India’s favourite mythologist, Devdutt Pattanaik, is back! Get a double dose of his masterpieces in a gorgeous flipbook to get another perspective into Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Here’s an excerpt from one half of the book – The Boys Who Fought – depicting the Pandavas as they prepare for one of their many heroic battles:
The Fifth Fight, as Warriors
The Kauravas were delighted at having located the Pandavas before the thirteenth year was over.
Unfortunately, their joy was short-lived. Bhishma said that the Kauravas’ calculation was faulty by a year. They had not considered the extra month that needs to be added to a year every three years. So technically, the Pandavas had actually been in exile for more than thirteen years.
Drupada sent a messenger to the Kauravas on behalf of his sons-in-law, demanding that they keep their end of the bargain and return Pandava territory to the Pandavas. The Kauravas refused.
Then the Kauravas sent Sanjay, Dhritarashtra’s charioteer, to tell the Pandavas not to return from their exile for the sake of peace. The Pandavas refused.
Then Krishna went to Hastinapur to reach a compromise. ‘Don’t give them everything. Just five villages,’ said Krishna. The Kauravas refused. Instead they insulted the Pandavas for behaving like beggars.
It was clear that there would be no compromise nor peace. War had to be declared; sides had to be picked.
Two-Epics-In-One is the perfect gift for the young ones to celebrate the spirit of this festive season!
