Fascinating Cosmic Geometry of Indian Spiritualism - SRI YANTRA

Go to Previous Page

Now getting back to main topic SRI YANTRA

As mentioned in previous page Lord Shiva gave the most powerful of Chakra to his consort Shakthi. The union of the Devi (energy) and Shiva (consciousness) worshiped in Sri Chakra is the universe and its evolution. The universe is thus stylized into a pattern of energies, symbolized by the patterns and layout of Sri Chakra.It provides a model to the individual for transformation . The consciousness of the individual finds in it an articulation; and the model helps in breaking the barriers of subjective feelings and limitations of the objective world. The devotee identifies that his body is the Sri Chakra or the universe in epitome; and that TheYantra too is the Devi. The aim is to realize that oneness, the bliss of pure consciousness.

COSMIC GEOMETRY:

Sri Yantra or Sri Chakra is a complex, holographic matrix, symbolising the womb of the microcosm of the living and the macrocosm of the universe. Interpenetrating nine triangles, hexagons, petals and lines constitute its unique geometry, encompassing causal, vital and physical forces, and spiritual as well as scientific dimensions.

The Hindus learned to worship the Supreme Being or Brahman as Mother Goddess since ancient times.Why? because the Supreme is neither male nor female.... and it is easier for humans to worship 'mother'.

In Hindu pantheon of Gods, the Mother Goddess is worshiped in various ways.The Goddess as the Ruler of the World [Bhuvaneswari] or the Ruler of the Universe [Akilandeswari ] or as the Empress [Rajarajeswari]. Adi Sankara, following earlier traditions, introduced Sri Chakra Upasana [worship] with a geometrical figure,called Sri Chakra.---not to be confused with the chakras in the human body. The geometric figure is drawn as overlapping squares and triangles.At the corners , a petal symbol is drawn and a syllable of the mantras is written.This way they preserved the mantra or the chakra served to chant the mantra several times.Sri Chakra  inscribed in stone was embedded in the floor of the temples and the devout sat around it offering the red kumkum [ochre] to the figure.Later the Sri Chakra made in metal plates [like the mandalas] were used for worship, especially in homes.The Sri Chakra centre is called the Meru or mountain,representing prosperity.

 

The sriyantra ('great object') belongs to a class of devices used in meditation, mainly by those belonging to the Hindu tantric tradition. The Sri Yantra is a configuration of nine interlacing triangles centred around the bindu (the central point of the yantra), drawn by the super imposition of five downward pointing triangles. The triangles are enclosed by two rows of (8 and 16) petals, representing the lotus of creation and reproductive vital force. The broken lines of the outer frame denote the figure to be a sanctuary with four openings to the regions of the universe^. Together the nine triangles are interlaced in such a way as to form 43 smaller triangles in a web symbolic of the entire cosmos or a womb symbolic of creation.

The Shri Chakra is also known as the nava chakra because it can also be seen as having nine levels. "Nava" means "nine" in Sanskrit. Each level corresponds to a mudra, a yogini, and a specific form of the deity Tripura Sundari along with her mantra. These levels starting from the outside or bottom layer are:

1. Trailokya Mohana or Bhupara, a square of three lines with four portals
2. Sarva Aasa Paripuraka, a sixteen-petal lotus
3. Sarva Sankshobahana, an eight-petal lotus
4. Sarva Saubhagyadayaka, composed of fourteen small triangles
5. Sarva Arthasadhaka, composed of ten small triangles
6. Sarva Rakshakara, composed of ten small triangles
7. Sarva Rogahara, composed of eight small triangles
8. Sarva Siddhi prada, composed of 1 small triangle
9. Sarva Anandamaya, composed of a point or bindu

to be continued......