Yantra – the Energy Diagrams

Yantra – the Energy Diagrams

The Yantras are geometric diagrams or energy diagrams representing various energy fields, mainly from tantric traditions. Yantra literally means machine or instrument. In Hinduism, since ancient times Yantras are used during worship to correct the economic situation, to defeat enemies and to please god & goddesses. Specific Yantras are associated with specific deities. Most popular Yantras are Sri Yantra, Lakshmi Yantra, Sukh Samridhi Yantra, Vyapaar Vriddhi Yantra, Vastu Yantra, Kubar Yantra, Hanuman Yantra, etc.

Yantras are the physical form of the mantras having various shapes and using lines, dots and shapes such as triangle, circle, hexagon, octagon and the symbolic petals of the lotus spreading from the center. These are symbolic representations of this process of evolution and involution. When these concentric figures are gradually growing away from its center (bindu) in stages, this is for human beings a symbol of the process of macrocosmic evolution. When they are gradually growing towards its center, this is for human beings a symbol of the process of microcosmic involution.
In Hindu ritual practices, which date back to the Vedic times, Yantras are created using certain objects, symbols, sounds, names and forms, and specific divisions of time to invoke the power of a deity.

Constituents of Yantra
Generally, yantras have following constituents:

1. Point (Bindu) – The point is located in the center of the yantra from which all forms and creations radiates. 
2. Triangle – Another shape in yantras is triangle generally pointing upward or downward. The downward pointing triangle represents Shakti; the female principle and upright triangle represents Shiva; the male principle.
3. Hexagram – The hexagon represents two equilateral triangles pointing opposite sides usually upwards and downwards symbolizing union of male and female principles.
4. Lotus – Lotus symbolizes creation, purity, transcendence and sphere of absolute. It represent water element.
5. Circle – Circle represents ether.
6. Square – It represents earth.

Types of Yantras

1. Sri yantra – Mother of all Yantras. It fulfills all desires of the person and elevates a person both materialistically and spiritually
2. Yantras for wealth - Lakshmi yantra, Kuber Yantra, Shri Bhairava Yantra.
3. Yantras for Health - Mahamrithyunjay Yantra.
4. Yantra for Education - Saraswati yantra, Hayagriva yantra.
5. Yantra for Marriage - Swayamvara Parvati yantra, Uma Maheshwara yantra.
6. Yantra for Love & Attraction - Akarshana yantra.
7. Yantra for removal of black magic and evil spells - Sudarshan yantra, Prathyangira yantra.
8. Other Yantras - Ganesh Yantra, Muruga yantra.
9. Planetary yantras - Navagraha yantra, Sun yantra, moon yantra, Rahu yantra, Kethu yantra, Mars yantra, Mercury yantra, Jupiter yantra, Venus yantra, Saturn yantra.

 
Sri Yantra

Sri Yantra, also known as Sri Chakra, is called the mother of all yantras because all other yantras derive from it. Sri refers to bhagwati “Lalita tripursundari”. Lalita means one who plays; Tripura means three world as well as three Shakti (Kali, Lakshmi & Sarasvati) and Sundari means beauty. Sri Yantra represents the microcosmic level of the Universe as well as the human body. When Sri Yantra is properly installed, it is highly beneficial and bestows pleasure, prosperity and success.

Sri Yantra is a sacred mathematically precise design and based upon Golden Proportion or Phi ratio. It is represented in three forms viz. plane form (most common), pyramidal form (Meru) and spherical form (Kurma or turtle) which is rarest.
The Sri Yantra has point in the center and a configuration of nine interlocking triangles, surrounded by two circles of lotus petals with the whole encased within a gated frame, called the "earth citadel".

The design of Sri Yantra consists of the following:

1. Outermost part constitute square. It is made of three concentric lines which represent past, present and future; body, the mind, and the soul; volition or will power (iccha), cognition (jnana) and action (kriya); the three gunas of sattva, rajas and tamas; Srishti (creation), sthiti (preservation) and laya (dissolution); intellect, feelings, and sensation; three states viz. waking (jāgrat), dreaming (svapna) and dreamless sleep (suṣupti); All the four directions of the square have four gates;
2. Next part has eight lotuses outside the first circle and after this circle there are sixteen lotuses. These represent human body and fulfillment of desires. Lotus is associated with Sri Vishnu, Shakti Lakshmi, Shakti Sarasvati and Lord Brahma. This symbolizes the importance of lotus and fundamental nature Sri Yantra. Lotus petals pointing outwards represent unfolding of understanding. 
3. Inside circles of lotuses, it has nine interlocking triangles which represent nine stages of growth of human child in womb. Nine also represents nine substances constituting human body viz. skin, blood, flesh, fat, bone, semen, marrow, vital energy and soul. Former five elements are of Shakti and later four elements are of Shiva.

 
Out of nine triangles, the five downward pointing triangles represent Shakti (creation), the feminine creative power; five prana i.e. prana, apana, udana, samana & vyana; five janandariyas i.e. Eyes, Ears, Nose, Tongue & Skin; five karmandariyas i.e. powers of speech, handling, movement, excretion and procreation or reproduction; five tanmantras i.e. (Shape (रूप), Sound (शब्द), Smell (गंध), Taste (रस), Touch (स्पर्श) and five elements i.e. Earth (पृथ्वी), Water (जल), Fire (अग्नि), Air (वायु), Ether (आकाश). The four upright triangles, represent Shiva (dissolution); the masculine aspect of divinity. The four signify mind, intellect, chit (memory) and ego.

1. The nine interlocking triangles interlaced in such a way as to form 43 smaller triangles like a web; this web can be symbolic of the entire cosmos. Each triangle houses a presiding deity associated with particular aspects of existence. These represent movement towards inner realization. These triangles the conscious forces governing the various powers of nature in cosmos as well as in human body.
2. In the Centre is dot (bindu) represents shiva-shakti in causal state of creation.

Sri Yantra helps spiritual person to move from material world to final enlightenment i.e. from the outer rectangles to the bindu (dot) in Centre. Sri Yantra has nine levels where various deities reside. These levels symbolize as follow:

1. Trailokya Mohana, the outermost square, represents the material world.
2. Sarvasaa Paripuraka, the outer lotus, consisting of 16 petals.
3. Sarva Samkshobahana, the inner lotus, consisting of 8 petals;

The above two circles indicate fulfillment of desires.

1. Sarva Saubhagyadayaka (giver of auspiciousness), the outermost ring of small triangles (14 in total); represents the possibility of spiritual ascent.
2. Sarvarthasadhaka (accomplisher of all purpose), the next ring of triangles (10 in total); represents that the inner realization of seeker has commenced.
   1. Sarva Rakshakara (giver of protection), a smaller ring of 10 triangles; represents that the seeker has moved forward for realization.
   2. Sarva Rogahara (remover of all desires and ills), a ring of 8 small triangles; represents that the seeker is free from earthly bonds and is at threshold of realization.
   3. Sarva Siddhiprada (giver of all accomplishment), one small triangle containing the bindu at its center; represents a stage before consummation of realization.
   4. Sarva Anandamaya, the bindu represents cosmic consciousness or state of bliss.

1. The fourth chakra, Sarva-saubhagyadayaka, or Giver of Auspiciousness, projects the
2. realm of possibilities in spiritual ascent. It consists of the fourteen triangles forming
3. the outer rim of the complex interlocking of triangles.
4. The next two chakras are each constructed of ten triangles. Called Sarvartha-sadhaka
5. and Sarvarakshakara, Accomplisher of All purpose and Giver of Protection, they indi-
6. cate a stage when inner realization begins to dawn.
7. The seventh chakra, consisting of eight triangles, is called Sarva-rogahara, Remover
8. of All Desires and Ills, and represents the stage when the adept is free from earthly
9. bonds and is at the threshold of the inner circle of realization.
10. The fourth chakra, Sarva-saubhagyadayaka, or Giver of Auspiciousness, projects the
11. realm of possibilities in spiritual ascent. It consists of the fourteen triangles forming
12. the outer rim of the complex interlocking of triangles.
13. The next two chakras are each constructed of ten triangles. Called Sarvartha-sadhaka
14. and Sarvarakshakara, Accomplisher of All purpose and Giver of Protection, they indi-
15. cate a stage when inner realization begins to dawn.
16. The seventh chakra, consisting of eight triangles, is called Sarva-rogahara, Remover
17. of All Desires and Ills, and represents the stage when the adept is free from earthly
18. bonds and is at the threshold of the inner circle of realization.
19. The fourth chakra, Sarva-saubhagyadayaka, or Giver of Auspiciousness, projects the
20. realm of possibilities in spiritual ascent. It consists of the fourteen triangles forming
21. the outer rim of the complex interlocking of triangles.
22. The next two chakras are each constructed of ten triangles. Called Sarvartha-sadhaka
23. and Sarvarakshakara, Accomplisher of All purpose and Giver of Protection, they indi-
24. cate a stage when inner realization begins to dawn.
25. The seventh chakra, consisting of eight triangles, is called Sarva-rogahara, Remover
26. of All Desires and Ills, and represents the stage when the adept is free from earthly
27. bonds and is at the threshold of the inner circle of realization.

 
Sri Yantra is widely available but unless the construction and pran pratishtha are done in defined manner, it is not fruitful. Precision, Concentricity, Equilaterally and golden ratio are the basis to evaluate construction of Sri Yantra. Sri Yantra constructed in gold is most effective; in silver lesser effective and copper even much lesser effective.
Worship of Sri Yantra should be done on auspicious days such as on Aakshya Tritya, Navratri, Diwali, Dhan-Tryodashi, etc. Worship of Sri Yantra is done depending on regional norms. This is followed by Sri Vidya Upasana. Sri vidya upasana is Panchadashi i.e. fifteen letters mantra. The main purpose of Sri Vidya is to rouse kundalini. Most powerful mantra is Shodashakshari mantra is king of mantras which is equivalent to 64 mantras. However, Sri Yantra can be worshipped by other devi mantras.
 
Reference:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yantra
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Yantra