For other uses, see Yantra (disambiguation).
The Sri Yantra.

Yantra (यन्त्र) is the Sanskrit word for "instrument" or "machine". Much like the word "instrument" itself, it can stand for symbols, processes, automata, machinery or anything that has structure and organization, depending on context.

One usage popular in the west is as symbols or geometric figures. Traditionally such symbols are used in Eastern mysticism to balance the mind or focus it on spiritual concepts. The act of wearing, depicting, enacting and/or concentrating on a yantra is held to have spiritual or astrological or magical benefits in the Tantric traditions of the Indian religions.

Contents

Etymology and meanings [link]

Yantra is a Sanskrit word that is derived from the root yam meaning to control or subdue [1] or "to restrain, curb, check".[2] Meanings for the noun derived from this root include:[3][4]

  • "any instrument or machine" (i.e. that which is controlled or controls. For instance the body is said to be a yantra[5])
  • "any instrument for holding, restraining, or fastening" (for instance a symbol which 'holds' the essence of a concept, or helps the mind to 'fasten' on a particular idea)
  • "a mystical or astronomical diagram" (usually a symbol, often inscribed on an amulet) sometimes said to possess mystical or magical powers.

-tra is an indoeuropean suffix meaning ' instrument', found in Latin aratrum and in tantra and mantra. A yantra depicts both macrocosmic and microcosmic forces acting together - the movement towards and away from the centre - "control" and "liberation" within the one device. Mantra plus yantra creates tantra. In some disciplines of Tantra it is said that a focused, controlled gaze upon a particular yantra may lead to liberation.

Symbols employed in yantras [link]

Shapes and patterns commonly employed in yantra include squares, triangles, circles and floral patterns but may also include more complex and detailed symbols, for instance:

  • The lotus flower typically represent chakras, with each petal representing a psychic propensity (or vritti) associated with that chakra
  • A dot, or bindu, represents the starting point of creation or the infinite, unexpressed cosmos
  • The shatkona (şaţkoņa) (Sanskrit name for a Hexagram) composed of a balance between:
    • An upwards triangle which according to Tantra denotes energy, or more specifically action and service (seva). It may also denote spiritual aspiration, the element of fire, or Shiva. It is also said to represent the static substratum of the cosmos.[citation needed]
    • A downwards triangle which according to Tantra denotes spiritual knowledge. It may also denote the creative power of the cosmos, fecundity, the element of water, or Shakti
  • A swastika represents good luck, welfare, prosperity or spiritual victory
  • Bija mantras (usually represented as characters of Devanāgarī that correspond to the acoustic roots of a particular chakra or vritti)

Geometric element meanings:

  • Circle = Energy of the element water
  • Square = Energy of the element earth
  • Upward-facing Triangle = Energy of the element fire; energy
  • Downward-facing Triangle = Energy of the element water; knowledge
  • Diagonal line = Energy of the element air
  • Horizontal line = Energy of the element water
  • Vertical line = Energy of the element fire
  • Point = Energy of the element ether

As an astrological device [link]

Yantra may be used to represent the astronomical position of the planets over a given date and time. It is considered auspicious in Hindu mythology. These yantras are made up on various objects i.e. Paper, Precious stones, Metal Plates and alloys. It is believed that constantly concentrating on the representation helps to build fortunes, as planets have their peculiar gravity which governs basic emotions and karma. These yantras are often made on a particular date and time according to procedures defined in the vedas.

Philosophical context [link]

Yantra function as revelatory conduits of cosmic truths. Yantra, as instrument and spiritual technology, may be appropriately envisioned as prototypical and esoteric concept mapping machines or conceptual looms. Certain yantra are held to embody the energetic signatures of, for example, the Universe, consciousness, ishta-devata. Though often rendered in two dimensions through art, yantra are conceived and conceptualised by practitioners as multi-dimensional sacred architecture and in this quality are identical with their correlate the mandala. Meditation and trance induction that generates the yantra of the subtle body in the complementary modes of the utpatti-krama and saṃpanna-krama are invested in the various lineages of tantric transmission as exterior and interior sacred architecture that potentiate the accretion and manifestation of siddhi.

Khanna (2003: p. 21) in linking Mantra, Yantra, Ishta-devata, and thoughtforms states:

Mantras, the Sanskrit syllables inscribed on yantras, are essentially "thought forms" representing divinities or cosmic powers, which exert their influence by means of sound-vibrations.[6]

Yantra is an aniconic temenos or tabernacle of deva, asura, genius loci or other archetypal entity. Yantra are theurgical device that engender entelecheia. Yantra are realised by sadhus through darshana and samyama. Yantra, or other permutations and cognate phenomena such as mandala, rangoli, kolam, rangavalli and other sacred geometrical traditions, are endemic throughout Indian religions. Some Hindu esoteric practitioners employ yantra, mantra and other items of the saṃdhyā-bhāṣā (Bucknell, et al.; 1986: p.ix) in their sadhana, puja and yajna.[7]

See also [link]

Notes [link]

  1. ^ For definition see: White 1996, p. 481, note 159.
  2. ^ For root यन्त्र् (yantr) meaning "to restrain, curb, check" see: Apte 1965, p. 781
  3. ^ For definitions for noun यन्त्रं (yantraṃ) including 1) "that which restrains or fastens, any prop or support"; 2) "a fetter", 4) "any instrument or machine", and 7) "an amulet, a mystical or astronomical diagram used as an amulet"; see: Apte 1965, p. 781.
  4. ^ For definitions for यन्त्रं (yantra) including "any instrument for holding, restraining, or fastening, a prop, support, barrier"; "any instrument or apparatus, mechanical contrivance, engine, machine, implement, appliance"; "restraint, force"; "an amulet, mystical diagram supposed to possess occult powers", see: Monier-Williams 1899, p. 845.
  5. ^ Shrii shrii Anandamurtii, Ánanda Vacanámrtam Part 15
  6. ^ Khanna, Madhu (2003). Yantra: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity. Inner Traditions. ISBN 0-89281-132-3 & ISBN 978-0-89281-132-8
  7. ^ Bucknell, et al.; 1986: p. ix.

References [link]


External links [link]

Media related to Yantra at Wikimedia Commons


https://wn.com/Yantra

Yantra (disambiguation)

Yantra may refer to:

  • Yantra (river), a river in Bulgaria
  • Yantra, Gabrovo Province, a village in the Dryanovo municipality, Gabrovo Province, Bulgaria
  • Yantra, Veliko Tarnovo Province, a village in Gorna Oryahovitsa municipality, Veliko Tarnovo Province, Bulgaria
  • FC Yantra, a football club from Gabrovo, Bulgaria
  • Yantra, a pattern used in Hinduism for worship
  • Yantra yoga
  • Yantra tattoo
  • Yantra Corporation, a software company acquired by Sterling Commerce
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    Yantra (river)

    Coordinates: 43°24′33″N 25°40′45″E / 43.40917°N 25.67917°E / 43.40917; 25.67917

    The Yàntra (Bulgarian: Янтра) is a river in northern Bulgaria, a right tributary of the Danube. It is 285 km long (the third longest Bulgarian tributary of the Danube) and has a watershed of 7,862 km².

    The Yantra has its source from the northern foot of Hadzhi Dimitar Peak in Central Stara Planina, at 1,340 m. In its upper course, it is often called Etar (Етър), its older name. The river flows into the Danube close to Svishtov.

    A special feature of the river are the many gorges it forms by crossing the Forebalkan area, the largest one being close to Veliko Tarnovo, 7 km in length, albeit actually two times longer due to the river's many turns.

    Major cities on the river are Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Polski Trambesh, and Byala, close to which is the famous bridge Belenski most over the Yantra.

    Honour

    Yantra Cove in Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica is named after Yantra River.

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