The U-Turn of Devdutt Pattanaik

[Prashant Parikh]

Harih om. 4 years ago, I predicted that Devdutt Pattanaik was up to no good, especially when he started SELLING "Business Gyān" from our Śhāstras on TV Shows, and writing mediocre books on his warped perception of Paurāṇika and Itihāsika teachings, which obviously our high-society critics praised to no end and turned into best-sellers.

As many might not know, but should know, he was in strong support of Wendy Doniger's book which was a  tasteless caricature of our deities and traditions, giving them a sexualized account. At present, he has become a poster-boy for Western Academicians to represent them in India. In his recent blog, he wrote an article criticizing Rajiv Malhotra on faulty grounds and finally the people are taking him on. 

Below are the comments by users around the world, not a single one was positive.  It is good to see people speaking up. Hope he learns a much-delayed lesson. 

http://www.mid-day.com/articles/delightful-truths-of-cult-leaders/15857151

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SR28-Dec-2014

This article merely casts aspersions on Shri Rajiv Malhotra that he imagines himself of being an 'intellectual kshatriya' and trying to 'save' India from breaking forces. The author of this article would've got more credence had he substantiated and refuted with proper examples that Shri Rajiv Malhotra has been speaking about in various forums. Next time before writing Mr. DevadattPatnaik, please understand that an empty rhetoric is unscholarly and a futile exercise!

Nupura27-Dec-2014

Until I read Rajiv Malhotra, I never could decipher what drives Indian intellectuals. I understand they collaborate with westerners, aspire to go west. If you think, it is marxism - They would agree to a marxist criticism. You think it is sociology, post-modernism - they will agree to a criticism. Eventually they would disown you as Brahminical. BTW Devadatta's book is crap - he doesn't get hinduism.

Prassoon Suryadas27-Dec-2014

muahahahaha someone started feeling the heat :)) ..... paid badmouthing begins... lol I have seen this peculiar type of behavior in Kerala, where Mappilas and Nasranis go paranoid when we talk about history beyond 150years; up to 150 years of history they love and embrace it, but if you go beyond that they will call you all kinda names and abuses mentioned above!!!

Manish M25-Dec-2014

A mediocre follower of the cult of the obnoxious Doniger is calling Rajiv Malhotra names. Irony died a million times.

sudarshan26-Dec-2014

Devadatt Patnaik is one among the long list of parasites who inspite of taking everything fromthe society and state they live in spit back poisonous message full of self fulfilling messages to serve their hypocratic life styles. They have their own back scratchers who are self styled thinkers and call themselves secularists so that they get all the honours and recognitions for their below average work.if they do not do it, their unscholarly work will not be branded scholarly.He is no more saner

Rahul27-Dec-2014

I wonder how are hypocrites and opportunists like Devdutt getting published? And why? The distortion of hindu texts has never been more amplified and it is tragic to see people reading it. This is some permanent damage he is doing.

Raj Sharma27-Dec-2014

Patnaik will turn into the same cult leader that he criticizes if he isn't one already. It is all about him at this point.

srinivas27-Dec-2014

Devdatt pattnaik seems to be Wendy's shishya in disguise.. He should not be taken seriously...what credentials does he has to comment on Rajiv malhotra..

Bharat29-Dec-2014

I used to follow your articles earlier... However, Rajeev Malhotra's excellent books "Breaking India", "Being Different" and "Invasion of the Sacred" have opened my eyes to the sepoy culture being encouraged in India by the West. Authors like you are practicing a subtle subterfuge, wherein we are spoon-fed a historical interpretation that slowly poisons our mind against our very own culture. You are a self-admitted "friend" of Wendy Doniger, who in all her books displays a salacious malice.

Siddharth28-Dec-2014

What a load of rubbish you wrote here which neither makes sense nor has any basis. Are you practicing to write English or trying to make some legit point. You seem to be living in your own secularised cocoon who thinks that they are very rational thinkers, but alas it is the other way round ...

Sam28-Dec-2014

Ah! caught you ,I was searching you for long time, give my money back damn I wasted my money buying your book.

Neeraj Gupta28-Dec-2014

Rajiv Malhotra is doing original, groundbreaking work. Everything he says he analyzed and dissected by people and only accepted if found to be true. Obviously, he is ruffling feathers of those who want status quo. Mr Devdutt rings hollow and bitter.

ajit sahu29-Dec-2014

this patnaik belong to odisha where such stupids are found abundantly. Hence everybody knows how least performing state is odisha. I am ashamed of being a odia because of people like devdutt patnaik. there was one more joker in mumbai popularly known as police commisoner also belonged to patnaiks khandan.....hope all have umderstood.

Bharat29-Dec-2014

Talk about the kettle calling the lamp black. You have developed a cult following of secular people who are interested in easy bites of Hinduism, without taking the trouble to open their eyes and see the forces which are trying to malign Hinduism by selective interpretation of the religious texts. Most of your articles are self-reliant, with no sources cited for your inferences.On the other hand Rajeev Malhotra cites authoritative references for all his statements. Please point out any mistake

Prashant28-Dec-2014

Devdas Pattanaik writes an extremely biased article while attempting to give it a veneer of academic neutrality. He is entitled to his opinions and biases as any lay person. But then he is precisely that and cannot be qualified to write such an article that peddles utter nonsense. While starting with Ram Pal and making a dubious broadside at Hinduism, the space Pattanaik devotes to some targets reveals his agenda very clearly and he resorts to name calling, branding and labeling.

Santosh Gairola26-Dec-2014

Since Devidatt makes his living out of anecdotes and sayings, let me remind him;If you spit on sun, it comes back on your face. Don't do it.

Jalansaab26-Dec-2014

DP attacking RM is like Rahul Gandhi attacking Narendra Modi!! Hilarious!! :)

satya26-Dec-2014

Moral of the story - Wendy Doniger is a cult figure and pulping her books is probably ok. Thanks Devdutt for the insight. I can also ignore all her cult followers as well.

Anshul Saxena28-Dec-2014

Oh wise one, where were thee? DDP trying to be DDT and kill the weed of Hindu ignorance. Doniger must be in tears (of joy) after watching her 'dattak putra' coming out like this.Rajiv Malhotra's views are at least evidence based, and consistent with the views of enlightened Hindu sages and seers. Unlike you, who would write anything to sell your books. Speaking of which, I think you are just using this opportunity to be in the limelight till your next book comes out. Good luck with that!

Hari Thapliyal4 hours

Devdutt, I appreciate you work on mythology. But what is this? You may have personal grudge against RM but then why coming openly in field for that. I do not think that Indian intellectuals should go against each other in the same market. You can sit together and settle the issue otherwise this will destroy your image more than RM's. I have seen your work and RM's as well and I understand the kind depth of research he does.

Kribbs Naidu26-Dec-2014

People who have achieved mediocrity in all they have attempted find it easy to criticize people of true excellence. The monumental works of Rajiv Malhotra are having a profound impact all over the world in revealing the truth and therefore many people with false agendas in comfort zones, like Devadatt Patnaik, are running scared. Durban South Africa

mechprince26-Dec-2014

Another pseudo-intellectual article from a pseudo-secular, self-hating, westernized Indian sepoy. His furious attempts to sound intellectual falls flat on its face. One can even create a template for such articles. The common themes are always these: 1. Act intellectual and neutral, 2.Bash anything Hindu, 3.Hate yourself and your country, 4.Pepper the article with sophisticated words that you learnt from a western article, 5.Repeat ad-nauseam.

Subramani27-Dec-2014

It does not take a highly intellectual mind to figure out where his leanings are. All that one can make out from this "Mumbling-Naik" is a lack of coherent narrative on what the he is propounding. In the end, all that remains is "Rajiv Malhotra" is the devil; or some thought similar to that. Words conveying desperation like those of a Soldier forgetting the perfect drills in a "Life and death" situation. Since when did debate become a dirty word?

Yella26-Dec-2014

I am a fan of Rajiv Malhotra. So, I am one of those whom you mentioned to be enthusiastically agreeing to all RM said. Are there any factually incorrect statements that RM made in his books or videos? Why don't you give examples to back your statement? If you don't have any, then you must be one of the sepoy fulfilling western interests in the country.

http://www.mid-day.com/articles/delightful-truths-of-cult-leaders/15857151

[Shibu Shivaram]

The middle position is considered a 'safe' position by many, it is a position of great comfort, and contentment, as well as a great position of laziness.

Taking the middle position, devdutt patnaik here critizes a fw cult leaders like baba rampal, maitains his 'neutral' image by criticizing a christian as well, and tries to keep the world view of 'all religions are same' , 'we are for logical thinking', 'we only want peace' etc.

This position comes across as extremely attractive for many people, seems thoroughly logical , non controversial , progressive, modern and secular.

However for someone who is committed to only learning that which is true, and not just create an artificial rose garden, that doesn't exist, only he is able to see the hard reality , and be truly objective.

If the hindu doesn't see the hard objective reality, a day will only come, when he is forced to see it for himself. My bet is that the anti hindu activities will only intensify, taking this weakness up in the hindu mind, to be 'tolerant' and not to be able to call a spade a spade. This weakness will be utilised in movies such as PK, and in a couple of generations the confusion on what reall is hindu dharma will only intensify.

My prediction is that a true understanding of the dharma will have to survive in smaller pockets, families who will carry the responsibility of protecting dharma in its pure form for future generations.

harih om.

 

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