‘Kama Vs Yama’ (Fun in Devlok Series)
By: Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik
Puffin Books (Div of Penguin Books)
ISBN: 978-0-143-33195
Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik is one of India’s most popular present day mythologists. I am a big fan of his writings. In his “Fun in Devlok” series of books for children, Dr. Pattanaik tells simple and very interesting mythological stories of Hinduism explaining concepts in the easiest ways for children to grasp, appreciate and love telling to others too. ‘Kama Vs Yama’, as the title suggests is a book about two gods, Kama and Yama. In Hindu mythology, Kama is the god of love and desires while Yama is the god of death. I think their relation or comparison is a new dimension which is explored in this book and it has come out very well.
In this book, a young kid Jayshree curiously finds god Kama in her neighborhood garden. She was rather a very studious student, but on that day somehow she got the idea of not doing the homework but watching the TV and eating potato chips. Kama becomes her friend and while they planned a shopping trip, suddenly Yama appeared there and started asking Jayshree not to follow Kama’s advice. While the gods argued and Jayshree evaluated the two propositions, she discovers many facts of life and messages which both gods Kama and Yama carry for all… In the end, she finds a perfect ‘balance’ where she could have fun as well as perform all her duties. I will leave more particulars for you to get when you actually pick up this book.
The book is full of sketches friendly to children and font sizes are big. The book as categorized by the publishers is fit for 6+ years. But I am sure readers from any age group will certainly find this book a thrilling experience. It is also a wonderful gift to children. I highly recommend this enlightening book to one and all.
- Rahul
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