Mantras Yantras: Types of Yantras

By Howard Beckman

Mantras & Yantras: Types of Yantras

¥   Bhu Prisht Yantras: Bhu means Earth and Bhu Devi is the name of Mother Earth. Accordingly they are made from materials found within the earth, as the name implies. There are two subdivisions. The first is raised yantras which include the bija mantras and vern mantras. The second is carved yantras.

¥   Meru Prisht Yantras: Raised, with a wide base, thinner midsection and peaked top in the shape of a mountain.

¥   Patel Yantras: Carved, in the shape of an inverted mountain, making it the opposite of the Meru Prisht yantra.

¥   Meru Parastar Yantras: These are of the "Meru" mountain shape, but cut, rather than raised.

¥   Ruram Prisht Yantras: Have tortoise shell tops on a rectangular base.

These five types of yantras are classed according to the different puja (worship) conducted. Each has a separate and distinct purpose to gain a particular objective for the aspirant. Some yantras are worshipped in temples, some worshipped by individuals at home and some are worn on the body (usually of triangular or rectangular shape) either around the neck, the arms, or kept close to the body in another location. According to how the yantras are used they are further classified into seven divisions, as follows:

¥   Sharir Yantras: There are seven of these yantras, one for each of the "chakras" . They are worn on the body and each has its own mantras. Chanting these mantras bestows various benefits to the aspirant.

¥   Dharan Yantras: These yantras are also worn on the body and include particular ritual s producing different results .

¥   Asana Yantras: These yantras are positioned under the asana (sitting place) during puja. They are said to bear their fruit more quickly than other yantras and therefore are generally placed under the foundations of homes and temple s sometimes even under the worshipped deity of the home or temple, to bring the favourable results in a fairly short span of time.

¥   Mandala Yantras: These yantras are created using nine people to participate in the puja. They arrange their sitting places in the form of the yantra. One participant sits in the centre, another to the north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south west, west and one north-west. The aspirant in the centre position offers the puja of the " Ishat" mantra and the eight others also chant individual specific mantras at the same time.

¥   Puja Yantras: These yantras are installed, whether in temples or individuals' homes, while puja is taking place. There are different yantras to serve Various desires. They may be for different religious deity worship, or for the different planets in our solar system. The worship and installation of these yantras is of five basic steps:

1)    Before the performance of the puja, the yantras are installed as icons, or worshipable deities. The yantras are drawn numerically and while offering the puja, the names of the respective "devas" (according to the numbers) are chanted throughout the mantras.

2)    In the centre of the yantra is written the name of the particular deva being worshipped, then the puja is performed.

3)    Either the first word of the mantra, the bija mantra, or the full mantra is written whilst preparing the yantra itself.

4)    A carving, painting, or photograph of the deva and worshipable deity is attached to the yantra before beginning the puja.

1.    3) Full-colour pictures of deva or worshipable deity are applied to the yantra.

¥   Chatar Yantras: These yantras are not placed upon the body, but kept in the pocket, or under a turban (or hat).

¥   Darshan Yantras: These yantras are generally found in temples. ' Darshan' means to take advantage of the association with a deity or other representative form of God, or His devotee. It is said that if an aspirant sees them during the morning hours, they will be benefic in awarding success. These are greatly "purified' yantras and are installed in great historic temples such as the temple of "Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra" in Jagannath Puri (also called Puri).

For more articles about Mantras and Yantras please visit http://www.vedicworld.org/mantras . Persons interested in learning more about Mantras & Yantras should read "Mantras, Yantras & Fabulous Gems" by Howard Beckman, see http://www.vedicworld.org/books.html