Sita: An Illustrated Retelling Of The Ramayana

For those who are interested in Indian mythology, this book is a must read. Devdutt Pattanaik has done very good work. I will not comment on how true the book is to the different versions of the Ramayana since I am not an expert. However, the writing style is captivating. --By Aditya on 2 November 2013

Devdutt's Sita is neither Ram's Trophy nor is a victim of Raavan, She is a mighty powerhouse on her own, willingly contained within the royal rules she decided to follow. Her characterization is the one we call an empowered woman, now. She was learned, lovable, affectionate, dutiful, with strong sense of reasoning, and is well aware of her capabilities. She is more than willing to accept her destiny and sharing her credit with her husband's to make him outgrow the societal implications, She was complete and wished to compliment Ram as a dedicated lover. She was the power --By krishna thota on 19 March 2014

Fantastic read. If you read it with soul and emotion and not like some "Hindu" scripture, and just like a novel, you will surely be touched and might even have watery eyes at some places in this epic of wisdom and logic. My only message to the readers is, people, buy it. It is a treasure chest for a successful and peaceful life ahead and a healthy human psychology if you understood Pattanaik's perspective. Well, It's all about perspective, isn't it. A famous line from this book, --Bharat Aswal on Dec 10, 2013

It is significant that the only character in Hindu mythology, a king at that, to be given the title of ekam-patni-vrata, devoted to a single wife, is associated with the most unjust act of abandoning her in the forest to protect family reputation. This seems a deliberate souring of an uplifting narrative. Ram's refusal to remarry to produce a royal heir adds to the complexity. The intention seems to be to provoke throught on notions of fidelity, property and self-image.

And so the mythologist and illustrator Devdutt Pattaanik retells the Ramayana, drawing attention to the many oral, visual and written retellings composed in different times, in different places, by different poets, each one trying to solve the puzzle in its own unique way.

This book approaches Ram by speculating on Sita: her childhood with her father, Janaka, who hosted sages mentioned in the Upanishads; her stay in the forest with her husband, who had to be a celibate ascetic while she was in the prime of her youth; her interactions with the women of Lanka, recipes she exchanged, emotions they shared; her connection with the earth, her mother, and with the trees, her sisters; her role as the Goddess, the untamed Kali as well as the demure Gauri, in transforming the stoic prince of Ayodhya into God.