A unique feature of Hindu mythology is the key role played by animals, or pashu. The Puranas, ancient Hindu story chronicles, reveal that Brahma, the creator, had a son called Kashyapa, whose many wives gave birth to different types of pashu:

* Timi gave birth to animals who swim
* Vinata gave birth to animals who fly
* Kadru gave birth to animals who crawl
* Surabhi gave birth to animals with hooves
* Sarama gave birth to animals with paws
* Surasa gave birth to animals who defy classification.

This book retells their stories. With over 75 gorgeously illustrated anecdotes, Devdutt Pattanaik reveals how our ancestors imagined the animal kingdom and the key role animals played in human lives.