MAHAGATHA – 100 Tales from the Puranas
Do you love reading mythology? or the history of our ‘Indian ancient lore’, i.e the Puranas? If yes, then Mahagatha- 100 Tales from Puranas is going to be a great read for you! It is one such collectible book that begins which Brahma ji’s creation. A great read and one which is worth having in your home library to read and pass on the known-unknown tales of our past to future generations.
All the 100 tales in the book MAHAGATHA (MAHA- Grand, GATHA- Story- meaning a grand story) are such amazing sacred sagas that enrich our own knowledge about our legends of divinities, demons, sages, and humans with some mesmerizing illustrations.
The Book Blurb- MAHAGATHA – 100 Tales from the Puranas
Do you know the story where Brahma and Vishnu race against each other or where Shiva battles Krishna? Where Indra attempts foeticide or where Rama punishes a Shudra? Do you know about Maya Sita or Narada’s monkey face? Or why Surya falls from the sky or why Chandra commits adultery?
The Puranas of Hinduism is a universe of wisdom, embodying a fundamental quest for answers that makes them forever relevant. Now, for the first time, 100 of the greatest mythological tales from these ancient texts have been handpicked and compiled into an epic illustrated edition. Besides popular legends of devas, asuras, sages, and kings, Satyarth Nayak has dug up lesser-known stories, like the one where Vishnu is beheaded or where Saraswati curses Lakshmi, or where Harishchandra tricks Varuna. Nayak also recounts these 100 tales in a unique chronological format, beginning with Creation in Satya Yuga and ending with the advent of Kali Yuga. Using Puranic markers, he constructs a narrative that travels through the four yugas, offering continuous and organic action. In such a reading, it is revealed that these stories are not isolated events but linked to each other in the grand scheme of things. That every occurrence has a past and a future. A cause and effect. An interconnected cycle of karma and karma-phal.
Delving into the minds of gods, demons, and humans alike, Mahagatha seeks a deeper understanding of their motivations. The timelessness of their impulses speaks across the aeons to readers of today. Written in lively prose with charming illustrations, these 100 tales will entertain and enlighten, you and make you connect the dots of Hindu mythology like never before.
The Book: MAHAGATHA
- LANGUAGE: English
- READING AGE: 14 years and above
- PUBLISHER ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins India (8 December 2022)
- PAPERBACK ‏ : ‎ 436 pages
- Buy from Amazon here.
About the Author- Satyarth Nayak
Satyarth Nayak is an author and screenwriter based in Mumbai. A former SAARC Award-winning Correspondent with CNN-IBN, Delhi, he holds a Master in English Literature from St. Stephen’s. Sridevi – The Eternal Screen Goddess (Penguin, 2019) is Satyarth’s best-selling biography. His debut novel, The Emperor’s Riddles, was released in 2014. He followed it up with his second thriller titled Venom in 2020. Satyarth has also scripted Sony’s epic historical show, Porus, touted as India’s most expensive television series that aired from 2017 to 2019. His short stories have won the British Council award and appeared in Sudha Murty’s Penguin anthology, Something Happened On The Way To Heaven.
Related read: WHY YOU SHOULD READ STORY OF RAMAYANA TO KIDS?
My Honest Book Review: MAHAGATHA – 100 Tales from the Puranas
Puranas from our Hindu mythology (Ancient history) are not just tales of our sacred gods and their battles with demons. It is our literature teaching us the distinction between good and not-so-good. Helping us take the right decisions in our time of need. With the passing of time, in order to earn our livelihood, we have lost touch with our own traditional literature. But with the number of sagas and pieces of literature, we have, this book is a great beginning.
- The language of the book is simple to read. The book is in English but the Hindi names of events, and characters, are maintained which is a help for people aware of those.
- All the chapters including the ones describing the avatars are descriptive and well-crafted aiding a deeper understanding of their motives and motivations.
- Once you have finished reading this book from cover to cover, you will surely be left enlightened, getting to know so much more about our Puranas than ever before.
It is a great attempt by the author to collate these tales in order of chronology from Sat Yuga to Kal Yuga. This makes sense while reading and helps connect better especially if you haven’t read much of our Puranas.
My Rating 5/5 Stars
Out and out a great collectible to have in your home library. Would highly recommend reading the book and also reading (narrating in short) it to your kids.
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Wow. This does seem like a book one must definitely read to understand the Hindu mythology.
I love reading about our rich ancient culture and puranas. Your review looks very intriguing. Would love to pick this book.
The book seems to be an interesting read for someone who loves and would want to explore and expand their mythological knowledge.
This is a book I would love to read and encourage my kids to read too. There’s so much to learn from our puranas and it’s good to find such amazing stories in one place.
I thought of picking up this book but I am not really fond of this genre. thanks for sharing the detailed review. At least got to know about the book in depth. Great review!
Mythology is my favourite genre when it comes to reading books. This book comprising of 100 tales definitely piques my interest to read much more. Will check this out
This is a book which many of us read, appreciated and recommended to other fellow readers. The book is really good to read.
I have read Satyarth’s The Emperor’s Riddles many years ago and loved it. I am sure, Mahagatha: 100 Tales from the Puranas would make for an interesting and insightful read. Will check it out. Thanks for recommending it.
We should read the Puranas to children.We grew up reading them, but now it is all forgotten.The cover is eye-catching.I wish schools incorporate puranas in curriculum so that the new gen gets to know our history.
Not my kind of genre but great to see a book getting a 5 star. I rarely give books a 5 star hahaha.
I really enjoy reading mythology, I feel a strange strong connection since childhood. A good review with 5/5 rating.
I remember, my mom use to tell many stories of our Indian mythology and this book will surely add more info to what I have listened or read. Thanks for sharing
I grew up listening to stories of puranas and epics from my grandmother and parents. I miss those days.
Those were good old days I miss too.. 🙂