Animal instinct Quote by Devdutt Pattanaik
““Beneath the unabashed clandestine sexuality of the Maha-raas is the absence of desire for any physical conquest; it is about perfect love and absolute security that allows married women to dance and sing all night in the forest with a divinely handsome boy. Likewise, the bloodshed at Kurukshetra is not about property or vengeance; it is about restoring humanity, outgrowing animal instincts, and discovering the divine.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Myths and Legends of India by Devdutt Pattanaik, 2017
The epic’s battles symbolize humanity’s quest for higher love, security, and moral evolution beyond base instincts.
In simple terms: War represents spiritual growth and love, not material gain.
Seek deeper purpose in conflict.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- marriage counseling
- conflict resolution
- personal development
- community rituals
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we apply the idea of “restoring humanity” to modern conflicts?
- What does “perfect love” look like in everyday life?
The metaphor may oversimplify complex historical and cultural motivations.