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Yoga e mito
The popular names of many yogic asanas - from Virbhadra-asana and Hanuman-asana to Matsyendra-asana, Kurma-asana and Ananta-asana - are based on characters and personages from Indian mythology. Who were these mythological characters, what were their stories, and how are they connected to yogic postures? Devdutt Pattanaik's newest book Yoga Mythology (co-written with international yoga practitioner Matt Rulli) retells the fascinating tales from Hindu, Buddhist and Jain lore that lie behind the yogic asanas the world knows so well; in the process he draws attention to an Indic worldview based on the concepts of eternity, rebirth, liberation and empathy that has nurtured yoga for thousands of years.
347 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
118 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Devdutt Pattanaik
288 books3,349 followersDr. 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 30 reviews
August 27, 2019
A brilliant combination of some of my favourites 😍
Yoga + Mythology + Devdutt
These days, it seems like everyone is doing yoga. Promoted as an effective medium for weight loss and improving flexibility, we see yoga centers and teachers all over the world.
In reality, Yoga is far from trend. The form that we see today, specially in western countries is a combination of physical poses and breathing techniques that help solve our health issues. This form more appropriately known as 'hatha yoga' gained tremendous popularity in last 10-20 years. Whereas Indians have been practicing various forms of yoga for thousands of years.
.
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In the era where people are going crazy over Hot yoga, Beer yoga and what not it's very refreshing to read about the rich heritage behind yoga and various myths related to different yoga postures. This book presents the stories from Indian mythology underlying the names of various asanas that have been nurtured over thousands of years. The book is very well presented, the illustrations, the pictures by Matthew Rulli, all the aspects make it a beautiful read.
.
.
Note: This book is not a Yoga manual nor does it guide you in doing yoga it is all about the underlying phisolophy these asanas behold.
Happy reading❤️📖
Yoga + Mythology + Devdutt
These days, it seems like everyone is doing yoga. Promoted as an effective medium for weight loss and improving flexibility, we see yoga centers and teachers all over the world.
In reality, Yoga is far from trend. The form that we see today, specially in western countries is a combination of physical poses and breathing techniques that help solve our health issues. This form more appropriately known as 'hatha yoga' gained tremendous popularity in last 10-20 years. Whereas Indians have been practicing various forms of yoga for thousands of years.
.
.
In the era where people are going crazy over Hot yoga, Beer yoga and what not it's very refreshing to read about the rich heritage behind yoga and various myths related to different yoga postures. This book presents the stories from Indian mythology underlying the names of various asanas that have been nurtured over thousands of years. The book is very well presented, the illustrations, the pictures by Matthew Rulli, all the aspects make it a beautiful read.
.
.
Note: This book is not a Yoga manual nor does it guide you in doing yoga it is all about the underlying phisolophy these asanas behold.
Happy reading❤️📖
October 5, 2019
Informative in a light, breezy way. I enjoy Pattanaik's books for their panoramic view of India's mythology, philosophies, and religions. Stories must have been invented in India, they have so many and the Indian peoples had to invent the zero to aid in counting them. This book has room for very few from that rich legacy. They are well-chosen to illustrate the asanas and give a taste of yoga philosophy.
It's useful to read this book alongside Iyengar's Light on Yoga and Bühnemann's Eighty-four Asanas in Yoga: A Survey of Traditions.
Iyengar goes into more detail in describing the poses while its discussion of the mythical basis is sometimes less informative than Pattanaik's. It does, however, provide an introduction that goes more deeply into yoga philosophy. See also Radhakrishnan's Indian Philosophy: Volume 2 which is a deep dive into India's philosophical traditions. Yoga is one of the six main schools, and the book has a chapter dedicated to Patanjali's yoga but touches on the subject throughout the two volumes.
Bühnemann's book describes the traditions that gave rise to some of the modern poses, and includes among other illustrations a fabulous set of colored drawings from the Jogapradīpīka, an 18th century work from Rajasthan.
For a discussion on the roots of modern postural yoga, see Singleton's Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice. To get a flavor of yoga texts going back over a thousand years, see Mallinson's Roots of Yoga.
It's useful to read this book alongside Iyengar's Light on Yoga and Bühnemann's Eighty-four Asanas in Yoga: A Survey of Traditions.
Iyengar goes into more detail in describing the poses while its discussion of the mythical basis is sometimes less informative than Pattanaik's. It does, however, provide an introduction that goes more deeply into yoga philosophy. See also Radhakrishnan's Indian Philosophy: Volume 2 which is a deep dive into India's philosophical traditions. Yoga is one of the six main schools, and the book has a chapter dedicated to Patanjali's yoga but touches on the subject throughout the two volumes.
Bühnemann's book describes the traditions that gave rise to some of the modern poses, and includes among other illustrations a fabulous set of colored drawings from the Jogapradīpīka, an 18th century work from Rajasthan.
For a discussion on the roots of modern postural yoga, see Singleton's Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice. To get a flavor of yoga texts going back over a thousand years, see Mallinson's Roots of Yoga.
June 25, 2021
I loved this purple hardcover book! If you want to learn more about Indian mythology, I'm learning so much from Devdutt Pattanaik. I have another book about mythology from him that I'll be reading next. Yoga Mythology is a collection of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain myths that inspire the name of 64 asana poses that are highlighted in this book. The retellings of the myths are organized into 4 sections named thus Devi, Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu. A great resource.
January 17, 2021
A good aid to yoga practice. Stories could work as different way of communicating ideas how a pose should be like. Nevertheless, it definitely makes yoga practice more enjoyable as each pose has its own story.
July 17, 2022
While I am yet to form my own perspective on yoga, I acknowledge the authors’ view points. The book offers a collation of seemingly relevant mythological stories from Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism that have connection with the asanas. I appreciate the research involved to get to this level of summary. As the book gives high level idea on relating asanas to mythological characters/ stories, it is slightly disappointing that there is no depth to insights. I felt the narrative offered in the book is too naive for an Indian who has the idea of Hindu mythological stories and Jataka tales through childhood books and bedtime stories from grandparents; and could be too confusing for a non-Indian who is not aware of the gists of these tales.
September 5, 2025
64 stories about yoga and how it came in Hinduism, buddhism and Jainism..posture of the Asanas.
August 4, 2024
I didn’t vibe with the subject matter
October 31, 2022
Like a rambling old uncle
Absolutely fascinating in many ways, like listening to the rambling tales of an elderly uncle, directionless but full of fascinating things. Sadly, most of what he says about Buddhism is wildly inaccurate, and that is no longer something a serious author should be able to get away with. What he does get right is yoga's intimate connection with tantra, and that is described eloquently, if never actually explained. Use this book to stimulate your interest in areas for further reading, not as a reliable source of information.
Absolutely fascinating in many ways, like listening to the rambling tales of an elderly uncle, directionless but full of fascinating things. Sadly, most of what he says about Buddhism is wildly inaccurate, and that is no longer something a serious author should be able to get away with. What he does get right is yoga's intimate connection with tantra, and that is described eloquently, if never actually explained. Use this book to stimulate your interest in areas for further reading, not as a reliable source of information.
May 31, 2024
This book is about the mythology that nurtured the idea of yoga. Nowadays people see health as a secular activity divorced from religion and spirituality, which are disdainfully dismissed or expressed with unnecessary aggression. To avoid controversy, yoga gets dissociated from its heritage. Not many people know about the yoga philosophy and the mythology- the stories, symbols, and rituals. Tis book covers those aspects.
July 11, 2024
Yoga Mythology: 64 Asanas And Their Stories is a unique read that aims to provide information about yoga asanas or postures that are widely practiced for better physique, respiration and over-all health.
Finding its origin in India, these asanas have names derived from various characters that are often called mythical, the reader learns a great deal about them through this quick read.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐
Finding its origin in India, these asanas have names derived from various characters that are often called mythical, the reader learns a great deal about them through this quick read.
Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐
July 11, 2021
Brilliant book!
January 8, 2023
Bello e interessante, un po' difficile la memorizzazione delle storie (per me).
November 12, 2023
Nothing special; often contradictory. Not recommended.
December 26, 2023
"Must the yogi keep his eyes firmly shut always, or risk opening them. In a never-ending world, the struggle has no eternal climax."
May 16, 2024
Great book which interweaves the mythology with Yoga and asans so it’s a great read for be being a Yoga practitioner and mythology lover. Really nice to read so recommend for all
July 31, 2024
Really digestible and fascinating presentation
August 13, 2025
superb in depth knowledge of myth and yoga inter connections. a rhythmic correlation of folklore with the body physique highlighting the needs of regular joints movement for healthy life
August 12, 2023
Spunti interessanti, per aprire gli occhi sulla tradizione filosofica alla base della pratica yoga. Ogni asana è guardato dagli occhi di tre tradizioni: buddista, jaina e indù. Ogni tema meriterebbe un approfondimento, di cui il testo è mancante. Ma il lavoro di revisione, scelta e descrizione iniziale del mondo complesso che c'è dietro ad ogni asana è una buona ispirazione e un ottimo punto di partenza. Stimo molto il lavoro di Pattanaik e il suo pensiero lucido, che costruisce sempre ponti tra oriente e occidente.
April 9, 2023
Very interesting, the book summarizes the entire system and compared the three big religions out of that land, very informative. The poses though are mostly very advanced, difficult for regular yogis to practice.
July 15, 2019
Earlier we had culture, leadership, then faith and now we have this called YOGA.
This book a great blend of mythology with YOGA.
Devdutt Pattnaik never fails to astonish me by his profound knowledge.
This book is not exactly a guide to yoga. It is the stories behind the pose, the yoga itself.
This book is a result of persistent efforts of 4 years.
And it contains some serious knowledge,
I find the stories from different sacred texts condensed down,
to be summed up as a continuous story.
or I say something to be I harmony so that it can be composed as a book.
If you think that it is another boring book guiding you to do yoga, no no no you are on the wrong way just take the U-turn.
It is not imposing any thought on you, apart from the fact that its core purpose is to make you
aware of the powers, of the yoga and how it is derived.
The whole book is very well composed to knit several stories to compose it as a book.
This book a great blend of mythology with YOGA.
Devdutt Pattnaik never fails to astonish me by his profound knowledge.
This book is not exactly a guide to yoga. It is the stories behind the pose, the yoga itself.
This book is a result of persistent efforts of 4 years.
And it contains some serious knowledge,
I find the stories from different sacred texts condensed down,
to be summed up as a continuous story.
or I say something to be I harmony so that it can be composed as a book.
If you think that it is another boring book guiding you to do yoga, no no no you are on the wrong way just take the U-turn.
It is not imposing any thought on you, apart from the fact that its core purpose is to make you
aware of the powers, of the yoga and how it is derived.
The whole book is very well composed to knit several stories to compose it as a book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 30 reviews