185 Quotes by Devdutt Pattanaik

Do not surrender to a situation that nurtures the ego.

Thus while Ganesha helps devotees move from south to north, Kartikeya himself moves from north to south for the benefi t of devotees. While as Ganesha tempers materialistic cravings with spiritual insight, Murugan tempers his martial attitude with divine grace and romantic emotions. Thus the Goddess helps Shiva connect with humanity through her two sons.

God does not hate you, Draupadi. But you are responsible for rejecting Karna on the grounds of caste. A great warrior, he would never have gambled you in a game of dice. You chose a priest instead, who turned out to be a prince, who shared you with his four brothers, but who could not protect you. And so here you are – helpless, humiliated, and alone, in a situation that you inadvertently helped create. Take responsibility for it.

Vedas are the earliest sacred scriptures of Hinduism and are full of abstract hymns containing esoteric concepts. The Puranas were written later and use stories and characters to make those esoteric concepts more accessible.

Shiva becomes the destroyer, acquiring strength and inspiration from his consort Shakti, who is both Gauri, radiant goddess of eroticism, and Kali, dark goddess of extermination.

Life is like a river. You can struggle to change its course but ultimately it will go its own way. Bathe.

Each moment is a fruit of the past and seed of future.

Janaka told her to bring happiness into marriage, rather than seek happiness from it.

The point of existence in this dynamic, ever-changing world then was not to aspire or achieve, but to introspect.