What Is Sri Yantra?

Sri Yantra is often referred to as the “queen of yantras” or the “mother of all yantras”. All other yantras are said to derive from Sri Yantra. Yantras are geometrical designs used as centering devices in meditation. Yantras incorporate sacred geometry and golden ratio principles in their design and each yantra is a symbolic diagram of the energy pattern of each particular deity. Yantras can be both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional. They typically contain a small dot or a Bindu in the center from which the pattern of circles, triangles, and squares radiate.

What is a Sri Yantra?

Sri Yantra is translated as “holy instrument” from Sanskrit. It is also sometimes called Sri Chakra which means “holy wheel”. It is a powerful symbol of divine feminine with each petal and triangle of Sri Yantra representing a particular aspect of the Divine Mother goddess, a specific energy or Shakti. It is also said that Sri Yantra represents the union of masculine and feminine energies.

According to many Vedic traditions, specifically Shri Vidya tantric school, Sri Yantra is a symbolic representation of the world and the body of the Divine Feminine goddess or Shakti. This divine mother principle is the source of all energy, creativity, and power as all matter in the objective universe is said to be made of its Shakti.

Sri Yantra diagram is composed of 9 interlocking triangles which form 43 smaller triangles.

Sri Yantra: 9 Avaranas (Enclosures or Chakras)

The Sri Yantra is also known as the nava chakra because it can also be seen as having nine levels or chakras. “Nine” comes from” Nava” of 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 Chakra – Outer Square with 4 Gates

Bhupura Chakra or Trailokya Mohana (Deluder of the Realms)

The outer square represents the Earth element. The T-shaped structures in the square are the gates of the four directions. They serve as entry points of the yantra.

There are actually six gateways to Sri Yantra, if we take a three-dimensional view of it; the four obvious dwaras (gates) and those ‘above’ and ‘below’.The Eastern gate is the way of the mantras. The Southern gate is the way of devotion or bhakti. The Western gate is for the performance of rites and rituals, or karma-kanda. The Northern gate is the way of wisdom or Jnana. The gate ‘below’ is the ‘path of words’ while the gate ‘above’ is the way or ‘road of liberation’. These are located at the Southern and Northern gates, respectively, i.e. ‘above’ is north, ‘below’ is south. Each of these gates also stands for one of the six primary chakras in the body.

The Bhupura Chakra, the earth stretch, includes within its spacial scope the entire design even as the earth supports the entire existence. Bhupura is a Shiva aspect and is made up of three lines or ramparts. The first (outermost) line is identified with the attainments of yoga powers called Siddhis. They are needed for self-protection along the inward journey. Such Siddhis are eight in number; and are attained consequent on gaining control over the elements and the mind. The second or the middle line represents the powers of eight mother-like divinities Mathrika who rule over emotions such as passionate longing (Brahmi ), violent anger (Maheshwari), avarice (kaumari), obstinacy (Varahi), etc. The third (inner) line of the square is identified with ten feminine deities, Mudra devatas, carrying seals of authority. The mudras are an approach to the divinities. These could be gross (sthula) being body postures and gestures by hand; subtle (sukshma) by way of seed mantras; and para transcendental which require a mental or intuitional approach.

These three lines are also taken to represent the Mother Goddess; the outermost line corresponds to her feet; the middle line to her thighs; and the inner line to her knees.

There are also three concentric circles (trivritta) representing three objectives of life: Dharma, Artha, and Kama.

The avarana is Bhoopura and the Chakra is Trailokyamohana chakra ‘enchants the three worlds’. The yogini is Prakata. Mudra is Sarva Somkshibhni. Siddhi is Anima.The mental state of the aspirant is Jagrata (wakefulness). The presiding deity is Tripura. Her Vidya is Am Am Sauh. The gem is topaz. The time is 24 minutes and the Shaktis are 28 which include the ten starting with Anima, the eight starting with Brahmya, and the ten Mudra Saktis. 28 is the dominant number. This avarana corresponds to the feet of the mother goddess.

2. Sarva Asha Paripuraka Chakra – 16 Lotus Petals

Sarva Asha Paripuraka Chakra (the Fulfiller of  All Desires)

The sixteen lotus petals represent a complete fulfillment of all hopes and desires. 10 of the petals represent 10 organs of perception and action: tongue, nose, mouth, skin, eyes, ears, feet, hands, arms, and reproductive organs. 5 petals stand for 5 elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space. The last petal represents the mind.

The significance of this enclosure is explained as self-protection (atma raksha) of the devotee. Since frustrated desire is the strongest obstacle to spiritual progress, the next stage is wisely concerned with satisfying them. Only he who has satisfied his desires can renounce. The values of virtue, wealth, and pleasure are granted at this stage.

The craving Asha springs from discontent; and is quenched when discontent is eliminated. That is possible when devotee identifies himself with Shiva, ever complete and ever content.

This is achieved by the cultivation or strengthening of power over the mind, ego, sound, touch, sight, taste, smell, intellect, steadiness, memory, name, growth, etheric body, revivification, and physical body. 

The avarana is Shodasa Dala, and the Chakra is Sarvasaparipuraka chakra ‘fulfills all expectations’. The yogini is Gupta Yogini. Mudra is Sarva Vidravini. The Siddhi is Laghima. The mental state is Swapna (Dream). The presiding deity is Tripureshi. Her vidya is Aim Klim Sauh. The gem is sapphire. The time is three hours. The Shaktis are the sixteen starting with Kamakarshini.16 is the dominant number. This avarana corresponds to the Savdhistana chakra of the mother goddess.