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Mantra and Yantra and how they act
by Anuj Bahl
Introduction
Mantras are used to invoke natural forces and processes.
The mantra is made up a collection of root sounds. Sanskrit identifies
the root sounds of the natural forces. The mantra uses these sounds to
invoke the natural force.
Yantras are formed out of certain geometrical figures like
dot, triangle etc. they serve as means of concentration. It is
recognized that concentration of mind is multiplication of mental
faculty and addition of mental powers, while, dissipation of mental
energy is waste of energy and is an invitation to disease.
Yantra and Mantra are techniques designed for using the
natural powers to heal and leading to understanding of oneself.
Yantra: A Tantra Way
Tantra, the word,
means to expand. Tantric techniques are designed for this purpose.
Expansion of self to encompass the entirety is Tantra. It is more of a
discovery of Self (the Reality) rather than an “expansion”. The term
expansion is used more to signify the removal of self imposed
limitations on one’s personality.
Yantra is a
representation of the Reality. It represents the Truth and not notional
Reality. It represents the Reality in a geometrical form like dot line,
triangle etc. Yantra is a means to realize the pair of opposites like
happiness–sorrow; light-dark, etc. are one. People use it to contemplate
on the Truth.
Form is used by
Yantra to explain the formless, just as words are used to explain the
Reality beyond words or, as a tree branch to convey the location of the
moon when it is rising. This is similar to the form of lingam, yoni,
yin-yang, etc. to explain the Reality.
Yantra is a
storehouse of energy or a symbolic representation of the cosmic energy
underlying all objects of. It can be used by people for their pursuits –
be it spiritual or materialistic.
Symbolic meaning
of Yantra
The macrocosm and the
microcosm are the same and they are represented by five gross elements (Panch
Mahabuta). In Yantra, these forces are symbolized in a figurative
manner. So by concentration on it, one can establish harmony between the
microcosm and macrocosm.
The geometrical
figures, form, which Yantra is composed, are dot, Triangle, circle,
square etc.
Bindu
Bindu is represented
by dot. A dot can create limitless shapes and sizes. It is considered as
Shiva or limitless Reality and Power.
Triangles: Trikona
Triangle is an emblem
of Shakti. Yoni or the female reproductive organ is represented thus.
There are two types of triangle in Yantra.
One triangle is with
base below and apex pointing up, and the other, is with its base on top
and apex pointing downwards. The triangle with apex upward shows the way
of sublimation. Among the five elements, it represents the fiery
elements or Agnitattva. The fire has a tendency to go upward. This
triangle is also known as Shiva kona.
The triangle with
apex downward represents the water elements or Apa tattva. The tendency
of water is to go downward which philosophically represents the tendency
towards gross manifestation. This type of triangle is known as Shakti
kona.
From the combination
of these two triangles arises a figure of Satkona or the star. This
figure symbolically represents the union of purursa-prakriti or Shiva
Shakti, without which the creation cannot take place. So Satkona is a
symbolic representation of the creation of universe.
Circle
Circle represents
rotation, motion and repetition. It also symbolically presents the air
elements or vayu tattva.
Square: Bhupura
Square is drawn at
the outer most limit of the Yantra. It symbolically represents the
grossness, which is the quality of the earth elements or the
prithvi-tattva. This figure in Yantra is known as Bhupura. Every Yantra
starts Bindu or dot and ends into square or Bhupura. This shows the
process change from subtle to gross.
The practitioner of
Yantra, uses the bindu as the source of energy, and the triangles as the
way of creating continuously (through usage of Circle outside of the
triangles) and helping it manifest in gross or perceivable form (through
use of Square). In this way the Yantra, uses the power and energy of the
underlying Reality, and symbolically channelizes it to fulfill both
spiritual and material desires.
MANTRAS
The matter that we see including rocks, trees and human bodies, is
nothing but energy but vibrating so quickly that its frequency is missed
by the eyes and the matter appears so. Actually matter does not exist.
We only perceive it. Energy exists.
This energy that is vibrating at a particular frequency has a sound
associated with it. This sound is called the root sound or bija akshara.
These root sounds make up the mantras and they directly invoke the
energy from the nature. Words used in the mantras are used to direct the
energy to a given desire, be it material or spiritual.
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