Published Paper Details:

Aranyaka: Book of the Forest, a graphic novel, has been created by Indian mythologist Devdutt Pattnaik and graphic designer Amruta Patil. Aranyaka means the forest, and narratives written on it explore mysticism and symbolism. They represent the natural progression of the Upanishads. Aranyaka links the Brahmanas' focus on Karma marga and the Upanishads' emphasis on jnana marga. The graphic narrative is an artistic representation of the Vedas and the environment. The novel begins with the cosmic representation and evolution of the planet Earth and unfurls with Yajnavalkya and Katyayni digging forest for more knowledge and searching for their self. This article examines how Aranyaka graphically and narratively articulates the underlying environmental consciousness within Vedic cosmology, revealing how the graphic novel functions as a strong medium for learning and appreciating the ecological knowledge buried in ancient Indian writings. The paper investigates the novel through sacred ecology and mythopoeic vision.