Essay name: Devi Tantra, Mantra, Yantra (study)
Author:
Srider Basudevan Iyer
Affiliation: University of Mumbai / Sanskrit, University Department
This essay studies the history of Devi (the Goddess) in relation with worship using Tantra, Yantra and Mantra. The study explores the concept of the 'Female Principle' or Goddess, examining her role and significance in ancient Indian society.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
50 (of 55)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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chapter 1. Introduction 50 point known as Bindu, a crescent moon, triangle; or a complex
arrangement of intertwined pointed triangles enclosing within it a
Bindu, which is further enclosed by a circle enclosed by one or two
arrays of lotus petal formations. This is further enclosed by a rectangle
known as Bhupuram which may or may not be enclosed with gate
formations.
Yantra- synonyms and equivalents.
to
A yantra is referred by another term in tantra; it is referred to
as Caturasra. A Caturasra is a geometrical figure having a bindu
enclosed within a triangle. This is further surrounded by an eight
petalled lotus and enclosed by four gates. The four gates are on the
four principal directions and are guarded by four gatekeepers. The
gatekeepers are the Ga峁噀艣a, Vatuka, Kshetrap膩la and Yogini. On an
eight petalled lotus are the eight 艢akt墨s viz. Laksmi, Sarasvati, Rat墨,
Pr墨t墨, Kirt墨, Santi, Pusti and Tusti鹿05.
-105
2 Need of a yantra.
Yantra is a diagram of worship by which the mind becomes
fixed on its object 106. The worshipper imagines that the deity being
worshipped, for the time being, resides in the diagram. Thus diagrams
differ according to the form of the deities worshipped 107.
Banerji S.C; New Light On Tantra, P.3
105 106 ibid.
107 ibid, P. 637 glossary
