Yantra is the Sanskrit word for "instrument" or "machine". The meaning is contextual. Much like the word 'instrument' itself, it can stand for symbols, processes, automata, machinery or anything that has structure and organization. One use popular in the west is as symbols or geometric figures. Traditionally such symbols are used in Eastern mysticism to balance the mind or focus it on spiritual concepts. The act of wearing, depicting, enacting and/or concentrating on a yantra is held to have spiritual or astrological or magical benefits within the tantric dimension of the
Dharmic Traditions.
Etymology and meanings
Yantra is a
Sanskrit word that is derived from the root
yam meaning to control or subdue or "to restrain, curb, check" . Meanings for the noun derived from this root include:
- "any instrument or machine" (i.e. that which is controlled or controls. For instance the body is said to be a yantra)
- "any instrument for holding, restraining, or fastening" (for instance a symbol which 'holds' the essence of a concept, or helps the mind to 'fasten' on a particular idea)
- "a mystical or astronomical diagram" (usually a symbol, often inscribed on an amulet) sometimes said to possess mystical or magical powers.
-tra is derived from the root word
trayoti which means "liberation" (as in tantra and mantra). A yantra depicts both macrocosmic and microcosmic forces acting together - the movement towards and away from the centre - "control" and "liberation" within the one device. Mantra plus yantra creates tantra. In some disciplines of Tantra it is said that a focused, controlled gaze upon a particular yantra may lead to liberation.
Symbols employed in yantras
Shapes and patterns commonly employed in yantra include squares, triangles, circles and floral patterns but may also include more complex and detailed symbols, for instance:
- The lotus flower typically represent chakras, with each petal representing a psychic propensity (or vritti) associated with that chakra
- A dot, or bindu, represents the starting point of creation or the infinite, unexpressed cosmos
- *An upwards triangle denoting action (or service), extroversion, masculinity or Shiva
- *A downwards triangle denoting introversion, meditativeness, goddess energy or Shakti
- A swastika represents good luck, welfare, prosperity or spiritual victory
- Bija mantras (usually represented as characters of Devanāgarī that correspond to the acoustic roots of a particular chakra or vritti)
The
Shri Yantra is one of the most famous and ancient yantra.
Yantra as an astrological device
Yantra may be used to represent the astronomical position of the planets over a given date and time. It is considered auspicious in Hindu mythology. These yantras are made up on various objects i.e. Paper, Precious stones, Metal Plates and alloys. It is believed that constantly concentrating on the representation helps to build
fortunes, as planets have their peculiar
gravity which governs basic emotions and
karma. These yantras are often made on a particular date and time according to procedures defined in the
vedas.
The philosophical context of Yantra
Yantra function as revelatory conduits of cosmic truths. Yantra, as instrument and spiritual technology, may be appropriately envisioned as prototypical and esoteric
concept mapping machines or conceptual looms. Certain yantra are held to embody the energetic signatures of, for example, the
Universe,
consciousness,
ishta-devata. Though often rendered in two dimensions through art, yantra are conceived and conceptualised by practitioners as multi-dimensional
sacred architecture and in this quality are identical with their correlate the
mandala.
Meditation and
trance induction that generates the yantra of the
subtle body in the complementary modes of the
utpatti-krama and
saṃpanna-krama are invested in the various lineages of tantric transmission as exterior and interior sacred architecture that potentiate the accretion and manifestation of
siddhi.
Khanna (2003: p.21) in linking
Mantra, Yantra,
Ishta-devata, and
thoughtforms states:
Mantras, the Sanskrit syllables inscribed on yantras, are essentially 'thought forms' representing divinities or cosmic powers, which exert their influence by means of sound-vibrations.
Yantra is an
aniconic temenos or
tabernacle of
deva,
asura,
genius loci or other archetypal entity. Yantra are
theurgical device that engender
entelecheia. Yantra are realised by
sadhus through
darshana and
samyama. Yantra, or other permutations and cognate phenomena such as
Mandala,
Rangoli,
Kolam,
Rangavalli and other
sacred geometrical traditions, are endemic throughout
Dharmic Traditions. Some
Hindu esoteric practitioners employ yantra, mantra and other items of the
saṃdhyā-bhāṣā (Bucknell,
et al.; 1986: p.ix) in their
sadhana,
puja and
yajna .
See also
