Sri Yantra – An Introduction:
Yantra is an intricate geometrical diagram, symmetrical in design, which represents a particular Divinity or Deity who is the focus of our meditation. Yantra is usually composed of circles, triangles, squares, dots, lines & lotus petal shapes and each of them is has profound symbolism. Sri is a prefix used as mark of respect or reverence. (Sri or Shri is also commonly used in Hindu scriptures to mean Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth or Prosperity). Sri Yantra is considered the Mother or all Yantras and it is both a mystical and sacred symbol. Sri Yantra is a diagram where Divine concepts are projected into two or three dimensional forms!
Yantras are also worshipped just like idols in Temples. As mentioned in my some of blogs earlier, Hinduism always uses symbolism to convey spiritual concepts so that its followers can understand them easily. Therefore, in Hinduism, divinity is presented in various physical & spiritual forms, each representing different types of divine energies (Shiva, Shakti, Kundalini, Prana or Life force etc). Each Deity has a specific Yantra and Sri Yantra is the known as the primary Yantra of them all. Sri Yantra is an intricate symbol which is also referred to as “Sri Chakra” or sometimes as “Nava Chakras” and it geometrically represents the both masculine & feminine divine energy.
Ritualistic worship in Sanatana Dharma involves Tantra (meaning method/system/technique), Yantra (meaning cosmic blueprint/sacred geometry/diagram that holds the crux of the principles involving the cosmos as YAM means “hold or sustain” and TRA is a “device”) & Mantra (word or words that contain sacred sounds that invoke divinity)
Sri Yantra - Symbolism & Science:
As the Sri Yantra has “Nine Levels” it is also called Nava (meaning nine) Chakra. These nine levels that includes 43 triangles are given below:
- Starting from the Outermost square containing three lines along the square & four openings or portals and followed by three concentric circles (not shown in either of the two diagrams).
- Sixteen-petal lotus in Yellow
- Eight-petal lotus in Red
- Fourteen triangles in Blue
- Ten small triangles in Red
- Ten small triangles in Black
- Eight small triangles in Green
- 1 small Yellow triangle enclosing the Bindu in Red.
- Finally the Bindu or Dot at the center of the diagram.
Two images, one in black & white and the other in color are shown below. The black & white image of Sri Yantra shown below is located at the Chidambaram Nataraja temple in Tamil Nadu, India which was installed by Adi Shankaracharya. Sri Yantra has been presented with many color combinations on the Internet. Sri Yantra Image with colors: Credit to Harish Johari published in Wikimedia Commons. We will now look at meaning of each of the segments of the Sri Yantra diagram.
Sri Yantra is consists of 9 interlocked triangles. 5 triangles point downwards towards the western direction (representing Shakti) and 4 triangles point upwards towards East (representing Shiva). Shakti represents Matter and Shiva is the Cosmic Spirit. Shakti dominates as it has one triangle more than Shiva. But why this imbalance?
All particles have an anti-particle as well, of equal mass but opposite charge. Photon has its own anti-particle, anti-particle of electron is called positron, similarly there are anti-proton, anti-neutron & anti neutrino. All matter is solid, liquid & gas, which are in turn made up of particles. So when there is matter, we have anti-matter also. When anti particle meets particle, they destroy each other and disappear in a burst of light. Likewise, when matter made up of particles, meet anti-matter, they destroy each other with a huge energy release. But there is Paradox!
What we actually see in the Universe is that there is more matter than anti-matter. They are not present in equal amounts as we would expect! Nature it seems is partial to matter than anti-matter. Our universe does not what to let out its secrets to us mortals. This is the puzzling fact that the Scientists need to work with today. This dilemma is indeed the Cosmic Dance of Lord Shiva (<click here for more information from my earlier blog). Shiva it seems likes to destroy anti-matter for a reason we not know yet. Please also click on this blog by particle physicists for more information on this subject> In the shadow of Shiva
Sri Yantra: Shiva & Shakti & the Milky Way Galaxy:
Astronomers say they have identified two stars in the Milky Way Galaxy that they believe may be its earliest building blocks. They have been named Shiva & Shakti (<click here to know more). Quote from Astronomy Magazine: “Stars in both Shiva and Shakti are in “very unique orbits” around the Milky Way that are different from remnant stars from other galaxy mergers, says Khyati Malhan of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Germany, who led the discovery. Despite being leftovers of two separate galaxies, the chemical make-up of both stellar groups is quite similar — a tell-tale sign that their respective progenitor galaxies were equally dense, says Malhan”.
These two structures of Shiva & Shakti have stars with similar chemical composition and appear to be remains of two earlier galaxies that merged 13 billion years ago with an earlier version of Milky Way. Therefore, Vedic Cosmology says that with the union of Shiva & Shakti, the Universe was created.
1. BINDU or DOT at the center:
We will start from the BINDU or DOT located at the center of the Sri Yantra diagram inside an inverted triangle. It is important to understand Bindu, the point of evolution & dissolution of the Universe. It is also used as the single point of focus during meditation.
In Astrophysics (a part of space science) this Bindu can be called Singularity which exists at the center of a BLACK HOLE (please see image below↓). In order to understand Singularity, we need to know how a star sustains itself. An ordinary star counters its own Gravity (weight of material on top pressing downwards) by Thermal pressure within (created by nuclear fusion that coverts hydrogen to helium and thereby causing it to glow). Thermal Pressure creates outward pressure & Gravity creates inward pressure. This how a star stabilizes itself and exists in space. A point will come during the life of the star when its nuclear fuel gets exhausted and it contracts because of only inward pressure acting due to gravity. With no outward thermal pressure to increase the size of the star, it becomes dense and will contract to a single point of infinite density called “Singularity”.
Some small stars may still survive and are called “white dwarfs & neutron stars” (stars that burned up all their nuclear fuel). These are small stars and do not have the gravitational pull to collapse completely. But when a “giant star” is squeezed into an unthinkable tiny point or “Bindu”, it is called Singularity. (Stephen Hawking’s entire career was based on trying to understand this subject. Earlier Einstein had the point of view that stars cannot collapse under gravity as matter cannot be compressed beyond a certain point). Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity states that objects twist the space – time that surrounds them. A classic example given is of smaller objects that move towards the bowling ball kept at the center of a trampoline due to the warp or curvature created by this bowling ball. This is how the effect of Gravity is explained.
Inference drawn from the above bowling ball example is that, what we think & perceive as gravity is nothing but curvature of space & time and it is uniform. However, as this curvature becomes deeper & infinite, then the normal rules of space – time cease to apply as Einstein’s equations do not work at singularity – meaning we cannot predict with certainty what will happen when a star collapses! Hawking’s work refers to two events that happen at “Singularity” 1) Death of a star (entire star gets sucked in at the boundary of the black hole (called Event Horizon where light & radiation are pulled in and cannot escape) due to infinite gravity present there and further compressed into infinite density at singularity down below 2) Beginning of the Universe (The Big Bang began from singularity).
Sri Yantra: Understanding Shunya & Purnam:
If Big Bang happened at singularity, then will the Big Crunch (reverse of Big Bang) take our Universe back to singularity? As of today, neither physicists nor cosmologists can confirm that such a situation will happen as the Universe is still expanding and this is still a matter of debate. We will now understand the meaning of Bindu as per Vedic scriptures below:
Bindu in the Sri Yantra is called Shunya – meaning Void or Nothingness (Shunya is the word used commonly in Buddhism). It is also called P̄ūrnam – meaning complete or full (Purnam is used in Hinduism). Bindu is therefore both Nothingness & Complete! Vedic scriptures talk about Universe emerging from Void where no space, matter and energy existed and so Universe did not start from singularity. The expansion of the Universe was slow and gradual with no sudden burst of energy and continues to be so. Nothingness or Void in this sense does not mean emptiness. Shunya and Purnam are that which are in its un-manifested form – Pure Being or Brahman!
Thus, Nothingness (Shunya) and Fullness (Purnam), both are the all-pervading Supreme Brahman (<click here for more information). Brahman is Purnam, whole or complete in itself and He does not require any further addition to make it complete. There is a famous quote in Iśa Upanishad on “Purnam” which all of us are aware of, that states that when whole is taken out from the whole what remains is the whole (infinite). This wholeness is the Supreme Brahman. Everything starts and ends with Him.
2. Small inverted Yellow traingle enclosing the Bindu.
Three sides of this triangle represent the three of qualities of Maya. Therefore this triangle represents removal of Maya which is important before we merge into Brahman or Bindu. These three powers of Maya are called as Avarana Shakti (Concealing Power), Vikshepa Shakti (Projection power), and Viveka Shakti (Discriminating power). It is Tamas Guna which is responsible for Avarana Shakti – Concealing or Veiling & Rajas Guna for Vikshepa Shakti – Projection of false reality. Finally, when Sattva Guna becomes predominant in us, Viveka Shakti springs forth by giving us the power of discrimination and removes this delusion and gives us clarity. More details are given in my blog on Maya (<click here to access)
Again, the three sides of the triangle can be referred to as Time, Space & Causation (cause & effect). These three are nothing but Maya. My blog on “Maya” referred in the above paragraph provides more details on each of these three aspects. Vedanta asks us to transcend the limitations of time, space & causation through the process of self-realization! Time is Shiva (Mahakāl), Space is Vishnu & creator of matter is Brahma.
This triangle can also be interpreted as “Yoni” which means source, origin, entrance or gateway to a higher understanding.
3. 8 small triangles in Green around the single inverted yellow triangle:
This is the SEED stage before manifestation. These eight triangles represent the 3 Bodies & 5 Koshas/Sheaths. (<click here if you want to know more from my earlier blog on the same subject). The 3 Bodies are 1) Causal Body (Karana Sharira) 2) Subtle or Astral Body (Sukshma or LInga Sharira) 3) Gross Body (Sthula Sharira). Causal Body or “Seed” manifests first as Subtle Body (consisting of thought, emotions & desire) and further manifests as gross or physical body which perceives & acts. The 5 Koshas or Sheaths are: 1) Annamaya Kosha (Food Sheath) 2) Pranamaya Kosha (Vital Air or Energy Sheath) 3) Manomaya Kosha (Mental Sheath) 4) Vignanamaya Kosha (Intellectual Sheath) 5) Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Sheath).
Thus, the above set of three can be called as the SEED stage/ pre-world / pre- cosmic stage.
4. 10 small triangles in Black + 10 more triangles in Red:
10 triangles in Black represent: These are the Pancha Bhutas or 5 Elements which are Earth, Fire, Space, Water & Wind (Air) AND Five Objects of Perception (Tanmatras): Sound, Sight, Smell, Taste & Touch
10 triangles in Red represent: Five Sense Organs (Jnanendriyas) are: Ears, Eyes, Nose, Mouth/Tongue & Skin AND Five Objects of Action (Karma Indriyas): Speech, Hands, Feet, Organ of Excretion (Anus) & Organ of Procreation (Genitals).
5. 14 Triangles in Blue:
The various interpretations are as follows:
- There are 14 worlds discussed in Bhagvata Purana – 7 lower & 7 Upper worlds. We are in Bhuloka which is the Earth plane. There are six more worlds above the earth.
- There are 72,000 Nadis or subtle (unseen) energy channels in the Human body. Out of which 14 Nadis are considered the main Nadis. Out of these 14 Nadis, the primary three are Ida, Pingala & Sushumna Nadis.
There are 8 triangles among these 14 triangles that do not touch the adjacent sides. All other triangles in the Sri Yantra touch the adjacent side. This indicates that Humans are under the illusion (Maya) that they are separate from the cosmos, not realizing that we are already part of it. We are one & the same.
A triangle represents a Yoni, an entrance or gateway which is crossed when moving from one state to the other. The above set of three is indicative of the completion of the created or manifested cosmos. Now we move on to the next set of three:
6. Eight-petal lotus in Red + Sixteen-petal lotus in Yellow, followed by three concentric circles & outermost square again containing three lines & four openings or portals enclosing the entire Sri Yantra:
There are 3 states of consciousness (<pls. click here to know more) in this manifested world: Waking, dreaming & deep sleep in which each state seems real. 8 petals in Red represents the Sleep state, 16 petals in Yellow that represents the Dream state. These two (Sleep State + Dream State) are enclosed in enclosed in three circles representing the 3 Gunas (Sattva, Rajas & Tamas) and finally by the Bhupura or the square represents the Waking state. This is the manifested state of the world where we live in a state of Duality (opposites) & Ahamkara (Ego).
The four gates in the Square or Bhupura represent the four Vedas. The three lines inside the square can be interpreted as Time or Kala – Past, Present & Future and Space where three worlds (Triloka) reside, which are Earth (Prithvi), Atmosphere (Antariksha) & Heaven (Dyau). This final set of the above three is our illusionary world where, due to the play of Maya, we falsely believe that we are different from the cosmos.
Thus all of the above gives us a general understanding of the various portions that make up the Sri Yantra. As we go through each step of the Sri Yantra, we cover various aspects of Vedanta that tells us that moving from the manifest to the un-manifest (Brahman), is the ultimate purpose of human life!
Sri Yantra - Conclusion:
- Sri Yantra is a Tantric device that is meant to invoke the Mother Goddess – Shakti (Goddess Maha Tripura Sundari who is the Tantrik manifestation of Goddess Parvatii) as she is dominant is this Yantra compared to Shiva. Each level in the Yantra is associated with Devis or Yoginis (attendants of the Goddess) and there are Mantras (including Beej mantras) that are chanted to invoke them as a part of the spiritual practice going from the Bindu to the outer square and vice versa. It is well known that chants energize the seven chakras in our body. (These Tantric worship details are beyond the scope of my blog. They are taught in a Sri Vidya school that focusses on Shakti – Mother Goddess)
- Bindu is the un-manifested Brahman and the outer square is the manifested world. When one goes from the outermost square, where we as humans live in this manifested material world also known as “AHAM or I” and back to the Bindu or “MAHA – meaning highest or great”, one by one our ignorance is peeled off, we realize our true nature – Brahman. We then come to a conclusion that both the microcosm & macrocosm are one and the same. We are nothing but a tiny part of this huge Universe.
- Drawing the Sri Yantra often invigorates the brain. The left side of our brain is analytical & logical while the right side is creative & intuitive. Sri Yantra creates harmony and balance between both sides of the brain. Also, Sri Yantra is a paradox between time & eternity which means if time cannot stop, the Universe cannot end and is infinite.
- I have used concepts of Vedanta & Cosmology to explain Sri Yantra. There are various other interpretations available based on Tantric/ Sidhha/ Kundalini traditions.
-XXX-