Yantra, in Sanskrit means, a device or an instrument for holding, restraining or fastening. It is a mystical diagram used to invoke certain energies for specific spiritual or material benefit. As per classic Vedic texts, these energies are associated with certain deities. Yantra is also used as an object of meditation.
Etymologically, the root of the word Yantra comes from ‘YaM’, meaning to restrain or hold (energies) and ‘Tra’, meaning protection. Another inference of ‘Tra’is three. It refers to the tripod of life: mind, body and soul. This tripod is further associated with Yantra, Mantra andTantra, in which Yantra is used for the protection of the soul, Mantra is for the protection of the mind and Tantra is for the protection of the body.
Usually, a Yantraconsists of different geometric shapes, such as triangles, circles, hexagons, octagons etc.. These shapes originate from a common centre and radiate outwards, representing the order of creation, ‘Srishti Karma’.
The downward pointing triangle represents the feminine aspects of the Divine, as Shakti. An upward pointing triangle represents the masculine aspect, Shiva. The hexagons and other shapes are usually formed by the intertwined triangles, representing the union of male and female aspects of divinity.
These geometric shapes are enclosed in a circle by the symbolic lotus petals, representing different Mandalas(planes of existence). Lotus is the representation of purity and transcendence. The Mandalas can be formed of different number of petals, starting from two petals and going up to thousand petals. The most common one is the eight petal lotus, signifying the eight directions.
The whole Yantrais nested in a square, called Bhupura, representing the Earth and the four cardinal directions. The square includes four separate doorways on each side.
Yantras can be drawn on various materials such as palm leaves, bhujpatraand different kinds of metals. Traditionally, a Yantra is etched by a sharp tool on the chosen surface, later filled by different materials like Bhasma, Sindoor, Haldi or gem stones depending on the requirement and the level of worship.
Yantra
Yantra, in Sanskrit means, a device or an instrument for holding, restraining or fastening. It is a mystical diagram used to invoke certain energies for specific spiritual or material benefit. As per classic Vedic texts, these energies are associated with certain deities. Yantra is also used as an object of meditation.
Etymologically, the root of the word Yantra comes from ‘YaM’, meaning to restrain or hold (energies) and ‘Tra’, meaning protection. Another inference of ‘Tra’is three. It refers to the tripod of life: mind, bodyand soul. This tripod is further associated with Yantra, Mantra and Tantra, in which Yantra is used for the protection of the soul, Mantra is for the protection of the mind and Tantra is for the protection of the body.
Usually, a Yantraconsists of different geometric shapes, such as triangles, circles, hexagons, octagons etc.. These shapes originate from a common centre and radiate outwards, representing the order of creation, ‘Srishti Karma’.
The downward pointing triangle represents the feminine aspects of the Divine, as Shakti. An upward pointing triangle represents the masculine aspect, Shiva. The hexagons and other shapes are usually formed by the intertwined triangles, representing the union of male and female aspects of divinity.
These geometric shapes are enclosed in a circle by the symbolic lotus petals, representing different Mandalas(planes of existence). Lotus is the representation of purity and transcendence. The Mandalas can be formed of different number of petals, starting from two petals and going up to thousand petals. The most common one is the eight petal lotus, signifying the eight directions.
The whole Yantrais nested in a square, called Bhupura, representing the Earth and the four cardinal directions. The square includes four separate doorways on each side.
Yantras can be drawn on various materials such as palm leaves,bhuj patra and different kinds of metals. Traditionally, a Yantra is etched by a sharp tool on the chosen surface, later filled by different materials like Bhasma, Sindoor, Haldi or gem stones depending on the requirement and the level of worship.