Also known as the Sri (pronounced “shree”) Chakra, the Sri Yantra is one of the most popular spiritual geometrical images in India. The Sri Yantra has been called “the mother of all yantras” because it is believed that all other traditional yantras can be made from this one. It is made of a central point called the “bindu” surrounded by nine intersecting triangles, with five pointing down (representing female energy) and four pointing up (representing male energy). The intersections form 43 more triangles. Surrounding this are two rings of symbolic lotus petals, eight in the inner ring and sixteen in the outer. Outside of this are three circles and an outer “square” with outcroppings in four directions called “doors.” Dedicated to the goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari, the image has places or “seats” for 108 goddesses. In some Tantric traditions the image is worshiped. The practice begins by calling each goddess and reciting her mantra while visualizing her image in the appropriate location on the yantra.
AUTHOR: Donald Michael Kraig