2. Introduction
The Shree Yantra, Shri Yantra, or Shri Chakra is a
mystical diagram (yantra) found in Hinduism's Shri
Vidya school. It is made up of nine interlocking
triangles, four of which point upwards to represent
Shiva and five of which point downwards to
represent Shakti. All of this is centred on the Bindu,
the centre point. The cosmos and the human body
are represented by these triangles.
3. Shree Yantra is also
known as the Navayoni
Chakra because of its nine
triangles. A Mahameru is a
three-dimensional
representation of the two-
dimensional Shree Yantra.
This form is what gives
Mount Meru its name. The
Shri Yantra is the source
of all other yantras,
including Mount Meru.
4. Appearance
Subhash Kak contends in a 2009 edition of
Brahmavidya (the Adyar Library's journal) that the
description of Shri Yantra is identical to the yantra
described in the R Skta in Veda.
The 9 constituent triangles of the Shree Yantra vary
in size and shape, intersecting to generate 43 smaller
triangles grouped in 5 levels. They reflect the
entirety of the cosmos and express Advaita, or non-
duality, when seen together.
5. The PowerPoint (Bindu) in the centre depicts the
cosmic centre. Two concentric circles of 8 and 16
petals surround the triangles, representing the lotus
of creation and reproductive vital power. The whole
thing is framed by the broken lines of an earth
square, which represents a temple with four doors
that open onto the outside world.
6. Symbolism
The worship of the Shree Yantra is central to the Sri
Vidya system of Hindu worship. It represents the
Goddess in the form of Devi Tripura Sundari, the
natural beauty of the three worlds: Bhu Loka
(Physical Plane, Consciousness of the Physical Plane),
Bhuvar Loka (Antariksha or Intermediate Space,
Sub-Consciousness of the Prana), and Swar Loka
(Svarga or Heaven or Super-Consciousness of the
Divine Mind). The Sri Yantra is the symbol of
Hinduism, which is based on the Hindu philosophy
of the Vedas. The Shree Yantra is the object of
devotion in Sri Vidya.
7. The Shree Yantra represents the evolution of the
multiverse as a result of the natural Divine Will of
the Godhead Aadi Paraa Shakti. The four upward-
pointing isosceles triangles represent the Goddess's
masculine embodiment, Brahman, while the five
downward-pointing triangles symbolize the female
embodiment Jagat Janani.
The 12 and 15 sides of the
four upward and five
downward triangles also
correspondingly
symbolize, on the physical
plane, the 12 sidereal
zodiac signs of the Sun and
15 'city's' phase-signs of
the Moon.
8. The Shree Yantra is
also known as the nav
chakra because it can
be seen to consist of
nine concentric
layers that radiate
outward from the
Bindu. ("Nau" or
"Nava" means "nine"
in Sanskrit.) Each
level corresponds to a
mudra, a yogini, and a
specific form of the
deity Tripura Sundari
along with her
mantra. The various
deities residing in the
nine levels of the Shri
Yantra are described
in the Devi
Khadgamala Mantra.
These levels, listed
from outermost to
innermost, are:
9. Trailokya Mohana, the outermost square, is
traced in three lines and interrupted by four
recessed portals;
Savasana Paripuraka, the outer lotus, consisting
of 16 petals;
Sarva Samkshobahana, the inner lotus, consists
of 8 petals;
Sarva Saubhagyadayaka, the outermost ring of
small triangles (14 in total);
Sarvarthasadhaka, the next ring of triangles (10
in total);
Sarva Rakshakara, a smaller ring of 10 triangles;
Sarva Rogahara, a ring of 8 small triangles;
Sarva Siddhiprada, one small triangle containing
the Bindu at its center;
Sarva Anandamaya, the bindu.