From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan

by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky

From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan is a classic Indian travelogue by Helena Pretrovna Blavatsky. Late in the evening of the sixteenth of February, 1879, after a rough voyage which lasted thirty-two days, joyful exclamations were heard everywhere on deck. "Have you seen the lighthouse?" "There it is at last, the Bombay lighthouse." Cards, books, music, everything was forgotten. Everyone rushed on deck. The moon had not risen as yet, and, in spite of the starry tropical sky, it was quite dark. The stars were so bright that, at first, it seemed hardly possible to distinguish, far away amongst them, a small fiery point lit by earthly hands. The stars winked at us like so many huge eyes in the black sky, on one side of which shone the Southern Cross. At last we distinguished the lighthouse on the distant horizon. It was nothing but a tiny fiery point diving in the phosphorescent waves. The tired travellers greeted it warmly. The rejoicing was general.

Genres: Spirituality, Philosophy, Travel, Nonfiction, History

226 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1883

About the author

Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (Russian: Еле́на Петро́вна Блава́тская, Yelena Petrovna Blavatskaya, often known as Madame Blavatsky; 12 August [O.S. 31 July] 1831 – 8 May 1891) was a Russian occultist, philosopher, and author who co-founded the Theosophical Society in 1875. She gained an international following as the leading theoretician of Theosophy, the esoteric religion that the society promoted.

Source: Wikipedia

Reviews

[Nell Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The journal of the famous occultist's travels with her Teacher and members of her Theosophist Society in the second half of the nineteen century, the book is an impressionist painting of a land of mystery and magic with hidden dangers and disturbing experiences. The small group of Europeans and Indians were accompanied by a large retinue of servants and bearers as they swayed atop elephantine howdahs for some of the way, and the stories of their adventures in the caves and jungles are heavily spiced with history, mythology, philosophy and theories - what an amazing woman she was! I'd have liked an expert on hand to verify the truth of some of what's between the pages, but as she herself was a seeker of Truth I guess I shouldn't doubt her. At any rate, for one fascinated by these things it was a damned good read.

[Bettie]

Translator: M.R.J.

Opening:
In Bombay

Late in the evening of the sixteenth of February, 1879, after a rough voyage which lasted thirty-two days, joyful exclamations were heard everywhere on deck. "Have you seen the lighthouse?" "There it is at last, the Bombay lighthouse."

Ebox: Ready for next time I need a fun palate-cleanser

2* Isis Unveiled
TR From the Caves

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in a couple of days on holiday in 2012. It is an adventure in the spirit of a soul who knows that in this world all is not what it seems. From the Elephanta caves near Mumbai to deeper into tiger-infested India, Blavatsky recounts her discoveries in the spirit of a mystic open to new possibilities. Let your imagination flow...a book like this could set you off.

[Vinay Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

India 150 years back, approximately. a marvelous journal of an amazing journey. today, it seems so far yet so near. a true master piece. I loved it.

[Kranthi Paidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

So, this woman, who is one of the members of the Theosophical Society that produced the likes of Krishnamoorthi and a society that believes in spirit but not spiritualism, ventures from America accompanied by few others who in the name of scientific bent of mind were only cynical about everything that they are unable to wrap their heads around.

She takes us through the India of late 1800s and oh boy
, what a fascinating picture she painted of the land. Little does she realize that she is actually traveling with a Raja Yogi and does she when she cannot believe her own eyes on how this yogi performed some “feats” before her own eyes. There is a dark side of ritualistic and superstitious India as well the yogic and learned India. At times it is easy to get carried away and call the author an idiot based on ones understanding of the phenomenon or her taking on the typical mindset of natives that are forced into poverty. But for a true reader and seeker, this book is a journey unlike anything you have taken so far.

[Irina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly warm and easy reading text by Elena Blavatska which combines rare information on the country's history and author's brilliant sense of humor. Exceptionally pleasant, full of small, sometimes funny stories - as for example about an accident when Elena almost slipped and fell down the ground from an elephant's back, but he caught her with his tail.
This book is actually a travel diary which brings a rich color of the ancient country and its mysteries to the curious reader. It shows India the way it used to be before the touristic invasion.

[K.R.M. Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a very different version of this book to the one listed here on Goodreads. My version had over 700 pages and, based on the reviews I have read here by other readers, my version was quite different.

When reading these articles I was surprised to read Blavatsky's very strong views on the British, especially since shortly after these articles were published in Russia, she travelled to England and resided there until her death, living off the financial donations of British Theosophical members.

After reading the articles in this book I have had to revise my views on HPB quite radically.

[Maria Carmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never before read this HPB book. The style, the magnificence of the descriptions, the colorfulness of the characters and the depth of the issues treated in the guise of travelling episodes, is absolutely brilliant!

Gulab Singh comes out in full size as a very SPECIAL character... and I will say no more!

HPB was always an excellent writer, but this book is filled with culture, knowledge and a lot of humor!!! I loved it and totally recommend it.

Maria Carmo,

Lisbon, 5th April 2024.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only complete translation of this spiritual adventure that Blavatsky wrote for Russian magazines in the 1880s. The other version translated in 1892 by Vera Johnston is less than half the size.
Not merely a travelogue, but sprinkled with occult, philosophical and magical events. This edition was translated by a distant relative of HPB. His Introduction gives more background about her Russian writings. Her Guru appears, in veiled form, as the Thakur.

[Zephyrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my all time favorite esoteric nonfiction works ! ! madame blavatsky’s humorously mordant yet richly insightful quips on her lengthy journey throughout the mystical parts of india have lit a light for my love for this country😊🤍🎀

[Bec · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a disappointment, nothing of substance and a lot of bs I thought.

[Abhiraj Chauhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief description of India in the 19th century from a Russian traveller's perspective.

[Panda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a fascinating read, part rational, scientific commentary, but also much that is esoteric, on the afterworld, spirits and religion. Modern readers will find this 1870s view of western India, by a group of first time foreign visitors, illuminating in many ways👌🏼

[Jashem Scion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick glimpse into 19th Century India, An enjoyable read.

[Velvetink]

epub version