Quotes from Devdutt Pattanaik

There is no such thing as an objective interpretation.

When we understand, we do not seek control of the other, hence are liberated. We

Yes, Yudhishtira, life has no point at all. So enjoy every moment for there s no tomorrow, no life after death, no soul, no fate, no bondage, no liberation, no God. Be a king if it makes you happy; dont be a king if it does not. Pleasure alone is the purpose of life.

Only the ignorant think they alone are responsible for an outcome

Lakshmi massages Vishnu's feet. Is this male domination? Kali stands on Shiva's chest. Is this female domination? Shiva is half a woman. Is this gender equality? Why then is Shakti never half a man?

The devotee looks at the deity (darshan) and the deity, with large unblinking eyes, looks back; the relationship is 'two-way' not 'one-way'.

There is no one but ourselves to blame for our problems: neither God nor any oppressors.

The elephant goad represents Yama, the god of death and bondage. Ganesha thus acknowledges the life-giving aspect of nature as well as the life-taking aspect of nature.

Destiny and desire, karma and kama, are the two forces that propel the world. Destiny is a reaction, an obligation that follows an action. Desire is an aspiration that forces the world to transform in a particular way. Destiny creates fate. Desire is based on free will. We have the freedom to accept life as it is or to make it the way we want it to be. That is what makes us Manavas or humans.

Religious or secular, all myths make profound sense to one group of people. Not to everyone. They cannot be rationalized beyond a point. In the final analysis, you either accept them or you don't.

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

Krishna's son, Samba, is portrayed in the scriptures as an irresponsible lout, perhaps to inform us that the child of a great man need not be a great man; greatness is not transmitted through the generations. Every man ultimately makes or destroys his own legacy.

Prayer earns merit. Merit makes life predictable. Keeps away accidents and surprises.

In time, Radha became a goddess in her own right, the symbol of sacrifice, surrender and unconditional love.

Only when there is undiluted compassion for everyone, even our worst enemies, is ego truly conquered. Realization

Dharma thus has nothing to with rules or obligations. It has to do with intent and caring for the other, be it your kingdom or your family.

the true meaning of kingship—to do what animals cannot do: overpower the law of the jungle, and give the weak an opportunity to thrive.

Brahma splits Brahmanda into three parts: me, mine and what is not mine. This is Tripura, the three worlds.

Such is the nature of man-made laws: ignorant of the past and insensitive to the present.

The journey towards limitless truth expands our mind

Dharma is about exchange, about giving and receiving, It is about outgrowing animal instincts, outgrowing fear, discovering the ability to feed others, comfort others, enable others to find meaning.

Dharma is more about empathy than ethics, about intent rather than outcome.

Taken psychologically, the idea of rebirth is about having multiple opportunities to break the cycle of fear and find meaning, without 'consuming' anyone.

Animal fight to defend their bodies. Humans curse to defend their imagination of themselves.