Title: The Tantric Curse 
Author: Anupama Garg
Publisher: Rupa Publications
ISBN: 978-81-291-3752-4
Number of Pages: 271
Price [INR] : 295
Genre: Fiction
Tantra is a field which is surrounded by intrigue and mysticism. Tantric rituals and practices are riddled with a lot of myths and pre-conceived notions. When I came across The Tantric Curse which is written by Anupama Garg who has been trained by Baba Batuk Nath, a renowned Tantric, I knew that I had to read this book. And that was because, I believed that a book written by a practicing Tantric will shed light on this ancient science of Tantra.
The Tantric Curse is a love story with the backdrop of Tantra and Tantrics.
An eight year old Rhea mysteriously reaches Shaktidham, a Tantric house of worship. She has an unusual power to foresee the future. The Guru of this sadhanasthal, Satya recognizes her special abilities and raises her as her own daughter along with his son Krishnam. Satya trains her in the field of Tantra, 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? Well, you need to read the book to find that.
The Tantric Curse brings to light that Tantrics are regular people who lead normal lives like all of us. They study in regular schools and colleges , have regular jobs and regular friends with whom they party, have affairs or one night stands or wear fashionable clothes and enjoy their drinks too. The only difference is that they have attained enlightenment and liberation through sadhana or dedication to the Goddess.
The Tantric Curse, also dispels some myths about the Tantric practice. Just like in the field of medicine there are qualified doctors and quacks, similarly Tantra has been exploited and misrepresented by many too.
Other insightful aspects shared in the book are about the significance of Amavasya or the night of new moon and that Om is the complete mantra. It was interesting to read about the practice of touching someone’s feet. Touching an elder’s feet is not only a sign of reverence and respect but also receiving a fraction of his energy as a blessing. The book also shares information on the various chakras of our body and that in Tantra, how the power is used is very crucial. Several conversations in the book make you reflect and ponder on various aspects of life and its circumstances.
While, all this information is interesting and insightful, I found the progression of the story a bit patchy at times. There were a lot of unexplained or vague or trivial scenes in the story. Dr Vishnukant’s part seemed liked a forced entry and why Rhea continued to live with him despite she not wanting to be a part of his advances was something I could not comprehend. Also, the real aspect of Tantra, how it is practiced and how one attains these mystical powers is not touched upon. Since the author is a practicing Tantric, so guess that raised the expectations. The story is not about the Tantric curse either, because the curse part comes up only towards the very end. So, though the book kept me engaged all throughout, but a feeling of dissatisfaction crept in as I finished reading the last page. I know, it could be just me.
The language is simple and lucid and reads well.
If you are looking to read a love story based on an unconventional theme and gain some insights about Tantra, then you must go for The Tantric Curse.
22 Responses
Interesting theme… If I can manage to finish all the books that I have pending, maybe I’ll try this one.. Thanks for the review, Shilpa
Hope you are able to read all the books in your TBR list. I am busy doing that too. Thanks, Nabanita!
Somehow the theme does not appeal to me. Occult, tantra etc. are just not my preferred genre. You really read across such a wide range of topics, Shilpa.
I know what you mean, Rachna. Tantra, occult etc sound so very mysterious and inspire fear and awe. I read it out of curiosity but didnt find all that I was looking for!
Have read this book Shilpa. Liked it too. I like the way it stressed that tantra is a way of life and not about only mysticism. I am a very curious person by nature and that why I had picked this book. Glad I did. 🙂
Aha! Good to note that you read it too. Yes, it was interesting to find that people who practice Tantra are regular people but more enlightened! Curiosity was my reason for picking this book too. 🙂
Pretty intriguing. Need to try it.
Check it out, Reshma and hope you enjoy reading it 🙂
Oh, I’m intrigued! Tantra and the occult are generally looked down upon and have a mysterious side to them. Will try to get a copy.
True that and that’s the very reason, I picked this book… to know about it from somebody who is trained in the field of Tantra.
This sounds intriguing. Isn’t tantra about dark magic? The Voldemort variety of magic? The backdrop is tempting enough. This one goes on my TBR.
From this book I could gather that Tantra is not about black magic. Tantrics open themselves to receive universal energy and become reservoirs of those energies. Tantrics deal with extremely advanced meditations, rituals, symbolism, and energy-transfer processes. Of course, there are people who misuse this energy and knowledge. Do check it out, hope it answers yours queries and curiosity 🙂
Unknown area and boom to me, but got a bit curious there dear Shilpa:-)
I know the feeling, Eli 🙂
🙂 I will say what i always say .. good one 🙂
Thanks Bikram. You are a star! 🙂
Interesting that this book had all the qualities you look for, but didn’t deliver.
Yes, it didnt answer what I was looking for in this book. May be that was not what the author in mind when penning this book 🙂
Not my taste shilpa, may be because of my own expereinces, it evokes a lot of fear when I hear about tantric curse.
I can understand, Genevive!