Devdutt Pattanaik is a leading expert and writer on India’s ancient scriptures and traditions, and this book of his explores the intriguing and often paradoxical world of Indian Mythology. Through the course of their descent down countless generations, mythological stories are often treated as works of fantasy, and in order to break this down and provide some clarity on what’s fact and what’s fiction, Pattanaik delves into the smaller details and explains them with succinct ease. In the book, Pattanaik attempts to explain common Hindu symbols and traditions, and he also explores the meanings behind rituals that are followed by Hindus. The book includes interesting snippets about Indian culture, the potential of the human soul to reach perfection, and the concepts of life and death. Why do Hindus believe in one Supreme God, but have 330 million Gods overall? Is there a place beyond hell that Hinduism talks about? Why were the righteous Pandavas banished to hell, while the Kauravas were sent to heaven? The book includes illustrations sketched by the author as these give him the freedom to explain the finer aspects of Hinduism easily.