Sri Saundarya Lahari/The Descent Paperback – March 2, 2009

This book is a practical guide for the use of the Soundarya Lahari. It is clear, concise, and generally complete for a safe (relatively) tantric praxtice to obtain specific spiritual and worldly desires. The information on each verse, and it'sapplication sometimes is limited as I have a comparative text from Karunamayi concerning the first verse and its use to clean the MUlhadara, Manipura and Anahata chakras with a diet, etc... In Karunamayi's explanation no use is mentioned of this verse being for the obataining of prosperity or overcoming obstacles, and In this book no mention is made of the use to clean the chakras, diet, etc... Two very different explanations -both valid but I suspect and feel that this book has not given other specific uses as to limit what people will actually use it to obtain. This doesn't necessarily apply to all the verses and I'm sure Karaunamayi would not give out the more advanced uses either to the general public. I have started to use the first verse without the required gold plate - which I will pick up in two days. Howver I did do 500 repetitions of the first verse yesterday in the lotus and have been using it for about a week. The results are interesting - much light in the third eye circling around, conscousness projection through my third eye, telepathic and spirit communication including physical and energetic touch on even mudane things as waking me up with "Time to get up" and a gentle slap in the face (which I needed- had to go out). I will further update this after I use the gold plate and mandala for the required 12 days -if my knees hold out for three or four hours in the lotus.Hari Shreeyam (M. Rephen)

This book is very well written. The Saundarya Lahari is fairly popular, but the depths of its meanings are probably understood by <1% of the population who knows of this great work. This book is a good first book to begin delving into some of the deeper meanings of the work. I do think one needs to read a good commentary on the Lalitha Sahasranama without which most of this book will be "over their head." I recommend V. Ravi's book on the Lalitha Sahasranama for this.

Seriously incredible. This symbol came to me during a deep meditation, and I had no idea what it meant... had never seen it before in waking life. I then stumbled upon this book and am blown away! I could write an entire essay on my admiration for this book and the concepts of the divine, creativity, and unity within it, but I will just make this one point here: the translation is wonderful because though it's easy to understand and written in plain English, it still maintains the depth and quality of (what I imagine) the original thoughts contain.

This book has everything you need to learn about Devi and her worship. It has a great deal of information to learn from. Must have!

Thank you

I dont think that I have any background of tantra, much less Shakti tantra. From my experience with this book, please know this book is very powerful, very well written and touches deep deep in heart. It is such a blessing to have Swami Satsangi ji share her direct knowledge with us.

This book is Godsend , excellent writing and a very interesting enlightening read...

Excellent, clear, engaging. Various vidhis are explained.