{"product_id":"myth-mithya-a-handbook-of-hindu-mythology","title":"Myth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology by Devdutt Pattanaik","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMyth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology by Devdutt Pattanaik\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eThe core thesis of the book hinges on a mathematical equation provided by Pattanaik: \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"85\"\u003eMyth = Mithya\u003c\/b\u003e. While classical Western philosophy often contrasts truth with myth, ancient Indian philosophy uses \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"199\"\u003eMithya\u003c\/i\u003e to represent \"subjective reality\"—the world as we perceive it, colored by human ego and emotion, distinct from \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"317\"\u003eSatya\u003c\/i\u003e (absolute, objective truth).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eThe handbook is structurally organized into three progressive, thematic layers that mirror the evolution of cosmic consciousness in Hindu thought:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e1. Brahma: Human Devised Reality (The Ego and Mind)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003eThe first section examines the nature of human consciousness, fears, and the ego. Pattanaik introduces the creator god, Brahma, who symbolizes the human mind trying to map out, dominate, and categorize the chaotic world. He addresses how the stories of Brahma's children (the sages and demons) reflect the psychological struggle between animal instincts and cultural civilization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e2. Vishnu: Social Ordered Reality (The Preserver)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003eThe largest section of the book handles the concept of \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10\" data-index-in-node=\"55\"\u003eDharma\u003c\/b\u003e (cosmic and social order). Pattanaik explores how Vishnu descends into the material world via various \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10\" data-index-in-node=\"164\"\u003eAvatars\u003c\/b\u003e (incarnations like Rama and Krishna) to balance the scales of society. Rather than acting as a rigid moral judge, Vishnu is framed as an empathetic cosmic strategist who adapts his rules to match the changing contexts, eras, and psychological developments of humanity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"11\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e3. Shiva: Essential Reality (The Destroyer and Ascetic)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"12\"\u003eThe final section shifts away from society entirely to look at the inner self (\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"12\" data-index-in-node=\"79\"\u003eAtman\u003c\/b\u003e). Shiva represents absolute detachment, asceticism, and the dissolution of the human ego. Pattanaik analyzes the structural tension between Shiva the hermit and his consort Parvati (the Mother Goddess), showing how their relationship harmonizes the extreme pull between total worldly engagement (householder life) and spiritual withdrawal (monastic life).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"16\"\u003ePattanaik helps the reader look past the literal plot points of ancient stories to decode their underlying psychological and philosophical blueprints:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"17\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"17\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e1. The Meaning of Symbols\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"18\"\u003eA major highlight of the handbook is its decoding of iconic Hindu iconography. Pattanaik explains that a deity's weapons, posture, and vehicles are not decorative, but visual language:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"19\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"19,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"19,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Conch Shell (Shankha):\u003c\/b\u003e Symbolizes the vibrations of communication and cosmic awakening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"19,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"19,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Discus (Sudarshana Chakra):\u003c\/b\u003e Represents the inescapable, cyclic wheel of time (\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"19,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"82\"\u003eKala\u003c\/i\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"19,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"19,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eDeity Mounts (\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"19,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"14\"\u003eVahanas\u003c\/i\u003e):\u003c\/b\u003e An animal vehicle (like Shiva's bull or Durga's lion) represents a wild, natural instinct that the deity has successfully tamed and harnessed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage: English.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre: Mythology.\u003cspan class=\"BookPageMetadataSection__genreButton\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinding: সেলাই করা বাইন্ডিং\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuality: Premium Quality Books.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrinting: High Quality Printing.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaper: Eye Friendly paper (Cream White)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCover: Matt cover (Paperback).\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Books BD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47274878337209,"sku":null,"price":230.0,"currency_code":"BDT","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0780\/0874\/6169\/files\/Myth_Mithya.jpg?v=1779475873","url":"https:\/\/royalbooksbd.com\/products\/myth-mithya-a-handbook-of-hindu-mythology","provider":"Royal Books BD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}