A yantra is a geometrical diagram representing the universe. It is used in Hindu worship and meditation, especially in Tantrism. A yantra is quite similar to a mandala, but a yantra is different in that it can be a three-dimensional object of worship as well as a two-dimensional diagram.
LIke the mandala, the yantra symbolizes cosmogenic development, from the absolute in the center to the material world at the edges. Yantras often have a seed mantra inscribed on them, and they are considered the verbal equivalent of a mantra.
A yantra is only created during a highly complex ritual in a purified and ritually consecrated place. A three-dimensional yantra is made of stone or metal plates and is imbued with the power of a deity.
It is then meditated upon as the deity, and is used as an instrument for visions of the unseen. A yantra is also drawn on the site where a temple will be built.
The best known yantra is the Sri Yantra or Sri Cakra, which is especially used in the Sri Kula tradition of Tantrism. It is made of nine intersecting isosceles triangles of different sizes: five “female” triangles pointing downwards to represent Shakti and four “male” triangles pointing upwards representing Shiva.
In the middle of the Sri Yantra is the power point (bindu), the highest, invisible, elusive center from which the entire figure and the cosmos expand. The triangles are enclosed by two rows of 8 and 16 petals, representing the lotus of creation and reproductive vital force. The broken lines of the outer frame denote the figure to be a sanctuary with four openings to the regions of the universe.
The Sri Yantra is considered the visual equivalent of the Sri Vidya, a mantra of 15 syllables. Each syllable represents a goddess who is located within the Sri Yantra.
The trihsula (also spelled trishul or trisula, Sanskrit for “three spear”) is a tridentspear that is the emblem of the god Shiva. The weapon symbolizes empire and the irresistible force of transcendental reality.
The three prongs of the trishula represent Shiva’s three aspects of:
- creator,
- preserver
- destroyer
Trishul painted on an Indian temple.
as well as the three shaktis (powers):
The fearsome goddess Durga also brandishes a trishula in one of her seven hands.
The tilak (Sanskrit tilaka, “mark”) is a mark made on a Hindu’s forehead. On a man, the tilak takes the form of a line or lines and usually indicates his sectarian affiliation. On women, a tilak usually takes the form of abindi dot, which has its own symbolism
The tilak is worn every day by sadhus and pious householders, and on special occasions like weddings and religious rituals. A tilak is also applied by a priest during a visit to the temple as a sign of the deity’s blessing, for both men and women (and western tourists, too).
Tilak marks are applied by hand or with a metal stamp. They might be made of ash from a sacrificial fire, sandalwood paste, turmeric, cow dung, clay, charcoal, or red lead. In addition to its religious symbolism, the tilak has a cooling effect on the forehead and this can assist in concentration and meditation.
Among some sects the tilak is made on 2, 5, 12, or 32 parts of the body as well as on the forehead. Often a tilak is just a smear of paste, but other times it is more precise and elaborate.
Saivites (followers of Shiva) wear a tilak of three horizontal lines across the forehead, with or without a red dot. Sometimes a crescent moon or trident is included. The devotees of Shiva usually use sacred ashes (Bhasma) for the tilak.
Among Vaishnavites (followers of Vishnu), the many tilak variations usually include two or more vertical lines resembling the letter U, which symbolizes the foot of Vishnu. There is sometimes a central line or dot. Most Vaishanative tilaks are made of sandalwood paste (Chandan).
The worshippers of the goddess Devi or Shakti apply Kumkum, a red tumeric powder.
The swastika (Sanskrit svastika, “all is well”) is a cross with four arms of equal length, with the ends of each arm bent at a right angle. Sometimes dots are added between each arm.
The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been found worldwide, but it is especially common in India. Its name comes the Sanskrit wordsvasti (sv = well; asti = is), meaning good fortune, luck and well-being.
The swastika is most commonly used as a charm to bring good fortune (in which case the arms are bent clockwise), but it has a variety of religious meanings as well.
The right-hand swastika is one of the 108 symbols of the god Vishnu as well as a symbol of the sun and of the sun god Surya. The symbol imitates in the
rotation of its arms the course taken daily by the sun, which appears in the Northern Hemisphere to pass from east, then south, to west. (It is also a symbol of the sun among Native Americans.)
The left-hand swastika (called a sauvastika) usually represents the terrifying goddess Kali, night and magic. However, this form of the swastika is not “evil” and it is the form most commonly used in Buddhism.
The auspicious symbol of the swastika is very commonly used in Hindu art, architecture and decoration. It can be seen on temples, houses, doorways, clothing, cars, and even cakes. It is usually a major part of the decoration for festivals and special ceremonies like weddings.
The Nazis adopted the swastika because it was understood as an Aryan symbol indicating racial purity and superiority. (The Nazis propogated a historical theory in which the early Aryans of India were white invaders.) There may also be a connection with the swastika’s magical connections, for Hitler and other Nazi leaders were keenly interested in the occult.
The pratik (“emblem”) is the symbol of the Ananda Marga (“path of bliss”) movement, which was founded in India in 1955 and emphases social service along with yoga and meditation.
The pratik symbol consists of the following elements:
- upward-pointing triangle representing one’s external actions (social service)
- downward-pointing triangle symbolizing one’s internal work (meditation, self-realization)
- rising sun symbolizing spiritual progress through the balance of external and internal efforts
- swastika representing fulfillment or one’s ultimate spiritual goal