The Shakta concept of Yantra (mystical diagram)

[Some technical terms in Sakta tantras (11) Yantra]

Mantra which means, the formula sacred to the Almighty or ultimately the deity itself, is visualised through the mystical diagram called Yantra. Tantras, needs a physical nodus, to function, and this need is provided by Yantras which is a diagramtic form corresponding to the configuration of the powers that accompany the manifestation of the deity on its own plane. More than a symbol 123. "Sabindunaco blumuccarya vasinivagdevatayai namah, iti sirasi, sarvatra varganan binduyogah. kavargam kalahrim ca nigadya kamesvari vagdevatayai namah iti bhrumadhye. tum bhanitva ylun vimalavagdevatayai namah iti kanthe tum ca procya jmrin arunavagdevatayai namah iti hrdi pun ca halvyum uccarya jayini vagdevatayai namah iti nabhau yadicatuskan jhmryun uccarya sarvesvari vagdevatayai namah iti linge. Sadisatkam ksmrim akhyaya kaulini vagdevatayai namah iti mule". Periyapurana, I, 20.

145 : it is the body of the deity contemplated. is to Jiva, as oil is to lamp, so is Yantra, seat of all deities 124 "As the body, the established Yantras are generally combinations of triangles, or merely squares or curved lines with peculiar curves of lingeages. Astrologically speaking, there is a belief that everything in our life is purely dependent on the sending forth of the rays of 9 planets at the time of one's birth, viz., Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. These rays, if they are to cause any evil to the subject, will remain inactive when the subject wears the Yantra. It acts like a magnetic needle in a concrete building (protecting it from lightning). Usually, astrologers prescribe jewels for defence. Thus, Manikya, Mukta, Pravala Marakata, Pusyaraga, Vajra, Indranila, Gomedaka and Vaidurya prevent the evils of the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu respectively. The tying of Yantras dates back to Atharva Veda. There are many contexts of tying Yantras for the fulfilment 124. "Yantran mantramayan proktan devata mantrarupini sariramiva jivasya dipasya snehavat priye sarvesamapi devanam tatha yantram pratisthitan". Science of Mantras, pp. 24-25

125 of desires 146 126 for good offspring etc. The skin of black antelope is used as an amulet to promote vitality. 127 This is still followed as a ritual in the Upanayana ceremony among Brahmins, when a piece of the dried skin of black antelope is tied to the Yajnopavita (sacred thread). The Egyptians too, had a belief that the amulet helped to sustain and consolidate the health and optimism of the Universe and to keep aloof the forces of evil spirits. Limitless energy was given to an amulet when blessed by a 128 well-versed spirit. A course through it by a spiritually capable mind blessed with dynamic virtues as chastity and obedience increased the atomic integration and in-born efficacy of the amulet. By passage of time it's efficacy may be lost, but through high virtues, the power can be 129 recharged. The amulet of Sam could help one in adventures of erotism. It could result in the inevitable ecstatic meetings and the girl whom the subject wishes to attract will be drawn towards him yielding all she has. 130 125. "Hiranyagarbhanirmitam kundaladikam abhimantrya badhniyat." Atharvaveda, XIX, XX, 4. CAS 126. "Yantasi yacchase hastavapa raksaisi sedhasi prajan 127. 128. dhanam ca grhnanah parihasto abhudayan parihasta vidharaya yonim garbhaya dhatave maryade putramadhehi". Atharvaveda, VI viii, -5. Kausitaki Sutra, XL. 17 See Occult arts of ancient Egypt, Bernard Bromage., P.92 129. Ibid. 101. 130. Ibid. P.114

00 147 Yantras are cut out on metal plates and fixed on wooden planks. Sometimes these Yantras are drawn on thin metal plates of gold, copper or silver, rolled and enclosed into golden caskets to be worn on neck, arms or loin to protect the subject from evil influences. Some Yantras have lotus-petalled outline* and Bijaksaras (seed-letters) and Yantragayatri and Mantragayatri may be also inscribed in them (lines to indicate the purpose for which the Yantra is worn with a request to do whatever is necessary to the subject addressed to the deity). The lineages and curves have their own meanings. A point or Bindu means an all pervading concept, the nature of ether. It means the point into which the extended universe collapses at the time of the different orders of existence and origin of manifestation. * All symbolic numbers representing particular entities are shown in Yantras as circular flower patterns called lotuses. O O

148 The straight line When a point moves independently of any external attraction, it s movement is represented by a straight line. The straight line is taken to represent unhindered movement. i.e., principle of all development. The triangle The development assimilated to any rising or a movement in upward direction can be represented by a vertical arrow head or tongue of fire. The triangle with Y its apex upwards is also a representation of fire identified with male principle. All upward movement is characteristic of the fiery element, of which mental activity is the subtle form

149 The triangle with its apex downwards tends to suppress activity. It is associated with the element water, always tending to come down to equalise the level. 131 The inverted triangle is also indicative of the reflection of female principle on the waters of Maya. It is She who works; He as the immutable being cannot do anything without Her. 132 The triangle is the representation of every three fold aspect Willing, knowing and acting;B Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, etc. Other symbols associated with water are: 1. arc of a circle; 2. 3. The Circle crescent waves, etc. 131. See Hindu Polytheism, p.351 The notion of circle arises from the revolutions of planets. It is the symbol of all returns, all cycles, all rhythms, that makes existence possible. The circular movement is 132. Saivism and Phallic Worship in India, Vol. II, p.899.

150 characteristic of the rajasic tendency which is the nature of perceptible manifestations. An inner circle represents the withdrawing of manifestation, the coiled energy (primal power) which allows all beings to cross the sphere of manifest forms and reach the stage of liberation when awakened. At times, circle is taken as the symbol of the element air. The conventional symbol for air is hexagon, movement being its characteristic quality. Hexagon This symbol represents the coital interlocking for cosmic creations. The material world is subdivided into a five-fold aspect like Mahabhutas, Tanmatras, sense organs, organs of action, Mahattatvas, etc. The two when interlocked, will result in the central pentagon which indicates this five-fold aspect. The star-hexagon is a representation of cosmic creation, where the upward triangle represents cosmic person and the downward triangle represents the cosmic nature. The hexagon inside the circle

151 is a representation of the field in which two triangle unite, i.e., Kalaparidhi (limit of time) 133. The Pentagon ☆ All inanimate life is believed to be ruled by the powers of Sattva, Rajas and Tamas i.e., the threefold aspect, indicated by the five triangles in a pentagon. The five sides in the central pentagon mean that life-sensation appears only when the five dhatus i.e., mamsa (flesh), rakta (blood) asthi (bone), majja (marrow) and sukla (semen) are associated with the cosmic person i.e., Siva. 133. The drawing of hexagon during Sandhyavandana, in front of lighted lamp, represents the presence of the Goddess; the placing of Bindu inside hexagon in the centre of the 9 circle is an aspect of Sakti in which kriyasakti (germ of action) increasingly sprouts forth with a view to manifestation producing a state of compactness of energy and readiness to create. Tamil Brahmin community accept the system of drawing of diagrams which is quite akin to tantric system.

The Square The Cross 4 152 : Among many sided figures, the one with the S fewest elements in the Square. The square is taken to represent the earth. It is the symbol of earth. unity. When a point develops in space, it expands in four directions. The cross is the symbol of the expansion of the point in the space as well as of the reduction of space to It thus shows domination of one power over multiplicity. Sudarsanayantra As an example to Yantra, Sudarsanayantra can be examined. Sudarsanayantra is prescribed for removal of evils and for getting the blessings of prosperity and fulfilment of desired aims. The Yantra is as follows: is represented by and also.

on ein klim krsnaya govindaya gopijanavallabhaya paraya paran purusaya paramatmane (name of asterism) naksatrajatasya (name) namnaya asya sarire nityopadravakrtasarvabadhagraham uccataya sariran palaya palaya parakarmayantra matrani samhara samhara mrtyur-mocaya mocaya om namo sudarsanaya diptre jvalaparitaya sarva-dikksobhana karaya hum phat brahmane param jyoti se svaha. mah 2-91 127 sa ET om ja ha G kat 3 22 ests goi Y Ho sa 121 12 ma JT yantrarajaya vidmahe mahamantraya dhimahi dhanvo yantra pracodayat. Mantrarajaya vidmahe maha-mantraya dhimahi dhanyo mantra pracodayat. ya ra la va sa sa sa hamsassoham 153

Some Yantras:- : 154 : 1. Svarnabhairavayantra. The Yantra prescribed for starvation (preventive): mahabhairavapanasthaya ajamijabandhanaya daridr ‌yapaharaya hram hrim hum am vam om vam am hum hrim hram XX 50 2. Rogaharayantra. Prescribed for cure of diseases: 13 hara 20 hara 3. Manibhadrayantra manibhadraya purna bhadraya namo mahayaksasenadhipataye motu dharaya dram dim dem svaha Prescribed for captivating enemies: modra kada IE 4. Vasikarayantra Prescribed for fascinating people:* hrim hrim hrim * See Yantra, Mantra and Tantra.

5. Visvaharayantra the Universe. : 155 Prescribed for captivating shi ksipa 29181 Prescribed for fascinating people: 6. Marikayantra GA jvala jvala sulini vasaya vasaya hum phat svaha raksa raksa mam jvala jvala mahayogesvara va