Yantra
The word 'Yantra' means to sustain, a machine, an
instrument, an equipment, an object or a concept. The Sanskrit text Samaranganasutradhara
on the science. The Jantar Mantar is an example of the Yantra.
The term yantra in religious context has acquired a special place in the worship of various Deities. The Yantra is used as instrument or medium of focus on a deity, while a person meditates. The Yantra’s used for performing Puja is graphical representation of geometrical of abstract geometrical images such as Triangle, Squares, Pentagons, Hexagons, Circles etc.. placed in various designs.
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Yantras
are based on the following three principles: They are believed to reveal the inner basis of the forms and shapes present in the universe. The shilpi-yogins seek to identify the innermost structure of the universe by concentrating the picture of the Yantra. Each Yantra can be described as a specific energy source The popular form "Akritirupa" refers to the inner form of structures. It is based on the concept that any item from an atom to a star, a flower or a leaf has an outer structure which is easy to understand. While the inner structure such as the skeletal structure is difficult to visualize. The Akritirupa emphasis on understanding the inner form. Yantras function as an object providing instructions on the spiritual aspect of human experience. All shapes of a yantra are symbols corresponding to inner state of human consciousness. It is for this reason that a yantra is said to embody a 'function-principle' (Kriyarupa). With vigorous reinforcement in ritual worship the devotee now begins to seek beyond the Inner form and starts to look for something powerful, thus emerges the 'power diagram' (Saktirupa) endowed with a self-generating tendency to transform a mundane experience into a psychic one. It is at this point that the yantra is said to be 'revealed'. |