Understanding Yantra | Meaning, Types & Benefits
Understanding Yantra
To know the meaning of a mantra is first step towards understanding any Yantra. The Sanskrit word Yantra comes from the word ‘yam’ meaning to sustain, hold or support the energy inherent in a particular object, element or concept. ‘Tra’ means expansion. Every Yantra is a dwelling for certain planets, elements, gods or goddesses. Yantra is one of the aspects of Tantra and also works as a substitute for the image or statue of a deity. Different Yantras contain specific mantras along with the subtle energy body and the vibration of the god/goddess expressing their sense of spirit and energy. Just as a mantra can be a verbal (or silent) tool for meditation, a yantra acts as a visual prop and comes in many forms. Yantras are three dimensional in nature but represented as two dimensional when drawn.
Understanding Yantra | Geometric Shapes
The Yantra is structured in such a way that it directs the focus of the devotee at its center. The following shapes form a Yantra.
Dot/ Hollow Space – A dot or a hollow space at the center of the Yantra signifies unity. It stands for the fact that everything that exists in the universe is actually one and the same.
Triangle/ Crossed Triangle – The dot/ hollow space is enclosed inside a single triangle or multiple crossed triangles, which represents energy. The triangle pointing downwards signifies feminine energy, and the one pointing upwards signifies masculine energy.
Circle – The circle outside the triangles represents the cosmic cycle. Time has no beginning or end; it is a continuous loop of events. From the nucleus of an atom to the biggest bodies in the universe, everything is a part of the cycle.
Lotus Petals – Outside the circle, there are shapes resembling petals of an opening lotus pointing outside. It signifies the opening of our mind and the increase in our level of understanding.
Square – The Square represents the materialistic world that we live in, which makes us feel the sense of gain and loss, togetherness, and separation.
T-Shaped Figures – On each side of the square are T Shaped Figures that appear pointing inside. It symbolizes the fact that true happiness, achievement, and enlightenment is actually on the inside of us and not in the materialistic world. It acts as the doorway to the sacred world.
Science behind Yantra
The specific geometrical pattern of a yantra harnesses the particular spectrum of energies. Yogis have constantly experienced that concentrating and meditating on a yantra gives them a gateway to a higher level of consciousness.
In his latest work, Prof. Michio Kaku, a famous theoretical physicist ( know more about him here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michio_Kaku ) has stated that we live in a mathematical world or ‘matrix’. The Universe is a mathematical correlation between sound and form. Yantras are nothing but the physical representation of sound vibrations of their specific mantras. In an article published in Leonardo (MIT Journal press, feb 2005), Bill Witherspoon presented a very interesting research on Sriyantra.
In his experiments, Bill drew giant Sri Yantras in dry lakes among other experiments. He found an increase in the fertility of the soil, a continuous increase in rainfall in that desert, an increase in the population of plants and animals. In another experiment, he discovered that blind people could locate a hidden Sriyantra behind a painting in art gallery by feeling the peace and happiness coming out from that painting.
He concluded in his article that “Certain geometric structures enliven and amplify specific laws or forces of Nature. When these laws or forces of Nature become stronger, they consistently influence the total environment, including human physiology and consciousness.’
This is the reason sages from ancient times have chosen yantras to meditate upon. When yantras are meditated upon by chanting their own sounds (their seed mantra), they become power generators of the associated energies within you.
Types & Benefits of Yantras
There are four types Yantras
1. Planetary Yantras to pacify effected Planets
2. Deities Yantras to get blesseing from gods
3. Vastu Yantras to rectify doshas
4. Maha Yantras cover all cosmic powers
Some of the popular Planetary Yantras are – Surya Yantra, Mangal Yantra, Shani Yantra & Rahu Yantra. These yantra are used to bring down or enhance major effects of respective planets.
Some of the popular Deities Yantras are – Laskshmi Ganesh Yantra to remove all the obstacles, Lakshmi Yantra is for bringing prosperity, Kuber yantra to showers business with profits.
Vastu Yantras extract positive energies of the five basic elements of nature – the solar energy of sun, lunar energy of moon, wind energy, magnetic effects of earth and heat energy of fire. Vastu Yantras helps in balancing out energies in an already constructed building that failed to comply with Vastu Shastra rules.
Maha Yantras fall under the symbolic representation category representing Mother Goddesses, all nine planets, to protect, Rog Nivaran (health yantras) and other aspects. Maha Yantras are larger and in depth version of the yantras mentioned- above.
Final takeaway : Understanding Yantra
In broader sense, Yantra means ‘an instrument’ used for reflection, concentration and meditation. It’s hard not to notice them: their striking designs always catch the eye and seem to pull you in. They have played an important role in the formation of spiritual practices. Just by staring at the design, people often feel calmer. Yantras can be extremely powerful, because the gaze combined with the meditation can really help to keep the attention present. But, one should use and practice yantras under the right guidance only.
“The universe cannot be read until we have learnt the language and become familiar with the characters in which it is written. It is written in mathematical language, and the letters are triangles, circles and other geometrical figures, without which means it is humanly impossible to comprehend a single word.” → Galileo Galilei, Italian physicist
Read also : How to practice Kundalini Meditation ( https://thebrightdelights.com/how-to-practice-kundalini-meditation/ )