Devdutt Pattanaik

{{Short description|Indian mythologist and writer (born 1970)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Devdutt Pattanaik

| image = Devdutt Pattanaik with his own 20 books.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Devdutt Pattanaik

| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|12 December 1970}}

| birth_place = Mumbai, India

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Indian

| other_names =

| education = MBBS (Grant Medical College)
Postgraduate Diploma in Comparative Mythology (University of Bombay)

| occupation = Mythologist, writer, columnist, illustrator

| known_for = Works on Indian mythology

| father = Prafulla Kumar Pattanaik

| mother = Sabitri Pattanaik (Das)

| website = {{URL | www.devdutt.com | www.Devdutt.com }}

| signature = Devdutt Pattanaik Autograph.png

| module = {{Listen

| embed = yes

| title = Devdutt Pattanaik's voice

| filename = Devdutt Pattanaik Voice Intro (En) 01.mp3

| type = speech

| description = Recorded January 2018}}

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Devdutt Pattanaik is a mythologist and writer from Orissa, India whose parents had migrated to Mumbai before his birth. He writes on mythology, the study of cultural truths revealed through stories, symbols and rituals. He lectures on the relevance of both Indian and Western myths in modern life. His work focuses largely on the areas of religion, mythology, and management. He has authored and illustrated over 50 books, including ABC Of Hinduism,{{cite book |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |title=ABC Of Hinduism |year=2024 |publisher=Aleph Book Company |isbn=978-8119635740}} Bahubali : 63 insights into Jainism,{{cite book |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |title=Bahubali: 63 Insights into Jainism |year=2023 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-8119635740}} and Yoga Mythology: 64 Asanas and Their Stories.{{cite book |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |title=Yoga Mythology: 64 Asanas and Their Stories |year=2019 |publisher=Harper Collins |isbn=978-8119635740}}

Devdutt is a regular columnist for reputed newspapers like Mid-day,{{cite web | url=https://www.mid-day.com/author-detail/devdutt-pattanaik-86 | title=Devdutt Patta: Latest News, Photos, Videos on Devdutt Pattanaik }} Times of India{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-plus/author-devduttpattanaik-16385 | title=Devdutt Pattanaik: Read all latest stories from Devdutt Pattanaik | Times of India | website=The Times of India }} and Dainik Bhaskar.{{cite web | url=https://www.bhaskar.com/bih-pat-hmu-mat-latest-patna-news-031003-3048545-nor.html/ | title=देवदत्त पटनायक लेखक,मायथोलॉजिस्ट - Patna News | work=Dainik Bhaskar | date=24 July 2017 }} He is also known for his TED talk{{cite web | url=https://www.ted.com/speakers/devdutt_pattanaik | title=Devdutt Pattanaik | Speaker | TED }} and Business Sutra{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtofACChFQc&ab_channel=CNBC-TV18 | title=Business Sutra | Dharma & DharmaSankat | Devdutt Pattanaik | CNBC TV18 | website=YouTube | date=21 June 2010 }} as well as The Devdutt Pattanaik Show on Radio Mirchi.{{Cite web | title=Best Podcast Online - Listen to English & Hindi Podcast, Horror Podcast on Gaana.com | url=https://mirchi.in/podcast/culture/the-devdutt-pattanaik-show-mirchi | access-date=2025-03-21 | website=mirchi.in}}

A medical doctor by training, Devdutt spent 15 years working in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. However, his study on the cultural impact of mythology began three decades ago.

Early life and education

Devdutt is an Oriya who was born and brought up in Mumbai. His mother is Smt. Sabitri Pattanaik & father is Sj. Prafulla Kumar Pattanaik. He spent his childhood and student life in Chembur, Mumbai.{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Sanjukta |date=16 September 2010 |title=The mythologist |work=Mint |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/7Ie4rwesj5V6KkA3VHtL1H/The-mythologist.html}} He studied in Our Lady of Perpetual Succour High School in Chembur.{{Cite news |date=12 June 2016 |title=Devdutt Pattanaik: Ramayana in OLPS |language=en |work=Mid-Day |url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/devdutt-pattanaik-ramayana-in-olps/17326190 |access-date=23 September 2017}} Devdutt graduated in medicine (M.B.B.S.) from Grant Medical College, Mumbai, and subsequently obtained a diploma in Comparative Mythology from Mumbai University.{{cite news |last=Bali |first=Shinmin |others=The Indian Express |date=25 May 2003 |title=Teaching Old Heads New Tricks |work=Financial Express |url=http://www.financialexpress.com/printer/news/77330/}}

Career

Devdutt worked in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry (Sanofi Aventis and Apollo Group of Hospitals,{{Cite web |url=http://www.nasscom.in/devdutt-pattanaik-chief-belief-officer-future-group |title=Devdutt Pattanaik, Chief Belief Officer, Future Group | NASSCOM |access-date=9 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209143409/http://www.nasscom.in/devdutt-pattanaik-chief-belief-officer-future-group |archive-date=9 February 2015 |url-status=dead }} respectively) for 14 years and spent his spare time writing articles{{Cite web |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |date=October 31, 2015 |title=Devdutt Pattanaik on 14 things historians taught him |url=https://www.dailyo.in/politics/historians-mythology-india-awardwapsi-mahabharata-ramayana-ashoka-brahmi-pali-jainism-buddhism/story/1/7097.html |website=dailyo.in}}{{Cite web |last=Pattnaik |first=Devdutt |date=17 November 2018 |title=#MeToo in Mahabharata: Political needs were placed over Draupadi's security |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-commentary/metoo-in-mahabharata-political-needs-were-placed-over-draupadis-security/ |website=Economic Times Blog}} and books on mythology,{{Cite web |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |date=19 January 2014 |title=5151 years of Gita |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/5151-years-of-gita/15033045 |website=Mid-day}}{{Cite web |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |date=December 27, 2015 |title=The complete man |url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/cover/krishna-the-complete-man.html |website=TheWeek.in}} which eventually became his full-time profession. His first book Shiva: An Introduction was published in 1997.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LGbXAAAAMAAJ|title=Shiva: an introduction|first=Devdutt|last=Pattanaik|date=20 August 1997|publisher=Vakils, Feffer and Simons Ltd.|isbn=9780863110085|via=Google Books}} Devdutt illustrates most of his own books.{{cite news |last=Krishnamachari |first=Suganthy |date=24 April 2009 |title=Demystifying mythology: A conversation with Devdutt Pattanaik |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/04/24/stories/2009042451310400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429012100/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/04/24/stories/2009042451310400.htm |archive-date=29 April 2009}}

He was a speaker at the first TED conference in India held in November 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/01/stories/2009110154420400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105062442/http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/01/stories/2009110154420400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 November 2009|work=The Hindu|title=Great response to first TED meet in India|date=1 November 2009}}{{Cite web |date=November 2009 |title=Devdutt Pattanaik: East vs. West -- the myths that mystify, TEDIndia 2009 |url=http://www.ted.com/talks/devdutt_pattanaik.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213031405/http://www.ted.com:80/talks/devdutt_pattanaik.html? |archive-date=13 February 2014 |website=ted.com}}

Devdutt has consulted Star TV network on mythological television series like Mahabharata, Siya Ke Ram and Vighnaharta Sri Ganesha; these serials have challenged conventional views of the narratives and opened up new avenues of interpretation. In the latter serial he added the narrative of Lord Jagannatha & Puri since he is an Oriya. {{Cite news |last=Sen |first=Debarati S |date=3 September 2013 |title=Devdutt Patnaik roped for Mahabharat |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Renowned-author-Devdutt-is-all-set-to-make-his-off-screen-TV-debut-with-Mahabharat-/articleshow/22255263.cms |access-date=21 August 2017}}{{Cite web |title=Best of Radio Mirchi : Devdutt Pattanaik speaks about Siya Ke Ram saath Jeeturaaj |url=https://www.radiomirchi.com/bestofmirchi/editorpick/devdutt-pattanaik-speaks-about-siya-ke-ram-saath-jeeturaaj/31057/260 |access-date=21 August 2017 |website=radiomirchi.com}}{{Cite news |date=16 September 2013 |title=Exclusive {{!}} Mahabharat will stir lot of curiosity: Devdutt Pattanaik |work=adgully.com |url=https://www.adgully.com/exclusive-mahabharat-will-stir-lot-of-curiosity-devdutt-pattanaik-55522.html |access-date=21 August 2017}}

He has also been the story consultant at Indian television network Star TV, where Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev is based on his work.{{Cite web |last=Yadav |first=Sangeeta |date=16 July 2017 |title=God of small screen |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/sunday-edition/sunday-pioneer/special/god-of-small-screen.html |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=The Pioneer}}{{Cite web |date=2013 |title=MindRush. Event Speakers. Devdutt Pattanaik |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/bt-mindrush/speaker-Devdutt-Pattanaik.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810194617/https://www.businesstoday.in/bt-mindrush/speaker-Devdutt-Pattanaik.jsp |archive-date=10 August 2020 |website=businesstoday.in}}{{Cite web |title=Devon ke Dev Mahadev – Review |url=http://indiaopines.com/devon-ke-dev-mahadev-review/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106183818/http://indiaopines.com/devon-ke-dev-mahadev-review/ |archive-date=6 November 2017 |access-date=15 February 2018 |website=India Opines}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/mam/marketing/an-eclectic-set-of-speakers-announced-for-goafest-2014-140402|title=An eclectic set of speakers announced for Goafest 2014|date=2 April 2014|website=Indian Television Dot Com}}

In 2015, Devdutt presented the Hindi television series Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik on the "EPIC ON" channel. In the show, he attempts to demystify and decode the folklore and traditions that accompanies Indian mythology. In December 2016, he made "his debut on the Forbes India Celeb 100 list, on the 93rd spot."{{Cite web |last=Abrol |first=Somya |date=December 23, 2016 |title=Seeing Chetan Bhagat and Devdutt Pattanaik in the Forbes India Celeb 100 list is confusing us no end |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/culture/story/chetan-bhagat-devdutt-pattanaik-forbes-india-celebrity-100-2016-lifest-359231-2016-12-23 |website=India Today}}

Devdutt worked on Audible Originals (India)'s audiobook titled Suno Mahabharat Devdutt Pattanaik ke Saath and Revisiting Mahabharata with Devdutt Pattanaik.{{Cite news|last=Majumdar|first=Meghna|date=2020-05-25|title=Devdutt Devdutt narrates The Mahabharata as a six-hour audio tale|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/devdutt-pattanaik-narrates-the-mahabharata-as-a-six-hour-audio-tale/article31670737.ece|access-date=2020-06-22|issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |last=Ghosal |first=Sharmistha |date=29 May 2020 |title=Audible Suno launches Suno Mahabharata Devdutt Pattanaik Ke Saath |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/books/2020/may/29/audible-suno-launches-suno-mahabharata-devdutt-pattanaik-ke-saath-25350.html |access-date=2020-06-22 |website=indulgexpress.com |publisher=The Indian Express}} In his show he talks about the details of the war in the Mahabharata, how it affected the world, and what happened to India after the death of the Pandavas and the Kauravas. He also communicates the Vedic tenets which describes karma and dharma.

Art

File:Hanuman with Ram's banner.jpg

Columnist Koral Dasgupta mentions, "Pattanaik’s art follows a particular style and is dependent on expertly sketched lines but the focus is never the perfection of hands and limbs and props. The pursuit is clearly that of beauty and depiction; not the grammatical detailing of a photograph!"{{Cite web |last=Dasgupta |first=Koral |date=7 October 2015 |others=Blog |title=Beyond the writer: Devdutt Pattanaik |url=https://www.news18.com/blogs/books/koral-dasgupta/beyond-the-writer-devdutt-pattanaik-14361-1147624.html |website=News18}}

Views

= Myth and Mythology =

Devdutt opines that "no society can exist without myth as it creates notions of right and wrong, good and bad, heaven and hell, rights and duties".{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=Namya |date=4 July 2016 |title=No society can exist without myth, says Devdutt Pattanaik |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/no-society-can-exist-without-myth-says-devdutt-pattanaik/story-PG1v4iB17j07dV5Vyv86QN.html |website=Hindustan Times}} To him, mythology "tells people how they should see the world... Different people will have their own mythology, reframing old ones or creating new ones."{{Cite news |last=Chakrabarty |first=Roshni |date=7 July 2017 |title=Devdutt Devdutt explains how understanding the symbolism behind Indian mythology can entirely change the way we view life |newspaper=India Today |agency= |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/devdutt-pattanaik-mythology-importance-interview-1023028-2017-07-07}} His desire is "to get Saraswati out of the closet. Saraswati belongs everywhere, she has to flow everywhere" and his body of work is aimed "to make knowledge accessible."{{Cite web |date=27 October 2018 |others=Devdutt Pattanaik in conversation with The Indian Express Literary Editor Pratik Kanjilal |title=Modern people want to feel liberal, so they construct a past that's conservative |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/devdutt-pattanaik-modern-people-want-to-feel-liberal-so-they-construct-a-past-thats-conservative-5420504/ |website=The Indian Express |publication-place=Express Adda, New Delhi}}

In Shiva to Shankara: Giving Form to the Formless,{{Cite book|title=Shiva to Shankara : giving form to the formless|first=Devdutt|last=Pattanaik|date=30 January 2018|isbn=9789352641956|location=Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India|oclc=985916928}} Devdutt explores the layers of meanings embedded in Shiva's linga and the transformation of Shiva, the hermit, into Shankara, the householder by the Goddess. Culture: 50 Insights from Mythology contextualises mythology and proposes that myths are alive, dynamic, shaped by perception and the times one lives in.{{Cite book|title=CULTURE : 50 insights from mythology.|first=Devdutt|last=Pattanaik|date=2018|publisher=Harper360|isbn=9789352644971|location=[S.l.]|oclc=990971229}}

Western mythology, according to him, propagates the idea that the world is in need of changing, either by Greek heroes, or by Abrahamic prophets and kings, or by scientists, activists and capitalists. "Indic mythology presents the idea that the world is constantly changing, human intervention notwithstanding. There are no heroes or villains, no oppressor or oppressed, no saviour or martyr, just different ways of looking at reality...I do not claim objectivity; I am comfortable with subjectivity and well aware of my Indian gaze," he says.{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/devdutt-pattanaik-retells-greek-myths-718037-2016-11-03 | title=Devdutt Pattanaik retells Greek myths | date=3 November 2016 }}

= Business =

In his book, Business Sutra: An Indian Approach to Management, "the central theme … is that when individual beliefs come into conflict with corporate beliefs, problems surface in organisations. Conversely, when institutional beliefs and individual beliefs are congruent, harmony is the resultant corporate climate. It is when people are seen as mere resources meant to be managed [read: manipulated] through compensation and so-called motivation; it is when they are treated like switches in a circuit board; it is then that disharmony descends causing disruption".{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-reviews/an-indian-view-of-management/article4689764.ece|title=An Indian view of management|first=R.|last=Devarajan|date=6 May 2013|via=www.thehindu.com|newspaper=The Hindu}}

= Politics =

Devdutt is wary of the influence of "white saviours" on liberals as well as religious radicals. He has been rather contemptuous of the hyper-nationalism of a section of American Hindus who are clueless about Indian realities.{{Cite web |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |date=24 December 2016 |title=From Macaulay to Frawley, from Doniger to Elst: Why do many Indians need White saviours? |url=https://scroll.in/article/824732/from-macaulay-to-frawley-from-doniger-to-elst-why-do-many-indians-need-white-saviours |website=Scroll.in}}{{Cite web |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |date=17 September 2017 |title=Devdutt Pattanaik: Brahmins who rejected Ram |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/devdutt-pattanaik-brahmins-who-rejected-ram/18585174 |website=Mid-Day}} He also frowns on secularists and atheists who deny their own missionary zeal and mythic structure, and see themselves as "rational".{{Cite web |last=Pattanaik |first=Devdutt |date=6 August 2017 |title=Devdutt Pattanaik: Atheist and secular mythologies |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/devdutt-pattanaik-atheist-and-secular-mythologies/18483158 |website=Mid-day}}

Devdutt says, "Unlike fiction or history, mythology is a pluralistic truth with many interpretations, all of which needs to be respected." He further states, “For politicians, dates are important. For human beings and devotees, God is everywhere, every time.”{{cite web | url=https://theprint.in/india/ram-remains-in-soul-of-devotee-at-all-times-writer-debdutt-pattanaik/1922747/ | title=Ram remains in soul of devotee at all times: Writer Debdutt Pattanaik | website=ThePrint | date=13 January 2024 }}

= Sexuality =

Devdutt has been frank about the LGBTQ revolution in India.{{Cite web |date=20 September 2018 |title=Devdutt Pattanaik comes out of the closet |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/features/devdutt-pattanaik-comes-out-of-the-closet/articleshow/65872282.cms |website=The Times of India}} Pattnaik realised that he was gay in 10th standard and came out to his parents when he was 30.{{Cite web | url=https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/bangladesh/english/ed+times-epaper-edtimes/mythologist+and+author+devdutt+pattanaik+comes+out+as+gay+in+interview+for+the+first+time+after+section+377+abolition-newsid-97241121 |title = Mythologist and Author Devdutt Pattanaik Comes Out as 'Gay' in Interview for the First Time After Section 377 Abolition - ED Times}} After the 2018 decriminalization of homosexuality in India, Devdutt came out as gay in a televised interview.{{Cite web |date=22 July 2018 |title=Proud to be gay |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/proud-to-be-gay/articleshow/65088845.cms |website=The Times of India}} He has written about the presence, and at several instances, the celebration, of the queer within the Indian mythos. Elucidating that karmic faiths can be used to affirm the dignity of queer people, he speaks of how when one discovers love and appreciation for the world as it is, not the way one wants it to be, one develops wisdom.{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/india/1382039/section-377-indias-devdutt-pattanaik-on-gay-rights-and-karma/|title=India's ancient religions are actually very accepting of gay people|first=Devdutt|last=Pattanaik|website=Quartz India|date=7 September 2018 }}

Reception

In 2014, Devdutt was listed in the top category of bestselling Indian authors.{{Cite news |last=Nerurkar |first=Sonal |date=10 August 2014 |title=Bang for the book |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/deep-focus/Bang-for-the-book/articleshow/39979332.cms |access-date=25 August 2017}} His book Devlok, based on the television programme of the same name, was one of the year's bestsellers in 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/bestseller-books-of-2016-indian-authors-beat-international-writers/articleshow/55914787.cms|title=Bestseller books of 2016: Indian authors beat international writers|date=11 December 2016|work=The Economic Times|access-date=25 August 2017}} Forbes India had ranked Devdutt among the 100 celebrities of India in 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/culture/story/chetan-bhagat-devdutt-pattanaik-forbes-india-celebrity-100-2016-lifest-359231-2016-12-23|title=Seeing Chetan Bhagat and Devdutt Pattanaik in the Forbes India Celeb 100 list is confusing us no end|date=23 December 2016|first=Somya|last=Abrol|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=16 February 2019}}

Fiction author Ashwin Sanghi has said that Devdutt attempts to "explain mythology in simple words".{{cite news | last=Rao | first=Namrata | title='Writing is an art, crime writing is a craft': Ashwin Sanghi | work=Financial Express | date=5 February 2017 | url=http://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/writing-is-an-art-crime-writing-is-a-craft-ashwin-sanghi/538055/ | access-date=9 February 2017}} Psychologist Urmi Chanda-Vaz, who calls Devdutt "India's most beloved mythology explicator", praised his book My Gita.{{cite news | last=Chanda-Vaz | first=Urmi | title=Indian mythology is a new medium of choice for feminist narratives (and it's working) | work=Scroll.in | date=5 February 2017 | url=https://scroll.in/article/828515/indian-mythology-is-a-new-medium-of-choice-for-feminist-narratives-and-its-working | access-date=9 February 2017}}{{cite news |last=Chanda-Vaz |first=Urmi |date=22 November 2015 |title=Why reading Devdutt Pattanaik's My Gita makes sense but does not mean you're reading the Gita |work=Scroll.in |url=https://scroll.in/article/770902/why-reading-devdutt-pattanaiks-my-gita-makes-sense-but-does-not-mean-youre-reading-the-gita |access-date=9 February 2017}} Academic Shiv Visvanathan has praised Devdutt by saying that he has made myth-reading "an open, playful, almost domestic game, like Chinese Checkers or Scrabble".{{cite news |last=Visvanathan |first=Shiv |date=16 December 2016 |title=Shiv Visvanathan on the importance of being (and thinking like) Devdutt Pattanaik |work=Scroll.in |url=https://scroll.in/article/823924/shiv-visvanathan-on-the-importance-of-being-and-thinking-like-devdutt-pattanaik}}

Neil Gaiman praised Devdutt Pattanaik for his 2016 book Olympus: An Indian Retelling of the Greek Myth. "I read a fantastic Indian writer recently where he told Greek myth but from an Indian perspective... He makes it so easy to understand but what is lovely is that he does from a very proud Indian connect."{{Cite web |date=31 May 2019 |agency=PTI |title=Good Omens gives people different way to imagine what heaven and hell may look like: Neil Gaiman |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/neil-gaiman-good-omens-5758173/ |website=The Indian Express}}

Publications

= Mythology =

  1. Shiva: An Introduction. Vakils, Feffer and Simons Ltd., 1997. {{ISBN|978-81-8462-013-9}}. (Based on Shiva).
  2. Vishnu: An Introduction. Vakils, Feffer and Simons Ltd., 1999. {{ISBN|81-87111-12-7}}. (Based on Vishnu).
  3. Devi, The Mother-Goddess: An Introduction. Vakils, Feffer, and Simons Ltd., 2000. {{ISBN|978-81-87111-91-7}}. (Based on the concept of Devi).
  4. The Goddess in India: The Five Faces of the Eternal Feminine. Inner Traditions/ Bear & Company, 2000. {{ISBN|978-0-89281-807-5}}. Translations: Hindi.
  5. Hanuman: An Introduction. Vakils, Feffer and Simons Ltd., 2001. {{ISBN|978-81-87111-94-8}}. (Based on Hanuman).
  6. The Man Who Was A Woman and Other Queer Tales from Hindu Lore. Harrington Park Press, 2002. {{ISBN|1560231815}}.
  7. Hindu India. Brijbasi Art Press, 2003. {{ISBN|8187902078}}.
  8. Indian Mythology: Tales, Symbols, and Rituals from the Heart of the Subcontinent. Inner Traditions/ Bear & Company, 2003. {{ISBN|978-0-89281-870-9}}.
  9. Lakshmi, The Goddess of Wealth and Fortune: An Introduction. Vakils, Feffer, and Simons Ltd., 2003. {{ISBN|978-81-8462-019-1}}. (Based on Lakshmi).
  10. Myth=Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology. Penguin Books India, 2006. {{ISBN|9780143099703}}. Translations: Hindi, Marathi, Turkish.
  11. Shiva to Shankara: Decoding the Phallic Symbol. Indus Source, India. 2006. {{ISBN|81-88569-04-6}}. Translations: Czech, Hindi (Based on Shiva).
  12. The Book of Ram. Penguin Books India, 2009. {{ISBN|9780143065289}}. (Based on Ram) - Part of a book series on mythological figures published by Penguin.
  13. 7 Secrets from Hindu Calendar Art. Westland Ltd., 2009. {{ISBN|9788189975678}}. Translations: Gujarati, Hindi (Based on Hindu Calendar art).
  14. Hanuman's Ramayan. Tulika Publishers, 2010. {{ISBN|9788181467515}}. (Based on Hanuman).
  15. Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata. Penguin Books India, 2010. {{ISBN|9780143104254}}. Translations: Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil (Based on the Mahabharata).
  16. 7 Secrets of Shiva. Westland Ltd., 2011. {{ISBN|9789380658636}}. Translations: Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Russian, Telugu (Based on Shiva).
  17. 7 Secrets of Vishnu. Westland Ltd., 2011. {{ISBN|9789380658681}}. Translations: Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Russian (Based on Vishnu).
  18. 99 Thoughts on Ganesha: Stories, Symbols and Rituals of India's Beloved Elephant-headed Deity. Jaico Publishing House, 2011. {{ISBN|978-81-8495-152-3}}. Translations: Gujarati, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, Telugu (Based on Ganesha).
  19. Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana. Penguin Books India, 2013 {{ISBN|9780143064329}}. Translations: Hindi, Marathi, Tamil (Based on the Ramayana).
  20. Shikhandi: And Other Tales They Don't Tell You. Zubaan Books & Penguin Books India, 2014. {{ISBN|978-9383074846}}. Translations: Hindi, Marathi.
  21. 7 Secrets of the Goddess. Westland Ltd., 2014. {{ISBN|9789384030582}}. Translations: Hindi, Italian, Marathi, Russian (Based on the Goddess).
  22. My Gita. Rupa Publications India, 2015. {{ISBN|9788129137708}}. Translations: Hindi, Marathi (Based on The Gita).
  23. Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik. Penguin Random House India, 2016. {{ISBN|9780143427421}}.
  24. Olympus – An Indian Retelling of Greek Mythology. Penguin Random House India, 2016. {{ISBN|9780143428299}} (Based on Greek mythology).
  25. Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik (Book 2) – Publisher: Penguin Random House, 2017 {{ISBN|978-0143428435}} Translations: Hindi {{ISBN|978-0143440468}}
  26. Shiva to Shankara: Giving Form to the Formless. HarperCollins India, Indus Source 2017. {{ISBN|978-9352641956}}. – Based on Older Book / Reprint
  27. My Hanuman Chalisa. Rupa Publications, 2017. {{ISBN|9788129147950}} (Based in the Hanuman Chalisa).
  28. Devlok with Devdutt Pattanaik (Book 3) – Publisher: Penguin Random House, 2017 {{ISBN|978-0143442790}}.
  29. Shyam: An Illustrated Retelling of the Bhagavata. Penguin, 2018 {{ISBN|9780670084463}} (Based on the Bhagavata).
  30. Ramayana Versus Mahabharata: My Playful Comparison. Rupa Publications India, 2018 {{ISBN|9789353332303}} (Based on the Ramayana & Mahabharata).
  31. Hindu Trinity: 21 Life-enhancing Secrets Revealed Through Stories and Art. Westland India 2019. {{ISBN|978-9388754712}}. – Based on Older Books / Reprint
  32. Wisdom of the Gods for You and Me: My Gita and My Hanuman Chalisa. Rupa Publications India 2019. {{ISBN|978-9353335113}}. – Based on Older Books / Reprint
  33. Faith: 40 Insights into Hinduism – Publisher: HarperCollins, 2019 {{ISBN|978-9353025960}}.
  34. Pilgrim Nation: The Making of Bharatvarsh - Aleph Book Company, 2020 {{ISBN|978-9389836004}}.
  35. Dharma Artha Kama Moksha: 40 Insights into Happiness - HarperCollins, India, 2021 {{ISBN|978-9354224447}}.
  36. Marriage: 100 Stories Around India's Favourite Ritual - Rupa Publications India, 2021 {{ISBN|9353338441}}.
  37. Adi Purana: Entire Veda as a Single Story - Westland, 2021 {{ ASIN | B099ZWDLFH}} - quick read
  38. Hope: Wisdom to Survive in a Hopeless World - Juggernaut, 2021 {{ISBN|978-9391165529}}.
  39. Eden: An Indian Exploration of Jewish, Christian and Islamic Lore - Penguin Random House, 2021 {{ISBN|978-0670095407}}.
  40. The Stories We Tell: Mythology to Make Sense of Modern Lives - Aleph Book Company, 2022 {{ISBN|978-9391047825}}.
  41. Dharm Aur Samlaingikta/धर्म और समलैंगिकता - Penguin India, 2022 {{ISBN|978-0143454755}}.
  42. Garuda Purana and Other Hindu Ideas On Death, Rebirth and Immortality - Westland Books, 2022 {{ISBN|978-9395073448}}.
  43. Tales From the Land of Jagannatha - Odia Media Private Limited, 2023 {{ISBN|978-9395150088}}.
  44. Bahubali : 63 Insights into Jainism - Harper Collins, India, 2023 {{ISBN|978-9356993457}}.
  45. Tirthankar: Jain Dharm Par 63 Vichar - HarperHindi, India, 2023 {{ASIN|B0CNSCZZKC}}.
  46. Sati Savitri - Penguin, 2024 {{ISBN|978-0143467588}}.
  47. Ahimsa : 100 Reflections on the Harappan Civilization - Harper Collins, India, 2024 {{ISBN|978-9365699371}}.

= Management =

  1. Business Sutra: A Very Indian Approach to Management. Aleph Book Company, 2013. {{ISBN|9788192328072}}. Translations: French, German, Hindi, Italian, Marathi, Tamil.
  2. The Success Sutra: An Indian Approach to Wealth. Aleph Book Company, 2015. {{ISBN|9789384067410}}. – Based on Older Book
  3. The Leadership Sutra: An Indian Approach to Power. Aleph Book Company, 2016. {{ISBN|9789384067465}}. – Based on Older Book
  4. The Talent Sutra: An Indian Approach to Learning. Aleph Book Company, 2016, {{ISBN|9789383064274}} – Based on Older Book
  5. Culture: 50 Insights from Mythology. HarperCollins India, Indus Source 2017. {{ISBN|978-9352644971}}.
  6. Leader: 50 Insights from Mythology. HarperCollins India, Indus Source 2017. {{ISBN|978-9352644957}}.
  7. How to Become Rich: 12 Lessons I Learnt from Vedic and Puranic Stories – Publisher: Rupa Publications India, 2019 {{ISBN|978-9353336899}}.

= Fiction =

  1. The Pregnant King. Penguin Books India, 2008. {{ISBN|9780143063476}}. Translations: Hindi, Marathi
  2. Is He Fresh?: Aka Kaula Hai? (Penguin Petit). Penguin UK, 2015. {{ISBN|9789351187585}}

= Children's books =

  1. Fun in Devlok: An Identity Card for Krishna. Puffin India, 2011. {{ISBN|978-0143331674}}.
  2. Fun in Devlok: Gauri and the Talking Cow. Puffin India, 2011. {{ISBN|978-0143331704}}.
  3. Fun in Devlok: Indra Finds Happiness. Puffin India, 2011. {{ISBN|978-0143331681}}.
  4. Fun in Devlok: Kama vs Yama. Puffin India, 2011. {{ISBN|9780143331957}}.
  5. Fun in Devlok: Saraswati's Secret River. Puffin India, 2011. {{ISBN|9780143331964}}.
  6. Fun in Devlok: Shiva Plays Dumb Charades. Puffin India, 2011. {{ISBN|9780143331698}}.
  7. Fun in Devlok Omnibus. Puffin India, 2014. {{ISBN|9780143333449}}. – Reprint (Compilation)
  8. Pashu: Animal Tales from Hindu Mythology. Penguin Books India, 2014. {{ISBN|9780143332473}}. Translations: Hindi.
  9. The Girl Who Chose: A New Way of Narrating the Ramayana. Puffin Books, 2016. {{ISBN|9780143334637}} (Based on the Ramayana).
  10. The Jaya Colouring Book. Penguin Random House India, 2016. {{ISBN|9780143426479}}. – Based on Older Book
  11. The Sita Colouring Book. Penguin Random House India, 2016. {{ISBN|9780143426462}}. – Based on Older Book
  12. The Boys Who Fought: The Mahabharata for Children. Puffin, 2017 {{ISBN|9789386815873}} (Based on the Mahabharata).
  13. Vahana: Gods and Their Favourite Animals - Rupa Publications India, 2020 {{ISBN|978-9390356065}}.
  14. Shyam: Our Little Krishna - Puffin, 2021 {{ISBN|978-0143453697}}. - Based on Older Book
  15. Greek Gods, Monsters and Heroes: Read and Colour - Puffin, 2023 {{ISBN|978-0143453703}}. - Based on Older Book
  16. ABC of Hinduism for Kids - Aleph Book Company, 2024 {{ISBN|978-8119635740

}}.

  1. Gana-Bajana - Puffin, 2024 {{ISBN|978-0143470298

}}.

=Textbook=

  1. Indian Culture, Art and Heritage For Civil Services Exam – Publisher: Pearson India, 2021 (1st Edition) {{ISBN|978-9390531615}}.

=Foreword/Contribution=

  1. Close, Too Close: The Tranquebar Book of Queer Erotica. Westland, 2012. {{ISBN|978-9386036919}}
  2. Celebrating Public Spaces of India. Mapin Publishing, 2016. {{ISBN| 978-9385360084}}.
  3. The Illustrated Mahabharata: The Definitive Guide to India’s Greatest Epic. DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley), 2017. {{ISBN | 978-0241264348}}
  4. I Am Divine. So Are You: How Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Hinduism Affirm the Dignity of Queer Identities and Sexualities. HarperCollins, 2017 {{ISBN|9789352774869}}.
  5. Padmavat: An Epic Love Story. Rupa Publications, 2018. {{ISBN|978-9353040239}}. -Illustrator
  6. Behold, I Make All Things New: How Judaism, Christianity and Islam affirm the dignity of queer identities and sexualities. HarperCollins, 2019 {{ISBN|9789353574550}}.
  7. Kabir, Kabir: The life and work of the early modern poet-philosopher. Westland, 2021 {{ISBN|978-9390679157}}. -Illustrator
  8. Urban Sadhu Yoga™ Chant Book: A Collection of Chants, Kirtans, Prayers, Sutras, Shlokas, Shastras, Devotional Songs, and Inspirational Texts for the Modern Yoga Practitioner. {{ISBN|979-8492000349}} -Illustrator

=Co-authored=

  1. Yoga Mythology: 64 Asanas and Their Stories – Publisher: HarperCollins, 2019 {{ISBN|978-9353570842}}.
  2. Aranyaka: Book of the Forest – Publisher: Westland, 2019 {{ISBN|978-9388754576}}.

References

{{Reflist|30em}}