The Boys Who Fought: The Mahabharata for Children

The story follows the five Pandavas, who lose their parents, kingdom and security because of the actions of their powerful cousins. Rather than presenting their struggle simply as a battle between good and evil, Pattanaik asks why the Pandavas fight and what makes a fight righteous.

Written in accessible language and accompanied by illustrations, the book introduces young readers to the central characters and moral questions of the Mahabharata.

Devdutt Pattanaik is a physician-turned-mythologist, author and leadership consultant. He has written extensively on Indian mythology, sacred stories, symbols and rituals and their relevance to contemporary life. His books for Penguin include Sita: An Illustrated Retelling of the Ramayana, The Book of Ram, Myth = Mithya and several children's mythology books.

The five Pandava brothers are orphaned cousins who should have been protected by the older Kauravas. Instead, they face betrayal, exile, humiliation and the loss of their kingdom. Eventually, they must stand up against the hundred Kaurava brothers.

The book presents their struggle through the concept of dharma. The Pandavas do not fight simply out of hatred or revenge; their struggle is connected with justice, responsibility and protecting those who are weaker. Through this child-friendly version of the Mahabharata, readers discover lessons about courage, fairness, humility and standing up for what is right.