Glorious Alchemy: Living the Lalitā Sahasranāma

by Kavitha Chinnaiyan

The treasury, known as Lalitā Sahasranāma (LSN) is a compilation of the names of the Goddess - the feminine power inherent in all creation. Why chant the Lalitā Sahasranāma ? Chanting the LSN becomes a meditation (dhyāna) where the object of concentration takes us from the superficial level of the mind to the depths of inner repose, to eventually facilitate the “turning upon itself” of attention. The subtle inner form of the deity is visualized to become the object of meditation, bringing the mind to its Source, the One Absolute, beyond all limited concepts. When we invite the Sanskrit nāmas into our inner landscape, the Lalitā Sahasranāma becomes a garland of mantras, where every life experience is rendered sacred, because it can be found in the velvety folds of the chant. This kind of practice opens us to uncommon wisdom and sweetness – this is Glorious Alchemy! The commentary contained in this book is clear and straightforward. It retains the subtleties of the Sanskrit original but is accessible to a modern reader. It takes a non-traditional approach which provides a primer on the Goddess-centered path known as Śrīvidyā in Part I. Part II threads together the thousand nāmas as they relate to life and personal practice. Suggested contemplative practices are provided for further reflection on the nāmas. A valuable resource of Vedic hymns and mantras (including the Lalitā Sahasranāma in its entirety) chanted and sung by Kavitha can be found on her website (
and on the New Sarum Press website. A reader describes Kavitha’s rendering of the Lalitā Sahasranāma as “ Hauntingly beautiful and emotive while being true to the ageless wisdom from which it springs ”.
“To me, this book is almost beyond praise. Stunning in its perfectly balanced blend of clarity, precision, concision, erudition, and accessibility, it is simply the best book on the Lalitā Sahasranāma in the English language. This book is not merely informational, it is designed to have maximum impact on your spiritual life, and if you take the abundant guided meditations in this sublime work into deep practice, you may experience radical opening and transformation. Especially if you are a lover of the Goddess, this book could become the primary touchstone of your spiritual life.” —Christopher Wallis (aka Hareesh), M.Phil., Ph.D., author of Tantra Illuminated and The Recognition Sutras
“Glorious Alchemy is more than a book; it is a living revelation that those who love Devi, those who wish to deepen their relationship with Her, and those who have yet to remember Her, have all been waiting for.” —Laura Amazzone, Author of Goddess Durga and Sacred Female Power

Genres: Hinduism, India

294 pages, Paperback

Published September 26, 2019

Reviews

[Shiva Somadev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just stumbled upon this book and read a few chapters and I must say: I am blown away by the clarity, profoundity and wisdom of this MUST READ amazing book! 💥

WOW!!!

Forget about all limited scientific ideas and discover Knowledge far advanced than the limited "knowledge" of science.

With the deepening of inquiry into the True Nature of Reality I was drawn to Kashmir Shaivism and to Shree Vidya traditions with the Lalita Tripurasundari at it's Heart.

This ancient knowledge is not a fantasy. It is the Absolute Reality.

I have no doubts about it.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Real Treasure. 💍 ♦

Inspired by this amazing book, I am also planning to check out Kavitha's first book; "Shakti Rising".

I am convinced now that it will be as glorious as the "Glorious Alchemy"

If I could give more than five stars I would!!!

"This masterful illuminating book is a gift from Devi Herself as manifested through a brilliant contemporary practitioner, Yogini and householder, Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan. It is a timely, accessible and empowering resource that elucidates the rich, often complex and esoteric doctrine of Śrīvidyā and opens the multivalent portals of Devi Lalitā’s 1000 names in intelligent, refreshing and relatable ways. Scholars, practitioners, spiritual seekers, and laypeople within and outside the non-dual Tantric and Vedic lineage streams will all delight in the wealth of knowledge and practical applications this precious work offers. Chinnaiyan offers the reader myriad opportunities to directly access and understand the Divine Mother and the infinite nuances and emanations of Her Reality through both knowledge and experience. In short, LSN is more than a book; it is a living revelation that those who love Devi, those who wish to deepen their relationship with Her, and those who have yet to remember Her, have all been waiting for.”—Laura Amazzone, Author of Goddess Durga and Sacred Female Power

“The recitation of the thousand names of the Divine Mother known as the Lalitā Sahasranāma is one of the most powerful and popular spiritual practices among devotees of the Goddess. The background for these names is the sophisticated system of nondualistic Tantra known as Śrīvidyā. Because of its complexity and the secrecy of many of its lineages, Śrīvidyā has remained mostly an enigma to the uninitiated. In Living the Lalitā Sahasranāma, Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan introduces the esoteric philosophy, metaphysics, mythology, devotional sentiment, and yogic discipline of this profound tradition with elegant clarity. With the humility and respect of a devoted practitioner and the rationality of an educator, she makes the divine names come alive, showing how the Lalitā Sahasranāma reveals a path back the Great Mother. This book is an invaluable blessing to those interested in tantra, yoga, nonduality, the divine feminine, and the Hindu worship of the Goddess. This is the book I wish I could have written.”Rev. Dr. Swami Bhajanananda Saraswati, Head Priest and Dean of Seminary, Kali Mandir Ramakrishna Ashram, Laguna Beach, California

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

roughly the first half of the book deals with shakti/sri chakra metaphysics in plain language, including tons of graphics, charts and tables to illustrate the concepts, and the second half deals with in-depth exegesis of the LSN, again written in easily digestible, plain direct language. an essential companion to the LSN, especially for beginners (like me) new to the text, and contains numerous references to further reading and study, including the historical commentaries that she largely draws from

[o · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best book: my favorite is Dr. Kavitha ji’s mindset and approach to the entire LSN.

[Rajiv Goyal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glorious Alchemy

An amazing book, has lot of practice based techniques.
A must buy if you are a devi bhakta. Thanx for the elaborate description