The Sri Yantra graphs the harmonizing of all energy that eventually occurs throughout creation. Sri Yantra means “the most honored yantra.” It is thousands of years old, and is prominent in Far Eastern art, both Hindu and Buddhist. It is a popular image among Western yoga practitioners.
What is Sri Yantra?
The word ‘yantra’ means ‘instrument’ and this is exactly what this 12,000-year-old symbol is: an instrument or powerful tool for intense meditation, prayer or concentration to allow one to achieve a higher level of consciousness.
A Yantra of Mahavira. India, Gujarat or Rajasthan, 1425-1450
Yantra are mystical diagrams that see use in Tantric traditions. The Sri Yantra is a particular yantra that consists of nine triangles that surrounds a central point, which sees much use in Shri Vidya. For those who are curious, Shri Vidya is a collection of Tantric traditions that is focused on Devi in her form as the Beautiful Goddess of the Three Cities, who is considered to be the supreme existence.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Sri Yantra represents a number of things. For example, it represents Devi, which explains why it has such a important position in Shri Vidya practices. Furthermore, it is supposed to be symbolic of the human being as well as the cosmos, which is a concept that pops up in a number of cultures in a number of times. In fact, some people might have heard of something similar summed up as, “As above, so below,” which can be interpreted to mean that the microcosm exists in close connection with the macrocosm.
Maharashtra India. Idol of Goddess “Devi” (Image Source)
What do People use Sri Yantra for?
Regardless, yantra are used for a wide range of purposes by people who are hoping for success of one kind or another, so it should come as no surprise to learn that the Sri Yantra is no exception to this rule. One excellent example is the use of the Sri Yantra as an aide in meditation, which is something that it shares with its counterparts from other Tantric traditions.
Meditation on Sri Yantra:
- Hang the Yantra on a wall facing North or East. Place the centre of the Yantra at the level of your eyes.
- Sit with spine straight and relax. Fix your eyes on the Bindu and see the whole Yantra at once. Continue gazing for 5 minutes.
- Then chanting the mantra of the yantra, start going outwards till you reach the doorway.
- Then again start from doorway and enter the focal point chanting the mantra at each stage.
- Repeat going inward as many times as 27 times, 54 times or 108 times.
- In time, after at least seven days of YANTRA meditation you will be able to tap into the same yantric energy even without a YANTRA
- In time, you will not be able to tell whether the Yantra is within you or you are within the Yantra; this is the state of non-duality
Another excellent example is the use of the Sri Yantra as an adornment for interior spaces, both because of its pleasing appearance and because of its supposed spiritual power.
Having a Sri Yantra in a home can provide a number of spiritual, emotional and physical benefits.
– Reduced negativity
– Affluence
– Harmony
– Peace
– Greater success
– Good luck
– Destruction of harmful forces
How to use Sri Yantra:
- You may install it on your desk or wall or the altar or near the entrance.
- You may even place in your vehicle. It creates a force field and charges the environment.
- You may wear as a pendant, bracelet, ring or Tabeez on body.
- You may even carry Yantra with you in your wallet (make sure that wallet is not of leather). The vibrations of the Yantra will create an aura of positive energy around you.
On the whole, the use of the Sri Yantra is intended to promote a person’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, which in turn, should put them in the best position to succeed at a wide range of endeavours. Something that is one of the fundamental bases of Shri Vidya.
