SHIKHANDI AND THE OTHER TALES THEY DON'T TELL YOU by Devdutt Pattanaik - A Book Review

‘All things queer are also part of nature' 

I had the golden opportunity to read 'Shikhandi and the other tales they don't tell you.' It was indeed a wonderful book and here is what i have discovered..... 

Who is Shikhandi?

Amba = Shikhandi (reborn as Shikhandi)

 Amba was the daughter of King of Kashi who wanted to marry a man called Shalva but she and her other two sisters are abducted by a warrior called Bhisma. Bhisma abducted the three sisters for his half-brother Vichitravirya who was unable to find a suitable wife for himself. Amba pleaded to go back to Shalva and was allowed to return but neither Shalva nor her father accepted her back into their respective families. 

Amba then returned to Bhisma with her marriage proposal but he had taken a wow of celibacy. He insulted her and shunned her away. Later Amba pleaded and prayed to immortal Gods, Sage and Kings but none came to her rescue except ‘Shiva’ who gave her a boon that she would be the reason of Bhisma’s death but only in her next life. To end her suffering Amba invoked fire and leapt into it.

In her next life Amba was born as Shikhandi the daughter of King Drupada, raised as a man and gets married as a man to a woman. In the end at the battle of Kurukshetra, Shikhandi did become the reason of Bhisma’s death.

The book tells the story of famous characters of Indian Mythology who have been in the brackets of LGBTQ at a particular stage in their respective lives. eg Arjuna, Indra, Narada, Aravan, Ila, Samavan, Vishnu, Samba and many more.

But who is this book about in reality?

Well the Author dedicates it to all those out there and all those in between.

Hindu Mythology & Queer Stories

Author writes that in Hindu mythology the patriarchy, the idea that men are superior to women was, invented. Hindu Mythology constantly references to ‘queerness’ as the idea that questions the notion of maleness and femaleness. Queer stories are not restricted to Hindu Mythology. There’s a line in the book mentioned from the Vedas “ Vikruti Evam Prakriti” which can be translated as ‘All things queer are also part of nature.’

The Third Gender in India

Author constantly clarifies that he writes this book not seeking any approval or judgement but to give voice to an ‘unheard community’ in our society. India’s third gender, the transgender, the ‘hijras’, have a peculiar clap to make sure the world does not render their queerness invisible.

Gender, Sex and Sexuality

Author explains that the term ‘sex’ is biological, ‘gender’ as a term is used to express how biology is expressed in our society. As the author writes ‘sexuality’ deals with all the aspects of gender, orientation, identity, psychology and sociology associated with it.

Questions & Cultural Filters

The book raised several questions like..

 1.)What is so distinctive about being a totally masculine male and a totally feminine female? 

2.)What is it? Is it a ‘cultural filter’ that blocks millions of wailing voices for help? Or is it just ignorance seeking to be bliss?

3.) How can celibate men decide the basis of relationship anyone can have, when they themselves are devoid of any kind of attachment?

The Takeaway from the Book

 “Shikhandi and the other tales they don’t tell you” by Devdutt Pattanaik questions issues regarding treatment of queer community in the mythology and society. The Author puts a logical reason and argument basing Hindu mythology.Difference has to be accepted and appreciated. Last but not the least just to remind you......Whenever you are at a traffic signal and you see and hear a ‘hijra’ a eunuch clapping, trying to grab your attention, do remember it’s not really their way to beg... but a cry for help of an ignored and discriminated community.