Thirteen Months In The Himalayas: Chronicles of a Monks Sadhana Hardcover – 29 Oct. 2024

This book electrified my modest aspiration to take up sadhana.It oozes honesty and simplicity of Swami ji. I have managed it uninterrupted up to chapter 11 and it is so beautifully written. There is so much detail as the chapter progress with Swami's schedule to the minutes. Most of HIS quandaries are so relatable through his journey here and yet HE is not a common man like us.It reminded me of my professional exam years. It fills one's heart with great admiration as you read upon, how Swami ji undertook the planning, preparation and execution of HIS sadhana so diligently.HE truly has given this world a detailed blueprint on how to do sadhana. Which was non-existent in the Sanatana Dharma literature so far.Cannot wait to read the rest of the chapters and especially number 18. On a general note, I always buy 2-3 paper copies of all HIS books. They are a "must have" in ones library.I did attend the Sri Sukatam Sadhana at his residence amongst 200 + disciples. It was an enchanting experience to perform the yajana beside HIM. However, the book is all together on a different level if seekers are looking for inspiration to take upon sadhana. I feel blessed to have got hold of a copy on Amazon. HE would always hold a special and imperishable place in my heart. 🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🏼Part II of my review as I have completed the read. I am sad that it has come to an end. I cannot cherish it any longer like a special Netflix series or a pudding that one looks forward to at the end of a laborious stint (I say stint- as life can offer prolonged, hard, tiring, difficult stints even when money is plentiful 🙏🏼).Getting back to the book review- The chapters (from 12th one) had gotten more intense with more details and accounts of mantra sadhanas, Swami Ji's experiences and has approach towards anything and everything.I felt totally convinced that there is so much to gain from that I started a sadhana straight after my return as I seem to have no jet lag 🙏🏼.A lot of the detail can be found in, The Ancient Science of Mantras and The Gayatri Sadhana book as well. But reading this book after reading the others clarifies the processes more and more for me, plus the Sadhana App.I am suggesting this "NOT as a promotion for Swami ji's books and Apps propaganda" 🙏🏼 .I am stating my experience as he quietly adds a lot of details in all his works and one can easily bypass it whilst in the flow of doing a Sadhana. For Swami ji it is lifetimes of experience and it now "seems effortless' but for a novice like me even reading a mantra in english is a lot of effort, let alone following HIS pronunciation.The chapters are so much like an exceptional biopic with details of Sadhana. Especially the chapter 14. Swami ji also clarifies details like astral travel, celestial music etc. and explains them with a scientific approach. The chapter 18 and 19 (Chop wood, Fetch water) are indescribable. It is not just the journey and attainment but it is what HE did/ does after that. How HE thinks, approaches life and is doing/ will do is so uniquely distinguishable from a 'commoner's" thinker.This book will for sure change one's "thinking and perspective towards life.I felt like this when I read "If truth be told" when i bought it on 10/11/2017. I get frustrated, upset, emotional and at times mentally fight with Swami ji 🙇🏻‍♀️🙏🏼 as he is becoming "inaccessible" but my fondness and plights have intensified ever since.HIS work has totally changed my thinking process and my demeanour has had a "sizemic shift" too, from early days. HE is "extremely rare, and is for a limited offer only (I believe so) in present day and his books are unalloyed, totally different from Indian religious books. HIS "philosophy of life" is like none other 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼. Please make the most whilst HE is in this living form 🙏🏼.

Swamiji is a 21st century saint. We are glad that there is an authentic saint living in this day and age that has written unalloyed truth about what it takes to attain God's vision. Thirteen Months In The Himalayas chronicles Swamiji's daily routine when he set out to do deep Sadhana in Himalayas to attain Devi's vision. The time he spent in Himalayas was in some sense a final test culminating to years and years of Sadhana he has done in his life. The patience, perseverance, intense tapas, hard work, love for Ma Devi and Shri Vishnu, Swamiji has detailed it all. If you are on the path of spirituality this is a must read. If you haven't read any other book of Swamiji, I would also recommend one should read his first book, If Truth be Told. Both, If Truth be Told and Thirteen Months in the Himalayas are granths.

All good 👍

The most profound and authentic revelation! I love this book.

This book can be viewed as a chronicle of Swamiji's book on his life 'If Truth be Told' where he has stated all about his sadhanas during his 13 months in the Himalayas like a diary.For a doubting and questioning mind - I believe the last chapter 'Chop Wood, Fetch Water' would be a brilliant summary. They may not be able to resonate with some of the divine experiences shared in the rest of the chapters in the book.For people who have faith that a higher consciousness exists ( call it God, Universe or whatever name) and people who know and believe in Swamiji - I will not break all the suspense. You will be overwhelmed like I was (still am). Not once, twice but many times. However, I still think Swamiji has understated the hardship he endured during this journey and his attainments.In summary - His multiple vision of the divine will feel you blessed and delighted (disbelief at the same time the hardships he went through).What I am mesmerized most with: Swamiji's fearlessness, sense of duty towards all, truthfulness and humbleness after reading the last chapter 'Chop Wood, Fetch Water'.Being his disciple, other chapters did not come as a surprise.This book is an excellent example of leading by example.His portrayal of himself as an ordinary saint is also not surprising!!!!!!!!!Swamiji - obeisance and deepest gratitude for sharing your divine journey with us, especially the vision of Sri Hari (at the expense of 7 summers) and the last chapter with your heart's content 🙏🙏🙏