Śrī Yantra, is also known as Śrī Cakrâ, and it is a sacred geometrical diagram or pattern that is considered to be one of the most powerful and auspicious yantrâs in Hinduism. It is a complex design consisting of nine interlocking triangles, which are surrounded by two circles of lotus petals, and enclosed in a square.
The Śrī Yantra is a representation of the union of the divine masculine and feminine energies and is considered to be a symbol of prosperity, abundance, and harmony. It is believed to have a powerful energetic effect on the environment and the people who come into contact with it.
The Śrī Yantra is worshipped in Hinduism as a tool for meditation and spiritual growth, and is also used in rituals and ceremonies to invoke blessings and positive energies. It is believed to help awaken the divine feminine energy within oneself, which is associated with creativity, intuition, and inner wisdom.
Śrī Yantra has been given the title of Yantra Râj out of all the Yantrâs in this universe since it is capable of providing both happiness and liberation. It is the most powerful of all the yantrâs.
The design of the Śrī Yantra is said to be based on the principles of sacred geometry, which is the study of the mathematical patterns found in nature and the cosmos. It is believed that by meditating on the Śrī Yantra, one can access the universal energy and align oneself with the natural order of the universe, leading to greater abundance, fulfillment, and spiritual enlightenment.
Śrī Yantra is considered to be a powerful tool for worship and meditation in Hinduism. Here are some of the benefits associated with Śrī Yantra worship:
Attracts prosperity and abundance:
Śrī Yantra is believed to help attract wealth, success, and abundance. It is said to enhance financial stability, prosperity, and growth in all areas of life, including business, career, and relationships.
Promotes spiritual growth and well-being:
Śrī Yantra is considered to be a powerful tool for spiritual growth and well-being. It is believed to help balance and align the Cakrâs, enhance intuition, and deepen one’s connection to the divine.
Removes negative energies:
Śrī Yantra is believed to have the power to remove negative energies and obstacles from one’s life. It is said to protect the worshipper from negativity, fear, and anxiety and help promote positivity and inner peace.
Enhances concentration and focus:
Śrī Yantra is said to help enhance concentration and focus, leading to greater productivity and success in all areas of life.
Promotes physical healing:
Śrī Yantra is believed to have a positive impact on one’s physical health, as it is said to help balance the body’s energy and promote healing.
Overall, Śrī Yantra worship is believed to bring a range of benefits, including material and spiritual prosperity, positive energy, and overall well-being. It is an ancient and sacred practice that is still widely used today as a tool for meditation, worship, and personal growth.
Geometry of the Śrī Yantra:
Central Point: The center of the Śrī Yantra is a small dot, representing the supreme reality or the source of all creation.
Bindu: The dot is surrounded by a series of concentric circles, which represent the three states of existence – waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. The central point is also known as Bindu, which represents the point of creation.
Triangles: The nine interlocking triangles of the Śrī Yantra are arranged in a specific way to create a star shape. Four of these triangles point upwards, while five point downwards. The upward-pointing triangles represent the masculine or Ṥiva energy, while the downward-pointing triangles represent the feminine or Ṥaktī energy.
Lotus petals: The triangles are surrounded by lotus petals, which represent the divine consciousness or the awakened state of the mind. There are 8 petals in the first layer, 16 petals in the second layer, and 10 petals in the third layer.
Square: The lotus petals are enclosed within a square, which represents the material world or the earthly plane of existence.
Circles: The square is surrounded by three circles, which represent the three gunas or the three qualities of nature – sattva, rajas, and tamas.
Gateways: The outermost layer of the Śrī Yantra consists of a series of gateways or portals, which represent the different stages of spiritual evolution.
The geometry of the Śrī Yantra is believed to be a powerful tool for meditation and worship, as it is said to represent the interconnectedness of the universe and the ultimate reality of existence.
Placing the Śrī Yantra
Śrī Yantra is a sacred geometrical diagram that is considered to be a powerful tool for worship and meditation in Hinduism. Here are some guidelines for where to place the Śrī Yantra:
North-east corner:
According to Vāstu Śāstra, an ancient Indian science of architecture, the north-east corner of a house is considered to be the most auspicious place to keep the Śrī Yantra. This is believed to enhance the positive energies and bring prosperity, harmony, and spiritual growth.
Pooja room:
The Śrī Yantra can be placed in the pooja room or sacred space of your home, as it is a powerful tool for worship and meditation. It is believed to help enhance the spiritual atmosphere of the room and promote positive energies.
Office or Business Place:
The Śrī Yantra can be placed in an office or business place, as it is believed to attract success, prosperity, and abundance. It is said to promote positive energy, productivity, and growth in business and career.
Altar or meditation space:
The Śrī Yantra can be placed on an altar or meditation space, as it is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and well-being. It is believed to help balance and align the Cakrâs, enhance intuition, and deepen one’s connection to the divine.
It is important to note that the Śrī Yantra should be placed with respect and reverence, and should be kept clean and well-maintained. It should be worshipped regularly with devotion and gratitude.
When to worship Śrī yantra
Śrī Yantra is a powerful tool for worship and meditation in Hinduism, and can be worshipped at any time. However, there are certain auspicious days and times when the worship of Śrī Yantra is believed to be particularly beneficial. Here are some guidelines for when to worship Śrī Yantra:
Fridays: Friday is considered to be an auspicious day for the worship of Śrī Yantra. It is believed to be the day when the goddess of wealth, Lakṣmī, is most receptive to worship and offerings.
Full moon: The full moon day, or Pūrņimā, is considered to be an auspicious time for the worship of Śrī Yantra. It is believed to enhance the positive energies and bring abundance, prosperity, and growth.
Navratrī: Navratrī, a nine-day festival celebrated in honor of the goddess Durgā, is considered to be a powerful time for the worship of Śrī Yantra. It is believed to enhance spiritual growth, well-being, and abundance.
Mahā Śivaratrī: Mahā Śivaratrī, a festival dedicated to Lord Śivā, is also considered to be an auspicious time for the worship of Śrī Yantra. It is believed to enhance spiritual growth, prosperity, and well-being.
During auspicious occasions: Śrī Yantra can be worshipped during auspicious occasions like Akśaya Tṛtiya, weddings, housewarming ceremonies, and other important events. It is believed to enhance the positive energies and bring prosperity and growth to the occasion.
It is important to note that the worship of Śrī Yantra should be done with respect and devotion, and should be accompanied by offerings of flowers, incense, and other items. It should be worshipped regularly with gratitude and reverence.
Mantra for Śrī yantra worship
There are several mantras that are considered to be powerful for the worship of Śrī Yantra. Here are some commonly used mantras for the worship of Śrī Yantra:
Śrī Yantra Mantra: “Oṁ Śrīṁ Hrīṁ Śrīṁ Kamlḗ Kamalālayḗ Prasīda Prasīda Oṁ Śrīṁ Hrīṁ Śrīṁ Mahālakṣmaye Namaḥ”. This mantra is believed to help attract abundance, prosperity, and wealth.
Śrī Camunḍḗśvarī Mantra: “Oṁ Aīṁ Hrīṁ Klīṁ Camunḍaye Vichḗ”. This mantra is considered to be a powerful mantra for the worship of the goddess Durgā, who is associated with the Śrī Yantra. It is believed to help enhance spiritual growth, well-being, and prosperity.
Mahālakṣmī Mantra: “Oṁ Hrīṁ Śrīṁ Lakṣmibhyo Namaḥ”. This mantra is dedicated to the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakṣmī, and is believed to help attract abundance and good fortune.
Mahā Ṣoḍaṣī: Oṁ śrīṁ – hrīṁ – klīṁ – aiṁ – sauḥ oṁ – hrīṁ – śrīṁ ka – e – ī – la- hrīṁ ha – sa – ka – ha – la – hrīṁ sa – ka – la – hrīṁ sauḥ – aiṁ – klīṁ – hrīṁ – śrīṁ
Śrī Suktaṁ: The Śrī Suktaṁ is a hymn in the Ṛgveda that is dedicated to the goddess Lakṣmī. It is believed to be one of the most powerful hymns in Hinduism, and is often recited during the worship of the goddess. The Śrī Suktaṁ praises the goddess Lakṣmī and asks for her blessings and abundance. It is believed to help attract wealth, prosperity, and good fortune.
Both the Śrī Yantra and the Śrī Suktaṁ are often used together in the worship of the goddess Lakṣmī. The Śrī Yantra is used as a visual tool for meditation and focus, while the Śrī Suktaṁ is recited to invoke the blessings and abundance of the goddess. Together, they form a powerful combination for attracting abundance, prosperity, and well-being.
It is important to note that the mantras should be chanted with respect and devotion, and should be accompanied by offerings of flowers, incense, and other items. The mantras can be chanted at any time, but are particularly powerful when chanted during auspicious times and occasions.
Steps to worship the Śrī Yantra
Worshiping the Śrī Yantra is a powerful practice that can help to bring about spiritual growth, prosperity, and inner peace. Here are the steps to worship the Śrī Yantra:
Find a suitable place: Choose a clean and quiet space in your home where you can place the Śrī Yantra. You can place it on a clean cloth on a small altar or table.
Cleanse yourself: Before starting the puja, it is important to cleanse yourself physically and mentally. Take a bath or shower and wear clean clothes. You can also light some incense or sage to purify the air.
Set up the Yantra: Place the Śrī Yantra in the center of the altar, and decorate it with flowers, incense, and other offerings. You can also light a lamp or candle.
Offer flowers: Offer flowers to the Yantra while reciting a mantra. You can also visualize the flowers as a symbol of your devotion.
Light lamp and incense: Light lamp and some incense and wave it in front of the Yantra. The smoke from the incense is believed to purify the air and create a conducive environment for worship.
Offer food and water: Offer some food, fruits or sweets to the Yantra. You can also offer milk or honey.
Recite mantra: Recite the Śrī Yantra mantra, or any other mantra that you feel drawn to. You can chant the mantra 108 times, or as many times as you wish.
Meditate: Sit in front of the Yantra and meditate on its sacred geometry. Focus on the center point and visualize it as the source of all creation.
Close the puja: After you have finished meditating, offer a final prayer to the Yantra and thank it for its blessings. You can also bow down or offer prostrations.
Remember that the most important thing when worshiping the Śrī Yantra is to approach it with a pure and open heart. Your intention and devotion are more important than any external ritual or offering.
The Ṣoḍaśopacāra Pūja is a traditional way of worshiping deities in Hinduism, and can also be used to worship the Śrī Yantra. Here are the 16 steps of the Ṣoḍaśopacāra Pūja of Śrī Yantra:
Āvāhana: Invite the deity to come and reside in the Śrī Yantra.
Āsana: Offer a seat to the deity by placing a clean cloth on a pedestal or altar.
Pādyaṁ: Offer water to wash the feet of the deity.
Arghyaṁ: Offer water to wash the hands of the deity.
Āchamanīyaṁ: Offer water to the deity for sipping.
Snānaṁ: Give a ceremonial bath to the deity with water, milk, honey, curd, and ghee.
Vastraṁ: Offer new clothes to the deity.
Gandhaṁ: Apply sandalwood paste or other fragrant substances to the deity.
Puśpaṁ: Offer flowers to the deity. (Lotus is considered auspicious)
Dhūpaṁ: Offer incense to the deity.
Dīpaṁ: Offer a lamp or light to the deity.
Naivedyaṁ: Offer food and fruits to the deity.
Taṁbūlaṁ: Offer betel leaves and nuts to the deity.
Pradakṣaņaṁ: Circumambulate the deity.
Namaskāraṁ: Offer prostrations to the deity.
It’s important to note that the Ṣoḍaśopacāra Pūja of Śrī Yantra can be performed with different levels of complexity and elaboration depending on the devotee’s preferences and the resources available. The most important thing is to perform the Pūja with devotion, purity, and sincerity.
om̐ aīm̐ hrīm̐ śrīm̐ Srī Mathre Namaha Srī Padukam Pujayami Tarpayami
An Encyclopedia of Srī Cakra Bindu Rūpiṇī Srī Rājarājéṡvarī Srī Devī Srī Mahā Vidyā Sri Mahā Tripura Sundarī Śrī Lalitā Parābhaṭṭārikā by Udaya Bhaaskar Bulusu 