Yantra and its significance in tantra - part i

Have you ever seen a geometrical figure in diagrams with beej mantras and deities inscribed in copper plate?. In Buddhism, have you ever seen a enclosed geometrical figure painted in thangka?, Have you ever heard the word mandala? Have you ever seen a SRI YANTRA with complex triangles?

SRI YANTRA

If you answer 'yes' to the above queries then you must have some idea of yantra. If you don't have any idea but if you have seen it, you might then have an idea how it looks like. For the readers who haven't heard or seen a yantra, it looks just like this as given above.


Above geometrical diagram is the SRI YANTRA. It is the most famous, revered and most selling yantra in the markets. It is the geometrical diagram of Goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari. It is believed that worshiping the yantra would bring prosperity, wealth and abundance to the worshipper.

Now, the question arises, "How can the geometrical diagram called yantra represent the deity?". What are the bases for it?. Do a deity possess two different yantras? If a deity has two yantras, how is it possible?, "Can a deity have many yantras as their representation?

To answer the above, let me explain some basis of yantra. The yantra is made of geometrical diagrams of triangles, lines, circles and figures. In every yantra there is a central point which is called "bindu". The whole yantra seems to be revolving around  the bindu part. It is the yantra that encloses the bindu. The last figure enclosing the yantra is called "bhupur". The Bhupur is the four semi rectangle figure in each directions that you can find in the endings of the yantra.

The yantra works through the power of focus. Whenever we pay attention to the yantra, our mind tends to focus on the points of the yantra. The points are made in such a way that it produces or induces certain state of mind. If you focus on the "bindu" then your focus is single and undivided but when u now observe the other figures which encloses it, your focus gets divided and certain points in minds are triggered.

For instance, the geometrical diagram for Lord Shiva is the triangle with the single vertex above. The diagram for the Devi is the inverted triangle. The single vertex upwards means raising your consciousness upwards to the inner core of human body while as the inverted triangle means one who focus on sansara. Sansara is shristi while as the journey to the core of the human body is Sanghara.

Now if you focus the bhupur first and then gradually reach bindu of the yantra, it is called "Sanghar" krama but if you do the opposite, first focus on the bindu and the gradually ending towards the bhupura then it is called "Sristi" krama.

We, the kaula lineage worship every yantra in sanghara krama or mode unless for other means. Sanghara mode represents Shiva. The aim of any Kaula is to be Shiva. We Kaulas, are more concerned about our spiritual well being then progressing in the sansara. The sansara represents the materialistic part of the creation while as the Sanghara means the Shiva, the spiritual part.

The lineage as propogated by His Holiness Kaulantak Peethadeshwar "Mahayogi Satyendra Nath ji Maharaj"is the rajas path or the middle path. In this peeth, the rajas lineage worships both Shiva and Shakti, he/she becomes spiritually adept and materially abundant. Rajas lineage lays much importance in development of a practitioner in every aspect of the creation.So, to be abundant in both form of lifestyle is the main objective of the Rajas lineages Kaula.

I urge the reader to do some research on yantras too. This is my part - i of the post. I will be posting the second part soon. I hope this article helps and inspires you to research more about yantras. 

Next part we are going to link the human body, mind with the yantra. Its significance in tantra.

Namo Aadesh

(if you readers have any queries regarding the post, you can mail me your queries at kaulantakpeethnepal@gmail.com)