Shri Yantra facts for kids
The Shri Yantra (also called Sri Chakra) is a special symbol used in Hinduism. It looks like a complex drawing made of nine triangles that fit together. This symbol is a type of yantra or mandala, which are sacred geometric designs.
At the very center of the Shri Yantra is a single dot, known as a bindu. This dot represents the origin of everything.
What is the Shri Yantra?
The Shri Yantra is made from nine triangles that interlock, meaning they fit into each other.
- Four of these triangles point upwards. They stand for Shiva, who represents the masculine energy.
- Five of the triangles point downwards. They represent Shakti, who stands for the feminine energy.
Because it has nine main triangles, it is sometimes called the navayoni chakra. The word "nava" means nine.
These nine triangles are woven together in a special way. They create a total of 43 smaller triangles inside the main design. This web of triangles can symbolize the entire universe. It can also represent creation, like a cosmic womb.
The Shri Yantra shows the idea of non-duality. This means that everything in the universe is connected and part of one whole.
Around the central triangles, there are other shapes. These include a lotus flower with eight petals and another lotus with sixteen petals. The entire design is surrounded by a square shape. This square looks like a temple with four doors.
The Nine Levels of the Shri Yantra
The Shri Chakra is also known as the nava chakra because it has nine different levels. Each level has its own special meaning. It is also linked to a specific mudra (a hand gesture), a yogini (a female spiritual practitioner), and a form of the goddess Tripura Sundari. Each level also has its own mantra (a sacred sound or phrase).
These levels start from the outside and move towards the center:
- Level 1: Trailokya Mohana - This is the outermost square with three lines and four openings, like gates.
- Level 2: Sarvasa Paripuraka - This level is a lotus flower with sixteen petals.
- Level 3: Sarva Sankshobahana - This level is a lotus flower with eight petals.
- Level 4: Sarva Saubhagyadayaka - This part is made of fourteen small triangles.
- Level 5: Sarvarthasadhaka - This level consists of ten small triangles.
- Level 6: Sarva Rakshakara - This part also has ten small triangles.
- Level 7: Sarva Rohahara - This level is made of eight small triangles.
- Level 8: Sarva siddhi prada - This level has just one small triangle.
- Level 9: Sarvanandamaya - This is the innermost point, the bindu, representing pure bliss.
Images for kids
-
The Shri Yantra shown in the three-dimensional projection called Mahāmeru
