This victory makes Baal the natural candidate for kingship among the gods.

The term gains far greater frequency and elaboration in later Dharmashastra literature as the doctrine of untouchability was endorsed forcefully.

What made the Kalacakratantra more than a tract against Islam was the way it used animal sacrifice as a hinge to fold Hinduism into the same condemnation

Through these transformations Kamban enriched the Ramayana with additional moral themes: devotion, friendship, ethical warfare, loyalty between siblings, and universal brotherhood.

Collect all three answers. Arrange them side by side in your mind. Notice how they contradict each other in at least four directions.

Akshamala proves no ordinary woman. Through her austerity and fidelity, she is said to stop the sun itself with her spiritual power.

The episodes they sing include his miraculous birth, foretold by astrologers. He is said to have been fed by a lioness and destined to become a protector of cows.

Together, Ram and Krishna created a balanced political theology. Ram gave structure to power. Krishna made power lovable.

This is seen in Bengal, it is seen in Maharashtra, it is seen in Karnataka. It is known as Charak Puja in Bengal, Bagad in Maharashtra and Siddhi in Karnataka. But there are variations here.

The physical structure of Badrinath evokes ambiguity. It does not resemble a classical Hindu temple but looks closer to a Buddhist vihara.

Devdutt Pattanaik

Who is Baal?

The Chandala in the Vedas

mid-day Opinion: Tantra of the wheel of time

A Tamil reimagining of the Ramayana

How to tackle ‘mythology is history’ uncles

Chandala’s daughter, Arundhati

Pabuji of Marwar, the Rajput hero who brought camels and courage to India

Temple gopurams as royal defiance

The hook-swinging rituals of India

The sage under the berry tree

Home / Search / Devdutt Pattanaik