Fun in Devlok: Saraswati's Secret River

Fun in Devlok #4

by Devdutt Pattanaik

An unusual collection of stories from the myths by the author of An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata and Myth=Mithya which will bring the gods right into the world of children! Filled with delightful illustrations each book in this new series will introduce thoughts and aspects from our ancient treasure trove of stories for today's children. Why did River Saraswati disappear? Will the vanished river ever reappear? Can you make a river flow in your school? Mrs Sivakami; principal of Madame Mira High School; is astonished when she finds Goddess Saraswati wandering the corridors of her school. The goddess is in search of a missing river! To show her the ancient river and what happened to it; Saraswati puts Mrs. Sivakami on the back of Hansa; her goose; and off they go flying. The teacher sees some schools where students come and go as they please; and others where everyone has a parrot head! She then begins to understand why it is important to make the river flow again; and how she can bring the secret river to her very own school.

Genres: Mythology

56 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 2011

About the author

Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik (born December 11, 1970) is an Indian physician turned leadership consultant, mythologist and author whose works focus largely on the areas of myth, mythology, and also management. He has written a number of books related to Hindu mythology, including Myth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology, a novel, The Pregnant King, and Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata (2010).
He is the Chief Belief Officer of Future Group, one of India’s largest retailers, bringing the wisdom of Indian mythology into Indian business, especifically in human resource management. He also writes a column for the newspaper MID DAY.
He has also written a novel based on a tale from the Mahabharata titled 'The Pregnant King' published by Penguin Books India

Reviews

[Varna Binu Sasidharan · Rating 3 out of 5]

let flow saraswati in you ♥️

[Arti · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Saraswati’s Secret River, the Goddess is searching for the river in Madame Mira High School. She tells the story of the missing river to Mrs. Sivakami, the school principal. She takes the principal on a journey on her swan and shows her different schools with different teaching and learning systems. Mrs Sivakami learns that a learning atmosphere that encourages curiosity and the spirit of enquiry.

[Shiny Ajit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saraswati's Secret River by Devdutt Pattanaik

Devdutt Pattanaik's "Saraswati's Secret River" is a captivating exploration of mythology, education, and the essence of learning, woven through the lens of the Indian goddess Saraswati. The story begins with an unexpected encounter between Mrs. Shivakami, the principal of Madame Mira High School, and Goddess Saraswati in the school corridor. This meeting is more than a mere coincidence; it serves as a conduit for profound truths about education and the evolving nature of students today.

The narrative introduces us to the concept of the Saraswati River, which symbolizes knowledge and wisdom. The goddess warns Mrs. Shivakami that this river will soon stop flowing to her school, a metaphor for the diminishing thirst for true learning among students. This sets the stage for a magical journey, where the goddess takes the principal back in time to a Gurukul—an ancient Indian school where learning was driven by curiosity and joy rather than rote memorization.

Pattanaik's storytelling vividly contrasts the vibrant life in the Gurukul, where students engage in hands-on activities, with the contemporary classroom environment, where students often lack enthusiasm and genuine interest in learning. The goddess explains that, unlike the children in the Gurukul who discover their passions—like botany and the sciences—current students are more focused on passing exams than on truly understanding their subjects.

One of the key messages in the book is the importance of nurturing a love for learning. Goddess Saraswati emphasizes that students should pursue knowledge as passionately as a dog pursues its owner, rather than mimic the parrot's ability to repeat without comprehension. This analogy highlights the need for both teachers and students to rekindle their curiosity and connection to the learning process.

Through lush illustrations and engaging prose, Pattanaik not only entertains but also educates readers on the significance of embracing knowledge and fostering creativity in education. The story encourages educators to inspire their students to explore their interests, suggesting that when students seek answers with genuine curiosity, the proverbial river of Saraswati will flow back into their minds.

"Saraswati's Secret River" is a thought-provoking read for parents, teachers, and anyone interested in the role of education in personal development. Pattanaik's work serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of passion in learning and the timeless value of wisdom, encouraging us all to chase knowledge with the same fervor as the divine goddess herself.

[Payal Sachdeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun in Devlok - Saraswati’s Secret River by Devdutt Pattanaik

It’s a beautiful minuscule book full of wisdom for children as well as for parents . A must read .. I and my son
( 7 Years old ) loved reading this book together and I loved answering his never ending questions .
Devdutt surely has a knack of writing beautiful books for children !

[Austin Ajit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the book .All can read this book it explains about the importance of education ,knowledge and about our rivers .All should know how the river dies and how can we save them ,read and spread the word

[Varshika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book with interesting twists .I want to thank the author for such an beautiful imagination

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good for the age group 6 and above. What makes this book interesting is the non-fiction subject mythology is taken and narrated in a manner that makes everyone enjoy the book.

[Shivakukatla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a good storytelling in combination of mythology and modernity and addresses the flaws in our education system and enlightens the duties of and bond between Teacher and Students.