yantra

The Sanskrit word "yantra" is derrived from the root "yam," meaning to sustain, hold or support the energy inherent in a particular element, object or concept. In this sense, any work of architecture or manufactured object holds the potential to be a yantra.

Mystic yantras are an amalgam of three principles:

1. The form principle (Akriti-rupa),
2. The function principle (Kriya-rupa), and
3. The power principle (Sakti-rupa).

In their design, yantras seek to reflect all Creation in their structure. As Uncle Al once said, "As Above, So Below."

Types of Yantras

• Shakta Yantras: represent the Divine Mother
• Vaishnava Yantras: related to Vishnu. Their forms are often identical to Shakta Yantras, but differ in color.
• Shaiva Yantras: related to Shiva and the Shaiva tradition.
• Architectural Yantras: used for the floor plans of temples.
• Astrological Yantras: used for working planetary energies.
• Numerical Yantras: Not geometric, but numerical (magic squares, etc.), these popular yantras are sometimes made into talismans. Often used in tantra.

One of the most ancient and powerful yantras is the Yantra of Mahalaxmi, sometimes called the Sri yantra. The Sri yantra is supposed to bring weath and prosperity to those who place it in their home (or home node). The geometry behind it is amazing, but detailed explanations will be left to future writeups. For now, here is the closest ASCII rendition of this amazing design I could draw. It would also normally be drawn inside a circle.

                     ^                     
                    / \                    
                   /   \                   
                  /     \                  
   *-------------/---^---\-------------*   
    \           /   / \   \           /    
   *-\---------/---/-^-\---\---------/-*   
    \ \       /   / / \ \   \       / /    
     \ \     /   / /   \ \   \     / /     
      \ \   /   / /     \ \   \   / /      
   *---\-\-/---/-/---^---\-\---\-/-/---*   
    \   \ X   / /   / \   \ \   X /   /    
     \   X \ / /---/---\---\ \ / X   /     
      \ / \ X / \ /     \ / \ X / \ /      
       X   X X   X   #   X   X X   X       
      / \ / \-\-/-\-----/-\-/-/ \ / \      
     /   X   \ X   \   /   X /   X   \     
    /   / \   X \   \ /   / X   / \   \    
   *---/---\-/-\-\---V---/-/-\-/---\---*   
      /     X   \ \     / /   X     \      
     /     / \   \ \   / /   / \     \     
    /     /   \   \ \ / /   /   \     \    
   *-----/-----\---\-V-/---/-----\-----*   
        /       \   \ /   /       \        
       *---------\---V---/---------*       
                  \     /                  
                   \   /                   
                    \ /                    
                     V