Golden Sri Yantra

Swarna Meru or the GOLDEN MOUNTAIN Some of these thoughts re from https://www.quora.com/What-is-your-experience-of-Shri-Vidya-Sadhana Sri.Chakram ( Two Dimensional-2-D) Mandala of Maha Meru and The Quest for the Optimal Configuration of the SriYantra Dr Uday Dokras The Shri Yantra shown in the three-dimensional projection called Mahāmeru Mount Meru also known as Sumeru, Sineru or Mahāmeru, is the sacred five-peaked mountain of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist cosmology and is considered to be the centre of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. Many famous Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu temples have been built as symbolic representations of this mountain. The "Sumeru Throne" xūmízuò style base is a common feature  of Chinese pagodas. The highest point (the finial bud) on the pyatthat, a Burmese-style multi-tiered roof, represents Mount Meru. Etymologically, the proper name of the mountain is Meru (Sanskrit: Meru), to which is added the approbatory prefix su-, resulting in the meaning "excellent Meru" or "wonderful Meru". Meru is also the name of the central bead in a mālā In other languages, Mount Meru is pronounced: Assamese: (Meru Pôrbôt) Bengali: (Meru Porbot) Burmese: ([mjɪ̰ɴ mò tàʊɰ̃]) Cebuano: Bukid Meru Chinese: 須彌山 (Xūmíshān) Gujarati: (Meru Parvat) Hindi: (Meru Parvat) Ilocano: Bantay Meru Japanese: 須弥山 (Shumisen) Javanese: (Semeru) Kannada: (Meru Parvata) Khmer: ភ្នំព្រះសុមេរុ (Phnom Preah Someru) or (Phnom Preah Somae) Korean: 수미산 (Sumisan) Malayalam: (Mahameru Parvatham) Odia: (“Meru Parbat”) Pāli: Sineru Tagalog: Bulkang Meru Tamil: (Maha Meru Malai) Telugu: (Meru Parvatam) Sinhala: මහා මේරු පර්වතය (Maha Meru Parvathaya) Tibetan: ཪི་རྒྱལ་པོ་རི་རབ་ Thai: เขาพระสุเมรุ (Khao phra sumen) Vietnamese: Núi Tu-di What Is Shri Yantra | Shri Chakra? The Shri Yantra is also known as Sri Chakra is a Yantra (Geometrical Design), that is an important part of tantric traditions. The Shri Chakra is of immense importance in the Shri Vidya school of Hinduism. The Shri Yantra is used for worship and as an aid to meditation. The vibrations created by the intricate design of the Shri Yantra are said to help in meditation. The Shri Yantra is made up of 9 interlocking triangles. 4 of these triangles have their apexes pointing upwards and base downwards, while 5 of the triangles have apexes pointing downwards and base pointed upwards. The 4 triangles that point upwards represent Shiva while the 5 that point downwards represent Shakti. The Sri Yantra is also referred to as Navayoni Chakra because of the nine triangles. The nine triangles of the Shri Yantra form an interlocking design that consists of 43 smaller triangles. At the centre of these interlocking triangles is the central point known as Bindu which represents the cosmic centre and the Sri Chakra itself represents the entire cosmos. At the central point is seated the divine Shakti, known as Tripura Sundari or Lalita Tripura Sundari. The overall structure of the Shri Yantra is made up of 9 levels. 9. At the innermost core level is the centre point or Bindu, as described above, this is known as Sarva Anandmaya. 8. The next outer level is a small triangle that has the Bindu at its centre and is known as Sarva Siddhiprada. 7. The next outer level is a ring formed by 8 triangles which are known as Sarva Rogahara. 6. A ring of 10 triangles can be seen at the next level and is known as Sarva Rakshakara. 5. Another ring of 10 triangles forms the next level known as Sarvarthasadhaka. 4. The next level is formed by the outermost ring formed by the triangles consisting of 14 triangles, this level is known as Sarva Saubhagyadayaka. 3. A lotus consisting of 8 petals forms the next layer and is known as Sarva Samkshobahana (the inner lotus). 2. The outer lotus with 16 petals forms the next layer and is known as Sarvasa Paripuraka. 1. The outer-most level is a square that frames the entire concentric structure with four square openings in the four cardinal directions. This level is known as Trailokya Mohana. It is interesting to note that the Sri Yantra is considered to be a representation of the Lalita Sahasranama. The Lalita Sahasranama is a hymn to the Goddess Lalita Devi, a manifestation of the Divine Mother (Shakti) and a part of the Brahmanda Purana. Just as in the Shri Yantra the progression is from the outer layers to the innermost centre (Bindu), the verses of the Lalita Sahasranama start with the grosser aspects of the Goddess and then progress to the subtler aspects of Kundalini and culminate in the unity of Shiva and Shakti represented by Lalithambika. The dimensions attributed to Mount Meru The dimensions attributed to Mount Meru — which all refer to it as a part of the Cosmic Ocean, along with several other statements that describe it in geographically vague terms (e.g., "the Sun along with all the planets circle the mountain") — make the determination of its location most difficult, according to most scholars. Several researchers identify Mount Meru or Sumeru with the Pamirs, northwest of Kashmir. The Suryasiddhanta mentions that Mt. Meru lies at the centre the Earth ("bhuva-madhya") in the land of the Jambunad (Jambudvīpa). Narapatijayacharyasvarodaya,[14] a ninth-century text, based on mostly unpublished texts of Yāmal Tantr, mentions: "Sumeruḥ Prithvī-madhye shrūyate drishyate na tu" (Sumeru is heard to be at the centre of the Earth, but is not seen there).[15] Several versions of cosmology can be found in existing Hindu texts. In one of them, cosmologically, the Meru mountain was also described as being surrounded by Mandrachala Mountain to the east, Suparshva Mountain to the west, Kumuda Mountain to the north and Kailasa to the south. Buddhist cosmology and Mount Meru (Buddhism) Yuan dynasty 1271–1368) Chinese mandala depicting Mount Meru as an inverted pyramid topped by a lotus// mural depicting Mt. Meru, in Wat Sakhet,  Bangkok, Thailand. According to Buddhist cosmology, Mount Meru (or Sumeru) is at the centre of the world  and Jambūdvīpa is south of it. It is 80,000 yojanas wide and 80,000 yojanas high according to the Abhidharmakośabhāṣyam  and 84,000 yojanas high according to the Long Āgama Sutra  Trāyastriṃśa is on its peak, where Śakra resides. The Sun and the Moon revolve around Mount Meru, and as the Sun passes behind it, it becomes nighttime. The mountain has four faces — each one made of a different material; the northern face is made of gold, the eastern one is made of crystal, the southern one is made of lapis lazuli, and the western one is made of ruby.[ In Vajrayāna, maṇḍala offerings often include Mount Meru, as they in part represent the entire universe. It is also believed that Mount Meru is the home of the buddha Cakrasaṃvara  The cosmic tortoise, and Mount Meru Mount Meru of Hindu traditions is described as 84,000 yojanas high, about 1,082,000 km (672,000 mi), which would be 85 times the Earth's diameter. The Sun, along with all the planets in the Solar System, revolve around Mt. Meru as one unit. One yojana can be taken to mean about 11.5 km (9 miles), though its magnitude seems to differ over time periods — e.g., the Earth's circumference is 3,200 yojanas according to Varahamihira and slightly less so in the Aryabhatiya, but is said to be 5,026.5 yojanas in the Suryasiddhānta. The Matsya Purana and the Bhagvata Purana, along with some other Hindu texts, consistently give the height of 84,000 yojanas to Mount Meru, which translates into 672,000 miles or 1,082,000 kilometers. Mount Meru was said to be the residence of King Padamja Brahma in antiquity. Mount Kailash is identified with Mount Meru. One description in the Vishnu Purana of the mountain states that its four faces are made of crystal, ruby, gold, and lapis lazuli. It is a pillar of the world and is located at the heart of six mountain ranges symbolizing a lotus. Painting of Mount Meru from Jain cosmology from the Samghayanarayana According to Jain cosmology, Mount Meru (or Sumeru) is at the centre of the world surrounded by Jambūdvīpa, in form of a circle forming a diameter of 100,000 yojans.  There are two sets of sun, moon and stars revolving around Mount Meru; while one set works, the other set rests behind Mount Meru. Every Tirthankara is taken to the summit of Meru by Indra shortly after his birth, after putting the Tirthankara child's mother into deep slumber. There, he is bathed and anointed with precious unctions.  Indra and other Devas celebrate his birth. Javanese legands This mythical mountain of gods was mentioned in the Tantu Pagelaran, an Old Javanese manuscript written in the 15th-century Majapahit period. The manuscript describes the mythical origin of the island of Java, as well as the legendary movement of portions of Mount Meru to Java. The manuscript explains that Batara Guru (Shiva) ordered the gods Brahma and Vishnu to fill Java with human beings. However, at that time, Java island was floating freely on the ocean, always tumbling and shaking. To stop the island's movement, the gods decided to nail it to the Earth by moving the part of Mahameru in Jambudvipa (India) and attaching it to Java.  The resulting mountain is Mount Semeru, the tallest mountain on Java. The concept of a holy mountain surrounded by various circles was incorporated into ancient Hindu temple architecture with a Shikhara (Śikhara) — a Sanskrit word translating literally to "mountain peak." Early examples of this style can be found at the Harshat Mata Temple and Harshnath Temple from the 8th century CE in Rajasthan, Western India. This concept also continued outside India, such as in Bali, where temples feature Meru towers. In Buddhist temples, the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya is the earliest example of the 5th- to 6th-century depiction. Many other Buddhist temples took on this form, such as the Wat Arun in Thailand and the Hsinbyume Pagoda in Myanmar. ANGKOR as a Mount Meru Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument on the planet. Angkor Wat is spread across over 400 acres / 1.6 km², and is said to be the largest religious monument in the world. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, which encouraged an international effort to save the complex. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleried temple. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. ... The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture.What makes Angkor Wat special?: Though just one of hundreds of surviving temples and structures, the massive Angkor Wat is the most famed of all Cambodia's temples—it appears on the nation's flag—and it is revered for good reason. The 12th century “temple-mountain” was built as a spiritual home for the Hindu god Vishnu. The five central towers of Angkor Wat, before a Hindu and later a Buddhist temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia, symbolize the peaks of Mount Meru. What does the Angkor Wat temple represent? All of the original religious motifs derived from Hinduism, and the temple was dedicated to the gods Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. The five central towers of Angkor Wat symbolize the peaks of Mount Meru, which according to Hindu mythology is the dwelling place of the gods. King Suryavarman II Angkor Wat is an architectural masterpiece and the largest religious monument in the world – covering an area four times the size of Vatican City. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century, around the year 1110-1150, making Angkor Wat almost 900 years old. 50 Angkor Temples Angkor Wat is the most famous of more than 50 Angkor Temples within the Angkor Archaeological Park and Siem Reap Province. The area is over 400 square kilometres (155 square miles) of hot and humid jungle.It fulfills the criterion of both a temple mountain and is like a Jain temple city. Sprawling structures forming the shape of a giant spiral and an ensemble of buried towers have been dug up from the grounds of Angkor Wat, spurring new mysteries about the ancient temple. It was once believed that the Cambodian temple was surrounded sacred precincts, or 'temple cities. ' Why is Angkor Wat important to Hinduism? All of the original religious motifs derived from Hinduism, and the temple was dedicated to the gods Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. The five central towers of Angkor Wat symbolize the peaks of Mount Meru, which according to Hindu mythology is the dwelling place of the gods. Angkor Wat occupies a rectangular area of about 208 hectares (500 acres) defined by a laetrile wall. The first evidence of the site is a moat with a long sandstone causeway (length 250 meters, 820 feet; width 12 meters, 39 feet) crossing it and serving as the main access to the monument. Area of about 500 acres Built between roughly A.D. 1113 and 1150, and encompassing an area of about 500 acres (200 hectares), Angkor Wat is one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed. Is Angkor Wat bigger than the pyramids? Angkor Wat is the biggest religious complex on the planet. The complex's main temple, Angkor Wat puts Vatican City to shame (sorry Pope Francis) – it's four times the size! Plus, the entire city of Angkor used more stone than all the Egyptian pyramids combined, and took over an area larger than modern-day Paris. Angkor Wat  'temple city / city of temples', located in northwest Cambodia, is the largest religious structure in the form of a temple complex in the world by land area measuring 162.6 hectares (401+3⁄4 acres). At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of four towers surrounding a central spire that rises to a height of 65 m (213 ft) above the ground. The temple has three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. It lies within an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2+1⁄4 miles) long and a moat more than five kilometres (three miles) long. Outer enclosure A view of the gates and west wall of the outer enclosure of Angkor Wat from across the moat/ The Northern library//Ta Reach Statue at Angkor Wat, an Eight-Armed Vishnu. The outer wall, 1,024 m (3,360 ft) by 802 m (2,631 ft) and 4.5 m (15 ft) high, is surrounded by a 30 m (98 ft) apron of open ground and a moat 190 m (620 ft) wide and over 5 kilometres (3 mi) in perimeter. The moat extends 1.5 kilometres from east to west and 1.3 kilometres from north to south. Access to the temple is by an earth bank to the east and a sandstone causeway to the west; the latter, the main entrance, is a later addition, possibly replacing a wooden bridge. There are gopuras at each of the cardinal points; the western is by far the largest and has three ruined towers. Glaize notes that this gopura both hides and echoes the form of the temple proper. The outer wall encloses a space of 820,000 square metres (203 acres), which besides the temple proper was originally occupied by the city and, to the north of the temple, the royal palace. Like all secular buildings of Angkor, these were built of perishable materials rather than of stone, so nothing remains of them except the outlines of some of the streets. Most of the area is now covered by forest. A 350 m (1,150 ft) causeway connects the western gopura to the temple proper, with naga balustrades and six sets of steps leading down to the city on either side. Each side also features a library with entrances at each cardinal point, in front of the third set of stairs from the entrance, and a pond between the library and the temple itself. The ponds are later additions to the design, as is the cruciform terrace guarded by lions connecting the causeway to the central structure. Beyond, the second and inner galleries are connected to each other and to two flanking libraries by another cruciform terrace, again a later addition. From the second level upwards, devatas abound on the walls, singly or in groups of up to four. The second-level enclosure is 100 m (330 ft) by 115 m (377 ft), and may originally have been flooded to represent the ocean around Mount Meru. Three sets of steps on each side lead up to the corner towers and gopuras of the inner gallery. The very steep stairways represent the difficulty of ascending to the kingdom of the gods. This inner gallery, called the Bakan, is a 60 m (200 ft) square with axial galleries connecting each gopura with the central shrine, and subsidiary shrines located below the corner towers. The roofings of the galleries are decorated with the motif of the body of a snake ending in the heads of lions or garudas. Carved lintels and pediments decorate the entrances to the galleries and to the shrines. The tower above the central shrine rises 43 m (141 ft) to a height of 65 m (213 ft) above the ground; unlike those of previous temple mountains, the central tower is raised above the surrounding four. The shrine itself, originally occupied by a statue of Vishnu and open on each side, was walled in when the temple was converted to Theravada Buddhism, the new walls featuring standing Buddhas. The monument was made out of five to ten million sandstone blocks with a maximum weight of 1.5 tons each. The entire city of Angkor used far greater amounts of stone than all the Egyptian pyramids combined, and occupied an area significantly greater than modern-day Paris. Moreover, unlike the Egyptian pyramids which use limestone quarried barely 0.5 km (1⁄4 mi) away all the time, the entire city of Angkor was built with sandstone quarried 40 km (25 mi) (or more) away. This sandstone had to be transported from Mount Kulen, a quarry approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) northeast. The route has been suggested to span 35 kilometres (22 mi) along a canal towards Tonlé Sap lake, another 35 kilometres (22 mi) crossing the lake, and finally 15 kilometres (9 mi) against the current along Siem Reap River, making a total journey of 90 kilometres (55 mi). However, Etsuo Uchida and Ichita Shimoda of Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan have discovered in 2011 a shorter 35-kilometre (22 mi) canal connecting Mount Kulen and Angkor Wat using satellite imagery. The two believe that the Khmer used this route instead. Devata Sculpture on Wall at Angkor Wat Virtually all of its surfaces, columns, lintels, and even roofs are carved. There are kilometres of reliefs illustrating scenes from Indian literature including unicorns, griffins, winged dragons pulling chariots as well as warriors following an elephant-mounted leader and celestial dancing girls with elaborate hairstyles. The gallery wall alone is decorated with almost 1,000 m2 (11,000 sq ft) of bas reliefs. Holes on some of the Angkor walls indicate that they may have been decorated with bronze sheets. These were highly prized in ancient times and were a prime target for robbers.   Bottom of Form Sri Yantra: Meaning, Symbolism, and Benefits The ancient yogic symbol of the Sri Yantra has captivated scholars and seekers of spiritual growth and enlightenment for centuries. Its intricate geometric design, composed of interlocking triangles and circles, holds deep meaning and powerful symbolism. Beyond its mesmerizing beauty, the Sri Yantra encompasses a wealth of spiritual wisdom and offers profound benefits to those who seek its guidance. Whether you choose to visualize it in your yoga practice, incorporate it into your altar, or meditate upon its intricate patterns, discover how the Sri Yantra can restore harmony and balance within, fostering a sense of peace and serenity amidst life’s chaos and confusion. What is the Sri Yantra? The Sri Yantra—also known as Shri Yantra, Sri Chakra, or Shree Yantra—is a sacred geometric symbol that originating from the Vedic traditions of India and has been used for centuries in the spiritual traditions of yoga, Hinduism and Buddhism. “Sri” translates to “radiant,” “splendid,” or “prosperity,” while “Yantra” means “mystical instrument or diagram.” Thus, the Sri Yantra can be understood as a powerful tool for attracting abundance and spiritual energy into one’s life. It is also considered the visual representation of the sacred sound OM—a bija mantra or seed syllable that symbolizes the cosmic resonance of the universe. This mystical diagram is composed of nine interlocking triangles, with four pointing upwards representing the masculine energy and five pointing downwards, representing the feminine energy. This balance of masculine and feminine energies is believed to bring harmony and balance into one’s life. The Shri Yantra is also known as a symbol of abundance and prosperity, with each triangle representing a different aspect of the universe and its limitless potential. Considered the mother of all yantras, it is the most known and popular of all the known yantras because of its intricate design and profound symbolism. This yantra also has a three-dimensional representation called the Sri Meru or Mount Meru Yantra, which is considered even more potent and effective in manifesting abundance and worldly desires. History of the Sri Yantra The Sri Yantra is believed to have originated from the Vedic tradition and was used in various spiritual practices and rituals in ancient India. However, its popularity and significance grew significantly during the Tantric era in India, where it became a central symbol in Tantra yoga, meditation and worship. Over the years, its use spread to other parts of the world, including Tibet, Nepal, and Thailand, where it is still widely used in spiritual practices. Today, Sri Yantras have become a popular icon of sacred geometry and they are still revered as powerful symbols of spiritual and cosmic energy. Symbolism of Sri Yantra geometric forms The Sri Yantra is a complex geometric diagram made up of nine interlocking triangles, with four pointing upward and five pointing downward. The symbol is believed to represent the Cosmic powers of the goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari, also known as the Divine Mother. The precise measurements and placement of the triangles, lines, and other geometric elements within the Sri Yantra hold significant meaning and symbolism. Outer Square and gates The outermost square of the Sri Yantra represents the physical world, while the inner triangle symbolizes the spiritual realm. This outer square also has four gates, each with its own significance. The eastern gate represents the beginning of life and new opportunities, the southern gate represents material abundance and success, the western gate represents transformation and change, and the northern gate represents spiritual knowledge and enlightenment. Together, these gates symbolize the various aspects of life and the journey towards enlightenment. The gates also serve as a reminder to balance and integrate the physical and spiritual aspects of our being in order to achieve overall harmony and fulfillment. Three Concentric Circles The Sri Yantra includes three concentric circles, representing the three levels of existence—physical, mental, and spiritual—and the three states of time; past, present, and future. The outer circle symbolizes the physical body, the middle circle represents the mind, and the innermost circle represents the soul. These circles serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all aspects of our being and the importance of nurturing and balancing each one for overall well-being. By focusing on the three concentric circles, one can gain a deeper understanding of the self and achieve a state of inner peace and clarity. Lotus Petals The lotus flower is a powerful symbol in many Eastern cultures, representing purity, enlightenment, and spiritual growth. The lotus petals that surround the triangles symbolize purity and divine beauty. Just as the lotus flower emerges from muddy waters to bloom in all its glory, the petals represent the journey of the soul towards enlightenment. The unfolding of the lotus petals signifies the gradual awakening and expansion of consciousness as one progresses on the spiritual path. In the Sri Yantra, there are 24 lotus petals arranged in two concentric circles. The outer circle consists of 16 petals, which signify the lotus of creation and the fulfillment of all hopes, desires and aspirations. They also symbolize the ten organs of perception ( the tongue, nose, mouth, skin, eyes, ears, feet, hands, arms, and reproductive organs), the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space) and the mind. The inner circle contains an eight-petal lotus symbolizing the process of spiritual awakening. Each petal also represents a governing function of the body (speech, grasping, motion, excretion, enjoyment, revulsion, attraction, and equanimity). Circuits of Triangles Shri Yantras are made up of nine interlocked triangles, representing the cosmic forces and energies at play in the universe. There are five downward-pointing triangles, which symbolize the water element and the divine feminine energy, known as Devi or Shakti. These triangles converge with four upward-pointing triangles, representing the fire element and the masculine energy, or Shiva,. This convergence encompassing the central triangle creates a total of 43 triangles, forming a mesmerizing star tetrahedron. It is believed that from the five downward triangles emerges the power of creation itself, while the four upward triangles hold the essence of dissolution. The union of these polar cosmic energies ignites a powerful transformative energy in the body, mind, and spirit. Central Dot: Bindu The Central Dot or Bindu is believed to represent the origin of the universe, the source of all creation, and the ultimate reality or consciousness. It is often described as the point of manifestation where all the energies and forces of the universe converge and emerge. Meditating on this dot is said to help one connect with their innermost self, infinite bliss, and universal consciousness. How to practice Sri Yantra Meditation To begin practicing Sri Yantra meditation, find a quiet and peaceful space where you can sit comfortably. Place a physical Sri Yantra in front of you where you can easily gaze at its design. You may choose to light a candle or incense to create a sacred atmosphere. Close your eyes and take a few deep yogic breaths to center yourself. Let go of any tension or distractions. Gently open your eyes and focus your attention on the Sri Yantra in front of you, allowing its intricate patterns and geometry to captivate your mind. Slowly bring your gaze on the central dot or bindu. Keep your breath slow and deep as your attention remains centered on the bindu. If your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to the image without judgement or criticism. Next, close your eyes and visualize the Sri Yantra in your mind’s eye. See its intricate geometric patterns and vibrant colors. Allow yourself to feel a deep connection to its sacred energy. To enhance your Sri Yantra meditation practice, you can also chant or repeat a mantra associated with the Sri Yantra, such as the seed sound “Om” or the mantra “Om Sri hreem Sreem Kamale Kamalalye Prasida Prasida Sreem Leem Shri Om Mahalakshmaye Namah.” To end the meditation, slowly close your eyes and take a few more deep breaths. Allow yourself to absorb the divine energy and symbolism of the Sri Yantra. Reflect on any insights, feelings, or sensations that arose during the meditation. Benefits of using a Sri Yantra By meditating on the intricate patterns and shapes, one can unlock a multitude of benefits associated with Sri Yantras. This sacred geometric symbol is believed to bring about spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. Here are the main benefits of incorporating it into your spiritual practices: Enhances spiritual growth and harmony Through meditation and contemplation on the Sri Yantra, individuals can tap into their inner consciousness and experience a deep sense of inner peace and harmony. This sacred geometric symbol represents the unity of the cosmos and can help align our thoughts, emotions, and actions with our higher self. By regularly using the Sri Yantra, one can experience an enhanced sense of spiritual growth and a deeper connection to their inner being. Displaying it in your meditation space or yoga room creates a sacred, serene, and peaceful environment to support a focused and calm mind during spiritual practices. Promotes positive flow of energy The intricate design and sacred geometry of the Sri Yantra, is believed to enhance the flow of positive energy and remove any blockages or negative energies. The interlocking triangles bring balance and harmony to the body, mind, and heart and encourage the seven chakras to align and function optimally. This alignment allows for increased vitality, clarity, and overall well-being. This powerful symbol also serves as a reminder to focus on the present moment and let go of any negative thoughts or emotions that pull you away from attaining a unitive state of mind. Aids in manifestation and abundance By focusing on the Sri Yantra and its intricate geometric patterns, individuals can tap into their inner power and harness the cosmic energy of the universe to attract abundance and prosperity. This powerful symbol can help individuals align their thoughts, emotions, and actions towards their desired goals, ultimately bringing them into fruition. Additionally, the Sri Yantra can aid in removing any blockages, obstacles in life, or limiting beliefs that may be hindering one’s ability to manifest their desires or align with the cosmic forces of abundance, wealth, and success. It serves as a constant reminder to stay positive, focused, and open to receiving abundance in all aspects of life. By meditating or simply keeping a Sri Yantra in one’s living or workspace, individuals can tap into this powerful energy and attract positive financial opportunities. Deepens meditation and mindfulness The intricate geometric patterns of the Sri Yantra provide a visual aid for focusing the mind and entering a meditative state. As one gazes upon the symmetrical shapes and lines, the mind becomes calm and focused, allowing individuals to detach from external distractions and connect with their inner selves. As individuals practice meditation with the Sri Yantra, they develop a heightened sense of awareness and attunement to their inner world and mind body connection. This increased mindfulness can have a profound impact on daily life, leading to reduced stress and anxiety, improved concentration and clarity, and enhanced overall well-being. Balances and harmonizes relationships The intersecting triangles within the Sri Yantra represent the union of the divine masculine and feminine energies, symbolizing the harmony and balance in relationships. Individuals can experience improved communication, understanding, and a deeper connection with their partners or loved ones by meditating or focusing on this sacred form. It helps to dissolve conflicts and promotes a sense of unity, compassion, and love in relationships. How to draw a Shri Yantra The geometry of the Sri Yantra is a complex and intricate design, but with patience and focus, anyone can learn to draw it using some of the basic materials of paper, pen or pencil, a ruler, and a compass. There are several techniques on how to approach creating this design that are best explained with video. Even if you are not interested in learning how to draw the Sri Yantra, seeing someone draw it is fascinating and mesmerizing to watch. Where to purchase a Shri Yantra When buying a Sri Yantra, it is important to ensure that you are getting an authentic and high-quality product. When choosing a Sri Yantra, pay attention to the material it is made from, the craftsmanship, and the reputation of the seller. Traditionally, Sri Yantras are made from copper, brass, or crystal. Each material carries its own energetic properties, so choose the one that resonates with you the most. One option to purchase a Sri Yantra is to check out local spiritual and metaphysical stores. These stores often have a limited range of Sri Yantras to choose from, but you will be able to see the item in person. You will find a much wider selection of different sizes and materials by shopping on online sellers like eBay, Etsy or Amazon. For example, on Amazon.com you can find yantras made of copper, wood, crystal in multiple shapes and sizes. The Sri Yantra is a powerful symbol that invites you to explore the depths of your being and align with the cosmic forces of abundance, harmony, and enlightenment. Whether you are drawn to its spiritual significance or simply appreciate its aesthetic beauty, the Sri Yantra is a powerful symbol that has stood the test of time. Embrace its timeless wisdom, incorporate it into your spiritual practices, and let its profound symbolism guide you on your journey of self-discovery and transformation You listen to a highly motivational speaker and you start feeling highly energised and motivated. You listen to some good music and suddenly your mood is boosted. You meet a friend who is extremely energetic and you also start feeling lively after that. Does any of this happen to you? Well, most likely, the answer is yes. This is because there is energy which flows between human beings and the objects around us – this energy has a lot of influence on our mood, lives, and feelings. Positive energy makes you feel enthusiastic and spirited, whereas; negative energy might make you feel depressed and drained. People worldwide, therefore, specifically add positive elements around them. These energised and charged elements, such as Shree Yantra, release positive energies and create an overall energised atmosphere.  In the previous articles, we have seen how Shree Yantra can positively affect the energy chakras of our body and help us in bringing happiness and positivity in our lives. During our conversations with our customers, we came to know that sometimes, people want a smaller version of the Shree Yantra to carry with them when they travel. Sometimes, they want add a spiritual touch to their house décor. For such requirements, we launched Swarna 2D Shree Yantra which is also known as Bhu-pristha Shree Yantra or the Shree Chakra. We have been receiving a lot of questions about 2D Yantra and we will try to answer those questions through this blog – What is the difference between 2D and 3D Shree Yantra? The 3D Shree Yantra, also called as Maha meru, is the 3 dimensional projection of the powerful Shree Yantra. The 2D Yantra is a flat, two-dimensional and linear form of the Yantra. Is 2D Yantra effective? Because of its geometry and the form, the 3D Yantra is much more powerful than the 2D Yantra. It has the capability to receive, store, and process much more positive energy than the 2D Yantra. The pyramid (Meru) structure of a 3D Yantra helps in achieving better and faster results. Therefore, while 3D Shree Yantra will make you feel more energised and more positive, we recommend you use the 2D Shree Yantra as an add-on to the 3D Yantra to get the maximum benefits. What is the metallurgy used in 2D Yantra? The Swarna 2D Yantra uses 24 Carat Gold Layer, Silver, Copper, Zinc and Nickel. These are the only metals which are allowed in shastras for the creation of Shree Yantra. You can know more about importance of the use of right metallurgy in Shree Yantra, here. Is Swarna 2D Yantra of the same quality as of the 3D Yantra? Yes, the Swarna 2D Yantra is of the finest quality. It uses only the positive metals and has the perfect geometry as described in the shastras. We have used the world’s latest technology of making prominent Art by embossing without mould for producing the 2D Yantra and Art.  When should I go for 2D Yantra? You can go for 2D Shree Yantra in various scenarios such as – If you are travelling and want to keep a positive element with you, then you can go for 2D Yantra If you want to keep a small positive element at your workstation, you can go with 2D Yantra. You can use the 2D Shree Yantra Arts for decorating the walls of your home or office. You can also wear 2D Yantra as a pendant around your neck. The 2D Yantra and Arts also make excellent gift items for weddings and festivals.  How do I worship the 2D Yantra? It is important to have pure emotions for worshiping Shree Yantra. We highly recommend that you use Natural Sindoor for the worship of Shree Yantra. We have described the worship method of maha maru in detail in our earlier blog post. The 2D Yantra and Arts are usually used for carrying on-the-go, decorating the walls, or gifting. If you wish you worship the Yantra daily, we would recommend you go with the 3D Yantra. Mandala of Maha Meru and The Quest for the Optimal Configuration of the SriYantra Dr Uday Dokras The Shri Yantra shown in the three-dimensional projection called Mahāmeru Mount Meru also known as Sumeru, Sineru or Mahāmeru, is the sacred five-peaked mountain of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist cosmology and is considered to be the centre of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. Many famous Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu temples have been built as symbolic representations of this mountain. The "Sumeru Throne" xūmízuò style base is a common feature  of Chinese pagodas. The highest point (the finial bud) on the pyatthat, a Burmese-style multi-tiered roof, represents Mount Meru. Etymologically, the proper name of the mountain is Meru (Sanskrit: Meru), to which is added the approbatory prefix su-, resulting in the meaning "excellent Meru" or "wonderful Meru". Meru is also the name of the central bead in a mālā In other languages, Mount Meru is pronounced: Assamese: (Meru Pôrbôt) Bengali: (Meru Porbot) Burmese: ([mjɪ̰ɴ mò tàʊɰ̃]) Cebuano: Bukid Meru Chinese: 須彌山 (Xūmíshān) Gujarati: (Meru Parvat) Hindi: (Meru Parvat) Ilocano: Bantay Meru Japanese: 須弥山 (Shumisen) Javanese: (Semeru) Kannada: (Meru Parvata) Khmer: ភ្នំព្រះសុមេរុ (Phnom Preah Someru) or (Phnom Preah Somae) Korean: 수미산 (Sumisan) Malayalam: (Mahameru Parvatham) Odia: (“Meru Parbat”) Pāli: Sineru Tagalog: Bulkang Meru Tamil: (Maha Meru Malai) Telugu: (Meru Parvatam) Sinhala: මහා මේරු පර්වතය (Maha Meru Parvathaya) Tibetan: ཪི་རྒྱལ་པོ་རི་རབ་ Thai: เขาพระสุเมรุ (Khao phra sumen) Vietnamese: Núi Tu-di What Is Shri Yantra | Shri Chakra? The Shri Yantra is also known as Sri Chakra is a Yantra (Geometrical Design), that is an important part of tantric traditions. The Shri Chakra is of immense importance in the Shri Vidya school of Hinduism. The Shri Yantra is used for worship and as an aid to meditation. The vibrations created by the intricate design of the Shri Yantra are said to help in meditation. The Shri Yantra is made up of 9 interlocking triangles. 4 of these triangles have their apexes pointing upwards and base downwards, while 5 of the triangles have apexes pointing downwards and base pointed upwards. The 4 triangles that point upwards represent Shiva while the 5 that point downwards represent Shakti. The Sri Yantra is also referred to as Navayoni Chakra because of the nine triangles. The nine triangles of the Shri Yantra form an interlocking design that consists of 43 smaller triangles. At the centre of these interlocking triangles is the central point known as Bindu which represents the cosmic centre and the Sri Chakra itself represents the entire cosmos. At the central point is seated the divine Shakti, known as Tripura Sundari or Lalita Tripura Sundari. The overall structure of the Shri Yantra is made up of 9 levels. 9. At the innermost core level is the centre point or Bindu, as described above, this is known as Sarva Anandmaya. 8. The next outer level is a small triangle that has the Bindu at its centre and is known as Sarva Siddhiprada. 7. The next outer level is a ring formed by 8 triangles which are known as Sarva Rogahara. 6. A ring of 10 triangles can be seen at the next level and is known as Sarva Rakshakara. 5. Another ring of 10 triangles forms the next level known as Sarvarthasadhaka. 4. The next level is formed by the outermost ring formed by the triangles consisting of 14 triangles, this level is known as Sarva Saubhagyadayaka. 3. A lotus consisting of 8 petals forms the next layer and is known as Sarva Samkshobahana (the inner lotus). 2. The outer lotus with 16 petals forms the next layer and is known as Sarvasa Paripuraka. 1. The outer-most level is a square that frames the entire concentric structure with four square openings in the four cardinal directions. This level is known as Trailokya Mohana. It is interesting to note that the Sri Yantra is considered to be a representation of the Lalita Sahasranama. The Lalita Sahasranama is a hymn to the Goddess Lalita Devi, a manifestation of the Divine Mother (Shakti) and a part of the Brahmanda Purana. Just as in the Shri Yantra the progression is from the outer layers to the innermost centre (Bindu), the verses of the Lalita Sahasranama start with the grosser aspects of the Goddess and then progress to the subtler aspects of Kundalini and culminate in the unity of Shiva and Shakti represented by Lalithambika. The dimensions attributed to Mount Meru The dimensions attributed to Mount Meru — which all refer to it as a part of the Cosmic Ocean, along with several other statements that describe it in geographically vague terms (e.g., "the Sun along with all the planets circle the mountain") — make the determination of its location most difficult, according to most scholars. Several researchers identify Mount Meru or Sumeru with the Pamirs, northwest of Kashmir. The Suryasiddhanta mentions that Mt. Meru lies at the centre the Earth ("bhuva-madhya") in the land of the Jambunad (Jambudvīpa). Narapatijayacharyasvarodaya,[14] a ninth-century text, based on mostly unpublished texts of Yāmal Tantr, mentions: "Sumeruḥ Prithvī-madhye shrūyate drishyate na tu" (Sumeru is heard to be at the centre of the Earth, but is not seen there).[15] Several versions of cosmology can be found in existing Hindu texts. In one of them, cosmologically, the Meru mountain was also described as being surrounded by Mandrachala Mountain to the east, Suparshva Mountain to the west, Kumuda Mountain to the north and Kailasa to the south. Buddhist cosmology and Mount Meru (Buddhism) Yuan dynasty 1271–1368) Chinese mandala depicting Mount Meru as an inverted pyramid topped by a lotus// mural depicting Mt. Meru, in Wat Sakhet,  Bangkok, Thailand. According to Buddhist cosmology, Mount Meru (or Sumeru) is at the centre of the world  and Jambūdvīpa is south of it. It is 80,000 yojanas wide and 80,000 yojanas high according to the Abhidharmakośabhāṣyam  and 84,000 yojanas high according to the Long Āgama Sutra  Trāyastriṃśa is on its peak, where Śakra resides. The Sun and the Moon revolve around Mount Meru, and as the Sun passes behind it, it becomes nighttime. The mountain has four faces — each one made of a different material; the northern face is made of gold, the eastern one is made of crystal, the southern one is made of lapis lazuli, and the western one is made of ruby.[ In Vajrayāna, maṇḍala offerings often include Mount Meru, as they in part represent the entire universe. It is also believed that Mount Meru is the home of the buddha Cakrasaṃvara  The cosmic tortoise, and Mount Meru Mount Meru of Hindu traditions is described as 84,000 yojanas high, about 1,082,000 km (672,000 mi), which would be 85 times the Earth's diameter. The Sun, along with all the planets in the Solar System, revolve around Mt. Meru as one unit. One yojana can be taken to mean about 11.5 km (9 miles), though its magnitude seems to differ over time periods — e.g., the Earth's circumference is 3,200 yojanas according to Varahamihira and slightly less so in the Aryabhatiya, but is said to be 5,026.5 yojanas in the Suryasiddhānta. The Matsya Purana and the Bhagvata Purana, along with some other Hindu texts, consistently give the height of 84,000 yojanas to Mount Meru, which translates into 672,000 miles or 1,082,000 kilometers. Mount Meru was said to be the residence of King Padamja Brahma in antiquity. Mount Kailash is identified with Mount Meru. One description in the Vishnu Purana of the mountain states that its four faces are made of crystal, ruby, gold, and lapis lazuli. It is a pillar of the world and is located at the heart of six mountain ranges symbolizing a lotus. Painting of Mount Meru from Jain cosmology from the Samghayanarayana According to Jain cosmology, Mount Meru (or Sumeru) is at the centre of the world surrounded by Jambūdvīpa, in form of a circle forming a diameter of 100,000 yojans.  There are two sets of sun, moon and stars revolving around Mount Meru; while one set works, the other set rests behind Mount Meru. Every Tirthankara is taken to the summit of Meru by Indra shortly after his birth, after putting the Tirthankara child's mother into deep slumber. There, he is bathed and anointed with precious unctions.  Indra and other Devas celebrate his birth. Javanese legands This mythical mountain of gods was mentioned in the Tantu Pagelaran, an Old Javanese manuscript written in the 15th-century Majapahit period. The manuscript describes the mythical origin of the island of Java, as well as the legendary movement of portions of Mount Meru to Java. The manuscript explains that Batara Guru (Shiva) ordered the gods Brahma and Vishnu to fill Java with human beings. However, at that time, Java island was floating freely on the ocean, always tumbling and shaking. To stop the island's movement, the gods decided to nail it to the Earth by moving the part of Mahameru in Jambudvipa (India) and attaching it to Java.  The resulting mountain is Mount Semeru, the tallest mountain on Java. The concept of a holy mountain surrounded by various circles was incorporated into ancient Hindu temple architecture with a Shikhara (Śikhara) — a Sanskrit word translating literally to "mountain peak." Early examples of this style can be found at the Harshat Mata Temple and Harshnath Temple from the 8th century CE in Rajasthan, Western India. This concept also continued outside India, such as in Bali, where temples feature Meru towers. In Buddhist temples, the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya is the earliest example of the 5th- to 6th-century depiction. Many other Buddhist temples took on this form, such as the Wat Arun in Thailand and the Hsinbyume Pagoda in Myanmar. ANGKOR as a Mount Meru Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument on the planet. Angkor Wat is spread across over 400 acres / 1.6 km², and is said to be the largest religious monument in the world. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, which encouraged an international effort to save the complex. Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple-mountain and the later galleried temple. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, home of the devas in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. ... The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture.What makes Angkor Wat special?: Though just one of hundreds of surviving temples and structures, the massive Angkor Wat is the most famed of all Cambodia's temples—it appears on the nation's flag—and it is revered for good reason. The 12th century “temple-mountain” was built as a spiritual home for the Hindu god Vishnu. The five central towers of Angkor Wat, before a Hindu and later a Buddhist temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia, symbolize the peaks of Mount Meru. What does the Angkor Wat temple represent? All of the original religious motifs derived from Hinduism, and the temple was dedicated to the gods Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. The five central towers of Angkor Wat symbolize the peaks of Mount Meru, which according to Hindu mythology is the dwelling place of the gods. King Suryavarman II Angkor Wat is an architectural masterpiece and the largest religious monument in the world – covering an area four times the size of Vatican City. It was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the first half of the 12th century, around the year 1110-1150, making Angkor Wat almost 900 years old. 50 Angkor Temples Angkor Wat is the most famous of more than 50 Angkor Temples within the Angkor Archaeological Park and Siem Reap Province. The area is over 400 square kilometres (155 square miles) of hot and humid jungle.It fulfills the criterion of both a temple mountain and is like a Jain temple city. Sprawling structures forming the shape of a giant spiral and an ensemble of buried towers have been dug up from the grounds of Angkor Wat, spurring new mysteries about the ancient temple. It was once believed that the Cambodian temple was surrounded sacred precincts, or 'temple cities. ' Why is Angkor Wat important to Hinduism? All of the original religious motifs derived from Hinduism, and the temple was dedicated to the gods Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu. The five central towers of Angkor Wat symbolize the peaks of Mount Meru, which according to Hindu mythology is the dwelling place of the gods. Angkor Wat occupies a rectangular area of about 208 hectares (500 acres) defined by a laetrile wall. The first evidence of the site is a moat with a long sandstone causeway (length 250 meters, 820 feet; width 12 meters, 39 feet) crossing it and serving as the main access to the monument. Area of about 500 acres Built between roughly A.D. 1113 and 1150, and encompassing an area of about 500 acres (200 hectares), Angkor Wat is one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed. Is Angkor Wat bigger than the pyramids? Angkor Wat is the biggest religious complex on the planet. The complex's main temple, Angkor Wat puts Vatican City to shame (sorry Pope Francis) – it's four times the size! Plus, the entire city of Angkor used more stone than all the Egyptian pyramids combined, and took over an area larger than modern-day Paris. Angkor Wat  'temple city / city of temples', located in northwest Cambodia, is the largest religious structure in the form of a temple complex in the world by land area measuring 162.6 hectares (401+3⁄4 acres). At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of four towers surrounding a central spire that rises to a height of 65 m (213 ft) above the ground. The temple has three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. It lies within an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2+1⁄4 miles) long and a moat more than five kilometres (three miles) long. Outer enclosure A view of the gates and west wall of the outer enclosure of Angkor Wat from across the moat/ The Northern library//Ta Reach Statue at Angkor Wat, an Eight-Armed Vishnu. The outer wall, 1,024 m (3,360 ft) by 802 m (2,631 ft) and 4.5 m (15 ft) high, is surrounded by a 30 m (98 ft) apron of open ground and a moat 190 m (620 ft) wide and over 5 kilometres (3 mi) in perimeter. The moat extends 1.5 kilometres from east to west and 1.3 kilometres from north to south. Access to the temple is by an earth bank to the east and a sandstone causeway to the west; the latter, the main entrance, is a later addition, possibly replacing a wooden bridge. There are gopuras at each of the cardinal points; the western is by far the largest and has three ruined towers. Glaize notes that this gopura both hides and echoes the form of the temple proper. The outer wall encloses a space of 820,000 square metres (203 acres), which besides the temple proper was originally occupied by the city and, to the north of the temple, the royal palace. Like all secular buildings of Angkor, these were built of perishable materials rather than of stone, so nothing remains of them except the outlines of some of the streets. Most of the area is now covered by forest. A 350 m (1,150 ft) causeway connects the western gopura to the temple proper, with naga balustrades and six sets of steps leading down to the city on either side. Each side also features a library with entrances at each cardinal point, in front of the third set of stairs from the entrance, and a pond between the library and the temple itself. The ponds are later additions to the design, as is the cruciform terrace guarded by lions connecting the causeway to the central structure. Beyond, the second and inner galleries are connected to each other and to two flanking libraries by another cruciform terrace, again a later addition. From the second level upwards, devatas abound on the walls, singly or in groups of up to four. The second-level enclosure is 100 m (330 ft) by 115 m (377 ft), and may originally have been flooded to represent the ocean around Mount Meru. Three sets of steps on each side lead up to the corner towers and gopuras of the inner gallery. The very steep stairways represent the difficulty of ascending to the kingdom of the gods. This inner gallery, called the Bakan, is a 60 m (200 ft) square with axial galleries connecting each gopura with the central shrine, and subsidiary shrines located below the corner towers. The roofings of the galleries are decorated with the motif of the body of a snake ending in the heads of lions or garudas. Carved lintels and pediments decorate the entrances to the galleries and to the shrines. The tower above the central shrine rises 43 m (141 ft) to a height of 65 m (213 ft) above the ground; unlike those of previous temple mountains, the central tower is raised above the surrounding four. The shrine itself, originally occupied by a statue of Vishnu and open on each side, was walled in when the temple was converted to Theravada Buddhism, the new walls featuring standing Buddhas. The monument was made out of five to ten million sandstone blocks with a maximum weight of 1.5 tons each. The entire city of Angkor used far greater amounts of stone than all the Egyptian pyramids combined, and occupied an area significantly greater than modern-day Paris. Moreover, unlike the Egyptian pyramids which use limestone quarried barely 0.5 km (1⁄4 mi) away all the time, the entire city of Angkor was built with sandstone quarried 40 km (25 mi) (or more) away. This sandstone had to be transported from Mount Kulen, a quarry approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) northeast. The route has been suggested to span 35 kilometres (22 mi) along a canal towards Tonlé Sap lake, another 35 kilometres (22 mi) crossing the lake, and finally 15 kilometres (9 mi) against the current along Siem Reap River, making a total journey of 90 kilometres (55 mi). However, Etsuo Uchida and Ichita Shimoda of Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan have discovered in 2011 a shorter 35-kilometre (22 mi) canal connecting Mount Kulen and Angkor Wat using satellite imagery. The two believe that the Khmer used this route instead. Devata Sculpture on Wall at Angkor Wat Virtually all of its surfaces, columns, lintels, and even roofs are carved. There are kilometres of reliefs illustrating scenes from Indian literature including unicorns, griffins, winged dragons pulling chariots as well as warriors following an elephant-mounted leader and celestial dancing girls with elaborate hairstyles. The gallery wall alone is decorated with almost 1,000 m2 (11,000 sq ft) of bas reliefs. Holes on some of the Angkor walls indicate that they may have been decorated with bronze sheets. These were highly prized in ancient times and were a prime target for robbers.   The Shri Yantra Mandir of Amarkantak pulled us like puppets on a string. The intriguing images of the temple, that we had seen at the MPT Holiday Homes Amarkantak, propelled us to explore this unusual temple in the holy city of Amarkantak. As we gazed up at what can be called the massive Gopuram (Entrance Tower) of the temple, we could feel the goosebumps rising on our arms. Four humungous faces with different expressions looked in the four cardinal directions. They seemed to be gazing into eternity. The massive faces reminded us of the Bayon temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was dusk when we reached the Shri Yantra Temple Amarkantak. In the fading light, the massive faces assumed a dreamlike quality. Why is the temple closed? Why is the Shri Yantra Mandir, whose construction started in 1991 still incomplete? Read on to find answers to these questions and know more about the mysterious Shri  Yantra Mandir of Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. Shri Yantra Mandir Amarkantak - Unfinished Grandeur The incomplete Shri Yantra Mandir is actually the Shri Yantra Mahameru Shakti Peeth. The ambitious temple has been under construction since 1991. It is being built under the auspices of Bhartiya Prachya Yog Shodh Sansthan. The temple is the brainchild of Acharya Mandaleshwar of the Attal Akhada Sri Swami Shukdevanadji. Swami Shukhdevanandji was the driving force behind the construction of the Shri Yantra Mandir, which when complete would be the only temple of its kind in the entire world. Sadly Swami Shukhdevanandji passed away in August 2018, without seeing the completion of his dream project. After that, the mantle has fallen to his successor, Swami Sharad Puri. The Shri Yantra Mandir is being constructed according to the ancient tenets of the Hindu temple building contained in the ancient Agama Shastras. The prime reason why the Shri Yantra Temple is still not completed even after more than 30 years is that construction is undertaken only during the Guru Pushya Nakshatra, which is considered auspicious. The Guru Pushya Nakshatra falls on an average of about 4-5 days in a year. Design Of Shri Yantra Mandir In Amarkantak When we visited the Shri Yantra Mandir, we had access only to a narrow corridor that leads from the entrance tower. At end of the corridor were placed two beautiful idols of Devis (Goddesses). These represent Tripura Sundari, the ultimate representation of Shakti. One of the idols was that of Goddess Saraswati and the other of Goddess Mahalakshmi. There were doors in the corridor that led inside the temple premises, ut these were closed. Shree Yantra Mandir Amarkantak The temple is located in a vast open area and is surrounded by woods. On the left-hand side of the temple, the land was at a higher level and dotted with trees. We climbed this elevated land to get a better view of the Shri Yantra Mandir. And this vantage view, enable us to get an idea of the design of the temple. The design was unusual and we had a vague feeling of having seen the design or something similar, elsewhere. It was only later when fueled with curiosity we sat down to do some research on the temple, that we came to know why the design seemed oddly familiar. The design to some extent, in its unfinished status, resembled the Shri Yantra that we have at home. The Shri Yantra temple is conceived as a three-dimensional representation of the famous Shri Yantra, also referred to as Sri Chakra. The Shri Yantra Mandir Amarkantak is being built in the form of a Maha Meru Yantra (3D form of Shri Yantra) and would be the Shri Yantra Maha Meru Shaktipeeth. To understand the complexities of the design of the Shri Yantra Mandir of Amarkantak, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the design and significance of the Sri Yantra itself. Shri Yantra Mandir - The Four-Faced Entrance Tower Shri Yantra Mandir, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh The feature of the unfinished Shri Yantra Mandir that rivets your attention is the entrance tower. The tower has four faces of Godesses facing the cardinal directions. The entrance faces the eastern direction, and the face of the Goddess Maha Saraswati gazes out benevolently towards the east. The fearsome face of Goddess Maha Kali gazes in the southern direction. Facing the northern direction is the calm countenance of Goddess Maha Bhuvaneshwari, and the angelic face of the Goddess Maha Lakshmi looks out in the northern direction towards the inner complex of the Shri Yantra temple. The beautifully sculpted figures of the 64 Yoginis (Chausath Yogini) adorn the walls beneath the massive faces of the four Goddesses. There are 16 of these Yoginis on each of the four sides of the entrance tower. On the eastern side, in addition to the Yoginis, can be seen the figures of Ganesha and Karthik. The sculptors who have made the sculptures in the temple are specially called from South India and West Bengal. Shri Yantra Mandir Amarkantak Design - Maha Meru (3D Representation Of Shri Yantra) The Shri Yantra Mandir, when complete would be a grand and complex structure that would represent a 3D projection model of the Shri Yantra. This is known as Maha Meru. Though we could not get a good view of the main temple that stood in the centre of the circular temple complex. We understand that the steps leading to the temple are flanked by the raised heads of two serpents. The serpents that rise from the base have their tails entangled and surround the entire temple. On the external walls of the temple, Kaal Nritya or the "dance of time," has been depicted with various iconography. The construction of a temple in the form of a Shri Yantra requires precise knowledge of Vastu Shastra as well as the complexities of the Shri Yantra itself. According to legend, such a design has been attempted only once in history. This was some 2,000 years ago when Acharya Ameresh designed the original Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, Assam. It is believed that the original temple was constructed in the form of a Shri Yantra, but was later destroyed by lightning. When the temple was rebuilt later, the original design could not be duplicated. Location Of Shri Yantra Mandir The Shri Yantra Mandir is located on the hallowed land that is the birthplace of the sacred Narmada River in Amarkantak, Annupur District, Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak has many holy places in its vicinity and many sacred places that are unknown to people. It is believed that many evolved beings stay here in their subtle form. Because of this Amarkantak was chosen to build the Shri Yantra Mandir. The Shri Yantra Mandar is surrounded by verdant forests on two sides. There is an ancient water body called Batte Krishna Kund to the west of the temple. A water reservoir located towards the north of the temple, adds to the mystic beauty of its surroundings. The location of the Shri Yantra Mandir is at the intersection of three mountain ranges, the Maikal, the Vindhyas, and the Satpura mountain ranges. The presence of 5 ancient and sacred water bodies or Kunds near the location of the temple, adds to its sanctity. What The Shri Yantra Mandir Will Look Like When Complete One can only imagine the grandeur and complexity of the Shri Yantra Mandir, once it is completed. It will resemble a gigantic Shri Yantra in three dimensions. According to the planned design of the temple, it will be having a grand entrance tower that leads inside the temple from the eastern side. The main temple with Tripura Sundari will occupy the centre of the entire structure. The main temple will be completely surrounded by a group of smaller temples or Mandals. There will be 108 smaller Yantras on which will be placed the idols of the other Goddesses or the consorts of the principal deity, Maha Tripura Sundari. These idols would be 216 in number. Further, there would be 4 temples, one each in all the four cardinal directions that would have the deities as Shiva, Ganesh, Hanuman, and Bhairav. 1,25,000 Shri Yantras would be installed in the temple premises. One can only imagine the spiritually surcharged atmosphere that will prevail in the Shri Yantra Mandir, once it is completed and is operational. Mysteries Of Shri Yantra Mandir Amarkantak Sri Chakra Temple in India - Sri Yantra Mahameru Temple in Madhya Pradesh The Shri Yantra Mandir has been under construction since 1991 The Shri Yantra Temple is being built in the form of a 3-D Shri Yantra called Maha Meru Construction of  the temple is done only on the days of the Guru Pushya Nakshatra The entrance tower is crowned by the huge faces of four Devis, namely Maha Lakshmi, Mahakali, Maha Bhuvaneshwari, and Maha Saraswati There are sculptures of 64 yoginis that adorn the entrance tower, 16 on each of the four sides The sculptors are called from parts of South India and West Bengal 1,25,000 Shri Yantras will be installed in the Shri Yantra Mandir The Shri Yantra Mandir is the only one of its kind in the entire world The Shri Yantra Mandir is incomplete, and yet it awes you with its enigmatic grandeur. As we leave the temple, the silhouettes of the Godesses look down upon us, and we head back with images of the temple haunting us, long after we had left its precincts. 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Swarna Meru or the GOLDEN MOUNTAIN Swarna Meru ( Pure Gold Sri.Chakram in 3 Dimension -3-D) -3 Rectangles at the Bottom ( Hrllekhas ) + 3 Concentric Circles ( Tri valayam) + 6 Chakras +1 Bhindhu —The Hrllekhas and the Bhindhu are not taken into account —3- Trivalaya +6 Chakras =Nine (9) => Nava Aavaranam ( Nine Ascending Pedestals) In the Bhindhu Devi Lalitha /Bhuvaneswari /Bhavaani / Meenaksshi Lives “ Sri Chakraangitha Bhindhu Madya Vasatheem -Srimath Sabhaa Naayakeem -Meenaaksheem Prana Thosmi -Sandhatham Aham Kaarunya Vaaraam Nidhim”( (Meenaakshi Panca Rathnam by Acharya Sankara) The 3-Hrllekhas are =>OM -(1) Hreem (2) Sreem (3) Kleem ( Hreem >Devi Parvathi + Sreem > Devi Lakshmi + Kleem > Devi Saraswathi =>Bhindhu ( Sri.Lalitha Parameswari) Acharya SANKARA gives the description of Sri.Chakram /or/Meru in ONE Verse in Soundarya Lahari (Waves of Beauty) =>verse-11- सैन्दर्यलहरी-verse-11 चतुर्भिः श्रीकण्ठैः शिवयुवतिभिः पञ्चभिरपि प्रभिन्नाभिः शम्भोर्नवभिरपि मूलप्रकृतिभिः । चतुश्चत्वारिंशद्वसुदलकलाश्रत्रिवलय त्रिरेखाभिः सार्धं तव शरणकोणाः परिणताः ॥ ११-11 ( I have Split the compound words to Simple words or Viwers to understand Chatubhi Hi Sri Kkhantai Hi Ziva Yuvathibhi Hi Panchabhirapi Prabhinnaabhi Hi-Zambhor Navabhirapi Moola Prakrithibhi Hi —Chatuz Chatvaari (my own translation -Scholars Please help with corrections,if any ) (meaning) Four vertices are for Lord Sivaa —Five vertices (Pentagram) is for Devi Parvathi —4+5=9 vertices —Devi Parvathy Snatches All the Nine Vertices for her ( as an Indian Wife snatches away ALL the husband’s salary and adds to her salary—Poor Man lord Sivaa ) Nine Vertices => Nava Aavaranam (Nine pedestals ) / Nava Akshari (Nine Letter “Sakthi” Mantram) / Nava Raatri (Nine Night Festival for Devi Lalitha ) “ Pancami -Panca Bhutheswari -Panca Samyopachaarini -Saasvatha Aiswarya “ (Lalitha sahasranaamam) Mother Five (5) is your exclusive Number -Fifth day from New /Full moon is your day —The Five Gross elements => Earth/Water/Fire/ Air/ Space are under Your Control —The Five “Seed” Letter Hospitality => Lam -Ham -Yam-Ram-Vam- (in Kundalini Yoga) is exclusively reserved for You —Pentagram 9Five vertices is Exclusive for you —But You snatch the Four vertices also from that poor man Lord-god-Zivaa ???!!!! 9 X5 =45–1=44 Vertces in 7 Chakras —along with them the Lotus Petals in Trivalayam and protected by 3 Forts (Hrllekhaas) -Your Total Sri.Chakra Rajam (Meru / Nava Aavaranam Forms Sri Chakra Raja -Simhaasaneswari Sri.Lalithaambike -Aaagama ,Veda ,Kalaa Maya Rupini—Akhila Chara Achara Janani Naraayani — (1) Gaayatri is like Breath —Essential /Compulsory -No Life without Breath (2) Sri Vidhyaa is like Milk Sweet -Optional —Good /Excellent —but not Compulsory Significance of the Sri Yantra in Srividya Sadhana Srividya Sadhana distinguishes itself as a profound voyage toward enlightenment, skillfully interlacing elements of devotion, wisdom, and cosmic forces into a tapestry of spiritual growth and transformation. At its core lies the Sri Yantra, a symbol of divine unity and cosmic harmony, revered as the visual representation of the Sri Chakra. This article explores the significance of the Sri Yantra in Srividya Sadhana, shedding light on its role, symbolism, and the deep spiritual insights it offers practitioners, particularly at the Mahavidya Sadhana Centre. The Role of Sri Yantra in Srividya Sadhana In Srividya Sadhana, the Sri Yantra is a visual aid and a dynamic spiritual tool, enabling seekers to navigate the complex layers of consciousness and cosmic energy. Its structure mirrors the journey of spiritual ascent from the earthly plane to the ultimate realisation of the divine. The Sri Yantra: A Symbol of Cosmic Harmony The Sri Chakra, often referred to in its three-dimensional form as the Sri Yantra, is a central element in Srividya Sadhana. This sacred geometry represents the universe’s macrocosmic structure and the individual’s microcosmic existence, depicting the divine union of Shiva and Shakti, the masculine and feminine cosmic principles. Its intricate design comprises nine interlocking triangles surrounded by lotus petals and gates, symbolising different aspects of the cosmos and human consciousness. Sri Yantra and Sri Chakra: Understanding the Unity Although ‘Sri Chakra’ is often used to describe the two-dimensional sacred geometry and ‘Sri Yantra’ is its three-dimensional form, in truth, both terms are interchangeably used to refer to the same spiritual symbol. This sacred symbol encapsulates the cosmos and signifies the path of transcendental ascent in spirituality. Regardless of being represented in two or three dimensions, the Sri Chakra or Sri Yantra remains a central focus in Srividya upasana (worship) and meditation practices, leading devotees toward inner peace and unity with the universe. Integration with Srividya Mantra and Tantra In the sacred text Lalitha Sahasranama Stotra, Lalitha Tripura Sundari reveals herself to be the embodiment of both the Sri Chakra (Yantra), representing the cosmic structure and the Panchadashi (Mantra), a sacred vibrational sound. This revelation underscores the harmonious interplay of Yantra, Mantra, and Tantra within Srividya Sadhana. Engaging with the Sri Yantra through the practice of the Panchadashi mantra and adherence to Srividya Tantra rituals culminates in a comprehensive spiritual journey, effectively harnessing cosmic energies and nurturing a profound divine connection. Meditative Focus and Spiritual Ascension Sri Yantra is a meditative map for practitioners, guiding the mind through the intricate layers of the cosmos and the self. The geometric progression from the outer gates to the innermost bindu (dot) symbolises the journey from material existence to spiritual enlightenment, making the Sri Yantra an essential tool for meditation and contemplation in Srividya Sadhana. Nine Avarana (Layers) The Sri Yantra comprises nine layers or ‘Avaranas’, each with unique symbolism and deities. These layers, known as Navavarana, represent the complexities of the cosmos and the human psyche, guiding the practitioner from the mundane to the divine. Here’s a brief description of each layer: Bhupura (The Earth): The outermost square, Bhupura, represents the physical world and serves as the gateway to the Sri Yantra. It symbolises the four cardinal directions, guarded by deities known as Lokapalas, and signifies the practitioner’s readiness to embark on the spiritual journey. Trailokya Mohana (Enchanter of the Three Worlds) – 1st Avarana: This layer, composed of three concentric circles, represents the material realm. The circles symbolise aspects of human existence – desire, knowledge, and action. Devotees meditate on this layer to overcome earthly attachments and to purify their desires. Sarva Aasa Paripuraka (Fulfiller of All Desires) – 2nd Avarana: The sixteen-petalled lotus in this layer symbolises the fulfilment of all desires and aspirations. It represents the sixteen vital aspects of life, such as the five senses, five elements, and mental faculties crucial for spiritual growth. Sarva Sankshobahana (Agitator of All) – 3rd Avarana: The eight-petalled lotus in this layer signifies the primary psychic channels in the body (Nadis). It represents purification and the awakening of the primal energy, preparing the devotee for deeper spiritual experiences. Sarva Saubhagyadayaka (Bestower of All Fortune) – 4th Avarana: This layer comprises fourteen small triangles and signifies the cutting away of negative influences and the augmentation of positive energies. It symbolises the devotee’s journey towards harmony and balance. Sarvartha Sadhaka (Accomplisher of All Purposes) – 5th Avarana: The layer of ten triangles symbolises the conquest of negative traits such as fear, ignorance, and ego. It represents the transformation of these traits into positive attributes essential for spiritual progress. Sarva Rakshakara (Giver of All Protection) – 6th Avarana: The ten triangles in this layer protect from negative influences and guide the devotee in the spiritual journey. They represent the shield of spiritual strength that safeguards from worldly distractions. Sarva Rogahara (Remover of All Ailments) – 7th Avarana: The eight triangles in this layer are believed to have healing energies. They symbolise the removal of physical, mental, and spiritual ailments, purifying the devotee’s existence. Sarva Siddhiprada (Granter of All Achievements) – 8th Avarana: The triangles in this layer represent the attainment of supernatural abilities or ‘siddhis’. This stage signifies mastery over the elements and realisation of the highest spiritual truths. Sarva Anandamaya (Abode of All Bliss) – 9th Avarana (Bindu): The central point, or Bindu, symbolises the cosmic source and the ultimate union of Shiva and Shakti. It represents the culmination of the spiritual journey, where the devotee experiences the bliss of cosmic consciousness and oneness with the universe. Each layer of the Sri Yantra is a step deeper into the spiritual realm, offering insights and energies that guide the seeker through the complexities of existence and towards the ultimate truth. Through meditation and rituals focused on these layers, practitioners of Srividya Sadhana embark on a transformative journey, realising the profound interconnectedness of the self with the cosmos. The Sri Yantra’s significance in Srividya Sadhana transcends its visual beauty, embodying a profound spiritual gateway to understanding the universe and oneself. As a symbol of cosmic harmony and a tool for meditative focus, it plays a pivotal role in the spiritual journey of Srividya practitioners. At the Mahavidya Sadhana Centre, the Sri Yantra, alongside the Srividya mantra and tantra practices, forms a comprehensive approach to spiritual awakening, inviting seekers to explore the depths of this sacred tradition and unlock the mystical dimensions of their existence. Bottom of Form What is Sadhana? sādhanā (Japan) Shugendō sādhanā (Japan) Sādhanā (Sanskrit: साधना is an ego-transcending spiritual practice.  It includes a variety of disciplines in Hindu,  Buddhist [  and Jain  traditions that are followed in order to achieve various spiritual or ritual objectives. Sadhana is done for attaining detachment from worldly things, which can be a goal of a sadhu. Karma yoga, bhakti yoga and jnana yoga can also be described as sadhana; constant efforts to achieve maximum level of perfection in all streams of day-to-day life can be described as Sadhana.Sādhanā can also refer to a tantric liturgy or liturgical manual, that is, the instructions to carry out a certain practice. The historian N. Bhattacharyya provides a working definition of the benefits of sādhanā as follows: [R]eligious sādhanā, which both prevents an excess of worldliness and molds the mind and disposition (bhāva) into a form which develops the knowledge of dispassion and non-attachment. Sādhanā is a means whereby bondage becomes liberation. B. K. S. Iyengar (1993: p. 22), in his English translation of and commentary to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, defines sādhanā in relation to abhyāsa and kriyā: Sādhanā is a discipline undertaken in the pursuit of a goal. Abhyāsa is repeated practice performed with observation and reflection. Kriyā, or action, also implies perfect execution with study and investigation. Therefore, sādhanā, abhyāsa, and kriyā all mean one and the same thing. A sādhaka, or practitioner, is one who skillfully applies...mind and intelligence in practice towards a spiritual goal. Paths The term sādhanā means "methodical discipline to attain desired knowledge or goal". Sadhana is also done for attaining detachment from worldly things, which itself can be the goal. A person undertaking such a practice is known in Sanskrit as a sādhu (female sādhvi), sādhaka (female sādhakā) or yogi (Tibetan pawo; feminine yogini or dakini, Tibetan khandroma). The goal of sādhanā is to attain some level of spiritual realization, which can be either enlightenment, pure love of God (prema), liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death (saṃsāra), or a particular goal such as the blessings of a deity as in the Bhakti traditions.Sādhanā can involve meditation, chanting of mantra sometimes with the help of prayer beads, puja to a deity, yajña, and in very rare cases mortification of the flesh or tantric practices such as performing one's particular sādhanā within a cremation ground.Traditionally in some Hindu and Buddhist traditions in order to embark on a specific path of sādhanā, a guru may be required to give the necessary instructions. This approach is typified by some Tantric traditions, in which initiation by a guru is sometimes identified as a specific stage of sādhanā.[9] On the other hand, individual renunciates may develop their own spiritual practice without participating in organized groups In Yoga The Yoga Sutras has 196 sūtras with ideas and wisdom that a sādhaka can take for a path towards self-realization. B. K. S. Iyengar (1993: p. 3) notes that: Kriyāyoga gives us the practical disciplines needed to scale the spiritual heights.....the four padas of the Yoga Sūtras describe different disciplines of practice, the qualities or aspects of which vary according to the development of intelligence and refinement of consciousness of each sādhaka. In the Yoga Sutras II.1, Patañjali and his commentators write that the Kriyāyoga (action-oriented type of yoga) is to be undertaken by those whose mind is not already fixed. The fixing or "stilling of the changing states of mind" (Yoga Sutras I.2) is the goal of yoga, for which Kriyāyoga is necessary as a first step for a sādhaka.[11] There are three aspects of Kriyāyoga: Discipline - tapas, comprises the "sāttvicizing" of one's sensual engagements or controlling one's senses and making sure that what they consume is amenable to a sattvic mind. Study - svādhyāya, is taken by Vyāsa, the main commentator on the Yoga Sutras, to refer to the chanting of mantras (an act which is usually termed japa) and the study of scriptures (jñāna). Dedication to God - Īśvara-praṇidhāna, meaning dedicating all of ones actions to God (Īśvara), which the commentators implicitly refer to the bhakti-centered karma-yoga that is described in the second chapter of the Gita. Vachaspati Mishra, an influential commentator on the Yoga Sutras, notes that these three aspects of Kriyāyoga are necessary in order to purify the mind, making it more sāttvic than rājasic or tāmasic. Such purity of the mind allows one to then cultivate practice (abhyāsa) and dispassion (vairāgya), which are prerequisites for achieving the stilling of the mind. Bhakti and Sadhana In Vaishnavism, bhakti, or devotional practice, is categorized into two types: the practice itself (sadhana) and the perfectional state of that practice (siddhi). Jiva Goswami uses the terms sadhana-bhakti (bhakti as the means) and sadhya-bhakti (bhakti as the end). Chaitanya Vaishnavas engage in raganuga-sadhana, a meditative practice emulating the spontaneous love of Krishna's close companions. This form of devotion, while potentially reducing the emphasis on ritual practices, still involves the worship of Krishna's image. Buddhism In Vajrayāna Buddhism and the Nalanda tradition, there are fifteen major tantric sādhanāsŚūraṅgama/Sitātapatrā Nīlakaṇṭha Tārā Mahākāla Hayagrīva Amitābha Bhaiṣajyaguru/Akṣobhya Guhyasamāja Vajrayoginī/Vajravārāhī Heruka/Cakrasaṃvara Yamāntaka Kālacakra Hevajra Chöd Vajrapāṇi Avalokiteśvara All of these are available in Tibetan form, many are available in Chinese and some are still extant in ancient Sanskrit manuscripts. Kværne (1975: p. 164) in his extended discussion of sahajā, treats the relationship of sādhanā to mandala thus: [E]xternal ritual and internal sādhanā form an indistinguishable whole, and this unity finds its most pregnant expression in the form of the mandala, the sacred enclosure consisting of concentric squares and circles drawn on the ground and representing that adamantine plane of being on which the aspirant to Buddhahood wishes to establish himself. The unfolding of the tantric ritual depends on the mandala; and where a material mandala is not employed, the adept proceeds to construct one mentally in the course of his meditation. What is Sri Vidya Sadhana? Shri Yantra is basically part of Shri Vidya method of tantric worship with the aim to obtain definite achievements in worldly and spiritual matters. Shri Vidya arose as part of great Shakta tradition of Tantra which considers Shakti to be the Supreme object of Worship. The Sri Yantra's 9 constituent triangles intersect to form 43 smaller triangles, organized in 5 concentric levels. In the middle lies the enigmatic Bindu representing source of Origin of Everything in this Universe as well as realms beyond. Shri Vidya is part of Shakti tradition of Tantra and not a part of Yogic tradition and as such any application of Yoga or its philosophies on to it is highly disrespectful towards the great tantra tradition. I don’t know from where people got the idea of connecting it exclusively with Yoga and they ended up creating a hoch – poch of everything. Today internet Youtube etc. is filled with this same non-sense. Another misconception people has is that it is only a tool for obtaining Money. This is probably the dumbest assumption I had seen prevalent among people. Now comes the question – Why is Shri Vidya (and its Yantra) so important ? Why is the mystery behind it? And why even to this day no one knows its actual tantric rituals to obtain achievements? The answer to that is Shree Yantra is the Geometrical structure of entire Universe and several hidden realms (both above and below us). You can say that it is the one Yantra in which all yoginis, devis, devatas and all divine realms are situated in it. All bhairavas, yakshinis, and bhoot, pret, and like that all other elementals beings and their mysterious realms lies in it. Anything that is and that will be is inside it. Shri Yantra is entire COSMOS. So definitely it becomes an extremely significant tool to unlock the mysterious of universe and other hidden worlds which are beyond our reach. This is the only Yantra which is given the title of Yantra Raj i.e. Emperor of All Yantras. Goddess Tripur Sundari (Also called Raj Rajeswari or Lalitha) is the Governess and Patron of this secret knowledge. A true sadhaka in shakti tradition of tantra can obtain infinite divine powers through its Tantric sadhna that is why such sadhnas are kept secret and hidden from general masses. By changing items of worship, secret mantras, place and astrological time in worship of this same Shri Yantra various marvelous divine powers of Goddess are obtained which are beyond imagination. For example – On Sundays a particular type of colored flower are used and specific items are offered to the yantra and when its sadhna is done for specific days in a holy mountain (found in India) then Yakshinis come to the sadhka and accept him/her and bestow divine objects and powers. With Rudrakha and some other different items when its sadhna is done for 1 month then one gets the siddhis of Pishacha. Then like that different items are offered and sadhna done to obtain various divine powers like Betaal, Maaya Siddhi, Power to see past and future, gandharv, Naag kanya, Apsara etc etc. Even kundalini can be awakened by it,after all kundalini is also a Shakti only. As I said with this Tantric sadhna which comes under shree Vidya one can obtain infinite powers. It is not without any reason that this knowledge is considered extremely secret that needs to be guarded jealously. The ancient scriptures warn about the same. Scriptures advice to give up your life, your kingdom but do not share this secret with anyone, not even to one’s own son. 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Is it possible to chant Sri Vidya Mantra without the initiation of a guru or person having the mantra's power? If yes, how is it to be pronounced? Sri Vidya is not a single mantra. Sri Vidya is an extremely complex and elaborate system of Tantric worship. A proper Sri Vidya puja takes upwards of 3 hours even for an expert. Preparations for it take longer and need a team of people well versed in this system of worship. Other than priests and experts very few have the energy or time to perform such a worship everyday. If you are really interested, please approach anyone who is practicing this method of worship and ask them to teach you. All Sri Vidya practitioners are obligated to accept anyone who is interested to learn. They cannot say no. In the meanwhile start by chanting the Lalita Sahasranama Srotra. What is the difference between Sri a Vidya Sadhana and Advait Sri Vidya Sadhana? Sri Vidya sadhana is sadhana of the Supreme power of the universe, Ma Lalitha tripura sundari who is the creator, sustainer and destroyer of everything. She dwells in her three aspects as maa mahakali, maa mahalakshmi and maa mahasaraswathi. Sri Vidya sadhana is considered ati durlabh or secretive knowledge for it grants it's practioner unimaginable powers also known as siddhis. Only those who are capable of using these powers wisely were considered eligible for this knowledge. It's a knowledge being passed onto only one such potential disciple by his guru in a traditional guru-shishya parampara. Lord Shiva was the first Guru who taught in the form of lord Dakshinamurthi. Lord Narayana was also a Shri vidya guru. He in his Lord Hayagriva avatar, initiated Atri mahamuni into Shrividya who in turn initiated Ma Lopamudra who later became a master of kaadi Vidya. This brings us to the point that initially Shrividya was practiced in three branches as kaadi vidya, haadi vidya and saadi vidya. Later bhagavan Adi Shankaracharya re-established Shrividya After culmination of all three forms of the sadhana, kaadi, haadi and saadi vidya into one single form, he established shree vidya sadhana. Shri Vidya sadhana has two traditions of sadhana, Dwait and Adwait. Dwait sadhana is ritualistic, where there are two, the worshipper and the one being worshipped. Hence it follows ritualistic approach through Puja, Havana, etc. Adwait is non-dualistic or non-ritualistic. There are no two here. The worshipper finds the one being worshipped within self. Adi Shankaracharya has taught both the practices to different sections of society. Today Dr. Avadhoot baba shivanand ji is the only self realised guru of Adwait Shrividya who is bestowing the deeksha to many fortunate sadhaks all over the world out of pure love for humanity and the divine instructions to reveal the mysterious sadhana to the masses. Babaji did many years of sadhana after being initiated into it at the tender age of 8. Advait Sri Vidya Sadhana is a non-dualistic worship of the supreme goddess Ma Shodashi of Dasamahavidyas also known as Ma Lalitha Tripura Sundari. It is said that there is no knowledge greater than this. This form of practice makes the worshipper merge and become united with the one being worshipped and thus termed as Advait sadhana. To elaborate on this topic is nothing less than an adventure as it's something that you can't just culminate into a few words but we can throw some light upon the fundamentals of this sadhana. A sadhak after being initiated by the self realised guru of the Shrividya order, he starts his journey by invoking the goddess within. He visualises the nav aavarans or nine enclosures of a shree Chakra within himself, meditating over each aavaran, gaining mastery over the shrishti and sanghar chakras and raising above all to reach the central point called bindu, the residence of the supreme mother, which is the goal of this practice. Once he reaches the bindu, he bathes in divine ecstasy by drinking from the amrith produced after entering the state of param chethana where he is one with the mother, father of the universe. This is the true state of Advaita. Where can I learn Srividya Sadhana? To learn Sri Vidya, You need a Guru! When it comes to guru, He shall find you. Why? It is said in Sri Vidya, When a person is ready to learn it Mother Lalitha will guide him to her abode. Meaning she will guide him to find the rightful guru. So, keep finding. Many years back I had to face countless problems&part of it was finances.one day a group called me to join them to perform Shrisukta aavartan.i was already chanting it years together so the group asked me to fill the sixteenth place.with sankalp it was performed ,the host gave me dakshina saying my chanting they enjoyed.after that I have not faced problems.i chant it to visualise &enjoy it.without asking for anything.It's your wholehearted love,respect that is reciprocated.so learn,understand the different perceptions of it,If you wish to perform for a particular gain it works,but doing it from the bottom of the heart brings in better results without asking Our stotras are unending treasure that open the doors of unknown bliss What is the Panchadasi Mantra in Srividya? ka e i la hrim ha sa ka la ha hrim sa ka la hrim this is the 15 syllable vibrational face of divine mother sri lalitha no you dont need diksha to use this but to use it properly needs guidance just as a firearm needs guidance to use properly. anyone can pull the trigger of any bija or bija string. but are you ready for the result when it occurs. just as you can blow away your mind with a firearm Which are the good books for Sri Vidya Sadhana? Sri Vidya Sadhana ke liye kuch acchi kitaabein hain: 1."Sri Vidya Sadhana Siddhanta" by Swami Rama 2."Sri Chakra - Its Yantra, Mantra, and Tantra" by Sri Sadguru Sivapremananda 3."Lalita Sahasranama" - Sri Lalita Devi ki 1000 naamavali 4."Tantra: The Path of Ecstasy" by Georg Feuerstein ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 20th stanza of Kanakadhara Stotram. “Kamale Kamalaksha vallabhe twam, Karuna poora tharingithaira pangai, Avalokaya mamakinchananam, Prathamam pathamakrithrimam dhyaya” which means “She who is the Lotus, She who is the consort, Of the Lord with Lotus like eyes, She who has glances filled with mercy, Please turn your glance on me, Who is the poorest among the poor, And first make me the vessel, To receive your pity and compassion.” Src- Kanaka Dhara Sthothram This is my experience- being good to Her creation, doing good to Her creation, and surrendering to Her feet so she first makes me worthy of being a vessel for her Grace. Still one day, 12 years back when I was a legal counsel of a windmill manufacturing factory, the Super-boss worth thousands of crores visited the factory for a Mahalakshmi Homam. They came in Helicopter and landed on the special helipad within the factory- so rich PIO Foreign boss. At that time of prayers, this thought went in my mind, “Mother, You are giving so much wealth to these people. Why are you grinding me like this for few thousand rupees? Why don't you give me also such a super-wealth. In fact I will use it for the better of all”. Immediately, I heard Mother whispering to me, “Listen da, I have given all this wealth to them. But, I am not with them. But, I am in you. If you want, I will give all these wealth to you. But I must leave”. She told in a sarcastic tone, “You choose da”. I almost fainted with a chill, and immediately told her, “Mother! No way! Let them keep all those wealth. I am not giving you up for anything”. Till now, I have never felt her absence in me- whether wealth comes or poverty comes! We are partners in pain and pleasure. She alone is! I am not! I remain just a vessel. Her grace chooses to do what she wants with it. After all, She is the mother. I am just her belonging. I only pray to be worthy on her feet :) Is it possible to chant Sri Vidya Mantra without the initiation of a guru or person having the mantra's power? If yes, how is it to be pronounced? Generally mantras have to be obtained from a guru. But, if one cannot find a guru, one can pray to god and start repeating the mantra. But, in case of Sri Vidya, it should not be done. The following is an excerpt from ‘Japa Yoga’ by Swami Sivananda. Sri Vidya Sri-Vidya is the great Mantra of Tripurasundari or Bhuvanesvari or Mahamaya. It is also called the Panchadasi or the Panchadasakshari, for it is formed of fifteen letters. In its developed form it consists of sixteen letters and is called Shodasi or the Shodasakshari. The aspirant should directly get initiation of this Mantra from a Guru, and should not start reading it for himself or doing Japa of it, of his own accord. This is a very powerful Mantra and, when it is not properly repeated, it may harm the Upasaka. So it is imperative that it should be got directly from a Guru who has got Siddhi of this Mantra. The general rule is that this Mantra (Sri-Vidya) should be repeated after one's passing through certain stages of self-purification through other Mantras. In the beginning a Purascharana of Ganesa-Mantra should be done. Then Purascharanas of Gayatri-Mantra, Maha-Mrityunjaya-Mantra and Durga-Mantra (Vaidika or Tantrika) have to be done. After this the Panchadasakshari and the Shodasakshari have to be taken up for Japa. The Bija-Mantras and the Sri-Vidya should not be repeated by those who are not well acquainted with them. Only those who have a very good knowledge of the Sanskrit language and who have been directly initiated by a Guru (who has Mantra-Siddhi) can take up the Japa of Bija-Mantras and the Sri-Vidya. Others should not approach these Mantras and should do only their own Ishta-Mantras which are easy to pronounce and remember. What is the benefit of the Sri Matre Namah Mantra? This is a prayer to Tripura Sundari, one of the 10 mahavidyas. You don't need diksha from guru to get benefits as it doesn't have tantrik beej in this specific mantra you mentioned. Also please add “om” to the front. This mantra invokes shakti in form of mahamaya. It fulfill wishes and also open your third eye, you will never be vulnerable or ignorant or powerless.. There's no prescribed chanting procedure since you're not initiated, i think. But be careful, once you start getting your wishes fulfilled, you shouldn't stop chanting the mantra. With other devatas, if you stop chanting mantra after one month, you lose all benefits and sadhak becomes a normal human. But this is not the case with mahavidyas, any one of them you chose to worship will fuck you over if you ignore her after you have gotten her attention. You won't just lose your benefits, they will also deal with you. This comment isn't meant to discourage you, but in my honest opinion you should try to chant same number of counts daily and same time daily, use appropriate mala and prayer mat. Don't just go about your day chanting casually, this isn't Krishna or Ganesh mantra. This mantra will fulfill even your hardest wishes even selfish wishes and also increase your shakti. You will be able to manifest “anything”. You also become powerful in all deity Lok in general as her sadhak, if she decides to give you special attention, because Tripura Sundari is highest form of Adi Parashakti, here, Parvati took the form of both Saraswati and Lakshmi. Hope my comment helped What was your experience of Isha Mahashivratri Sadhana? This is my third year doing Mahashivratri Sadhana! But what does the word Sadhana Really mean? The word Sadhana in Sanskrit means a tool or a device. Just like we have tools to engineer our external world to make it work the best and without friction, the same goes for our inner world too. In the Indian subcontinent, this is what we refer to as Sadhana. It’s a tool or a device to transform oneself. What is Sri Vidya? You have asked a very difficult knowledge. Shri Yantra is basically part of Shri Vidya method of tantric worship with the aim to obtain definite achievements in worldly and spiritual matters. Shri Vidya arose as part of great Shakta tradition of Tantra which considers Shakti to be the Supreme object of Worship. The Sri Yantra's 9 constituent triangles intersect to form 43 smaller triangles, organized in 5 concentric levels. In the middle lies the enigmatic Bindu representing source of Origin of Everything in this Universe as well as realms beyond. Shri Vidya is part of Shakti tradition of Tantra and not a part of Yogic tradition and as such any application of Yoga or its philosophies on to it is highly disrespectful towards the great tantra tradition. I don’t know from where people got the idea of connecting it exclusively with Yoga and they ended up creating a hoch – poch of everything. Today internet Youtube etc. is filled with this same non-sense. Another misconception people has is that it is only a tool for obtaining Money. This is probably the dumbest assumption I had seen prevalent among people. Now comes the question – Why is Shri Vidya (and its Yantra) so important ? Why is the mystery behind it? And why even to this day no one knows its actual tantric rituals to obtain achievements? The answer to that is Shree Yantra is the Geometrical structure of entire Universe and several hidden realms (both above and below us). You can say that it is the one Yantra in which all yoginis, devis, devatas and all divine realms are situated in it. All bhairavas, yakshinis, and bhoot, pret, and like that all other elementals beings and their mysterious realms lies in it. Anything that is and that will be is inside it. Shri Yantra is entire COSMOS. So definitely it becomes an extremely significant tool to unlock the mysterious of universe and other hidden worlds which are beyond our reach. This is the only Yantra which is given the title of Yantra Raj i.e. Emperor of All Yantras. Goddess Tripur Sundari (Also called Raj Rajeswari or Lalitha) is the Governess and Patron of this secret knowledge. A true sadhaka in shakti tradition of tantra can obtain infinite divine powers through its Tantric sadhna that is why such sadhnas are kept secret and hidden from general masses. By changing items of worship, secret mantras, place and astrological time in worship of this same Shri Yantra various marvelous divine powers of Goddess are obtained which are beyond imagination. For example – On Sundays a particular type of colored flower are used and specific items are offered to the yantra and when its sadhna is done for specific days in a holy mountain (found in India) then Yakshinis come to the sadhka and accept him/her and bestow divine objects and powers. With Rudrakha and some other different items when its sadhna is done for 1 month then one gets the siddhis of Pishacha. Then like that different items are offered and sadhna done to obtain various divine powers like Betaal, Maaya Siddhi, Power to see past and future, gandharv, Naag kanya, Apsara etc etc. Even kundalini can be awakened by it,after all kundalini is also a Shakti only. As I said with this Tantric sadhna which comes under shree Vidya one can obtain infinite powers. It is not without any reason that this knowledge is considered extremely secret that needs to be guarded jealously. The ancient scriptures warn about the same. Scriptures advice to give up your life, your kingdom but do not share this secret with anyone, not even to one’s own son.  ·  Is it possible to chant Sri Vidya Mantra without the initiation of a guru or person having the mantra's power? If yes, how is it to be pronounced? I'm initiated in Sri Vidhya by women who's husband introduced Sri Vidhya to world. Those who know Sri Vidhya, know it. Anyway. Although I'm initiated in various Sri Vidhya Mantras, I Never chant them. I feel unbearable energy. I feel so uncomfortable chanting them. Too much energy those Mantras have. I am not even telling those Panchadshi or those types. Even basic ones of Bala or Ganapati. So, No. Sri Vidyas can't be practiced without one to one guidance. Also, pronunciation is big deal in Tantras. Have to learn one to one from teacher. There are things apart these, look elsewhere. Seek, you will find. ·  How is it really like to follow Sri Vidya? I would like to know about it, if you follow mainstream or tantric. I was fortunate to be friends with Guru Amritananda Saraswati of Devipuram on the internet and he and I chatted a bit. I called him once and asked him if he would give me Mahashodashi mantra and let me chant it. He gave it to me and we emailed back and forth until I had it right. He didn’t tell me I had to do it in any particular fashion. I am not a good sadhu. I’m just a normal shlub. I therefore believe that Sri Vidya is okay for normal people. You don’t have to talk like you escaped an ashram to practice it. Can I do Sadhna of Bhagwan Vishnu without a guru? If yes, how do I go about it? Yes, you can do Sadhana of Bhagavan Vishnu without a Guru. I do recommend seeking a Guru; but you don’t have to wait to find your Guru, you can start your Sadhana now. First, bathe and wear clean clothes. The best time to do Sadhana of Bhagavan Vishnu is during Brahma Muhurta, from 96 minutes before sunrise until 48 minutes before sunrise. But anytime in the morning is okay, or in the evening also. Mentally prepare by calming your mind. You may practice meditation to do this, as needed. Do not consume meat, alcohol, or rajasik or tamasik food before you do Sadhana on the same day. For a higher level, you can eat only fruits, fast from all food, or even fast from food and water. Take a Sankalpa or resolution to do Sadhana of Bhagavan Vishnu. Choose the physical place where you will do Sadhana. Traditional sadhakas usually do this in a dedicated, quiet, sanctified Puja area in their home. Out in nature is also a wonderful place. Or if you live near a temple where Vishnu is worshipped, that is a wonderful place. Wherever you choose, clean the area and ensure it is free of clutter. Take special care to maintain purity of this place during Sadhana. During Sadhana, maintain purity of thought, speech, and action. Be focused and reverent, not sloppy and inattentive. Most devotees prefer to use an image of Vishnu to help connect with Him. You may install a Murti of Lord Vishnu or just use your favorite picture. Meditate on Lord Vishnu and remember some of His deeds which most inspire you. It is traditional to give Vishnu offerings. Traditional offerings for Vishnu include sandalwood paste, flowers (especially lotus, pink lotus, marigold, jasmine, champa, maulshri, Indian magnolia, juhi, kewra, malti, basanti, ashoka, kadamba, or pichakam; but specifically not crown flower), leaves and/or flowers of the Tulasi (holy basil) plant, incense sticks, a flame lamp, fruits, panchamrit, vegetarian dishes of food (they should not contain eggs, garlic, onions, leeks, shallots, chives, or scallions), and/or vegetarian sweets. Maintain purity of these offerings. First, light the lamp and incense sticks. Begin your invocation by praying to Ganesha to remove obstacles from the Puja you are about to perform. Then, chant Vishnu Mantras with devotion. If you want, you can chant a Vishnu Mantra 108 times using a japamala (rosary) to keep count. But the devotion is the important part for truly invoking Vishnu in your consciousness. Don’t go through steps as a mere formality; if approached mechanically like a checklist, it won’t work very well. Sincere attention and mental engagement and intention are more important than the rote steps of the ritual. Keep your focus on Vishnu throughout the Puja. Whatever offerings you brought for Vishnu, offer them while chanting His Mantra(s). At the end of worship, perform Arati of Lord Vishnu. If you don’t know any Vishnu Mantras, here is the basic one to start with: “Aum Namo Narayanaya”, meaning “Aum, I make obeisance to He who dwells within human beings” and also “Aum, I make obeisance to He who dwells in the Primal Waters.” Or “Aum Vishnave Namaha”. If you are knowledgeable in Sanskrit pronunciation and want a longer Mantra, here is one of my very favorites, I sing this one all the time: “Shānta-karam Bhujagashayanam Padma-Nābham Suresham Vishva-dhāram Gagana-sadrisham Megha-varnam Shubāngam Lakshmi-kāntam Kamala-Nayanam Yogi-bhir-dhyāna-gamyam Vande Vishnum Bhava-bhaya-haram Sarva-lokaika-nātham” Meaning: “Peacefully reclining on the serpent, with the Cosmic Lotus growing from His navel, Lord of Devas, who is the very foundation of the universe, who sees beyond the skies, who is the color of a raincloud, whose every limb is filled with goodness, loving husband of Lakshmi, with lotus eyes, goal of the meditation of Yogis - I praise that Universal Vishnu who destroys all fears from our inner nature, master of all the worlds.” Another wonderful practice is to chant Vishnu Sahasranama. If you don’t have time to chant the whole thing (full recitation including introductory verses and Phalashruti takes about half an hour; the Thousand Names alone can be done in about half that time), you can recite even a single shloka. In the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna Himself says: “O Pandava, one may praise Me by reciting My thousand names if one so desires. But on My part, I feel praised by a single shloka. There is no doubt about it.” There are certain Mantras which you should not use without a Guru, but these are okay. If you like, you can also recite stories from Vishnu Mahapurana, Bhagavata Mahapurana, and other stories related to Vishnu. Afterward, the food you offered is now Prasad, charged with Vishnu’s grace. Share it with other people to eat, and eat some yourself. What really starts to invoke Vishnu into your consciousness is to do this worship (or at least meditate and chant Mantras of Lord Vishnu) regularly, not just once. Ideally, do it every day. If you are going to do longer/more involved Vishnu Sadhana on one day of the week, the best is Thursday or Wednesday. It is ideal to continue meditating on Lord Vishnu after Sadhana as you go about your other activities, and feeling gratitude to Him. If you want to go further in cultivating closeness with Vishnu, then you can look into fasting on the Ekadashi days, the eleventh day of each waxing and waning of the moon, and participating in Vishnu’s festivals, especially if you live near a Hindu community. Also, according to your means, donate food, clothes, money, and other necessary items to Brahmins and to the poor. How can one learn Sri Vidya Sadhana? I learnt on Sri Vidya as an accident but it has transformed my life beyond expectation. From my experience, finding the right guru is important. Constant liaising with guru helps you grasp knowledge and apply it better. To Learn Sri Vidya Believe in the faith Pray in anyway you feel is the best. Why? The Mother will direct you to her Your faith and dedication is the first qualification to learn, so gear up and request the mother to bring you by her side. 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 What is Sri Vidya Sadhana? Advait Shri Vidya Sadhana is the most sacred of “Kundalini Sadhana”. Just as “ Shivlinga is the niraakar In this Sadhna, the sadhak meditate over Maha Meru and becomes one with it an in meditating on the Meru,he ends up meditating on himself to “Unravel his real self”. Since this sadhana is so sacred, the King of the Gods – Indra and Maaya will be watching you over. Let go your ego. All Devas (Gods) respect a Advait Shri Vidya Sadhak as much as they respect Lord Shiva. All low dimensional beings run away from a Advait Shri Vidya Sadhak. All 7 dimensions above and below the 3rd dimension are purified. In doing the “Advait Shri Vidya Sadhna” , we are blessed by: Ma Lakshmi (gain of prosperity by way of money, assets and all luxuries). Ma Saraswati (Divine Wisdom oozes out of us naturally and we become the scholar of all worldly sciences too). Ma Kali ( at a subtle level confidence builds in us which gives us the faith and belief that we can achieve anything and everything and tide over all difficulties all by ourselves). Lord Brahma (we become the creators of our own destiny and voluntarily so, deciding for ourselves what will our future be like). Lord Vishnu (we sustain our lives enjoying everything, leading a lifetime full of bliss). Lord Shiva (destroying any negativity which comes our way and becoming forgiving, simple just like "Bhola Bhandari" or Bholenath) Lion of Ma Durga (the rigidity to stick to resolves, the firm determination, the courage to pounce on hurdles and bravely fight them out) 16 Nityas of the Moon (when one does sadhna everyday, the presiding devi of the day, also called the Nitya is appeased and all through the day the shower of unconditional love of Devi continues Blessings of Sun (we become tejoymay, exuding divine energy at all times just like the glow of 10 suns which adorn our beautiful universe) Thus a sadhak who meditates daily, if at all encounters a difficulty, he does not fight it alone. The whole universe fights with him as Ma Ambika is always around. And when Ma Ambika is around, all divinity is around. Nine different lineages are there for Sri Vidya Sadhana. These linages are classified based on practices, philosophies, rituals, and mantras. Moreover, the traditions are different in different temples and locations.Based on locations the most popular are the Tamil Nadu linage, Kashmiri linage, Nepal linage, Bengal Linage, Tripura linage, UP Linage and Uttarakhand Linage.I am conversant with the Tamil Nadu, Bengal and the Uttarakhand Linage. From the ritualistic point of view the differences are huge, but the concept is the same.Normally, initially, the Devi Khadgamala Stotram is slightly difficult to follow. But other mantras are simple and straight forward. Only you need a practice of about a month or so.In the south, they made the worship system very complicated and the rituals are very very strict and long. Otherwise, it is a harmless, very joyful and playful way to access the Divine Mother within us.However, the Bengal and Uttarakhand systems are more liberal and focused more on meditation, divinity and the philosophy of Advita-Vedanta and non-duality, which I liked the most. The Key of Sri Vidya Sadhana is the mantra and the Sri Chakra. The details are as follows. In the center of Nagara (city) is the Maha Padma Vana (the great lotus forest) and within it, the Chintamani Griha (The house of holy thought), in the northeast is the Chid agni kunda and on both sides of its eastern gate are the houses of Mantrini and Dandini. On its four gates stand the Chaturamnaya gods for watch and ward. Within it is the chakra. In the center of the Chakra on the throne of Pancha brahmas on the Bindu Pitha (dot plank) called Sarvanandamaya (universal happiness) sits Maha Tripura Sundari. In the chakra, there are the following decorations: The square called Trilokya-mohanam (most beautiful in the three worlds). The sixteen petaled lotus called Sarvasa paripurakam (fulfiller of all desires). The eight petaled lotus called Sarvasamksopanam (the all cleanser). The fourteen cornered figure called Sarva saubhagyam (all luck). The external ten cornered figure called Sarvartha sadhakam (giver of all assets). The internal ten cornered figure called Sarva raksha karam (All protector). The eight cornered figure called Sarva roga haram (cure of all diseases). The triangle called Sarva siddhi pradam (giver of all powers). The dot called Sarvananda mayam. I will suggest take a liberal teacher, who can guide you one-on-one, and who is Self-realized and know the Supreme and the techniques, and who will not dump you with excessive videos and literatures. As I realized excessive ritual is not so helpful, in this path. Excessive rituals may divert you from your true intention. I learned the Sri Viday from great master Sri Guru Amit Ray. So far I know, his teachings are the best. They are focused more on meditation, mantra and Divinity. As you know, rituals and the mantras are not the objective, they are just the means. Getting the blessings of the Goddess Lalita is the Key. As she herself said she is beyond the rituals and one can get her only through devotion and love. The Key Mantras are: Bala mantra, and the Panchodoshi Mantra, and the Maha-Shodashi mantra. The main Strotras are: Lalitha Sahasranama, Soundarya Lahiri, Lalitha Thrisathi Strotra and Devi khadgamala stotram. Focus, devotion and meditation is the key. In this path, the blessings of the teacher itself is a great asset. The truly Enlighted one can minimize your load. Apsara Sculpture Apsara Sadhana Apsara Sādhanā  and  Rambha Apsara Sādhanā  are of 21 days but I did it only for 3 days and then performed the Homa for Rambha Apsara and immersed all the Puja Samagri in nearby river.In the start I mentally prayed with pure heart and asked Rambha Apsara that show me some sign in dreams that do you want me to perform your sādhanā for getting you as a friend for lifetime? During the same night I had vision of Rambha Apsara. So I took it for granted that I can proceed with the sādhanā. First I did a ritual for Lord Ganesha to make the Rambha Apsara Mantra potent also known as Mantra Siddhi so that Siddhi can be achieved from sādhanā. After the ritual I paid my obeisance to my Guru Bhagawan BholeNath to seek His blessings and asked for protection during the sadhana so that any unwanted spirit may not get attracted as Shiv Ji is BhootNath. After that I started doing Mantra on Sphatik (quartz) Mala which I had done Sanskar before from Panchagavya. I did 21 rounds of Mala on first day. I continued the same amount of Japa on second day in the night after doing Guru Mantra and Lord Ganesha Mantra. On third day I started getting restless and my Heart started longing for Apsara as if Rambha will not appear infront of me then I may suffocate to death which is a positive sign that Apsara wants me to continue the sādhanā with great intensity. In sādhanā everything is Bhava only. The stronger the Bhava the more the chances of getting success in any sādhanā. Brahmacharya and complete secrecy is must in sādhanā. But suddenly a thought came to me that Bhagavan Sri Krishna has said in the Bhagavad Gita that whatever Yoni apart from any form of Saguna Brahman we please from our sādhanā and take help then after death one has to serve that Yoni. Means after death one will go to Apsara Loka. Therefore no chance of Moksha will be there. Hence it is also highly inadvisable to do Neech Koti sadhana like Bhoot and Pisach otherwise one has to serve in the same Yoni after death. That's why Tantrik who takes help from Neech Yoni like Bhoot and Pisach keep the Siddhi in Kapala and offer it wine and meat. Whereas in Vedic Marga Siddhi resides within the sādhaka and strengthens him both physically as well as spiritually and a Siddh Sādhaka has to maintain purity of body and mind to keep the Siddhi. On the other hand in Neech Koti sādhanā no such type of purity is required by a sādhaka. So I decided that I will not proceed with the sādhanā further. Hence I ended my sādhanā on the 3rd day after doing 21 Japa Mala and on 4th day I performed the Homa for Rambha Apsara. On 5th day I immersed all the Pooja Samagri in nearby river after asking forgiveness from Rambha Apsara. But I was having guilty feeling that Apsara might be angry with me and I might suffer some bad consequences by leaving the sādhanā in between. So I prayed to Maa Durga Bhavani to forgive and protect me as all the Apsaras serve under Her. In Navratri a special ritual was done to please Maa Durga Bhavani by my family Priest to ward off any ill effects of my sādhanā. Hence I will not advise anyone to proceed with the sādhanā as after Death one has to serve the Apsara in her Loka. Even if you still want to proceed with Apsara Sādhanā then first please Maa Durga Bhavani or proceed after doing Siddhi in Shree Mahavidya Sādhanā. If Maa is pleased then Apsara will surely appear infront of you. If you are a highly advanced sādhaka with great Tapobal then Apsaras will be attracted to you and may appear infront of you. As they don't crave for any physical beauty but are highly pleased and attracted towards a sādhaka who is spiritually advanced and dear to Devi and Devtas like Arjuna in Mahabharat. And you should also remember that this is Kaliyuga and many Mantras are encrypted(Keelit) to prevent their misuse by an undeserving person. So a correct Mantra can only be given by a genuine Guru who are not easily accessible as they are only capable of doing decryption(Utkeelan) of the Mantra and give it to a sādhaka. For example, if any sādhaka wants to get Pashupatastra weapon of Mahadev then an active Kundalini Shakti of a sādhaka is must required along with a highly advanced and revered Guru like Bhagwan Sri Parshuram. Another way is to do intense Tapasya of Mahadev Shiv Ji to get it directly from Him to make you invincible as the Shakti of Pashupatastra will reside in the sādhaka. Otherwise you will find only encrypted(Keelit) Mantra of any Astra in Kaliyuga. But never use any Shabar Mantra to force an Apsara to come. Also during Apsara Sadhana one is not advised to worship too much Shri Hanuman Ji Maharaj like reciting Shri Hanuman Chalisa daily many times as Shri Hanuman Ji is Balbrahmachari so Apsara will not come near a Hanuman Ji Maharaj sādhaka. As a well wisher I will again advise you not to take any Mantra from various YouTube channels as some other spirits may get attracted and you will not be able to handle it without a Guru. I too once suffered from an evil effect of a spirit. I don't want to discuss it here on a public platform. But to remove that I did myself Maa Baglamukhi Sādhanā for protection. After the first day of my Sādhanā of Maa Baglamukhi the spirit didn't trouble me. Till today I worship Maa Pitambara Baglamukhi and thank Her for protecting me. Hence only do Ishwar Upasna which is liberating in nature or Moksha giving by annihilating the Karmas while simultaneously raising the level of Consciousness and is beneficial to your Pitra also even attracting their blessings. Experience of the sadhana depends on the Sadhak.Eack sadhak will have different its same like two leaves of same tree are different.And it also depends on the path through which you are doing like sattvick, Rajasic , Tamasic and through which process you are doing. Beware of fake spirituality and expriences.And definately Sri vidhya is not making Gold coin Shower on you. What is the difference between Sri a Vidya Sadhana and Advait Sri Vidya Sadhana? “Shri Vidya and Advait Shri Vidya” When Lord Shiva has shown his divine presence (darshan) to Adi Guru Shankracharya, then Lord Shiva along with Mata Parvati have gifted a beautiful Granth to Adi Guru Shrankracharya ji whose name was “Saundrya Lehri” (The Flood of Beauty). When Adi Guru Shankracharya with the feeling of ultimate blissfulness carrying the Granth on his way from Kailash then Nandi tries to take that Granth from Shankracharya ji, by saying I am worthy of this Granth more because every time I used to be with Lord Shiva”. Hence between all this when both of them were trying to have the Granth with them, the work was partially destroyed, perhaps by a natural disaster leaving Adi Guru Shankracharya ji with only forty one of the original “100 verses of Saundrya Lehri”. No doubts, it was all the divine play of Lord Shiva because if a person gets in his hands the most Valuable Granth which consist of the whole description on the ultimate journey of “NAR SE NARAYAN” so easily then he may not be able to drink the actual nectar(divine amrit) of the Granth. Thus this divine play of Lord Shiva leads Adi Guru Shankracharya with only half of the Granth which compelled him to complete the rest of the Granth. But the Extraordinary devotion of Adi Guru Shankracharya ji towards Lord Shiva has made them to meditate over the rest 59 hymns of the Granth in order to complete it. Thus Adi Guru Shankracharya ji begins to start the “Mahatap” in order to decode the rest of the Granth from the Universal Consciousness and they write the rest in their own words. This leads to the creation of the most beautiful Granth named as “The flood of Beauty- Saundrya Lehri” once again with the complete 100 verses. The whole essence of this question lies in the story itself. Thus the complete SaundryaLehri fromAdi Guru Shankracharya ji consists of two forms of Shri Vidya- Shri Vidya and Advait Shri Vidya. The First and the foremost thing is Guru is important for Shri Vidya and it has to be done under the guidance of a guru, one who has gained siddhi in 10 mahavidya. (Here, under guru's guidance does not mean one-to-one guidance). The 10 mahavidya was earlier compressed into three main vidyas – Haadi vidya, kaadi vidya and saadi vidya. Later on when it was found that it was difficult to attain siddhi on these vidyas in one lifetime, it was compressed to one vidya that isShri Vidya. “The First 41 Hymns which they got externally from Lord Shiva” The dual form of Worship, The Dvait Sadhana “The worshiper is different from the Object of Worship, (Lord Shiva)” . Shri Vidya Sadhana - The Shri Vidya Sadhana also known as “NavavaranPuja” Which has “karmkaand” involving havan, puja, rituals, muhurath, direction, etc. The Shri Vidya Sadhana has its importance lying in worshipping the Maha-Meru (Shri Chakra). Maha-Meru(Shri Chakra) - The Shri Chakra (the abode of the Shakti) has 44 angles with four Shri Kantha (Shiva chakras) and five Shiva Yuvati (Other Shakti chakras), separate from the Shiva chakras and these are nine source materials for the universe. These are surrounded by the eight petalled lotus (Astha dal padma), next by the sixteen petalled lotus. All these are in three circles separated by the 3 lines. (Shri Shakti is the 1000petalled lotus in the brain.). Shri Vidya- Shri Chakra and Sanghaar Chakra. Once you fully get the wisdom of Shri Vidya you start materializing and once you fully get the wisdom of Sanghaar chakra you will be able to destroy; not external destruction but internal destruction of negativities. The Shri Vidya Sadhana can be done by sitting in front of the Shri Chakra and by offering the samagri externally and while one meditates over its energy centres then slowly a vortex of high energy is created from the chakra that will connect to the Universe. When one meditates over it, The Shri Chakra attracts abundance. It has within it all the secrets of shakti and materialization. Once activated it gives immense results in abundance. This sadhana lets one fullfill all the bhogs, complete all the worldly desires andbring prosperity and happiness, but because this Sadhana has dual mode where the worshipper and the Shri Chakra are “Two” thus during completing all the bhogs there lies possibilities that the sadhak may trap in the Aasaktis and remain in the attachment of the world (Maya). Thus no Liberation happens. This Vidya was given to Brahmans which was passed down in the Brahman generations. In this dualistic practice, you achieve things, you can fulfil all the desires but karmas are not burnt and there is no purification. There is also Aasakti (attachment, greed, fear, etc) thus no liberation. “The rest of the Granth completed by becoming one with Shiva” “The Non-Dual Form of Worship, The Advait Sadhana” “Where there is only one (The Worshiper and the object of Worship are one.)” . Advait Shri Vidya Sadhana- The Advait (nondualistic) sadhana which was given to Siddhas and it passed down in the guru-shishya parampara. In the Advait Shri Vidya Sadhana the sadhak establishes the Shri Chakra within himself and all the things which were done externally during the Navavaran Puja were now done internally by being one with the Shri chakra. Iam the worshipper and I am the one who is being worshipped(“Me savayam ki sadhana kar rha hu) by meditating over the Energy centers of the Shri Chakra which lies inside the body. In this practice there is materialization as well as destruction of karma and purification. It enables one for bhog and moksha. My Baba Says-”Aapko bhajo, Aapkob dhyaao, Aap mein aapke Ram aap hokar rehte hain” Before starting Shri Vidya sadhana, one must do dhyan on the guru paduka and pranam to guru, then pranam to Shiva and pranam to Shakti and then continue the sadhana. Whoever has a guru, he must continue under his/her guru only because it is due to them that you have came to babaji and blessed with this diksha. Before receiving the Advait Shri Vidya Sadhana, One must have an experience of Shaktipaat from his Guru. After the Shaktipaat, when one practice the Advait Shri Vidya Sadhana, then The Guru opens 3 knots of ignorance in consciousness pathways Brahma granthi- knot of ignorance. There is awareness and belief I am this body, I am of superior/inferior caste/family. Anything connected to physical body. Psychic impressions of ignorance collected together. Vishnu granthi - knot of ego - I have a lot of spiritual power, which is a rajoguna. I have a lot of wealth. Emotions of Ego. Rudra granthi - everything you have is released, body consciousness, ego consciousness. I seek the happiness, I have happiness. You have to reach nirgunanirakar, state of Bliss. After rudra granti is opened (by the guru) all the three gunas (satoguna, tamoguna, rajoguna) vanish and one then reaches the Nirguna. With sadhana there is clearance of all len-den (karmic debts) from everywhere because in some or the other lifetime we would have been in any of the 14 dimensions. The earth is entering into 4th dimension after which the planet gets closer to the 10 suns. Sadhaks start getting siddhis, maha vidyas and with purification experiences Maa Lalita Tripurasundari. One must do the Advait Sri Vidya sadhana regularly along with Nishkam Seva and Sankirtan. During the Sadhana, One will experience from the first day itself, the only thing to make sure is that one must keep only shudh bhavana (pure intentions). Even little impurities in bhavana will pull back the shakti. One must keep away from ahankar (ego) and only practice forgiveness and unconditional love along with being non-judgemental. Detachment comes with unconditional love. With this “Bhog and Moksha Sadhana”, One will experience the highest of the highest bliss by experiencing all the worldly desires, detatch and reaches the level of No Desires and Unravel his real self becomes infinite(Anant) and attain moksha(Ascension). “Mera Baba kehtahai- Nak (toenails) se shika (scalp hair) tak sadh lena sadhana hoti hai.” While Doing the Advait Shri Vidya one start raising from the Earth element in the Mula Adhara, The Water element in the Manipoora, The Fire element present in the Svadhishthana (inner core of conciousness), The Air element in the heart, (going) above the Space element, and the mind element between the brows (The immanent vision). Thus having passed through all the Pancha (five) Bhootas (Gross Elements) and exhausting them in the path (Kulapatha), one sport ones own creative activity in secret with the husband in the thousand petalled lotus(Shiva).Thus this Parmat Chetnas state where Shiva and Shakti becomes one is known as the state of Advait where own attains Everything(Ascension). “Jab aap Advait Shri Vidya ko saadh lete hai from then onwards you have become from sadhak to Supatra Shishya”. Today the Advait Sri Vidya Sadhana is in the hands of only one alive saint “Avdhoot Shivanand ji”(Babaji). Don't take this sadhana lightly and for granted. When one start gaining in this sadhana, lakhs will be benefited from the one, kai preth mukth ho jayenge, 7 generations are freed, where you sit there will be no bhumidosha, people around you start getting relief, the entire Universe benefits by mere the presence of a Shri Vidya saadhak. Physical beings and astral beings feel blessed living close to an Advait Sri Vidya sadhak.All Devas (Gods) respect a Shri Vidya Sadhak as much as they respect Lord Shiva.“That is the level of divinity and purity an Advait Shri Vidya emits. Shri Vidya sadhaks can be called anything - Vaishnav (followers of Vishnu), Shaiv (followers of Shiva) and Shaakt (followers of Shakti) because Shri Vidya sadhana is sadhana of all but among all he is blessed as a “Supatra Shishya”(The greatest of all) by our Babaji. Hope all the Saadhaks, all the readers and the divine potential (Shiva) within them would experience the highest forms of Self Love, self- realization under their Shiva (Their Guru). Isha Mahashivratri Sadhana is so simple yet powerful. I did the 42-day cycle of the sadhana. In the beginning, I was hesitant when I got to know that we’re supposed to eat only two meals a day and the first meal after 12 PM. I thought it was going to be a task because I didn’t think it would be possible to go without breakfast for 42 days. But, as I started the sadhana my compulsive need to keep munching on junk disappeared like magic. It was so effortless to carry on with my day to day activities without breakfast. You feel more energy to do more things. Even to this day, I eat only two meals a day. The structure of Shiva Namaskar is so simple. It’s so easy, anyone could do it. It takes less than fifteen minutes. It brought tremendous flexibility in my body, my fitness level has gone up after that. I experienced heightened levels of energy. No complacency or laziness. I learned other Hatha Yoga practices after I finished the 42-day cycle of Shiva Namaskar. For the first time, I experienced the power of yoga. Lastly, the important change this Sadhana has brought in my life is discipline. For the first time, I experienced what it means to have a disciplined life. With this discipline, some of the things that I wanted to change about my life were happening very fast. I sensed my anger has come down in a great way. There was more control over my emotions too. Earlier I read how practicing something for a duration of 21 days or 42 days can instill itself as a habit in one's life. I am living that life today, thanks to the Mahashivratri Sadhana. 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Why is there a Sadhana for Mahashivratri? The night of Mahashivratri has been revered and celebrated in the Indian culture for thousands of years. Here are the few reasons why, What are the benefits of chanting the Sri Vidya Stotram? The Sri Vidya Stotram is a hymn that is chanted in the worship of the divine feminine energy known as Shakti. Chanting this hymn is believed to have several benefits, including: Purification of the mind: Chanting the Sri Vidya Stotram is said to purify the mind of negative thoughts and emotions and help one attain inner peace and clarity. Spiritual growth: The Sri Vidya Stotram is believed to help one connect with the divine feminine energy, leading to spiritual growth and transformation. Removal of obstacles: Chanting this hymn is said to remove obstacles and difficulties in one's life, leading to a smoother and more successful life. Increased abundance: The Sri Vidya Stotram is also believed to bring about an increase in abundance and prosperity in one's life. Healing and protection: The chanting of this hymn is believed to offer protection against negative energies and also promote physical and emotional healing. Overall, chanting the Sri Vidya Stotram is said to be a powerful spiritual practice that can bring about numerous benefits for the mind, body, and soul. However, it's essential to note that the effectiveness of this practice depends on one's faith and devotion towards the divine feminine energy.  ·  Which mantra is the least and most advanced mantra in Srividya system amongst these 4 mantra of Mahashodashi, Parashodashi, Guhyashodashi and Paravidya? Please arrange them in the list from lowest to highest advance level. There have been 34 great rishis who worshiped and realized Sri Vidya in ancient times. Each received a unique mantra. The first one was LopaMudra, her mantra began with K (क) and Agatsya, whose mantra began with H (ह). The former is known as Kadi Vidya कादी विद्या, the second as Hadi Vidya हादी विद्या and rest as Kahadi Vidya कहादी विद्या. (1) Initiation to Savitr Gayatri (“Revealed” to Sage Visvaamithra) -also known as Upa Nayanam ( an Extra Eye, Near Physical Eyes) -or- “In between the eye Brows” (Bru madhye =>भ्रू मध्ये ) is Essential Sanskaaram (One in 16 sanskaaraas) -both for a Boy and a Girl -preferably has to be done before a Boy is 8 year to 16 year old and for a Girl before her marriage /before her Gothram is changed to her Husband’s Gothram —This Savitr Gayatri Manthra Upadesam can be done only by Bilological Father /Mother along with Kula GUru (“HousePriest”) -all the Four enclosed inside a Pure White Silk Dhothi 9Cloth) with red and green borders (in South India) —In case Bilogical father is not Alive -father’s brother /or/ Maernal Uncle ( Maathulam Pitru Samaanah => मातुलं पित्र समानः and his wife —This is Most Essential Manthram in every body’s life -like Breath —These Saadhna /Vedhana and All Human beings have created in the last 20 Years -just as Breathing O2 in Air is Essential -Savitr Gayatri Essential (2) At middle Age -Preferably post menopause for Women —They can approach a Brilliant Veda /Vedhantha Scholar /or Current .H.H.Sankaracharya Swami /Vaishnava Jeer Swami/ or /Paryaaya Mata Maadwa Acharya Swami and “Request” the Scholars to ‘Initiate” them to Sri.Vidhya Upaasana “-Navaakshari -Baalaa Tripura Sundari / Panca Daca Akshari /Sri.Chakra Upaasana /Meru Upaasana and so on => 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000  ·  Has anyone chanted Vyankatesh Stotra? Can you share your experience? I have the fortunate experience of chanting this divine stotra while I was seeking admission to a reknown college for graduation. I chanted the stotra everyday for atleast 1 and 1/2 months. By the end of 2–3 months I secured admission and while I was about to leave the College campus, visited a near by building to submit some documents. When I was about to leave that building, by chance I happened to see a long and clean corridor or a hallway. There was some light at the end near by the wall, something nudged me to go towards the end of the corridor. I started walking and once I reached the end I was wonderstruck and left speechless. In front of me was a majestic life size idol of none other than Lord Venkateshwara, standing inside a serene shrine with an enclosure. I stood in wonder thinking that I was praying all this long to none other than him, secretly and sincerely seeking His blessings for securing my admission, and here it was that I just secured my admission and He revealed himself immediately, as if to comfirm my faith and made me feel like it was He, the divine wirepuller whose Grace was at work behind the scenes and fulfilled my prayer, while bestowing on me an experience I can never forget. The divine idol was near exactly like how shown in the picture below. Here is the sacred stotra I used to chant. I still chant or listen to this magical rendition by Vaibhavi S Shete What is Shodashi Sadhana? Can anyone do it without a guru? The answer is NO. Any type of Sri Vidya Sadhana cannot be practiced without a qualified Guru. Not only can it not be learned or practiced without a proper Guru who has mastered the Sri Vidya, it will not have effect even if you found some way to read the correct way to practice this extremely intense Sadhana, and in some cases it could even have an adverse effect that could be dangerous. It is very hard to complete this Sadhana in todays day and age, the normal Sansari or worldly person would not be able to take on the task because it requires the Sadhaka or practitioner to live with their Guru for at least a year and take on some very strict rules for living.2K views Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo The Shri Yantra Mandir of Amarkantak pulled us like puppets on a string. The intriguing images of the temple, that we had seen at the MPT Holiday Homes Amarkantak, propelled us to explore this unusual temple in the holy city of Amarkantak. As we gazed up at what can be called the massive Gopuram (Entrance Tower) of the temple, we could feel the goosebumps rising on our arms. Four humungous faces with different expressions looked in the four cardinal directions. They seemed to be gazing into eternity. The massive faces reminded us of the Bayon temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was dusk when we reached the Shri Yantra Temple Amarkantak. In the fading light, the massive faces assumed a dreamlike quality. Why is the temple closed? Why is the Shri Yantra Mandir, whose construction started in 1991 still incomplete? Read on to find answers to these questions and know more about the mysterious Shri  Yantra Mandir of Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. Shri Yantra Mandir Amarkantak - Unfinished Grandeur The incomplete Shri Yantra Mandir is actually the Shri Yantra Mahameru Shakti Peeth. The ambitious temple has been under construction since 1991. It is being built under the auspices of Bhartiya Prachya Yog Shodh Sansthan. The temple is the brainchild of Acharya Mandaleshwar of the Attal Akhada Sri Swami Shukdevanadji. Swami Shukhdevanandji was the driving force behind the construction of the Shri Yantra Mandir, which when complete would be the only temple of its kind in the entire world. Sadly Swami Shukhdevanandji passed away in August 2018, without seeing the completion of his dream project. After that, the mantle has fallen to his successor, Swami Sharad Puri. The Shri Yantra Mandir is being constructed according to the ancient tenets of the Hindu temple building contained in the ancient Agama Shastras. The prime reason why the Shri Yantra Temple is still not completed even after more than 30 years is that construction is undertaken only during the Guru Pushya Nakshatra, which is considered auspicious. The Guru Pushya Nakshatra falls on an average of about 4-5 days in a year. Design Of Shri Yantra Mandir In Amarkantak When we visited the Shri Yantra Mandir, we had access only to a narrow corridor that leads from the entrance tower. At end of the corridor were placed two beautiful idols of Devis (Goddesses). These represent Tripura Sundari, the ultimate representation of Shakti. One of the idols was that of Goddess Saraswati and the other of Goddess Mahalakshmi. There were doors in the corridor that led inside the temple premises, ut these were closed. Shree Yantra Mandir Amarkantak The temple is located in a vast open area and is surrounded by woods. On the left-hand side of the temple, the land was at a higher level and dotted with trees. We climbed this elevated land to get a better view of the Shri Yantra Mandir. And this vantage view, enable us to get an idea of the design of the temple. The design was unusual and we had a vague feeling of having seen the design or something similar, elsewhere. It was only later when fueled with curiosity we sat down to do some research on the temple, that we came to know why the design seemed oddly familiar. The design to some extent, in its unfinished status, resembled the Shri Yantra that we have at home. The Shri Yantra temple is conceived as a three-dimensional representation of the famous Shri Yantra, also referred to as Sri Chakra. The Shri Yantra Mandir Amarkantak is being built in the form of a Maha Meru Yantra (3D form of Shri Yantra) and would be the Shri Yantra Maha Meru Shaktipeeth. To understand the complexities of the design of the Shri Yantra Mandir of Amarkantak, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the design and significance of the Sri Yantra itself. Shri Yantra Mandir - The Four-Faced Entrance Tower Shri Yantra Mandir, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh The feature of the unfinished Shri Yantra Mandir that rivets your attention is the entrance tower. The tower has four faces of Godesses facing the cardinal directions. The entrance faces the eastern direction, and the face of the Goddess Maha Saraswati gazes out benevolently towards the east. The fearsome face of Goddess Maha Kali gazes in the southern direction. Facing the northern direction is the calm countenance of Goddess Maha Bhuvaneshwari, and the angelic face of the Goddess Maha Lakshmi looks out in the northern direction towards the inner complex of the Shri Yantra temple. The beautifully sculpted figures of the 64 Yoginis (Chausath Yogini) adorn the walls beneath the massive faces of the four Goddesses. There are 16 of these Yoginis on each of the four sides of the entrance tower. On the eastern side, in addition to the Yoginis, can be seen the figures of Ganesha and Karthik. The sculptors who have made the sculptures in the temple are specially called from South India and West Bengal. Shri Yantra Mandir Amarkantak Design - Maha Meru (3D Representation Of Shri Yantra) The Shri Yantra Mandir, when complete would be a grand and complex structure that would represent a 3D projection model of the Shri Yantra. This is known as Maha Meru. Though we could not get a good view of the main temple that stood in the centre of the circular temple complex. We understand that the steps leading to the temple are flanked by the raised heads of two serpents. The serpents that rise from the base have their tails entangled and surround the entire temple. On the external walls of the temple, Kaal Nritya or the "dance of time," has been depicted with various iconography. The construction of a temple in the form of a Shri Yantra requires precise knowledge of Vastu Shastra as well as the complexities of the Shri Yantra itself. According to legend, such a design has been attempted only once in history. This was some 2,000 years ago when Acharya Ameresh designed the original Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, Assam. It is believed that the original temple was constructed in the form of a Shri Yantra, but was later destroyed by lightning. When the temple was rebuilt later, the original design could not be duplicated. Location Of Shri Yantra Mandir The Shri Yantra Mandir is located on the hallowed land that is the birthplace of the sacred Narmada River in Amarkantak, Annupur District, Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak has many holy places in its vicinity and many sacred places that are unknown to people. It is believed that many evolved beings stay here in their subtle form. Because of this Amarkantak was chosen to build the Shri Yantra Mandir. The Shri Yantra Mandar is surrounded by verdant forests on two sides. There is an ancient water body called Batte Krishna Kund to the west of the temple. A water reservoir located towards the north of the temple, adds to the mystic beauty of its surroundings. The location of the Shri Yantra Mandir is at the intersection of three mountain ranges, the Maikal, the Vindhyas, and the Satpura mountain ranges. The presence of 5 ancient and sacred water bodies or Kunds near the location of the temple, adds to its sanctity. What The Shri Yantra Mandir Will Look Like When Complete One can only imagine the grandeur and complexity of the Shri Yantra Mandir, once it is completed. It will resemble a gigantic Shri Yantra in three dimensions. According to the planned design of the temple, it will be having a grand entrance tower that leads inside the temple from the eastern side. The main temple with Tripura Sundari will occupy the centre of the entire structure. The main temple will be completely surrounded by a group of smaller temples or Mandals. There will be 108 smaller Yantras on which will be placed the idols of the other Goddesses or the consorts of the principal deity, Maha Tripura Sundari. These idols would be 216 in number. Further, there would be 4 temples, one each in all the four cardinal directions that would have the deities as Shiva, Ganesh, Hanuman, and Bhairav. 1,25,000 Shri Yantras would be installed in the temple premises. One can only imagine the spiritually surcharged atmosphere that will prevail in the Shri Yantra Mandir, once it is completed and is operational. Mysteries Of Shri Yantra Mandir Amarkantak Sri Chakra Temple in India - Sri Yantra Mahameru Temple in Madhya Pradesh The Shri Yantra Mandir has been under construction since 1991 The Shri Yantra Temple is being built in the form of a 3-D Shri Yantra called Maha Meru Construction of  the temple is done only on the days of the Guru Pushya Nakshatra The entrance tower is crowned by the huge faces of four Devis, namely Maha Lakshmi, Mahakali, Maha Bhuvaneshwari, and Maha Saraswati There are sculptures of 64 yoginis that adorn the entrance tower, 16 on each of the four sides The sculptors are called from parts of South India and West Bengal 1,25,000 Shri Yantras will be installed in the Shri Yantra Mandir The Shri Yantra Mandir is the only one of its kind in the entire world The Shri Yantra Mandir is incomplete, and yet it awes you with its enigmatic grandeur. As we leave the temple, the silhouettes of the Godesses look down upon us, and we head back with images of the temple haunting us, long after we had left its precincts. 56