Touched by Fire (edition 2006)

This is the autobiography of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D. Tigunait’s story is a compelling one, and vividly told. It follows him from his boyhood in Amar Garh, a traditional village in northern India, all the way to his current life as the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute. This journey is full of twists and turns, and along the way the reader encounters many exotic and unfamiliar sights, sounds, and experiences. We meet Tigunait’s family, headed by a once-prosperous Raj Purohit (a religious teacher), who has seen his wealth dwindle in the face of political and social upheaval. We share in the author’s immersion into Sanskrit scriptures and his ongoing traditional education. Along with him, we meet a variety of saints and spiritual masters, who add to his understanding of the Divine Mother, teach valuable meditation techniques, lifestyle choices, and powerful mantras, and change the course of his life.