Book Review: The Tantric Curse

Book: The Tantric Curse

Author: Anupama Garg

Publisher: Rupa Publications

Genre: Fiction| Thriller

Pages: 280

Price: 295 INR

Blurb:

On an amavasya night, eight-year-old Rhea mysteriously lands at the doors of Shaktidham, a Tantric house of worship, in a trance. Realizing that she is blessed with unusual faculties, the guru of Shaktidham, Satya, chooses her as a disciple over his own son, Krishnam, to carry on his lineage, a privilege previously bestowed only to males. But the lineage has been cursed for generations, and it is up to Rhea to either break the curse or perish in the attempt.
Will she succeed in her endeavour? Will her love for Krishnam become an obstacle in her path? The Tantric Curse, an unusual story set in the world of Tantra that aims to dispel most of the myths about the practice, will keep you spellbound till the very last page. 

My Review:

There are some books that stay with you long after you have finished reading it. They inspire you, they thrill you and they enlighten you. “The Tantric Curse” is one such book.  Reading it was an enriching experience.

It is not only a thriller set in the world of Tantra that tries to dispel all its myths, but is also a beautiful love story that will touch your soul. The story starts in Shaktidham where a little eight year old girl, Rhea lands when her parents die in a road accident. She meets the guru of Shaktidham, Satya who chooses her as his disciple. 

Rhea can see future events in her dreams since childhood.  Satya chooses to teach her about Tantra as he believes that she is gifted and can reach the heights of sadhana that no one ever could. Satya has a son, Krishnam who is a few years elder to Rhea.

Rhea and Krishnam grew up together. Since childhood, they are inseparable. They couldn’t realize when their friendship gradually blossomed into deep love.

They got separated when Rhea became victim to the misuse of Tantra. But does separation means end of love? How long can a woman wait for her love with the conviction that he will come back when it is time? The author has beautifully portrayed the profound relationship between Rhea and Krishnam, two highly evolved souls who loved each other unconditionally despite not being together for as long as eleven years. The telepathy between them is beautifully shown.

The book also talks about Rhea’s long journey as a sadhak in Shaktidham to working with Dr. Vishnukant as a spiritual counselor in UK. As I read the book, I was completely fascinated with the character of Rhea and deeply invested in the love story. I loved Rhea’s answer when a friend asks her who Krishnam is:

“The core that remains stable within me, in spite of any peripheral movement. Some people, whether they are there or not, are still a part of you. A part that lives until you are alive. He left, but still he never left. An effortless saint, who is content, steadfast in every situation and loves me the way no one can. He is the man who possesses me in every way, without possessing me physically.”

The book is also rich in spiritual teachings that will inspire and enlighten the readers. I can definitely go to the book again and again. I couldn’t find any flaw in the book and therefore, I would like to give it 5 stars and would like to congratulate the author for writing such a spellbinding story.

Highly recommended! It’s definitely a book to remember. 

I got a review copy from the author for an honest review. The opinions are my own.