvana (Buddhism) and that of Moksha (Hinduism), monotheism and polytheism, etc.
Many everyday Hindu terms and concepts are introduced along with their etymology and the meaning behind those practices such as darshan, havan, yoga etc. He tells us what these words actually mean vs their modern derived meanings. A simple translation of the Bhagavad Gita, a sermon that may come across as pretentious and even uninspiring, when put in the philosophical light, the way Pattanaik has, has a lot of life lessons to offer.
I love how he acknowledges that there is no one universal truth but it is important to accept the pluralism of interpretations. And to seek what binds them and separates them rather than searching for a single authentic message. He also gives the historical journey of how Gita gained prominence in the philosophy that has come to be known as Hinduism.
However, some of the metaphorical explanations at times can be painful to read. The author has gone a little overboard trying to give a philosophical angle to every dialogue in the story. Which according to me could be avoided. I also feel the diagrams in the book are one too many and quite unnecessary in most cases.
In all, he has made a very good attempt in giving us the history of the Gitas, of the 39 of whom Bhagvad Gita is the most popular. And while it is his personal interpretation, he makes a convincing case in most parts and may inspire the reader to go for the original text.
February 15, 2016
“Within infinite myths lies the eternal truth
Who sees it all?
Varuna has but a thousand eyes,
Indra has a hundred,
You and I, only two.”
'My Gita' to me was a revelation. It's an interpretation of the Gita that talks of it as a philosophical text, as well as a historical one. Devdutt Patnaik places Krishna's discourse to Arjuna within the realm of life as we know it: how does one live a life of Dharma? What IS Dharma? With the benefit to perspective, how does Arjuna differ from Duryodhana? Why are the Pandavas themselves not perfect humans worthy of deification?
This book touched many a chord and unclogged quite a few wires in my brain. Even if you are aware of the message of the Gita, Patnaik's lucid and non-judgmental book will add something to how you think about a life well-lived.
Who sees it all?
Varuna has but a thousand eyes,
Indra has a hundred,
You and I, only two.”
'My Gita' to me was a revelation. It's an interpretation of the Gita that talks of it as a philosophical text, as well as a historical one. Devdutt Patnaik places Krishna's discourse to Arjuna within the realm of life as we know it: how does one live a life of Dharma? What IS Dharma? With the benefit to perspective, how does Arjuna differ from Duryodhana? Why are the Pandavas themselves not perfect humans worthy of deification?
This book touched many a chord and unclogged quite a few wires in my brain. Even if you are aware of the message of the Gita, Patnaik's lucid and non-judgmental book will add something to how you think about a life well-lived.
July 13, 2020
I don’t know why I dragged myself to finish this book though it is boring right from the start. Instead of simplifying the text from the original book, the author made it more confusing for the readers.
June 6, 2021
Hooter: The author's interpretation of the Gita
Divided into 18 chapters to correlate with the 18 chapters of Gita though not following the order to create a non-linear narrative, I felt this book was built for folks dealing with ADHD. A series of short excerpts that go thematically as per the author but feels all over or probably him stretching thin across all themes. I guess when you are taking a relatively nuanced and heavy topic and trying to create a series of 1 mark answers on them, you can't really get too far and that shows in this context. I probably say this makes for a trailer to a trilogy or beyond.
It is filled with conversations between Arjuna and Krishna taking a concept and then explaining dharma, adharma and numerous other concepts like moving towards a higher being and human being the closest to that level with a lot of examples from Ramayana too.
So if you want a tiktok video representation of the Gita, this book does it's best to capture the same in that context. For those serious about interpreting the original Gita, move on for this book only scratches the surface.
Divided into 18 chapters to correlate with the 18 chapters of Gita though not following the order to create a non-linear narrative, I felt this book was built for folks dealing with ADHD. A series of short excerpts that go thematically as per the author but feels all over or probably him stretching thin across all themes. I guess when you are taking a relatively nuanced and heavy topic and trying to create a series of 1 mark answers on them, you can't really get too far and that shows in this context. I probably say this makes for a trailer to a trilogy or beyond.
It is filled with conversations between Arjuna and Krishna taking a concept and then explaining dharma, adharma and numerous other concepts like moving towards a higher being and human being the closest to that level with a lot of examples from Ramayana too.
So if you want a tiktok video representation of the Gita, this book does it's best to capture the same in that context. For those serious about interpreting the original Gita, move on for this book only scratches the surface.
April 19, 2020
At first, the books seemed like an easy entry point to understand the Gita. The pictures were one of the motivational factors why I started with this book.
But, the more I read, doubts started to creep in my mind. I researched to determine the accuracy of some of the explanations. Some of the interpretations turned out to be wild imaginations of the author. Ironically, a few of the etymological explanations provided in the book are outright wrong.
I feel utterly disappointed after reading this. I feel the need to read a better book. I wish someone would write a simple and more accessible version of the Gita.
But, the more I read, doubts started to creep in my mind. I researched to determine the accuracy of some of the explanations. Some of the interpretations turned out to be wild imaginations of the author. Ironically, a few of the etymological explanations provided in the book are outright wrong.
I feel utterly disappointed after reading this. I feel the need to read a better book. I wish someone would write a simple and more accessible version of the Gita.
September 13, 2016
Less emphasis on the writings from The Gita and more reference to The Mahabharata and Ramayana which is repetition of excerpts from his novels "Jaya" and "Sita". Only few verses from The Gita and the illustrated drawings are of little use and interest. The good thing is that it may instill an urge to read the original Bhagavad Gita as it provided a brief about the same.
February 19, 2020
Utterly disappointed by this book.
Not a worthy read.
Not a worthy read.
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