✦ Sri Yantra ✦
✦ Yantra-raja — the supreme tantric yantra ✦
✦ What is Sri Yantra? ✦
Sri Yantra — also called "Sri Chakra" or "Yantra-raja" (king of yantras) — is the supreme and most renowned yantra in Hindu Tantric tradition. It is the geometric form of Goddess Tripura Sundari (Lalita-Rajarajeshwari) and embodies her complete power.
Sri Yantra is composed of 9 interlocking triangles — 4 upward-pointing (Shiva) and 5 downward-pointing (Shakti). These 9 triangles intersect to produce 43 smaller triangles, representing the complete cosmic powers.
Adi Shankaracharya described Sri Yantra extensively in "Saundarya Lahari". Its worship grants all prosperity, liberation, knowledge, and power. Sri Yantra is worshipped together with Lalita Sahasranama, Saundarya Lahari, and Sri Vidya practices.
✦ Geometric Form ✦
Center: bindu (parabrahma) → 9 interlocking triangles (4 Shiva + 5 Shakti) → 43 sub-triangles → 8-petal lotus → 16-petal lotus → 3 surrounding circles → bhupura (square enclosure with 4 gates). Each layer is called an "avarana" — 9 avaranas total, hence "Navavarana Puja". The central bindu is the "Mahabindu" where Tripura Sundari resides.
✦ Presiding Deity ✦
Tripura Sundari (Lalita-Rajarajeshwari) — third of the Dasha Mahavidyas, and the supreme goddess of the Sri Vidya tradition. Consort of Shiva and the manifest cosmic power.
✦ Mantra ✦
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्रीमात्रे नमः
Om Aim Hreem Shreem Shrimatre Namah
Meaning: Salutations to Sri Lalita Tripura Sundari — goddess of knowledge, liberation, and prosperity.
Recommended count: 108 times
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं क ए ई ल ह्रीं ह स क ह ल ह्रीं स क ल ह्रीं — पञ्चदशी मन्त्र
Om Aim Hreem Shreem (Panchadashi) — Ka E Ee La Hreem · Ha Sa Ka Ha La Hreem · Sa Ka La Hreem
Meaning: The 15-syllabled Sri Vidya mantra — the core sadhana mantra of Sri Yantra. Initiation from a guru is required before chanting.
✦ Benefits & Blessings ✦
✦ Installation Rules ✦
Material
Gold (best), silver, sphatika (crystal), copper, or written on bhojpatra with ashtagandha. In modern times, mantra-energized Sri Chakra peetha is also widely used.
Direction
In the puja room, place facing east or northeast (ishana). Sadhak should face east or north.
Best Time
Friday, Purnima, Navratri, Lalita Jayanti (Magha Purnima), Akshay Tritiya, Diwali. Install during a shubh muhurat.