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Adhyatmikta
Explorations into Hindu Spiritual Practices looks at the fundamental questions and issues faced by a dharmic spiritual practitioner in today's age. It guides one to navigate the spiritual path with a judicious mix of practical experience and guidance from the traditions and texts. The book also contains detailed articles on devatas in Hinduism. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rajarshi Ranjan Nandy is an upasaka, speaker, and columnist, who also guides people interested in the practice of sadhana.
182 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 12, 2021
Picked this book after listening to the authors talk. Seeing the content list I thought I had made a mistake as it seemed like a introduction to Hindu concepts.
However reading the book, I feel deep gratitude to the author for making this effort. He has shared deeper insights on those topics such that it rejuvenates your understanding of these familiar concepts and your enthusiasm to practice the sadhana.
Highly Recommended.
However reading the book, I feel deep gratitude to the author for making this effort. He has shared deeper insights on those topics such that it rejuvenates your understanding of these familiar concepts and your enthusiasm to practice the sadhana.
Highly Recommended.
February 5, 2024
rajarishi nandi delivers as he always does. The book is concise and direct. Great for beginners, experts and noobs. Definitely worth the read for those interested in making spiritual progress via tantric practices and for those who are curious.
December 24, 2025
This is not a “self-help” book in disguise. It doesn’t do affirmations, doesn’t whisper platitudes, and absolutely refuses to sell enlightenment in ten easy steps. This is a book that looks you in the eye and says: ‘you don’t need to feel better; you need to see clearer’.
And then it proceeds to dismantle you internally—neatly assembled beliefs, borrowed ideas, borowed mysticism—and leaves you sitting on the floor with something far more dangerous: questions.
At its core, ‘Adhyatmikta’ is about ‘‘inner sovereignty’’. Not spirituality as lifestyle branding, but spirituality as confrontation.
Nandy writes as someone rooted deeply in ‘‘Tantric sadhana’’, yet rigorously conversant with the ‘‘Vedic’’, ‘‘Upanishadic’’, and ‘‘Gitaic’’ traditions.
What emerges is not synthesis for the sake of harmony, but a charged dialogue—sometimes affectionate, sometimes adversarial—between paths that all point inward but refuse to walk politely side by side.
The book opens with a demolition job. Modern spirituality, Nandy argues, has been declawed. It wants transcendence without terror, bliss without discipline, awakening without responsibility.
Against this soft-focus spirituality, he places the old, uncomfortable idea of ‘adhyatmikta’—that which concerns the ‘‘adhyatma’’, the innermost principle, the Self that is not ego, not mind, not even personality.
This is straight out of the Upanishads, where the Self is described not as comforting but as vertiginous: “नायमात्मा प्रवचनेन लभ्यो न मेधया न बहुना श्रुतेन” -- ‘This Self is not attained by discourse, nor by intellect, nor by much hearing’: ‘Katha Upanishad’
Nandy leans heavily on this refusal of easy access. You cannot think your way into realization. You cannot read your way into liberation. And—this stings a bit—you cannot outsource it to a guru without doing the work yourself.
What makes this book compelling is its ‘‘Tantric spine’’. Tantra here is not exoticized, eroticized, or reduced to shock value. Instead, it is presented as a brutally honest spiritual technology—one that does not reject the world, but also does not romanticize it.
Tantra accepts desire, fear, rage, longing, and death as legitimate materials of sadhana. This aligns with the famous Tantric maxim:
“यत्र विषं तत्र औषधम्” -- ‘Where there is poison, there is also medicine’
Nandy repeatedly returns to this idea: the very forces that bind us are the forces that can liberate us, if approached with awareness and discipline. This is a radical departure from the sanitised Vedanta-lite often peddled today, and yet—here’s the twist—it doesn’t contradict the Vedas at all.
In fact, the Rig Veda itself is far more ambivalent, mysterious, and non-linear than it is usually credited for being. Consider the Nasadiya Sukta:
“को अद्धा वेद क इह प्रवोचत्… अर्वाग्देवा अस्य विसर्जनेन” -- ‘Who truly knows? Who can here declare it? Even the gods came later’: ‘Rig Veda 10.129’
This cosmic uncertainty, this refusal to nail reality down into a neat doctrine, is something Nandy seems deeply aligned with. ‘Adhyatmikta’ resists conclusions. It circles, probes, retreats, and advances again. It’s less a staircase than a spiral.
The ‘‘Bhagavad Gita’’ looms large throughout the book, not as a text to be quoted reverentially, but as a battlefield manual for inner war. Nandy reads the Gita not as moral instruction but as existential strategy.
Krishna’s insistence on ‘karma yoga’—action without attachment—is framed not as ethical cleanliness, but as psychological necessity. One cannot withdraw from life without becoming spiritually anaemic. As Krishna says:
“न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते” -- ‘Not by abstaining from action does one attain freedom from action’: ‘Gita 3.4’
This resonates strongly with Nandy’s critique of escapist spirituality. Retreats, renunciation aesthetics, and monk cosplay mean nothing if the inner compulsions remain untouched. The real renunciation is not of action, but of ‘avidya’—misrecognition of the Self.
One of the most striking aspects of ‘Adhyatmikta’ is its ‘‘psychological sharpness’’. Nandy is acutely aware of how the ego hijacks spiritual language. The “spiritual ego” becomes subtler, more insidious, harder to uproot.
One is no longer proud of wealth or status, but of detachment, insight, lineage. This is where his Tantric grounding shows real teeth.
Tantra, after all, is suspicious of purity narratives. It knows how easily they curdle into hypocrisy.
This suspicion finds a strange echo in Shakespeare, who—unexpectedly—fits into this conversation with eerie precision. When Hamlet says, “‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy’,” he is gesturing toward the same epistemic humility that the Upanishads insist upon. Knowledge, whether philosophical or spiritual, is always partial.
To mistake the map for the territory is the oldest human error.
Nandy’s prose, while largely non-literary, carries moments of sharp, almost aphoristic clarity. He does not indulge in poetic excess, but when the hammer falls, it falls cleanly.
His engagement with ‘‘Shakti’’ is particularly notable. Shakti here is not a metaphor, not empowerment jargon, but a living, destabilising force. In classical Tantra, Shakti is both creative and destructive, nourishing and terrifying.
The Devi Mahatmya’s vision of the Goddess—slaying demons while laughing—hovers in the background, reminding us that spiritual power is not always gentle.
This connects beautifully with the Gita’s Vishvarupa episode, where Arjuna beholds Krishna’s cosmic form: “कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत् प्रवृद्धः” -- ‘I am Time, the destroyer of worlds’: ‘Gita 11.32’
Nandy understands that any authentic spirituality must come to terms with this aspect of the divine—not just as love, but as annihilation. Growth involves death. Transformation involves loss.
There is no spiritual evolution without the dissolution of cherished self-images.
What makes ‘Adhyatmikta’ particularly relevant today is its refusal to separate spirituality from ‘‘power’’. Nandy does not shy away from discussing lineage, authority, initiation, and discipline—topics often avoided in favour of vague universalism.
Tantra, historically, has always been embedded in structures of transmission. Knowledge is not merely information; it is ‘earned’, ‘tested’, ‘guarded’. This is uncomfortable for modern sensibilities that equate access with entitlement.
But as the Mundaka Upanishad reminds us: “परीक्ष्य लोकान् कर्मचितान् ब्राह्मणो निर्वेदमायात्” -- ‘Having examined the worlds gained by action, the wise one develops dispassion’
Dispassion here is not boredom, but clarity—a recognition of limits.
If there is a quiet polemic running through the book, it is against ‘‘spiritual consumerism’’. Workshops, certifications, influencer-gurus, algorithm-friendly enlightenment—Nandy wants none of it.
Spirituality, he insists, is not scalable. It does not care about reach or relatability. It cares about readiness. This might sound elitist to some, but the Vedic tradition has never pretended otherwise.
Even the Gayatri Mantra is framed as an invocation requiring ‘adhikara’—eligibility, preparation, seriousness.
Shakespeare again offers an accidental parallel. In ‘King Lear’, suffering strips Lear of his illusions of power and identity until he is reduced to something raw and human. “‘I am a man more sinn’d against than sinning’,” he says, standing in the storm.
That storm is not unlike the inner turbulence Tantra deliberately invokes—not to break the seeker, but to burn away false coverings.
By the time one reaches the latter portions of ‘Adhyatmikta’, it becomes clear that this is not a book meant to be “finished.” It is meant to be wrestled with, resisted, returned to. It will irritate readers looking for reassurance.
It will unsettle those accustomed to neat metaphysics. But for readers willing to sit with discomfort, it offers something rare: ‘‘spiritual seriousness without sentimentality’’.
Nandy does not promise liberation. He does not guarantee peace. What he offers is orientation—a compass rather than a destination. In that sense, ‘Adhyatmikta’ feels deeply faithful to the spirit of the Upanishads, which end not with answers but with silence.
Or as the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says: “नेति नेति” -- ‘Not this, not this’
And maybe that’s the real flex of this book. In a world addicted to certainty, ‘Adhyatmikta’ dares to remain unresolved. It reminds us that spirituality is not about becoming special, serene, or superior—but about becoming ‘‘true’’, even when truth is inconvenient.
Read this book slowly. Argue with it. Disagree loudly. But don’t domesticate it. Because like all real spiritual texts, it doesn’t exist to comfort you.
It exists to change the terms of the conversation.
And yeah—low-key—it succeeds.
Most recommended.
And then it proceeds to dismantle you internally—neatly assembled beliefs, borrowed ideas, borowed mysticism—and leaves you sitting on the floor with something far more dangerous: questions.
At its core, ‘Adhyatmikta’ is about ‘‘inner sovereignty’’. Not spirituality as lifestyle branding, but spirituality as confrontation.
Nandy writes as someone rooted deeply in ‘‘Tantric sadhana’’, yet rigorously conversant with the ‘‘Vedic’’, ‘‘Upanishadic’’, and ‘‘Gitaic’’ traditions.
What emerges is not synthesis for the sake of harmony, but a charged dialogue—sometimes affectionate, sometimes adversarial—between paths that all point inward but refuse to walk politely side by side.
The book opens with a demolition job. Modern spirituality, Nandy argues, has been declawed. It wants transcendence without terror, bliss without discipline, awakening without responsibility.
Against this soft-focus spirituality, he places the old, uncomfortable idea of ‘adhyatmikta’—that which concerns the ‘‘adhyatma’’, the innermost principle, the Self that is not ego, not mind, not even personality.
This is straight out of the Upanishads, where the Self is described not as comforting but as vertiginous: “नायमात्मा प्रवचनेन लभ्यो न मेधया न बहुना श्रुतेन” -- ‘This Self is not attained by discourse, nor by intellect, nor by much hearing’: ‘Katha Upanishad’
Nandy leans heavily on this refusal of easy access. You cannot think your way into realization. You cannot read your way into liberation. And—this stings a bit—you cannot outsource it to a guru without doing the work yourself.
What makes this book compelling is its ‘‘Tantric spine’’. Tantra here is not exoticized, eroticized, or reduced to shock value. Instead, it is presented as a brutally honest spiritual technology—one that does not reject the world, but also does not romanticize it.
Tantra accepts desire, fear, rage, longing, and death as legitimate materials of sadhana. This aligns with the famous Tantric maxim:
“यत्र विषं तत्र औषधम्” -- ‘Where there is poison, there is also medicine’
Nandy repeatedly returns to this idea: the very forces that bind us are the forces that can liberate us, if approached with awareness and discipline. This is a radical departure from the sanitised Vedanta-lite often peddled today, and yet—here’s the twist—it doesn’t contradict the Vedas at all.
In fact, the Rig Veda itself is far more ambivalent, mysterious, and non-linear than it is usually credited for being. Consider the Nasadiya Sukta:
“को अद्धा वेद क इह प्रवोचत्… अर्वाग्देवा अस्य विसर्जनेन” -- ‘Who truly knows? Who can here declare it? Even the gods came later’: ‘Rig Veda 10.129’
This cosmic uncertainty, this refusal to nail reality down into a neat doctrine, is something Nandy seems deeply aligned with. ‘Adhyatmikta’ resists conclusions. It circles, probes, retreats, and advances again. It’s less a staircase than a spiral.
The ‘‘Bhagavad Gita’’ looms large throughout the book, not as a text to be quoted reverentially, but as a battlefield manual for inner war. Nandy reads the Gita not as moral instruction but as existential strategy.
Krishna’s insistence on ‘karma yoga’—action without attachment—is framed not as ethical cleanliness, but as psychological necessity. One cannot withdraw from life without becoming spiritually anaemic. As Krishna says:
“न कर्मणामनारम्भान्नैष्कर्म्यं पुरुषोऽश्नुते” -- ‘Not by abstaining from action does one attain freedom from action’: ‘Gita 3.4’
This resonates strongly with Nandy’s critique of escapist spirituality. Retreats, renunciation aesthetics, and monk cosplay mean nothing if the inner compulsions remain untouched. The real renunciation is not of action, but of ‘avidya’—misrecognition of the Self.
One of the most striking aspects of ‘Adhyatmikta’ is its ‘‘psychological sharpness’’. Nandy is acutely aware of how the ego hijacks spiritual language. The “spiritual ego” becomes subtler, more insidious, harder to uproot.
One is no longer proud of wealth or status, but of detachment, insight, lineage. This is where his Tantric grounding shows real teeth.
Tantra, after all, is suspicious of purity narratives. It knows how easily they curdle into hypocrisy.
This suspicion finds a strange echo in Shakespeare, who—unexpectedly—fits into this conversation with eerie precision. When Hamlet says, “‘There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy’,” he is gesturing toward the same epistemic humility that the Upanishads insist upon. Knowledge, whether philosophical or spiritual, is always partial.
To mistake the map for the territory is the oldest human error.
Nandy’s prose, while largely non-literary, carries moments of sharp, almost aphoristic clarity. He does not indulge in poetic excess, but when the hammer falls, it falls cleanly.
His engagement with ‘‘Shakti’’ is particularly notable. Shakti here is not a metaphor, not empowerment jargon, but a living, destabilising force. In classical Tantra, Shakti is both creative and destructive, nourishing and terrifying.
The Devi Mahatmya’s vision of the Goddess—slaying demons while laughing—hovers in the background, reminding us that spiritual power is not always gentle.
This connects beautifully with the Gita’s Vishvarupa episode, where Arjuna beholds Krishna’s cosmic form: “कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत् प्रवृद्धः” -- ‘I am Time, the destroyer of worlds’: ‘Gita 11.32’
Nandy understands that any authentic spirituality must come to terms with this aspect of the divine—not just as love, but as annihilation. Growth involves death. Transformation involves loss.
There is no spiritual evolution without the dissolution of cherished self-images.
What makes ‘Adhyatmikta’ particularly relevant today is its refusal to separate spirituality from ‘‘power’’. Nandy does not shy away from discussing lineage, authority, initiation, and discipline—topics often avoided in favour of vague universalism.
Tantra, historically, has always been embedded in structures of transmission. Knowledge is not merely information; it is ‘earned’, ‘tested’, ‘guarded’. This is uncomfortable for modern sensibilities that equate access with entitlement.
But as the Mundaka Upanishad reminds us: “परीक्ष्य लोकान् कर्मचितान् ब्राह्मणो निर्वेदमायात्” -- ‘Having examined the worlds gained by action, the wise one develops dispassion’
Dispassion here is not boredom, but clarity—a recognition of limits.
If there is a quiet polemic running through the book, it is against ‘‘spiritual consumerism’’. Workshops, certifications, influencer-gurus, algorithm-friendly enlightenment—Nandy wants none of it.
Spirituality, he insists, is not scalable. It does not care about reach or relatability. It cares about readiness. This might sound elitist to some, but the Vedic tradition has never pretended otherwise.
Even the Gayatri Mantra is framed as an invocation requiring ‘adhikara’—eligibility, preparation, seriousness.
Shakespeare again offers an accidental parallel. In ‘King Lear’, suffering strips Lear of his illusions of power and identity until he is reduced to something raw and human. “‘I am a man more sinn’d against than sinning’,” he says, standing in the storm.
That storm is not unlike the inner turbulence Tantra deliberately invokes—not to break the seeker, but to burn away false coverings.
By the time one reaches the latter portions of ‘Adhyatmikta’, it becomes clear that this is not a book meant to be “finished.” It is meant to be wrestled with, resisted, returned to. It will irritate readers looking for reassurance.
It will unsettle those accustomed to neat metaphysics. But for readers willing to sit with discomfort, it offers something rare: ‘‘spiritual seriousness without sentimentality’’.
Nandy does not promise liberation. He does not guarantee peace. What he offers is orientation—a compass rather than a destination. In that sense, ‘Adhyatmikta’ feels deeply faithful to the spirit of the Upanishads, which end not with answers but with silence.
Or as the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says: “नेति नेति” -- ‘Not this, not this’
And maybe that’s the real flex of this book. In a world addicted to certainty, ‘Adhyatmikta’ dares to remain unresolved. It reminds us that spirituality is not about becoming special, serene, or superior—but about becoming ‘‘true’’, even when truth is inconvenient.
Read this book slowly. Argue with it. Disagree loudly. But don’t domesticate it. Because like all real spiritual texts, it doesn’t exist to comfort you.
It exists to change the terms of the conversation.
And yeah—low-key—it succeeds.
Most recommended.
September 16, 2018
I believe that Adhyatmikta is an honest attempt to guide genuine aspirants of Adhyatma mainly for 2 things.
First, get the foundation of the fundamental spiritual concepts correct and secondly to traverse them through the landmine of fakery spread all across in the name of spirituality.
I found the style of writing invoking a sense of harmony and peace in the reader. That itself is the biggest testimony of the genuineness of the writer's intent.
There are few typos, which can be overlooked and can be taken care in the 2nd edition.
This book must be suggested to any genuine however novice seeker who comes to you or whom you may come across as an initial manual which can guide him of the basic do's and don'ts so that he/she can avoid wasting the time and energy dealing with erstwhile fake people/institution who misguides.
First, get the foundation of the fundamental spiritual concepts correct and secondly to traverse them through the landmine of fakery spread all across in the name of spirituality.
I found the style of writing invoking a sense of harmony and peace in the reader. That itself is the biggest testimony of the genuineness of the writer's intent.
There are few typos, which can be overlooked and can be taken care in the 2nd edition.
This book must be suggested to any genuine however novice seeker who comes to you or whom you may come across as an initial manual which can guide him of the basic do's and don'ts so that he/she can avoid wasting the time and energy dealing with erstwhile fake people/institution who misguides.
February 7, 2024
This should be one of those books which you should pick-up if you are new to this genre. I got to know about this book from one of the podcasts in which the author himself was invited to share his knowledge about the subject. In the first half of the book the author tried to touch upon the basics of sadhana, the changes or experiences which a sadaka might come across during the sadhana and how to identify the true or actual communion with the Supreme, without getting carried away by illusions which our mind could play. In the second part of the book, the author discusses about different sampradayas, different gods and goddesses which one might want to choose as his/her ishta devata, along with the superficial knowledge about the devata, the rules of their upasana, iconography, and concept(s) behind their existence in spiritual realm, etc. The best part of the book is that it has no images of the gods or goddesses, which allows the reader to imagine while reading the text, which might get engraved much strongly in the mind, than by looking at a ready-made image. However, it also contained some text which I felt were a bit too complex for a layman like me in this genre. Having said that, this short book could be a good, if not the best, introduction to anyone in their spiritual journey.
June 20, 2025
Rajarshi Nandy writes a great book on various sadhnas of all kinds, and really brings dharma full circle.
While the starting chapters felt like generic detachment advice, over the subsequent chapters it makes more sense and the ideation of Rajarshi Nandy becomes more clear.
While Nandy does not come up with his own strain of thought here (I sense he has one) - he is an amalgamation of his gurus and their influences (Aurobindo, Ramana Maharshi, Vimalananda, etc) - I think he will get there later in his career, provided he is true to his sadhana.
Many tantrik practices have been so wrongfully banned and it is shocking to know how the Indian state has clamped down on them. Along with free Hindu temples, making such practices of Bhairav etc legal again should be part of the same movement of our times.
Nandy explores these well, but his mind seems a bit un-firm as he is finding his place in the religious spectrum, in the physical world, in the right circles of society, and more. Once he achieves true stability, his work will prosper too.
However, for the plethora of hidden knowledge, despite the lack of citations (I get that tantra sadhna is meant to be a secret), the book does the exploration well enough to be a good read, especially for those who consider themselves polluted and not worth a spiritual journey. This book is a good starting place for them.
8/10
While the starting chapters felt like generic detachment advice, over the subsequent chapters it makes more sense and the ideation of Rajarshi Nandy becomes more clear.
While Nandy does not come up with his own strain of thought here (I sense he has one) - he is an amalgamation of his gurus and their influences (Aurobindo, Ramana Maharshi, Vimalananda, etc) - I think he will get there later in his career, provided he is true to his sadhana.
Many tantrik practices have been so wrongfully banned and it is shocking to know how the Indian state has clamped down on them. Along with free Hindu temples, making such practices of Bhairav etc legal again should be part of the same movement of our times.
Nandy explores these well, but his mind seems a bit un-firm as he is finding his place in the religious spectrum, in the physical world, in the right circles of society, and more. Once he achieves true stability, his work will prosper too.
However, for the plethora of hidden knowledge, despite the lack of citations (I get that tantra sadhna is meant to be a secret), the book does the exploration well enough to be a good read, especially for those who consider themselves polluted and not worth a spiritual journey. This book is a good starting place for them.
8/10
July 7, 2023
The book is great for beginners, I will try to provide a review without spoilers. Rajasrshi Nandy is a great Sadhaka himself for sure because you can find this in his writing and the knowledge he gave in this book. Although every chapter of this book can be a different book or even a set of books. He tried to cover every basic information about the journey of a Sadhaka, especially the Guru chapter where he gave a tremendous amount of information in a very short and concise manner. A good read-only for people who want an overview of Sadhana and the experiences that comes with it. The target audience for this book will be the people who have little to no understanding of Sadhana, but if you're already been in the process for more than a year, this book will not fascinate you. But if you're new to the world then I recommend this book.
August 31, 2025
https://anuragrbl.blogspot.com/2025/0...
my detailed review in the blog
The book is a good compilation and gives a crash course in essential concepts of Sanatan Dharma and pooja paddhati for certain Gods. There is nothing unique or new in the book except for the fact that it is a easy read on the topic and written by a sadhak who knows the limitation of followers of Hindu Dharma in understanding certain concepts as mAdhyatmiktaost of the person are default followers into their family tradition and have less knowledge at the conceptual level.
my detailed review in the blog
The book is a good compilation and gives a crash course in essential concepts of Sanatan Dharma and pooja paddhati for certain Gods. There is nothing unique or new in the book except for the fact that it is a easy read on the topic and written by a sadhak who knows the limitation of followers of Hindu Dharma in understanding certain concepts as mAdhyatmiktaost of the person are default followers into their family tradition and have less knowledge at the conceptual level.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2024
“Adhyatmikta” opened my eyes to new spiritual knowledge. However, my current stage of spiritual evolution is so low that I couldn’t understand everything explained in the book. Might have to re-read this book multiple times at multiple phases of my life as I gain more spiritual experience so that I can truly digest the words.
If one has watched all of Rajarshi’s podcasts and videos, then this book is an excellent additional content for some of Sadhana concepts he has talked about and also intro to various Devatas.
If one has not watched his famous podcasts, then would suggest to watch them after reading this book, as one will find new topics not mentioned in the book.
If one has watched all of Rajarshi’s podcasts and videos, then this book is an excellent additional content for some of Sadhana concepts he has talked about and also intro to various Devatas.
If one has not watched his famous podcasts, then would suggest to watch them after reading this book, as one will find new topics not mentioned in the book.
August 6, 2023
The book is good & the first half where he talks about the various concepts of Sanatan Dharma will be beneficial to novices. The second half provides good & brief information about a select few deities. I don't know why he selected these particular deities; I at least was unable to detect a pattern for it was a mixed bag including a few Mahavidyas, Garuda, Bhairav, etc. The language is easy to understand & I was able to finish this book quickly. Overall a good one if you are just starting out on your dharmic journey.
December 27, 2023
This was a wonderful start for me from Rajarshi Nandy. If you know the author you know his ability to explain very nuanced and detailed aspect of Tantra Sadhana easily to the viewer. This can easily be seen here in the book as well.
My favourite part of the book is where he goes on explaining about each of the deities he personally has a connection towards. Explaining every detail and iconography of the deity was very much informative.
Highly recommend for people who want to start their spiritual journey through Tantra.
My favourite part of the book is where he goes on explaining about each of the deities he personally has a connection towards. Explaining every detail and iconography of the deity was very much informative.
Highly recommend for people who want to start their spiritual journey through Tantra.
December 20, 2024
Got to know about Rajarshi Ranjanji from social media. He is a well-spoken Devi upasaka with experiential knowledge about different types of Sadhana. Bought this book out of curiosity. It's an easy read with 4-5 pages allotted to each topic which is either spiritual or ritual/deity related. The author provides a brief overview without dwelling deep on most topics except the ones related to mahavidyas which the author has affinity with. Personally, I feel that Ranjanji could make a more thicker recounting of his experiences from the viewpoint of a historian, with specific focus on mahavidyas.
October 28, 2024
An excellent introduction to the subtle intricacies of the Shakta philosophy nuanced to survive the tests of a logical and scientific mind.
This is not just any other book but an exploration into the esoteric philosophy of the Shakti tradition. This book will prove to be a wonderful stepping stone to anyone who is drawn to the path.
This is not just any other book but an exploration into the esoteric philosophy of the Shakti tradition. This book will prove to be a wonderful stepping stone to anyone who is drawn to the path.
December 18, 2025
Adhtatmikta by Rajarshi Nandy is a good book for anyone who needs new insights on the path of Sanatana Dharma. A beginner on the path may gain new thoughts and informations from the read.
It mostly contains articles and views of the author about the spiritual path and the about deities and their ecological methodologies.
It mostly contains articles and views of the author about the spiritual path and the about deities and their ecological methodologies.
January 3, 2026
"I'm amazed at the potent, substantial and divinely authentic knowledge and wisdom Sri Rajarshi Nandi Sir is sharing with us. This is a book of marvelous beauty and igniting wisdom.
There were times I got lost in the book contemplating on just what I have read."
Indeed blessed with the wisdom and knowledge Sir shared. What a book to kick-start my year.
There were times I got lost in the book contemplating on just what I have read."
Indeed blessed with the wisdom and knowledge Sir shared. What a book to kick-start my year.
December 9, 2023
A good guide for beginners on Sanatan Dharma and everything that makes it great. A wonderful rendition from a siddha tantrik. However, I would request Sri Rajarshi Nandi to write more detailed and advanced book for sadhaks of all ages.
October 29, 2025
Amazing! At first, I thought everything was the same as what I had already heard in most of his podcasts. But as I got halfway through the book, it became increasingly insightful and engaging. This book offers an insightful overview of Tantra, exploring its philosophy, principles.
Read
March 29, 2024Spiritual journey , a great read
April 15, 2024
This book gives basic idea about spirituality, different traditions, sampradaya etc. good for beginners like me
June 2, 2024
If you are interested in knowing some basics of Tantra and if you are interested to know/accept a different perspective of life, then this gem is for you.
August 17, 2025
A Much Needed Basic For Starters
Brought some basic concepts from different paths together: Vedic and Tantric, which is rare to find, but much needed for modern understanding.
Brought some basic concepts from different paths together: Vedic and Tantric, which is rare to find, but much needed for modern understanding.
December 2, 2023
Each of the short chapters cover various aspects/dimensions of Hindu spiritual thought for an honest enquirer of Truth. I had my reservations going into the book thinking this will be one of those tomes written by a scholar who had no practical experience in these matters but the author (who himself is a Sadhak on the path of Self discovery) deftly explained/clarified the deeper meanings of various Hindu deity worship (the "what" and the "why") which the ancient seer's of the land had used to guide others to discover one's Self.
One minor nit: A book whose content is as good as this this should have had a good editor. It has quite a few typographical errors/typos/grammatical mistakes!
One minor nit: A book whose content is as good as this this should have had a good editor. It has quite a few typographical errors/typos/grammatical mistakes!
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