Bahubali: 63 Insights into Jainism

by Devdutt Pattanaik

Many historians believe that Jainism and other hermit schools were simply a reaction to Vedic ritualism. But for most Jains, their religion has no origin: it has always been around.

Jainism was rediscovered by Rishabh-dev, the first Tirthankar of this era.
Rishabh's eldest son, Bharat, became Chakravarti, king of kings, and gave the country its name.

Bahubali, Bharat's younger brother, renounced violence and followed the Jain path of freedom.

Rishabh was followed by twenty-three other Tirthankars. The last of them was Mahavir, who lived around 2,500 years ago.

In Bahubali, Devdutt Pattanaik explores the stories, symbols, rituals and ideas associated with one of India's most ancient but lesser-known faiths, and shows us why the tenets of Jainism are still very relevant to all of us even today.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Philosophy, Spirituality

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 10, 2023

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

[Nazin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐
کتاب بدی نیست، اما واقعاً سردرگم و بلاتکلیفه !
پاتانایک با کاهش عمق و دقت دین‌پژوهی سعی کرده مفاهیم دین جینیسم رو ساده‌سازی کنه، اما بسیاری از مفاهیم پیش‌نیاز رو بخشی از مفروضات خواننده در نظر گرفته و شرح و توضیحی نداده. البته کسی که در این زمینه مطالعه‌ی قبلی داشته باشه دچار ابهام و سوال نمیشه ولی کسی که تا این حد مطالعه داشته باشه اساسا نیاازی به خوندن این کتاب نداره!
در نتیجه، نه برای شروع مطالعه کارآمد هست و نه به‌عنوان منبع تکمیلی ارزش خوندن داره.

چون تمام کتاب‌هایی که در مورد جینیسم خونده بودم از نویسندگان غربی بود، دنبال کتابی بودم که از نویسنده هندی باشه تا بیش از این‌که به‌طور تئوریک بررسیش کنه، از تجربیاتش بگه.
در مجموع چند جمله و پاراگراف جدید و جالب داشت و بقیه‌ش رو در کتاب‌های دیگه با توضیح خیلی بهتر و کامل‌تر خونده بودم.

در مورد خود جینیسم هم به اندازه کافی (و حتی بیشتر از اون) در ریویوی دو کتاب The Jains از Paul Dundas و Understanding Jainism از David M. Eaton قلم که نه، اما کیبوردفرسایی کردم‌

📌 لینک کتاب Understanding Jainism

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

📌 لینک کتاب The Jains
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

[Neha Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jainism is a religion with an unbroken history of more than 2,500 years. But the community comprise less than 1 percent of the Indian population and not many people know about the religion and often confuse it with Buddhism.
This book can be a first step if you are interested to gain some insights on the topic. Its clear in its aim to give a fast track information on the religion. But it also succeeds in introducing you to basic concepts of Jain Path. As part of the Jain community, I was aware of the myths and customs narrated in the book. But still I got a deeper perspective to ahimsa, karma and nirvana.

"The Jain world has no beginning and no end. Time moves in a circle, and nothing is permanent. It reminds all humans that their lives are neither special nor unique." At first glance this may sound strange but going through this book will make you realize how thought provoking it is. Life is unpredictable and we can only control our actions and reactions, which can eventually free the soul from this never ending cycle.

Comparison to Hinduism and Buddhism were inevitable but the book also expands it to monotheistic / Abrahamic religions. Indian thought is poorly understood in West and explaining the idea of rebirth / cyclic life journey instead of Judgement day is well attempted here.

Read this book in spirit of curiosity not combat, as advised by Jain sages. Checkout the bibliography for more books on the topic. Do not miss out on the free hand sketches throughout the book trying to simplify the visualization of the concepts.

[Siddharth Munot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book to understand the basic concepts of jainism

[Surbhi Jain · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Bahubali : 63 insights to Jainism, Devdutt Pattanaik explores the stories, symbols, rituals and ideas associated with one of India's most ancient but lesser-known faiths, and shows us why the tenets of Jainism are still very relevant to all of us even today.

When Rishabh, a king, chose the path of renunciation and divided his kingdom among his 100 sons, 98 followed in his footsteps and become monks. The two left behind were Bharat and Bahubali. The latter was stronger, but found the idea of hitting his brother reprehensible. As a warrior, he could not lower his raised hand. Instead of striking Bharat, he plucked out his hair and became a monk.

Readers who aren't Jain might find it fascinating to explore Jain versions of the Ramayana and Mahabharat that Pattanaik refers to. The book draws attention to Krishna's cousin Neminath, who walked out of his own wedding because he could not bear to hear the cries of animals being slaughtered for the feast. This man became a monk and later a tirthankar.

A very interesting read with the answers to all why’s ! This insightful guide is a gem for those seeking profound understanding and spiritual growth, capturing the essence of Jain teachings in a concise and impactful manner.

[Tulika Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched book based on historical facts. Interesting read.

[Prateek Modi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Western worldview is shaped by the duality of Good/bad, heaven/ hell, and Indian worldview shaped by Jainism blurs the binary and is much more complex. Only the tirthankar can see the events in their full context ours is limited in time and space.

This book helps in understanding the legend and views from the Jain perspective which is one of the oldest existing schools of thought in the Indian subcontinent. Being written in simple language with unique images, a must-read for anyone trying to understand India holistically.

[Aditya Nihal Kumar Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book gives great knowledge about the Jain view of the universe, its history, stories, art and culture. It is “all you need to know” to get a clear picture about Jainism. Book has good illustrative pictures.
Writing style can be improved. The book has followed a western thought process to Indian history which I find wrong.

[Book_withquotes · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Jainism, a timeless tradition, often seen as a response to Vedic ritualism, transcends the concept of origin for its followers. Rishabh-dev, the first Tirthankar, initiated this enduring faith, with his son Bharat becoming the revered Chakravarti. Bharat’s brother, Bahubali, embraced non-violence, embodying Jain principles of freedom. Over 2,500 years ago, the lineage culminated in Mahavir, the last Tirthankar. Devdutt Pattanaik explores Jainism’s stories, symbols, and rituals in “Bahubali,” illuminating the relevance of its tenets today. In 100 words, Pattanaik unfolds the profound narratives that define one of India’s ancient yet often overlooked spiritual paths, offering timeless wisdom.

From the beginning, this might sound odd yet going through this book will cause you to acknowledge’s thought process inciting it. Perusers who aren’t Jain could find it entrancing to investigate Jain variants of the Ramayana and Mahabharat that Pattanaik alludes to. This book goes further into a considerable lot of these issues giving objective clarifications in light of history, development, convictions, and fantasies. The book addresses the majority of the ideas and gives a decent prologue to the religion’s set of experiences and how it has been followed after some time.

This book offers 63 abstract experiences into this old and frequently less popular confidence, featuring its accounts, images, customs, and philosophical fundamentals. His interesting composing style, joined by striking representations, makes the book a connecting and outwardly engaging read. This keen aide is a pearl for those looking for significant comprehension and otherworldly development, catching the pith of Jain lessons compactly and effectively.

[Sparsh Jain · Rating 2 out of 5]

When we are content, we do not hoard. By sharing our food, we stop others from killing for food. Thus, individual aparigraha enables global ahimsa.

- Bahubali: 63 Insights into Jainism, p. 27

The Jain universe is imagined as a person standing with arms akimbo. This is Lok-purush. His head is Siddha-lok, where the Jina resides. They are outside all realms. They do not to take birth or experience death. Their mind is unfettered by desire, so limitless and so capable of seeing the truth of all beings (kaivalya). The waist of the Lok-purush is the earth. For people like you and me.
Below, at the feet of the Lok-purush, is the realm of hunger the tala. Its residents are the preta (hungry ghosts, desperate for a future) and the bhuta (vengeful ghosts, trapped in the past). They are unhappy as they have no food, no satisfaction, comfort. These are the realms of the exploited, denied food by those who live above. These are also the realms of people in debt, who have to repay the loans incurred in lives through no previous excessive consumption. Above, in the chest of the the Lok-purush, are lok, full of beings who have much more than what they need. The highest lok is Swarg, where all wishes are fulfilled. This is the residence of Indra (Sakra), king of gods (dev).

- Bahubali: 63 Insights into Jainism, p. 200

Judaism, Christianity and Islam say that God came first and He created the world, and the world will eventually end. It is all in His hands. In Jainism, the world has always existed. There is no need for the idea of God. Things change over time. Cultures rise and fall. Most of us forget. Only the Tirthankar remembers all and shares his knowledge from time to time.

- Bahubali: 63 Insights into Jainism, p. 258

[Siddharrth Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Understanding life per se is and its purpose is one of the most complex studies, as there is no beginning and no end. Time has travelled beyond the calculations and will continue to flow beyond anybody’s existence. As space is infinite and we are not even the size of a grain, is what makes it interesting to know human existence if at all.

‘Bahubali’ by Devdutt Patnaik is a an extensive but a reader friendly ‘ready reckoner’ on Jainism, its customs, history and ideas. For anybody who is interested in understanding the religion, should read this book. Without propagating Jainism or downgrading any other, I personally feel blessed to be born under this umbrella.

The prominent ‘propaganda’ and reiterated stress is on one’s karma. You are entwined in the debit and credit of your deeds. The sooner we put this prophecy to practice, the better be the outcome.

📚

[Chetna Sethiya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book provides a simple introduction to Jainism, blending basic principles with lesser-known mythological stories and Jain versions of Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It also offers comparisons with Buddhism, highlighting similarities and differences, while drawing contrasts with Hinduism. While the content reflects the author’s interpretations and includes a few questionable statements, it offers a decent surface-level understanding for curious readers. As the author mentions, it doesn’t delve deeply or present groundbreaking insights, but it’s a quick, straightforward read and a good starting point for beginners.

[Niket Sheth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for an introduction to Jainism. The religion which is practised by very few people but has an impact on a wide variety of fields including astrology, accounting, worship, etc. Devdutt gives a very concise description of many aspects of Jain philosophy. The stories seemed repetitive after some point but never boring. Good book to read for every philosophy enthusiast.

[Brahmananda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am researching on Jain ways of life for a chapter in a book I am writing and this book by Devdutt pattanaik comes a lifesaver. Too many concepts explained in such simple language.

A heartfelt thanks.

[Dishant Boora · Rating 3 out of 5]

It gives insight but on a peripheral level...It could be better structured or covered in some depth.
Nevertheless, it is good for an introduction with some interesting anecdotes in starting.

[Sobham Panja · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book to understand the fundamentals of Jain history, culture, philosophy and beliefs.

[Abhishek Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice way to present ideas of a religion with such a vast history and deep rooted influence in the Indian heritage.