Jaya: 9 Paperback – August 16, 2010

love this book; started off with My Gita and then ended up reading this book. I admire the author's deep research on the subject and he has made it clear that the story is 5000 years old and hence lot of it is based on folklore and myths. Author has left it to each reader on how to interpret the stories within the Mahabharata -- but has done an excellent job at the end of each chapter to provide a summary and his take on the topic. Love the details and how he has provided extra tit bits on how cultures/practices in different parts of India have different perspective on the contents. This has formed the basis of many of our religious views/edicts/practices/beliefs in different regions of India. I also am wonder struck at how open the author is to topic such a polygamy; alternate life styles etc. He has also given apt references on how Hinduism is very different to the 3 Abrahamic Religions (Judaism; Islam and Christianity). To top it all the illustrations are superb and personally created by the author himself -- it is very clear he comes from a medical background and his display of the human bodies symmetries/depiction in the drawings are very stark. Great work -- so relevant in todays world -- the same old lessons human need to be reminded on stay away from greed; excesses; get along with all and how material aspirations can turn to evil deeds. I never knew the difference between 'heavan' (abode of Indra and other Gods) and 'vaikuntha' (abode of Sri Vishnu) or that not all Vijayas (victories) are the same -- that the only Vijaya that real matters is Jaya (victory over ones own desires)....hence the title of the book Jaya. Look forward to other books by Devdutt Patnaik -- love his shows on Epic TV Channel. Need more of it on Youtube for all worldwide readers to see. Unique Interpretation on a very old/enriched subject.

Great read and a good refresh of Mahabharata from my childhood. Although the way everything is written feels a bit rushed and the narrative is sometimes too shallow in areas where it should not be.The parts covering Pandavas 12 year exile, Bhagvad Gita, Bhisma & Abhimanyu's death .. all the really important events feel a bit too light and breezy and doesn't get the analysis depth that it deserves, which the author has so nicely done in some other areas, specially covering parts related to Draupadi or Karna..The illustrations are great and is probably one of the most creative I have ever seen

Excellent account of the great Epic. For me, this really is the pinnacle of research on the Mahabharata because it incorporates several viewpoints of the Epic from all over India, not just the written accounts but also orally told stories and folktales. Thorough, precise, and highly detailed - a must read for anyone interested in understanding the Mahabharata from its roots up. Even readers who have read several books on the Mahabharata before will discover something new in this book.. and in it, the true gems of wisdom.Just a note to readers: To get the best from this book I would suggest keeping a broad and detached mind while reading it and the less judgemental one is, the better - this may be especially true for those who have been exposed more to mainstream thoughts and concepts on the Epic and its key characters.

An ingenuous format for the summarizing of the fantastic Mahabharata. The telling of stories intermingled with "blocks" giving interpretations from various regions of the sub-continent and a sampling of religious interpretations. The illustrations are simple, but elucidating. I purchased the book in print and from Audible. That may seem foolish, but I can assure anyone that it was not. It made for an enriching experience. First, the Audible version was free as I bought it with a credit, and I got to follow the paperback, taking note as I am want to do in a book I like, while I got to listen to the rich Indian accents of the various narrators. It was educationally very sound, by the way, to get the input via two senses simultaneously. For me, it was pure delight.

After Rajaji's Mahabharath, I find this book to be precise as well as concise. It has many little relevant stories and the necessary history behind the events that take place. A worthy read and a worthy use of your time.

Great book.... Read several versions of the Mahabharata, but this version really gives us the facts...it relates the epic in a way that allows the reader to make his own judgement and draw his own conclusions. The way it links the book to the real-life situations in today's world makes one wonder.....In Most of the mahabharta narrations, the kauravas are the adharma ones and the pandavas the dharma followers. But in this book, the author shows the weakness of the pandavas as well...the addiction of Yudhishtir to gambling....the arrogance of Arjuna...the greed of Bhima...kunti's failure as a fair mother....Draupadi's manipulation of her 5 husbands to get what she wants and her regret for not choosing Karna as her husband who according to Krishna would have given her all due respect and never let her go through the humiliation she went through.. Without krishna's influence, the pandava's would not have gone so far...It also shows Karna, son of Surya God was far more powerful than Arjuna who always thought he was the best archer...... Arjuna's chariot was destroyed long time back during the battle.....but the presence of Krishna as charioteer sustained it...only when Krishna moved from the chariot, it blows to ashes.....! Must read!

The style of the book with the little illustrations on it make it a light and entertaining read. However this book can be read only if one has already read the Mahabharatha and is familiar with the characters and the main plot. It is a good read for those who would like to read about the Mahabharata in a different light. The synopsis at the end of each chapter are quite insightful.