Yantra

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For other uses, see Yantra (disambiguation).

Sri Yantra by Harish Johari using traditional colors

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Yantra (??????) (Sanskrit) (literally machine, contraption[1]) is a mystical
diagram, mainly from the Tantric traditions of the Indian religions. They are used
for the worship of deities in temples or at home; as an aid in meditation; used for
the benefits given by their supposed occult powers based on Hindu astrology and
tantric texts. They are also used for adornment of temple floors, due mainly to
their aesthetic and symmetric qualities. Specific yantras are traditionally
associated with specific deities.

Representations of the yantra in India have been considered to date back to 11,000-
10,000 years BP.[1] The Baghor stone, found in an upper-paleolithic context in the
Son River valley, is considered the earliest example[2] by Sharma, who was involved
in the excavation of the stone. The triangular-shaped stone, which includes
triangular engravings on one side, was found daubed in ochre, in what was
considered a site related to worship. Worship of goddesses in that region was found
to be practiced in a similar manner to the present day.[3] Kenoyer, who was also
involved in the excavation, considered it to be associated with Shakti.[4]

In Rigvedic Sanskrit, it meant an instrument for restraining or fastening, a prop,

support or barrier, etymologically from the root yam to sustain, support and the
-tra suffix expressing instruments. The literal meaning is still evident in the
medical terminology of Sushruta, where the term refers to blunt surgical
instruments such as tweezers or a vice. The meaning of mystical or occult diagram
arises in the medieval period (Kathasaritsagara, Pancharatra).[5]

Madhu Khanna in linking mantra, yantra, deva, and thought forms states

Mantras, the Sanskrit syllables inscribed on yantras, are essentially thought forms
representing divinities or cosmic powers, which exert their influence by means of
sound-vibrations.[6]

Contents [hide]
1 Usage and meaning
2 Structural elements and symbolism
3 See also
4 References
5 Further reading
6 Gallery
Usage and meaning[edit]
Yantras are usually associated with a particular deity and are used for specific
benefits, such as for meditation; protection from harmful influences; development
of particular powers; attraction of wealth or success, etc.[7] They are often used
in daily ritual worship at home or in temples, and sometimes worn as a talisman.[8]

As an aid to meditation, yantras represent the deity that is the object of

meditation. These yantras emanate from the central point, the bindu. The yantra
typically has several geometric shapes radiating concentrically from the center,
including triangles, circles, hexagons, octagons, and symbolic lotus petals. The
outside often includes a square representing the four cardinal directions, with
doors to each of them. A popular form is the Sri Chakra, or Sri Yantra, which
represents the goddess in her form as Tripura Sundari. Sri Chakra also includes a
representation of Shiva, and is designed to show the totality of creation and
existence, along with the user's own unity with the cosmos.[8]

Yantras can be on a flat surface or three dimensional. Yantras can be drawn or

painted on paper, engraved on metal, or any flat surface. They tend to be smaller
in size than the similar mandala, and traditionally use less color than mandalas.
[9]

Occult yantras are used as good luck charms, to ward off evil, as preventative
medicine, in exorcism, etc., by using their magical power. When used as a talisman,
the yantra is seen to represent a deity who can be called on at will by the user.
They are traditionally consecrated and energized by a priest, including the use of
mantras which are closely associated to the specific deity and yantra.
Practitioners believe that a yantra that is not energized with mantra is lifeless.
[8]

Gudrun Bhneman classifies three general types of yantras based on their usage

Yantras that are used as foundation for ritual implements such as lamps, vessels,
etc. These are typically simple geometric shapes upon which the implements are
placed.
Yantras used in regular worship, such as the Sri Yantra. These include geometric
diagrams and are energized with mantras to the deity, and sometimes include written
mantras in the design.
Yantras used in specific desire-oriented rites. These yantras are often made on
birch bark or paper, and can include special materials such as flowers, rice paste,
ashes, etc.[9]
Structural elements and symbolism[edit]

Kali yantra
Various geometric shapes and images, along with written mantras, form the yantra.
Triangles and hexagrams are common, along with circles and lotuses of 4 to 1,000
petals. Saiva and Shakta yantras often include prongs of a trident.[10] Yantra
designs in modern times have deviated from the traditional patterns given in
ancient texts and traditions. Shops in India and Nepal will often copy designs from
Western imitations of yantras or artistic representations that may have originated
from the traditional designs.[11]

Mantras Yantras frequently include mantras written in Sanskrit. Madhu Khanna writes
that, Yantra and mantra are always found in conjunction. Sound is considered as
important as form in yantra, if not more important, since form in its essence is
sound condensed as matter.[6]
Color Use of colors in traditional yantra is entirely symbolic, and not merely
decorative or artistic. Each color is used to denote ideas and inner states of
consciousness. WhiteRedBlack is one of the most significant color combinations,
representing the three qualities or gunas of nature (prakriti). White represents
sattwa or purity; red represents rajas or the activating quality; black represents
tamas or the quality of inertia. Specific colors also represent certain aspects of
the goddess. Not all texts give the same colors for yantras. Aesthetics and
artistry are meaningless in a yantra if they are not based on the symbolism of the
colors and geometric shapes.[12]
Bindu The central point of traditional yantras have a bindu or point, which
represents the main deity associated with the yantra. The retinue of the deity is
often represented in the geometric parts around the center. The bindu in a yantra
may be represented by a dot or small circle, or may remain invisible. It represents
the point from which all of creation emanates. Sometimes, as in the case of the
Linga Bhairavi yantra, the bindu may be presented in the form of a linga.[13]
Triangle Most Hindu yantras include triangles. Downward pointing triangles
represent feminine aspect of God or Shakti, upward pointing triangles represent
masculine aspect such as Shiva.
Hexagram Hexagrams as shown in yantras are two equilateral triangles intertwined,
representing the union of male and female aspects of divinity, or Shiva and Shakti.
Lotus Mandalas and yantras both frequently include lotus petals, which represent
purity and transcendence. Eight-petaled lotuses are common, but lotuses in yantras
can include 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24, 32, 100, 1000 or more petals.
Circle Many mandalas have three concentric circles in the center, representing
manifestation.
Outer square Many mandalas have an outer square or nested squares, representing the
earth and the four cardinal directions. Often they include sacred doorways on each
side of the square.
Pentagram Yantras infrequently use a pentagram. Some yantras of Guhyakali have a
pentagram, due to the number five being associated with Kali.
Octagon Octagons are also infrequent in yantras, where they represent the eight
directions.[10]
See also[edit]
Sri Yantra
Yantra tattooing
Sriramachakra
References[edit]
Jump up ^ Insoll, Professor of African and Islamic Archaeology Timothy; Insoll,
Timothy (2002-09-11). Archaeology and World Religion. Routledge. ISBN
9781134597987.
Jump up ^ Harper, Katherine Anne; Brown, Robert L. (2012-02-01). Roots of Tantra,
The. SUNY Press. ISBN 9780791488904.
Jump up ^ An Archaeologist at Work in African Prehistory and Early Human Studies
Teamwork and Insight. www.oac.cdlib.org. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
Jump up ^ Kenoyer, J. M.; Clark, J. D.; Pal, J. N.; Sharma, G. R. (1983-07-01). An
upper palaeolithic shrine in India. Antiquity. 57 (220) 8894. ISSN 0003-598X.
doi10.1017S0003598X00055253.
Jump up ^ Monier-Williams, Monier (1899), A Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Delhi see
also Apte, Vaman Shivram (1965), The Practical Sanskrit Dictionary (Fourth revised
and enlarged ed.), Delhi Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, ISBN 81-208-0567-4 1) that
which restrains or fastens, any prop or support; 2) a fetter, 4) any instrument or
machine, [...] 7) an amulet, a mystical or astronomical diagram used as an amulet;
White 1996, p. 481;
^ Jump up to a b Khanna, Madhu (2003). Yantra The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity,
page 21. Inner Traditions. ISBN 0-89281-132-3 & ISBN 978-0-89281-132-8
Jump up ^ Denise Cush; Catherine Robinson; Michael York (21 August 2012).
Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Routledge. pp. 10281029. ISBN 978-1-135-18978-5.
^ Jump up to a b c Khanna, Madhu (2005). Yantra. In Jones, Lindsay. Gale's
Encyclopedia of Religion (Second ed.). Thomson Gale. pp. 98719872. ISBN 0-02-
865997-X.
^ Jump up to a b Gudrun Bhnemann (2003). Mandalas and Yantras in the Hindu
Traditions. BRILL. pp. 3035. ISBN 90-04-12902-2.
^ Jump up to a b Gudrun Bhnemann (2003). Mandalas and Yantras in the Hindu
Traditions. BRILL. pp. 3950. ISBN 90-04-12902-2.
Jump up ^ Gudrun Bhnemann (2003). Mandalas and Yantras in the Hindu Traditions.
BRILL. p. 4. ISBN 90-04-12902-2.
Jump up ^ Khanna, Madhu (2003). Yantra The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity. pp. 132-
133. Inner Traditions. ISBN 0-89281-132-3 & ISBN 978-0-89281-132-8
Jump up ^ What Are Yantras and How Can They Benefit Me. The Isha Blog. 2014-08-09.
Retrieved 2017-04-11.
Further reading[edit]
Rana, Deepak (2012), Yantra, Mantra and Tantrism, USA Neepradaka Press, ISBN 0-
9564928-3-5
Bucknell, Roderick; Stuart-Fox, Martin (1986), The Twilight Language Explorations
in Buddhist Meditation and Symbolism, London Curzon Press, ISBN 0-312-82540-4
Khanna, Madhu (2003). Yantra The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity. Inner Traditions.
ISBN 0-89281-132-3 & ISBN 978-0-89281-132-8