Indian mythology is incredibly diverse. It contains 330 million deities. There are gods and goddesses, spirits, personal gods, household gods, and gods of space and time. There are gods for each caste, and those who look after artisans. There are gods who guard nature, who live in trees, and those who take the form of animals. Some are fascinated by minerals, some by geometric shapes. Then there are numerous demons, each with a story of rise and fall. What Indian mythology does not have is an equivalent of the devil, a supreme demon who commands other evil spirits.

This book is a kind of guide to the main aspects of Indian mythology. Devdutt Pattanaik selects a few stories that speak for themselves, helping readers understand why Yudhishthira went to heaven and his brothers to hell. He shows why Rama was an exemplary ruler despite banishing Sita to the forest. He also explains why Gauri and Kali are one, though one nourishes and the other kills.