Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata
by Devdutt Pattanaik
Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik holds a highly rated rating of 4.20 out of 5, based on 9.5K reader ratings. First published in 2010. The book spans 372 pages.
About Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata
High above the sky stands Swarga, paradise, abode of the gods. Still above is Vaikuntha, heaven, abode of God.The doorkeepers of Vaikuntha are the twins, Jaya and Vijaya, both whose names mean 'victory'. One keeps you in Swarga; the other raises you into Vaikuntha.In Vaikuntha there is bliss forever, in Swarga there is pleasure for only as long as you deserve. What is the difference between Jaya and Vijaya? Solve this puzzle and you will solve the mystery of the Mahabharata.In this enthralling retelling of India's greatest epic, the Mahabharata originally known as Jaya, Devdutt Pattanaik seamlessly weaves into a single narrative plots from the Sanskrit classic as well as its many folk and regional variants, including the Pandavani of Chhattisgarh, Gondhal of Maharashtra, Terukkuttu of Tamil Nadu and Yakshagana of Karnataka.Richly illustrated with over 250 line drawings by the author, the 108 chapters abound with little-known details such as the names of the hundred Kauravas, the worship of Draupadi as a goddess in Tamil Nadu, the stories of Astika, Madhavi, Jaimini, Aravan and Barbareek, the Mahabharata version of the Shakuntalam and the Ramayana, and the dating of the war based on astronomical data.With clarity and simplicity, the tales in this elegant volume reveal the eternal relevance of the Mahabharata, the complex and disturbing meditation on the human condition that has shaped Indian thought for over 3000 years.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Devdutt Pattanaik |
| Published | 2010 |
| Pages | 372 |
| Genres | Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Classics, Fantasy, Philosophy |
| Average Rating | 4.20 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 9,534 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata?
Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata is categorized as Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Classics, Fantasy. Its primary genre classification is Fantasy.
Is Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata worth reading?
Based on 9.5K reader ratings, Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata has an average score of 4.20 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata?
Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata has 372 pages.
Who wrote Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata?
Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata was written by Devdutt Pattanaik. It was first published in 2010.
What is the ISBN for Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata?
The ISBN-13 for Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata is 9780143104250.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
