Myth = Mithya (Rj) by Devdutt Pattanaik [Paperback]

Myth = Mithya: Decoding Hindu Mythology by Devdutt Pattanaik is a thought-provoking, pocket-sized exploration of Hindu mythology. The book offers an engaging and symbolic interpretation of ancient Hindu tales, including stories about Shiva, Shankara, and other queer narratives from the lore. Pattanaik emphasizes that myths—referred to as mithya—are not to be taken literally but symbolically, revealing profound truths through metaphorical imagery, such as virgin births, talking animals, and phallic symbols.

Divided into three sections—Brahma-Saraswati, Vishnu-Lakshmi, and Shiva-Shakti—the book decodes the symbolic significance of these divine pairs using references from the Vedas and Puranas. Written in simple, captivating prose, this book offers readers a modern interpretation of ancient myths, making complex ideas accessible and insightful.