To Rise above Animal Instinct, Forest Without
Ramayana and Mahabharata, both are family disputes over property. Both speak of wives won as trophies over archery competition. In both, we see forest exile, clash of nature and culture. Both describe encounter with tribal communities.Both bring attention to violence over women.
Yet, both refer to ends justifying the means. Ram, being a khastriya warrior chooses to kill Bali from behind, Krishna encourages Arjuna to kill Karna, while he is busy pulling out his wheel from mud. Both showcase ambiguity over loyalty. Vibhishan is rewarded, but Kumbhakaran is killed. Similarly, loyal Bhishma, Karan, Drona are killed, while Yuyutsu is rewarded.
Ramayana and Mahabharata are two of the most popular epics in Indian Mythology. Both are composed in similar geography and historical timelines. Both were written by rishis who witnessed the events, hence both called as itihas, and narrated before kings, who have a stake in the story.
Yet, Both are generally seen in isolation. Both have different plots, different time frames, different kingdoms, different gods. But Devdutt Pattanaik in his brilliant playful comparison between two epics, bring out similarities and contrasts between the two. The book itself is very easy to read, the complex concepts or I would say ideas, of dharma, karma, infinity or ananta, ego or aham, exchange are explained in a very easy format. Devdutt brings out similarities in two epics, and relation between the two. This makes as if, both epics are two sides of same coin.But, thorugh these epics, Devdutt also expain the bif ideas of Indian Mythology.
Devdutt tries to explain the linearity viewpoint seen in Western Mythologies, and how such a lens does not prove to be useful for Indian Mythologies, where the whole viewpoint is cyclical in nature. Indian Mythology, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism have one big idea common: Rebirth or Cyclical Nature of Life, which transcends to Uncertainty in Life. Western Mythology, including Greek and Abrahamic ones, all have linear or definite beginning and end nature of life, which lead to concept of afterlife and judgement. It’s very interesting to see how the ideas of two different cultures, have effects on present world, and are shaping the future of our life. This makes many confusing actions of Indian gods understandable.
When Ram and Krishna uses deception, acting as a fox not as lion, you will not look from point of right or wrong, rather dharma or adharma. When traitors are rewarded, and loyalists are punished, you will appreciate the principle of karma in Indian mythology, not as As you sow, so shall you reap, rather as फल की चिंता मत करो (Do no worry about results).
Fact is everybody’s truth, Fiction is Nobody’s truth, and Mythology is Somebody’s truth
Yuval Noah Harari in his books Sapiens, explains that the humankind has been able to achieve such advantage over other species, mainly because of our ability to cooperate in large numbers, and stories or myths are the mediums through which humans cooperate. Mythology also, is a form of idea, which expresses the worldview of any civilisation. It shapes their culture, art, food habits, clothing, and many other facets of life. By looking deeper into these epics, you will get to appreciate the Indian Worldview. No mythology is superior or inferior to another, it is just a different understanding of worldview.
The 56 chapters are categorically divided, giving you freedom to navigate as per will, from the narration, to structure, to war, and wisdom from two epics. You may be able to read them quickly, but will have to occasionaly pause to really understand those ideas. Nevertheless, the journey of exploring these two epics, with the help of a guide like Devdutt, will be enjoyable. You may not agree completely with the book as Devdutt says
Within infinite myths lies an eternal truth, Who sees it all?, Varuna has but a thousand eyes, Indra a hundred You and I, only two
