yantra: Hindu Tantric Diagrams

Introduction
Accurate calculation with precise lines
Accurate calculation with imprecise lines
Three dimensional yantras
List of Illustrations
Bibliography

Introduction

Translation

[Shri Shankaracarya], Saundaryalahari, prathamo bhagah, Anandalahari:

The angles of your feet are transformed into four [angles] related to Shiva and five [angles] related to Shakti, which are distinct from those of Shiva, and thus into the nine primary forms of matter, as well as into forty-three [angles], eight-petals, sixteen-sides, three-folds and three-lines. || 11 ||

Kaivalyashrama, Saubhagyavardhani:

One should make a circle according to one's desire
[i.e. as large as one wants].
One should draw a line from east to west
and divide it into forty-eight parts. || 1 ||

One should make nine marks on this:
on the sixth, on the sixth and on the fifth,
on the third and again on the third,
on the fourth and then on the third,
on the sixth, and on the sixth again.
One should extend nine lines on both sides of these marks,
from south to north. || 2-3 ||

One who is skilled in this
[i.e. who knows the technical terms and drawing process]
should remove fractional parts [from these lines] in order:
on the first, second, and fourth,
then on the fifth and sixth,
and on the eighth and last
agni [three], bana [five], kala [sixteen], purana [eighteen],
sixteen, veda [four], and agni [three]. || 4-5b ||

One who is learned should then join these lines in order:
the ends of ravi [Sun] in the middle of shani [Saturn],

the ends of candra [Moon] in the middle of ketu [descending node],

the ends of mangala [Mars] in the middle of the circle,

the ends of budha [Mercury] in the middle of rahu [desc. n.],

the ends of guru [Jupiter] in the middle of bhauma [Mars],

the ends of shukra [Venus] in the middle of soma [Moon],

the ends of shani [Saturn] in the middle of the circle,

the ends of rahu [ascending node] in the middle of ravi [Sun],

the ends of ketu [desc. n.] in the middle of budha [Mercury]. || 5c-7 ||

[Thus] the best shri cakra is formed,
with its center having the form of trembling fire,
with eight and twelve and fourteen lights of fire. || 8 ||
Apart from the cakra there are vasu [eight] lotus petals and sixteen leaves;
it is adorned with a triad of circles
and has an earthly house distinguished by three lines.
The dwelling consists of a three-fold road
and is beautifully adorned with four-fold doors;
the cakra is divine, completely splendorous,
consisting of the nature of moon, sun and fire. || 9-10 ||

MPEG of the above sequence.

This dimensional variability utilized in the construction of Vedic altars is further developed in the proportional systems of yantras, the ritual diagrams of Tantric initiation and empowerment. As in the case of the tradition of Vedic altars mentioned above, there are many types of yantras. All yantras share the same basic scheme of enclosure, or "walls," although the representation within these walls varies depending upon the purpose of the yantra. In the case of the Shri Yantra, perhaps the most well known yantra, the central area is occupied by a pattern of nine interlocking triangles representing the goddess Shri.