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Mahagatha : Puranon se 100 kahaniyan
Do you know the story where Brahma and Vishnu race against each other or where Shiva battles Krishna? Where Indra attempts foeticide or where Rama punishes a Shudra? Do you know about Maya Sita or Narada's monkey face? Or why Surya falls from the sky or why Chandra commits adultery?
The Puranas of Hinduism are a universe of wisdom, embodying a fundamental quest for answers that makes them forever relevant. Now, for the first time, 100 of the greatest mythological tales from these ancient texts have been handpicked and compiled into an epic illustrated edition. Besides popular legends of devas, asuras, sages and kings, Satyarth Nayak has dug up lesser-known stories, like the one where Vishnu is beheaded or where Saraswati curses Lakshmi or where Harishchandra tricks Varuna. Nayak also recounts these 100 tales in a unique chronological format, beginning with Creation in Satya Yuga and ending with the advent of Kali Yuga. Using Puranic markers, he constructs a narrative that travels through the four yugas, offering continuous and organic action. In such a reading, it is revealed that these stories are not isolated events but linked to each other in the grand scheme of things. That every occurrence has a past and a future. A cause and effect. An interconnected cycle of karma and karma-phal.
Delving into the minds of gods, demons and humans alike, Mahagatha seeks a deeper understanding of their motivations. The timelessness of their impulses speaks across the aeons to readers of today. Written in lively prose with charming illustrations, these 100 tales will entertain and enlighten, and make you connect the dots of Hindu mythology like never before.
The Puranas of Hinduism are a universe of wisdom, embodying a fundamental quest for answers that makes them forever relevant. Now, for the first time, 100 of the greatest mythological tales from these ancient texts have been handpicked and compiled into an epic illustrated edition. Besides popular legends of devas, asuras, sages and kings, Satyarth Nayak has dug up lesser-known stories, like the one where Vishnu is beheaded or where Saraswati curses Lakshmi or where Harishchandra tricks Varuna. Nayak also recounts these 100 tales in a unique chronological format, beginning with Creation in Satya Yuga and ending with the advent of Kali Yuga. Using Puranic markers, he constructs a narrative that travels through the four yugas, offering continuous and organic action. In such a reading, it is revealed that these stories are not isolated events but linked to each other in the grand scheme of things. That every occurrence has a past and a future. A cause and effect. An interconnected cycle of karma and karma-phal.
Delving into the minds of gods, demons and humans alike, Mahagatha seeks a deeper understanding of their motivations. The timelessness of their impulses speaks across the aeons to readers of today. Written in lively prose with charming illustrations, these 100 tales will entertain and enlighten, and make you connect the dots of Hindu mythology like never before.
471 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2022
847 people are currently reading
2768 people want to read
About the author
Satyarth Nayak
6 books99 followersSatyarth Nayak is an author and screenwriter based in Mumbai. A former SAARC Award-winning correspondent with CNN-IBN, Delhi, he holds a Master’s in English Literature from St. Stephen’s.
Satyarth’s bestselling biography, ''Sridevi—The Eternal Screen Goddess'', was published by Penguin in 2019 and charted the journey of the screen legend from child star to becoming India’s first female superstar. It met with high acclaim with the media hailing it as ‘’that one work of literature to decode Sridevi.’’ Satyarth’s debut novel, ''The Emperor’s Riddles'', that released in 2014, became a bestselling thriller, earning comparisons with Dan Brown for being a ‘history meets mystery’. Amish Tripathi described it as ‘’a fantastic blend of myth, imagination and mystery’’ while Hindustan Times called it ‘’a celebration of our great Indian civilization.’’ Satyarth followed it up with his second thriller, ''Venom'', in 2020. He has also scripted Sony’s epic historical show, ''Porus'', touted as India’s most expensive television series that aired from 2017 to 2019. His short stories have won the British Council award and appeared in Sudha Murty’s Penguin anthology, ''Something Happened On The Way To Heaven''. Satyarth’s latest book titled, ''Mahagatha'', has been published by HarperCollins and is an epic collection of 100 greatest mythological tales from the Puranas of Hinduism, narrated from Satya Yuga to Kali Yuga.
Named one of the Top 50 authors to follow on social media and a regular speaker at national and international literature festivals, Satyarth is currently scripting a high-profile mythology web series, working on his first film script and writing his next book based on the Mahabharata.
Satyarth’s bestselling biography, ''Sridevi—The Eternal Screen Goddess'', was published by Penguin in 2019 and charted the journey of the screen legend from child star to becoming India’s first female superstar. It met with high acclaim with the media hailing it as ‘’that one work of literature to decode Sridevi.’’ Satyarth’s debut novel, ''The Emperor’s Riddles'', that released in 2014, became a bestselling thriller, earning comparisons with Dan Brown for being a ‘history meets mystery’. Amish Tripathi described it as ‘’a fantastic blend of myth, imagination and mystery’’ while Hindustan Times called it ‘’a celebration of our great Indian civilization.’’ Satyarth followed it up with his second thriller, ''Venom'', in 2020. He has also scripted Sony’s epic historical show, ''Porus'', touted as India’s most expensive television series that aired from 2017 to 2019. His short stories have won the British Council award and appeared in Sudha Murty’s Penguin anthology, ''Something Happened On The Way To Heaven''. Satyarth’s latest book titled, ''Mahagatha'', has been published by HarperCollins and is an epic collection of 100 greatest mythological tales from the Puranas of Hinduism, narrated from Satya Yuga to Kali Yuga.
Named one of the Top 50 authors to follow on social media and a regular speaker at national and international literature festivals, Satyarth is currently scripting a high-profile mythology web series, working on his first film script and writing his next book based on the Mahabharata.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
June 11, 2023
‘In the beginning, there was nothing. Only the Parabrahman. It was the supreme principle that had no beginning and no end. The absolute reality that was utterly indescribable. The divine essence with infinite potential. The cause and the effect blended into one.’
Thus begins the first chapter, Brahma Begins Creation, of Satyarth Nayak’s Mahagatha: 100 Tales from the Puranas, with the story of the creation. This is followed by ninety-nine chapters, arranged in chronological order, from the rest of the Puranas, the sacred texts that explain the philosophy of Hinduism through stories of creation, genealogies of deities and rulers, histories, and more. From the creation of the first sound—Om—through the emergence of the three gunas and the panch tattva or five elements, to Brahma the Creator, Nayak traces the story of creation. From here onwards, the chapters, each mostly between three and five pages long, tell the tale of many of the Hindu religion’s greatest stories: the churning of the Ksheersagar; the killing of Mahishasur; the avatars of Vishnu; Trishanku’s fall from the sky after aiming too high; Parvati’s long penance to attain Shiva. And many more.
There are some of Hinduism’s best-known and best-loved stories here, such as the ones about Krishna’s birth, his taming of the vicious serpent Kalia, and his lifting of Govardhan on a fingertip. There are stories, too, that offer a peek into the Ramayana and Mahabharat, though Nayak does not dwell too heavily on either of these two major epics, instead preferring to simply illustrate those stories from the Puranas that have a bearing on the epics or which form part of the backstory for the Ramayana or Mahabharat. For example, there is a story here which reveals the genesis of the curse on Rama that made him lose his beloved, lured away by another. There are also stories featuring characters popular from the epics, like Arjuna, Jambavan, Garuda, and Sudama.
Included, too, are delightful anecdotes about origins: myths that aim to explain what the ancients saw around them. For instance, there’s the story of how Dhruva became a star; or how the parijaat tree came down from heaven. How and why snakes have forked tongues, and why, by regularly shedding their skins, they show some degree of immortality.
Except for the first couple of chapters (which, by virtue of having little or no characters, do not allow this), Nayak uses plenty of dialogue. This is combined with snappy description, to build stories that are interesting and fast-paced, the suspense often building up to a gripping climax.
One of the best things about Mahagatha is the thought that has gone into choosing the stories to include in this collection. While there are the well-known stories, there are too the ones few people know of, or know in their entirety. The descent of Ganga from the heavens to Earth, her force controlled by Shiva’s locks, is a tale most Indians (not necessarily even Hindu) know of; but how many know that another major Indian river, according to the Puranas, owes her origin to Shiva’s hair? And how many know of Maya Sita, the shadowy figure hovering in the background as Ravana, disguised as an ascetic, tried to lure Sita beyond the safe confines of the lakshmanrekha?
Another of the highlights of this selection, and of Nayak’s writing of the stories, is the way he uses dialogue to touch upon the core message of the tale, even, often, to explain something that might puzzle the average reader. For instance, in the story of The Varaha Avatar (as in countless other tales from the Puranas), there’s a deity granting a critical boon to someone who’s done long penance for it, even though the person is not righteous in themselves. When questioned as to the logic of this, Brahma replies: “Unwavering effort cannot go unrewarded. It’s natural law.” and, when asked what will happen if the boon itself is evil, clarifies: “A boon is never good or evil. It’s simply an opportunity that empowers. How the seeker chooses to use it makes the difference…”
While a very readable and even entertaining set of stories, Mahagatha manages to be thought-provoking: it is able to show readers the essence of Hinduism. Not just its stories, but its thought. The way one thing leads to another, how everything is tied together. How something that is pre-ordained will happen, but how, if you throw your heart and mind into it, you may sway the gods themselves.
(From my review for The New Indian Express: https://www.newindianexpress.com/life...)
Thus begins the first chapter, Brahma Begins Creation, of Satyarth Nayak’s Mahagatha: 100 Tales from the Puranas, with the story of the creation. This is followed by ninety-nine chapters, arranged in chronological order, from the rest of the Puranas, the sacred texts that explain the philosophy of Hinduism through stories of creation, genealogies of deities and rulers, histories, and more. From the creation of the first sound—Om—through the emergence of the three gunas and the panch tattva or five elements, to Brahma the Creator, Nayak traces the story of creation. From here onwards, the chapters, each mostly between three and five pages long, tell the tale of many of the Hindu religion’s greatest stories: the churning of the Ksheersagar; the killing of Mahishasur; the avatars of Vishnu; Trishanku’s fall from the sky after aiming too high; Parvati’s long penance to attain Shiva. And many more.
There are some of Hinduism’s best-known and best-loved stories here, such as the ones about Krishna’s birth, his taming of the vicious serpent Kalia, and his lifting of Govardhan on a fingertip. There are stories, too, that offer a peek into the Ramayana and Mahabharat, though Nayak does not dwell too heavily on either of these two major epics, instead preferring to simply illustrate those stories from the Puranas that have a bearing on the epics or which form part of the backstory for the Ramayana or Mahabharat. For example, there is a story here which reveals the genesis of the curse on Rama that made him lose his beloved, lured away by another. There are also stories featuring characters popular from the epics, like Arjuna, Jambavan, Garuda, and Sudama.
Included, too, are delightful anecdotes about origins: myths that aim to explain what the ancients saw around them. For instance, there’s the story of how Dhruva became a star; or how the parijaat tree came down from heaven. How and why snakes have forked tongues, and why, by regularly shedding their skins, they show some degree of immortality.
Except for the first couple of chapters (which, by virtue of having little or no characters, do not allow this), Nayak uses plenty of dialogue. This is combined with snappy description, to build stories that are interesting and fast-paced, the suspense often building up to a gripping climax.
One of the best things about Mahagatha is the thought that has gone into choosing the stories to include in this collection. While there are the well-known stories, there are too the ones few people know of, or know in their entirety. The descent of Ganga from the heavens to Earth, her force controlled by Shiva’s locks, is a tale most Indians (not necessarily even Hindu) know of; but how many know that another major Indian river, according to the Puranas, owes her origin to Shiva’s hair? And how many know of Maya Sita, the shadowy figure hovering in the background as Ravana, disguised as an ascetic, tried to lure Sita beyond the safe confines of the lakshmanrekha?
Another of the highlights of this selection, and of Nayak’s writing of the stories, is the way he uses dialogue to touch upon the core message of the tale, even, often, to explain something that might puzzle the average reader. For instance, in the story of The Varaha Avatar (as in countless other tales from the Puranas), there’s a deity granting a critical boon to someone who’s done long penance for it, even though the person is not righteous in themselves. When questioned as to the logic of this, Brahma replies: “Unwavering effort cannot go unrewarded. It’s natural law.” and, when asked what will happen if the boon itself is evil, clarifies: “A boon is never good or evil. It’s simply an opportunity that empowers. How the seeker chooses to use it makes the difference…”
While a very readable and even entertaining set of stories, Mahagatha manages to be thought-provoking: it is able to show readers the essence of Hinduism. Not just its stories, but its thought. The way one thing leads to another, how everything is tied together. How something that is pre-ordained will happen, but how, if you throw your heart and mind into it, you may sway the gods themselves.
(From my review for The New Indian Express: https://www.newindianexpress.com/life...)
January 9, 2023
Puranas are ancient Hindu religious texts that contains the narratives about the history of the Universe from its creation to destruction, along with stories of Gods and Goddesses. Mahagatha by Satyarth Nayak is a collection of 100 short stories, handpicked from the puranas.
The author has compiled these stories chronologically from Satyug to the kaliyug, exploring a part of the vast ocean of spirituality. Beginning with the birth of the Creator Brahma, followed by the creation of man and the universe etc.. the stories are also based on the events occurred during the 4 yugas, apart from the Avatars of lord Vishnu. Each story is connected and intrigues the reader to continue reading hence making it an unputdownable riveting read.
The extensive research that has gone into the compilation of the book is evident from the facts provided. The original essence of the events have been kept intact. The book helps us realise that the role reversal of the good and bad can sometimes be a boon to us. The message that " Everything happens for a reason" has been conveyed well.
Overall a book that not just imparts knowledge about sacred legends of Hinduism to the present generation but also carves a niche in Enlightening the future generations as well captivating the readers to it instantly. ....
The author has compiled these stories chronologically from Satyug to the kaliyug, exploring a part of the vast ocean of spirituality. Beginning with the birth of the Creator Brahma, followed by the creation of man and the universe etc.. the stories are also based on the events occurred during the 4 yugas, apart from the Avatars of lord Vishnu. Each story is connected and intrigues the reader to continue reading hence making it an unputdownable riveting read.
The extensive research that has gone into the compilation of the book is evident from the facts provided. The original essence of the events have been kept intact. The book helps us realise that the role reversal of the good and bad can sometimes be a boon to us. The message that " Everything happens for a reason" has been conveyed well.
Overall a book that not just imparts knowledge about sacred legends of Hinduism to the present generation but also carves a niche in Enlightening the future generations as well captivating the readers to it instantly. ....
December 29, 2022
Mahagatha by Satyarth Nayak
Puranas include wide range and diverse topics, it is about Hindu legends and traditional lore. It is what Hindu culture comes from, it talks about gods, goddesses, demigods, kings, sages and so much more.
Satyarth Nayak has given us 100 tales from the Puranas. These tales are of wisdom, karma, past, future and learnings compiled beautifully with illustrations. How all the stories are linked, the chronology helped me understand more about the events that I have been listening to as a child.
I have listened, watched most of these but reading the translated version that too in sequence there are so many stories or rather answers I got. The effort that went into this is commendable.
"One does not need to wander through Brahmanda to gain wisdom. One can do so rooted to a single spot."
The chapter where Vishnu and Brahma enter each other's body and discover things beyond their comprehension, wondering and being daze. I remember as a kid watching TV where it would start like time past, present and future and show the universe and galaxies.
This is one that I will reread and think upon when things don't feel right, to know what all went to have us here and what lays ahead. I felt a level of calmness reading this one and learnt so much, trust me it was so good and enlightening.
"I am only giving back what I had been granted. Our cosmos is nothing but a barter of energies. We borrow and then we must ultimately return."
I would highly recommend this if you want to know more about Hindu mythology and to those who know tales, this will help you connect dots.
Thank you Harper Collins for providing this copy.
Puranas include wide range and diverse topics, it is about Hindu legends and traditional lore. It is what Hindu culture comes from, it talks about gods, goddesses, demigods, kings, sages and so much more.
Satyarth Nayak has given us 100 tales from the Puranas. These tales are of wisdom, karma, past, future and learnings compiled beautifully with illustrations. How all the stories are linked, the chronology helped me understand more about the events that I have been listening to as a child.
I have listened, watched most of these but reading the translated version that too in sequence there are so many stories or rather answers I got. The effort that went into this is commendable.
"One does not need to wander through Brahmanda to gain wisdom. One can do so rooted to a single spot."
The chapter where Vishnu and Brahma enter each other's body and discover things beyond their comprehension, wondering and being daze. I remember as a kid watching TV where it would start like time past, present and future and show the universe and galaxies.
This is one that I will reread and think upon when things don't feel right, to know what all went to have us here and what lays ahead. I felt a level of calmness reading this one and learnt so much, trust me it was so good and enlightening.
"I am only giving back what I had been granted. Our cosmos is nothing but a barter of energies. We borrow and then we must ultimately return."
I would highly recommend this if you want to know more about Hindu mythology and to those who know tales, this will help you connect dots.
Thank you Harper Collins for providing this copy.
March 30, 2024
I wanted to read Shiv Puran for quite some time but was not sure if I will be able to decipher the in-depth knowledge of our scriptures. So I started with this book and it was the right decision. It definitely encouraged me to go read the detailed version.
March 22, 2024
It is a nice book containing all the crucial Puran tales. Interlinking from the start of the universe till the end of kalyug.
January 8, 2025
If you love mythology, Mahagathas is a must-read! Through 100 interconnected tales, it explores Indian lore in a captivating chronological flow.
A great conversation starter for any mythology fan!
A great conversation starter for any mythology fan!
July 19, 2025
The Hindu scriptures, if that is the correct word, is filled with stories of wisdom and philosophical questions with a little bit of wonder and a little bit of childlike mischief. We have grown up with these stories and they gain more meaning as we grow older.
A man saw a hurt animal run in the jungle with a hunter in chase who is desperately trying to feed his family, the hunter asked the man where did the animal go? Who did the man decided to save? Our ancient rishi and munis have pondered such questions without end and etched them into immortal stories.
As a book, it has tried to be chronological, carefully selecting stories so that it starts with the creation of universe and ends with onset of Kaliyuga. Due to this choice, the first half of the book doesn't have the most interesting of events compared to the latter half. Starts very slow. So it is not the collection of the best, but still an interesting read nonetheless.
A man saw a hurt animal run in the jungle with a hunter in chase who is desperately trying to feed his family, the hunter asked the man where did the animal go? Who did the man decided to save? Our ancient rishi and munis have pondered such questions without end and etched them into immortal stories.
As a book, it has tried to be chronological, carefully selecting stories so that it starts with the creation of universe and ends with onset of Kaliyuga. Due to this choice, the first half of the book doesn't have the most interesting of events compared to the latter half. Starts very slow. So it is not the collection of the best, but still an interesting read nonetheless.
January 16, 2023
review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2023/0...
Mahagatha is a fantastic compilation of 100 diverse tales from Puranas (ancient #legends and lore of Hindu mythology) well narrated in chronological order that started from the beginning of the universe to how Vishnu, Brahma, and Mahadeva originated and became Trinity/Triumvirate/ Trimurti, the creation of good and evil, gods and demon, four Vedas (scripture) and Yugas (time period), and events happened in those Yugas. These tales are derived from scriptures recorded approximately between 250 CE to 1500 CE by many scholars that still remain important to Hindu culture.
All tales are filled with wisdom, learning, curses and boons, karma, dharma, emotions, and evolutions beautifully narrated and illustrated bringing each story to life.
Writing is lucid and gripping. Short chapters/tales make it fast-paced but as these are 100 tales, there are so many characters that are related to each other or descendants of characters from initial chapters that often make it hard to follow.
As this is chronological order you cannot start with a random tale/chapter like normal anthologies unless you’re very much aware of which event happened in which Yuga and for what reason. Also, some chapters or tales continue the story of the previous tale which is another reason not to read them randomly.
Overall, Mahagatha is a unique, amazing, and well-written compilation of 100 tales from Puranas that helps understanding Hindu mythology and culture better.
Mahagatha is a fantastic compilation of 100 diverse tales from Puranas (ancient #legends and lore of Hindu mythology) well narrated in chronological order that started from the beginning of the universe to how Vishnu, Brahma, and Mahadeva originated and became Trinity/Triumvirate/ Trimurti, the creation of good and evil, gods and demon, four Vedas (scripture) and Yugas (time period), and events happened in those Yugas. These tales are derived from scriptures recorded approximately between 250 CE to 1500 CE by many scholars that still remain important to Hindu culture.
All tales are filled with wisdom, learning, curses and boons, karma, dharma, emotions, and evolutions beautifully narrated and illustrated bringing each story to life.
Writing is lucid and gripping. Short chapters/tales make it fast-paced but as these are 100 tales, there are so many characters that are related to each other or descendants of characters from initial chapters that often make it hard to follow.
As this is chronological order you cannot start with a random tale/chapter like normal anthologies unless you’re very much aware of which event happened in which Yuga and for what reason. Also, some chapters or tales continue the story of the previous tale which is another reason not to read them randomly.
Overall, Mahagatha is a unique, amazing, and well-written compilation of 100 tales from Puranas that helps understanding Hindu mythology and culture better.
July 13, 2025
बहुत ही बढ़िया पुस्तक। मैंने यह पुस्तक हिंदी के अनुवादित रूप मैं पढ़ी हैं। असली संस्करण शायद अंग्रेजी मैं हैं। हिंदी अनुवाद अशुतोष गर्ग द्वारा किया गया है।
यह पुस्तक एक काफी अच्छी पौराणिक कथाओं का संग्रह है। पुराणों की कथाएं काफी ज्यादा हैं पर यहां मुख्य कथाओं का अच्छा संग्रह हैं।
कथाओं की शुरुआत हिंदू धर्म की शुरुआत से हो रही है और इसलिए हिंदू धर्म की काफी रीति रिवाजों की स्पष्टीकरण भी मिलती है।
इसके अतिरिक्त, इस पुस्तक को धार्मिक पुस्तक न सम��कर एक कथाओं की पुस्तक भी माना जा सकता हैं क्योंकी कथाओं मैं से काफी चीजें सीखने को भी मिलेंगी।
काफी कथाएं बच्चों के लिए भी दिलचस्प हैं।
महाभारत और रामायण से जुड़ी कथाएं असली संस्करण से थोड़ी सी अलग हो सकती हैं।
Really nice book. I read the book in Hindi. It was a translation from Ashutosh Garg. It is a great collection of puranic stories. In reality there are a lot of puranic stories and this book just picks 100 important ones. But it a good collection.
The stories start with the start of Hinduism and goes till the very end of the eras. Therefore it is able to give some background to the different rituals and traditions of Hinduism.
Other than that you can also avoid the background of Hinduism and read the book as a storybook because you can still learn a lot of life lessons out of it.
Some of the stories would be very interesting for kids as well.
The stories from Mahabharata and Ramayana seem to deviate from original versions.
यह पुस्तक एक काफी अच्छी पौराणिक कथाओं का संग्रह है। पुराणों की कथाएं काफी ज्यादा हैं पर यहां मुख्य कथाओं का अच्छा संग्रह हैं।
कथाओं की शुरुआत हिंदू धर्म की शुरुआत से हो रही है और इसलिए हिंदू धर्म की काफी रीति रिवाजों की स्पष्टीकरण भी मिलती है।
इसके अतिरिक्त, इस पुस्तक को धार्मिक पुस्तक न सम��कर एक कथाओं की पुस्तक भी माना जा सकता हैं क्योंकी कथाओं मैं से काफी चीजें सीखने को भी मिलेंगी।
काफी कथाएं बच्चों के लिए भी दिलचस्प हैं।
महाभारत और रामायण से जुड़ी कथाएं असली संस्करण से थोड़ी सी अलग हो सकती हैं।
Really nice book. I read the book in Hindi. It was a translation from Ashutosh Garg. It is a great collection of puranic stories. In reality there are a lot of puranic stories and this book just picks 100 important ones. But it a good collection.
The stories start with the start of Hinduism and goes till the very end of the eras. Therefore it is able to give some background to the different rituals and traditions of Hinduism.
Other than that you can also avoid the background of Hinduism and read the book as a storybook because you can still learn a lot of life lessons out of it.
Some of the stories would be very interesting for kids as well.
The stories from Mahabharata and Ramayana seem to deviate from original versions.
April 19, 2025
What an amazing collection of stories from the Puranas. My only complaint is that the references are missing completely on the specific puranas. That would have been a great way to explore the beginnig and ending of some of the threads. It is commendable how the author ties the various origin stories with the skill of an episodic writer (maybe that's why I hear he's into movie scripting now). Some of my favorite quotes from the book:
"That moment when we grant a boon. There is something beatific about it. About that yes or no that can forever alter a life. That sows a new seed to bring forth a cycle of cause and effect"
"Engage with maya but not surrender to it. Do not grieve, my beloved. Hold on to the thought that nothing in Brahmanda happens without intent. That everything is by design. That it must happen to us so it can happen for others."
"You must hold it aloft like how I am holding Govardhan. It will not be easy. Your fear will keep pressing down upon you but you must lift it as high as you can. Hold it as far from yourself as you can. In the beginning, you shall need your entire body to do so. Then just your arms. Then just a single arm. Then just your five fingers. Then only four. Then only three. Then only two. When you can finally hold up your fear with only the tip of your little finger, you would have conquered it."
and finally:
"Epochs change but events remain the same."
"That moment when we grant a boon. There is something beatific about it. About that yes or no that can forever alter a life. That sows a new seed to bring forth a cycle of cause and effect"
"Engage with maya but not surrender to it. Do not grieve, my beloved. Hold on to the thought that nothing in Brahmanda happens without intent. That everything is by design. That it must happen to us so it can happen for others."
"You must hold it aloft like how I am holding Govardhan. It will not be easy. Your fear will keep pressing down upon you but you must lift it as high as you can. Hold it as far from yourself as you can. In the beginning, you shall need your entire body to do so. Then just your arms. Then just a single arm. Then just your five fingers. Then only four. Then only three. Then only two. When you can finally hold up your fear with only the tip of your little finger, you would have conquered it."
and finally:
"Epochs change but events remain the same."
April 24, 2024
"Mahagatha: 100 Tales from the Puranas" is an exceptional collection that resonates with me deeply. It takes readers on a captivating journey through the ages, from the Creation in Satya Yuga to the beginning of Kali Yuga, offering an insightful exploration of the interconnectedness of karma and the multifaceted layers of life in Hinduism.
What truly stands out in this compilation is Nayak's seamless blend of both well-known and lesser-known tales, offering a comprehensive perspective on the Puranas. The emphasis on the importance of feminine energy in creation and sustenance is refreshing and adds depth to the stories.
Nayak's calm, steady narrative voice draws me in, prompting thoughtful reflection on the ethical and cultural aspects of these ancient tales. The illustrations beautifully complement the prose, making the reading experience even more immersive.
In conclusion, "Mahagatha" is a must-read for anyone interested in Hinduism. This collection offers an enriching blend of familiar and unfamiliar stories, profound and ordinary, providing a perfect balance of entertainment and enlightenment. I found myself loving almost all the stories in this book, and it offers a fresh perspective on timeless wisdom and practices that still resonate today.
What truly stands out in this compilation is Nayak's seamless blend of both well-known and lesser-known tales, offering a comprehensive perspective on the Puranas. The emphasis on the importance of feminine energy in creation and sustenance is refreshing and adds depth to the stories.
Nayak's calm, steady narrative voice draws me in, prompting thoughtful reflection on the ethical and cultural aspects of these ancient tales. The illustrations beautifully complement the prose, making the reading experience even more immersive.
In conclusion, "Mahagatha" is a must-read for anyone interested in Hinduism. This collection offers an enriching blend of familiar and unfamiliar stories, profound and ordinary, providing a perfect balance of entertainment and enlightenment. I found myself loving almost all the stories in this book, and it offers a fresh perspective on timeless wisdom and practices that still resonate today.
November 13, 2025
It’s high time we start calling it Indian history rather than dismissing it as mythology. Since childhood, I’ve grown up hearing these stories from my grandparents, watching them on TV during festivals, acting in school plays, and reading about them in books and articles. I was always fascinated and eager to know more about our ancient tales — what happened after the Kurukshetra war? How Pandavas leave the earth? Why did Krishna, being divine himself, went through such painful death? How can a curse affect him? How could Draupadi be born fully grown from fire? Etc etc
So many questions used to run through my mind — and this book gave me a clear, thoughtful answers. I discovered so many background stories and deeper meanings behind each character’s journey.
This is my first book by Satyarth Nayak, and it completely blew me away. I loved his understanding and perspective on our Itihasa. I actually felt sad when the book ended — I didn’t want it to stop! I was emotionally moved and deeply connected to every chapter.
Mahagatha is definitely one of the best books to have in your collection if you’re a follower of Sanatana Dharma or simply someone who wishes to reconnect with the timeless stories from our puranas we’ve all grown up listening to.
So many questions used to run through my mind — and this book gave me a clear, thoughtful answers. I discovered so many background stories and deeper meanings behind each character’s journey.
This is my first book by Satyarth Nayak, and it completely blew me away. I loved his understanding and perspective on our Itihasa. I actually felt sad when the book ended — I didn’t want it to stop! I was emotionally moved and deeply connected to every chapter.
Mahagatha is definitely one of the best books to have in your collection if you’re a follower of Sanatana Dharma or simply someone who wishes to reconnect with the timeless stories from our puranas we’ve all grown up listening to.
January 10, 2023
Mahagatha, 100 Tales From The Puranas is not a treatise on Hinduism. It does not delve deep into the concepts of religion and its symbolism. Rather, the book is a retelling of stories that most of us are familiar with. Stories that were narrated to us by our grandparents or those that we read in Amar Chitra Katha comics. The novelty of Mahagatha, 100 Tales From The Puranas, is the order in which the stories are collated. Reading Mahagatha makes one realise that the events that occur in the universe are not isolated. Instead, there is a cause and effect for each action taken. These events are all interconnected and there is a hidden pattern in the universe.
You can read my full review here :
https://undecidedindubai.wordpress.co...
You can read my full review here :
https://undecidedindubai.wordpress.co...
March 30, 2023
Mythological genre is one of my favourites and so is this book. Mahagatha - 100 tales from the puranas. I was smitten write from the time I laid my eyes on the cover. The best part of the tales if that it’s in a chronological order and you cannot start randomly from any chapter. I had set a ritual of either reading a couple of tales in the morning or at night before going to bed. The stories are complimented with a few illustrations throughout the book which I am going to colour soon and still be connected to the book. The author has narrated the Mahagatha in such a simple and entertaining way that you get glued and can visualise the entire yugas. With his words he transports you to the 250 CE to 1500 CE. #i highly recommend this one if you want to enlighten yourselves with Hindu mythology in an entertaining way.
February 16, 2025
I am so very grateful this book exists and that I was able to find it. This is the perfect book for beginners to Indian mythology who are genuinely interested in reading abridged tales from the ancient literature.
It was so painstaking to find such a book because a Google search for Indian mythology leads you to the more commercialised fictional tales, interpretations, and some very popular books that are no less than fan-fictions of the mythology. While those books serve a greater purpose of attracting the masses to Indian mythology, I am really disgruntled by the fact that they are, at the other end of the sword, eating up the market share and more importantly, taking away the spotlight from real gems like these.
So for all the people who want to read real Indian mythology, this is the perfect place to start your journey!
It was so painstaking to find such a book because a Google search for Indian mythology leads you to the more commercialised fictional tales, interpretations, and some very popular books that are no less than fan-fictions of the mythology. While those books serve a greater purpose of attracting the masses to Indian mythology, I am really disgruntled by the fact that they are, at the other end of the sword, eating up the market share and more importantly, taking away the spotlight from real gems like these.
So for all the people who want to read real Indian mythology, this is the perfect place to start your journey!
August 27, 2023
One of the best books I read this year. The 100 stories take you on a journey from the start of Satya Yuga to the start of Kali Yuga. We got to appreciate the efforts of the author who came up with these 100 little stories and not destroy the beauty of Indian mythology in the process. The chronology of the book also helped me understand Vyaasa's Mahabharata, which is all over the yugas. I highly recommend this book to everyone who would like to get a touch of Indian mythologies.
4.5/5.
4.5/5.
October 29, 2024
Thoroughly engaging. This book immerses you in Hindu mythology through 100 tales, which are a mix of popular ones and hidden gems which are not so well-known. Starting from the very beginning, the start of creation or the Brahmanda, it traverses through the wondrous tales of mythological characters such as Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, and Lord Shiva, among others. The language is easy to read and compelling. Would recommend to all who have an interest in Indian mythology and religion.
November 11, 2025
Mahagatha – 100 Tales from the Puranas had all the right ingredients to be an immersive exploration of Hindu mythology: rich with gods, goddesses, and cosmic tales. And yet, somewhere between the promise of “100 tales” and the delivery, the magic got lost for me.
I’ve always found mythology fascinating; the way stories interweave to reveal deeper truths about creation, morality, and human nature. But this book lacks soulfulness. The tales, though individually intriguing, rush past one another with little time to breathe or connect.
The Puranas, by nature, are intricate and layered. They don’t just tell stories — they build worlds. Unfortunately, the transitions here are abrupt, and the timeline often feels jumbled. One moment you’re with Vishnu, the next with Shiva, then suddenly diving into another cosmic episode with barely a pause.
If you’re already familiar with Hindu mythology, you may appreciate the condensed references and recognise how the dots connect. But for a beginner hoping to be gently introduced to this universe, Mahagatha might feel overwhelming rather than enlightening.
I’ve always found mythology fascinating; the way stories interweave to reveal deeper truths about creation, morality, and human nature. But this book lacks soulfulness. The tales, though individually intriguing, rush past one another with little time to breathe or connect.
The Puranas, by nature, are intricate and layered. They don’t just tell stories — they build worlds. Unfortunately, the transitions here are abrupt, and the timeline often feels jumbled. One moment you’re with Vishnu, the next with Shiva, then suddenly diving into another cosmic episode with barely a pause.
If you’re already familiar with Hindu mythology, you may appreciate the condensed references and recognise how the dots connect. But for a beginner hoping to be gently introduced to this universe, Mahagatha might feel overwhelming rather than enlightening.
September 2, 2025
A beautiful collection of fables that, irrespective of one's religious/spiritual preferences and/or identities, can be enjoyed by all. The stories are told in a manner that can be comprehended by the 21st century reader and, although they may seem like independent stories, they all seem to connect every now and then.
Now, I'm unaware of the spiritual accuracies, but the stories can be enjoyed from a fictional standpoint.
Now, I'm unaware of the spiritual accuracies, but the stories can be enjoyed from a fictional standpoint.
June 19, 2024
The tales are overwhelming and captivating, yet they often lack reasoning or justification. Though intriguing, the work feels more like a compilation than exemplary writing.
The quality of writing could have been better, as the repetitive use of certain words was occasionally irritating.
The quality of writing could have been better, as the repetitive use of certain words was occasionally irritating.
July 7, 2025
Good story telling but the language was triggering at times (no shade to the author- mythology just happens to be patriarchal in so many annoying ways). But authenticity to the og stories was maintained.
January 30, 2023
There are many amazing stories in Hindu mythology about creation of universe, births and roles of different Gods & Goddesses, demons, humans, boons, curses, avatars of Vishnu and much more. Some motivate us, some enlighten, some just entertain.
This book is a beautiful compilation of 100 such stories that will connect dots for you. The stories start from the Creation in Satya Yuga and end with advent of Kali Yuga. Many of these stories you might already know but when you read it in continuity you will understand many hidden logics of why something happened in a certain way. The true meaning of ‘for the greater good’.
If you are just getting into reading or want to read more about mythology this book is a great pick. Because the stories are short yet multi dimensional. And the language is very simple to understand. As a mythology buff I think this book is going to be on my book shelf for a long time and I see myself re reading it quite a lot🫶🏻
This book is a beautiful compilation of 100 such stories that will connect dots for you. The stories start from the Creation in Satya Yuga and end with advent of Kali Yuga. Many of these stories you might already know but when you read it in continuity you will understand many hidden logics of why something happened in a certain way. The true meaning of ‘for the greater good’.
If you are just getting into reading or want to read more about mythology this book is a great pick. Because the stories are short yet multi dimensional. And the language is very simple to understand. As a mythology buff I think this book is going to be on my book shelf for a long time and I see myself re reading it quite a lot🫶🏻
November 24, 2023
Mind boggling
June 16, 2024
It is a very nice book... I got to know many things about our past and culture...
August 22, 2023
Reading Mahagatha felt like taking a brief, captivating, and stunning journey into lives from ancient times. The swift pacing of the stories enchanted me, offering just the right touch of detail to engross the reader. I yearned for more stories, particularly those centred around Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. I eagerly anticipate more literary gems from Mr Nayak in the future.
October 12, 2024
Understood and learned so much more of the Purana stories.. the sequence of 100 stories has been so well curated that I finally understood some of the whys. Some stories were unknown and so revealing in their daily presence in our lives with us being so unaware of them. My favourite story being that of “Swaha”, why we say swaha after the offering during puja/yagna🙃
June 18, 2023
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
100 stories from the scriptures
3 special mentions from my end would be
1) Satyatapa is tested
2) Vishwamitra accepts meat
3) Veda and Bhila
Must have book in your home library
100 stories from the scriptures
3 special mentions from my end would be
1) Satyatapa is tested
2) Vishwamitra accepts meat
3) Veda and Bhila
Must have book in your home library
November 20, 2023
"Gods and goddesses appeared now to see this divine spectacle. To see Vasudev cradling the lord below and Vasuki shielding him from above. To see both man and animal celebrating the Preserver who had taken another avatar for their sake. Vishnu, who helped men to cross over, was being ferried across by a man. Vishnu, who had kept afloat the vessel of Manu, was being kept afloat by a manava."
Satyarth Nayak had compiled all the stories from Vishnu Puran, Garud Puran, Skanda Puran, some Veds and other sources. What we know as a mainstream Hindu mythological (or historical - depending on what you believe) are mostly from Ramayan or Mahabharat. However, these stories take us right back to Parabhrahman and the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The Creator. The Preserver. The Destroyer. There are other interesting stories of the avatars of Adishakti. Moreover, some intriguing stories were about Sage Vashishta and Sage Vishwamitra. My favorite story was about the birth of Valmiki.
These stories took me to my childhood when my grandmother used to tell these stories to me. Moreover, I had consumed these stories in various media. I remember TV shows and translated books. Some of these stories have been dramatized a bit and especially those on Krishna. I had some serious goosebumps while reading those Krishna stories.
The cover art is beautiful and the book is a floppy paperwork which enhances the reading experience altogether. I hope more publishers start printing floppy paperbacks.
An awesome collection and a must read for the fans of Hindu mythology and even fantasy literature too.
Satyarth Nayak had compiled all the stories from Vishnu Puran, Garud Puran, Skanda Puran, some Veds and other sources. What we know as a mainstream Hindu mythological (or historical - depending on what you believe) are mostly from Ramayan or Mahabharat. However, these stories take us right back to Parabhrahman and the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. The Creator. The Preserver. The Destroyer. There are other interesting stories of the avatars of Adishakti. Moreover, some intriguing stories were about Sage Vashishta and Sage Vishwamitra. My favorite story was about the birth of Valmiki.
These stories took me to my childhood when my grandmother used to tell these stories to me. Moreover, I had consumed these stories in various media. I remember TV shows and translated books. Some of these stories have been dramatized a bit and especially those on Krishna. I had some serious goosebumps while reading those Krishna stories.
The cover art is beautiful and the book is a floppy paperwork which enhances the reading experience altogether. I hope more publishers start printing floppy paperbacks.
An awesome collection and a must read for the fans of Hindu mythology and even fantasy literature too.
January 6, 2023
Myths and mythological legends are an integral part of human existence. Many are susceptible to their existence, but our old scriptures, epic books like Mahabharta and Ramayana, stand as proof of human belief in divine power and their coexistence with human beings. We grew up hearing various stories from mythology and use the learning learned from them in our daily life. However, there are a lot of unheard stories, and “Satyarth Nayak” brings these unheard stories in his book “Mahagataha:100 tales from the Puranas.
Reading the stories made me enthralled and excited simultaneously, from the unshakable curse of Laxmi given by Sarswati to ticking Varuna by Harishchandra. Though it’s a collection of stories, Satyarth keeps all the stories linked to each other and narrates the creation of four yugas chronologically, which makes me hooked on the stories.
Though the stories are from the mythological era, I am living in the creation and destruction of the universe. What I like the most is that Satyarth inculcates the human dark innate emotions like rage, jealousy, ego, and greed, and how Karma pays off. Among good narration and engaging writing, the charming illustration made me awe, and you can guess it by just seeing the beautiful book cover.
Overall, I want to thank the author for allowing me to read this fantastic and full of perspective book. If you love reading mythological books with a philosophical tinge, this is a must-have book to add to your shelf.
Reading the stories made me enthralled and excited simultaneously, from the unshakable curse of Laxmi given by Sarswati to ticking Varuna by Harishchandra. Though it’s a collection of stories, Satyarth keeps all the stories linked to each other and narrates the creation of four yugas chronologically, which makes me hooked on the stories.
Though the stories are from the mythological era, I am living in the creation and destruction of the universe. What I like the most is that Satyarth inculcates the human dark innate emotions like rage, jealousy, ego, and greed, and how Karma pays off. Among good narration and engaging writing, the charming illustration made me awe, and you can guess it by just seeing the beautiful book cover.
Overall, I want to thank the author for allowing me to read this fantastic and full of perspective book. If you love reading mythological books with a philosophical tinge, this is a must-have book to add to your shelf.
January 5, 2023
If I had to describe in one line what it felt like to read this book, I would say it felt like I switched on the box of my childhood stories. There are so many stories that I have been told in my childhood in order to be kept engaged or later on to educate about our culture.
Reading Mahagatha by @satyarthnayak felt like holding a precious book - a collection of all tales curious head would need. It's a work that brings to us 100 glorious tales from Puranas. The Puranas are hindu religious texts that contain stories about Gods and Goddesses, such as Vishnu, Shiva, Durga or Parvati, as well as the creation of the state and it's rulers.
The author has kept a link between the stories so making it easier for the reader to connect to the sequences. Further the way he has evolved the characters and the theme through the lucid writing without losing the essence in the translation, is impeccable. With beautiful and detailed illustrations between the stories depicting the scenes, makes it a rich experience for the reader.
The stories are so captivating that it can easily be recommended to all age groups interested in the basis of Hindu religion and practices. Why we don't offer Ketaki to Shiva or how Vishnu got his Sudarshan Chakra. Moreover the various times we saw imbalance in the relations between the Gods themselves. The book has the key to all these questions.
Reading Mahagatha by @satyarthnayak felt like holding a precious book - a collection of all tales curious head would need. It's a work that brings to us 100 glorious tales from Puranas. The Puranas are hindu religious texts that contain stories about Gods and Goddesses, such as Vishnu, Shiva, Durga or Parvati, as well as the creation of the state and it's rulers.
The author has kept a link between the stories so making it easier for the reader to connect to the sequences. Further the way he has evolved the characters and the theme through the lucid writing without losing the essence in the translation, is impeccable. With beautiful and detailed illustrations between the stories depicting the scenes, makes it a rich experience for the reader.
The stories are so captivating that it can easily be recommended to all age groups interested in the basis of Hindu religion and practices. Why we don't offer Ketaki to Shiva or how Vishnu got his Sudarshan Chakra. Moreover the various times we saw imbalance in the relations between the Gods themselves. The book has the key to all these questions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews