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{{Short description|Form of mystical diagram used in the Shri Vidya school of Hinduism}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2017}}
{{Saktism}}
The '''Shri Yantra''', '''Sri Yantra''', or '''Shri Chakra''' is a form of mystical diagram (''[[yantra]]'') used in the [[Shri Vidya]] school of [[Hinduism]]. It consists of nine interlocking triangles that surround a central point known as a [[bindu (symbol)|''bindu'']]. These triangles represent the cosmos and the human body. Because of its nine triangles, Shri Yantra is also known as the ''Navayoni Chakra''.<ref name="SC">{{cite book|title=Sri Chakra|last=Shankaranarayanan|first=S.|publisher=Dipti Publications|year=1979|edition=3rd}}</ref> When the [[two-dimensional]] Shri Yantra is represented in [[three dimensions]], it is called a ''Mahameru''. [[Mount Meru]] derives its name from this shape. In addition to Mount Meru, all other yantras derive from the Shri Yantra.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

==Appearance==
In the 2009 issue of Brahmavidya (the journal of the [[Adyar Library]]), [[Subhash Kak]] argues that the description of Shri Yantra is identical to the ''yantra'' described in the shrisukta in veda.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://ikashmir.net/subhashkak/docs/SriChakra.pdf |title=Subhash Kak Great Goddess Lalitā and the Śrī Cakra Brahmavidyā |journal=The Adyar Library Bulletin |volume= 72-73| pp=155–172|year=2008–2009}}</ref>

The Shri Yantra's 9 constituent triangles vary in size and shape and intersect to form 43 smaller triangles, organized in 5 concentric levels. Together they represent the totality of the cosmos and express [[Advaita]] or [[non-duality]]. In the middle, the power point (''bindu'') represents the cosmic center. The triangles are circumscribed by two concentric circles composed of 8 and 16 petals, representing the [[Padma (attribute)|lotus]] of creation and reproductive vital force. The entire configuration is framed by the broken lines of an earth square, representing a temple with four doors open onto the regions of the universe.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://eb.pdn.ipublishcentral.com/product/culture-india|title=Understanding India: The Culture of India|last=Kuiper|first=K|publisher=Britannica Educational Publishing|year=2011|isbn=9781615302031}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://eye-of-revelation.org/PDF/THEORY-SriYantra.pdf | title=The geometrically exact Sri Yantra |date=10 December 2018 }}</ref>

===Gallery===
{{Gallery
|title=Shri Yantra in various forms
|Image:Sri Yantra.svg|The Lalita Sahasranama in diagrammatic form, showing how its nine interlocking triangles form a total of 43 smaller triangles.
|Image:Sree Chakram.JPG|Shri Yantra engraved in metal
|Image:meru1.jpg|The ''Shri Yantra'' shown in the three-dimensional projection called ''[[Sumeru|Mahāmeru]]''
}}

==Symbolism==
The worship of the Shri Yantra is central to the Shri Vidya system of Hindu worship. It represents the Goddess in the form of [[Tripura Sundari|Devi Tripura Sundari]], ''the natural beauty of the three worlds'': Bhu [[Loka]] (Physical Plane, Consciousness of the Physical Plane), Bhuvar Loka (Antariksha or Intermediate Space, Sub-Consciousness of the Prana) and Swar Loka ([[Svarga]] or Heaven or Super-Consciousness of the Divine Mind). The Shri Yantra is the symbol of [[Hinduism]], which is based on the [[Hindu philosophy]] of the [[vedic|vedas]]. The Shri Yantra is the object of devotion in Shri Vidya.<ref name="Gales">{{cite book |last=Khanna |first1=Madhu |title=Gale's Encyclopedia of Religion |chapter=Yantra |edition=Second |editor-last=Jones |editor-first=Lindsay |publisher=Thomson Gale |year=2005 |pages=9871–9872 |isbn=0-02-865997-X }}</ref>

The Shri Yantra represents the evolution of the multiverse as a result of the natural [[Will of God|Divine Will]] of the [[God|Godhead]] [[Adi Parashakti|Aadi Paraa Shakti]]. The four upward-pointing [[isosceles triangle]]s represent the Goddess's masculine embodiment [[Brahman|Brahm]], while the five downward-pointing triangles symbolize the female embodiment [[Durga|Jagat jannani]].<ref name="Gales" /> The 12 and 15 sides of the four upward and five downward triangles also correspondingly symbolise, on the physical plane, the 12 sidereal zodiac signs of the Sun and 15 'nityas' phase-signs of the Moon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shivashakti.com/varahi.htm|title=Shri Varahi Devi|website=www.shivashakti.com}}</ref>

The Shri Yantra is also known as the ''nav chakra'' because it can be seen to consist of nine concentric layers that radiate outward from the ''bindu''. ("Nau" or "nava" means "nine" in [[Sanskrit]].) Each level corresponds to a [[mudra]], a [[yogini]] and a specific form of the deity Tripura Sundari along with her [[mantra]]. The various deities residing in the nine levels of the Shri Yantra are described in the Devi [[Khadgamala]] Mantra. These levels, listed from outermost to innermost, are:<ref name="SC" />
#''Trailokya Mohana'', the outermost square, traced in three lines and interrupted by four recessed portals;
#''Sarvasaa Paripuraka'', the outer lotus, consisting of 16 petals;
#''Sarva Samkshobahana'', the inner lotus, consisting of 8 petals;
#''Sarva Saubhagyadayaka'', the outermost ring of small triangles (14 in total);
#''Sarvarthasadhaka'', the next ring of triangles (10 in total);
#''Sarva Rakshakara'', a smaller ring of 10 triangles;
#''Sarva Rogahara'', a ring of 8 small triangles;
#''Sarva Siddhiprada'', one small triangle containing the ''bindu'' at its center;
#''Sarva Anandamaya'', the ''bindu.''

==See also==
* [[Loka]]
* [[Mandala]]
* [[Religious symbolism]]
* [[Sacred geometry]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External link==
*{{commonscatinline}}

{{Shaktism}}
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[[Category:Hindu symbols]]
[[Category:Hindu tantra]]
[[Category:Indian iconography]]
[[Category:Shaktism]]

Shri Yantra - Revision history

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