DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0215
Yantras, or mystic diagrams. 203
implore the immediate presence of the offended Brahman,
who thereupon becoming mollified, obligingly consented to
repeat another Mantra which reconverted all the filth into the
most delicious ambrosial food.
We now pass on to the Yantras. These are mystical dia-
grams drawn on metallic tablets, often of copper—generally
combinations of triangular figures like the inverted triangles
of the Freemasons—supposed to possess occult powers.
Each of the goddesses worshipped by the Saktas has a
Yantra assigned to her, which is sometimes placed in the
centre of a lotus-diagram, the Blja belonging to the goddess
being also inscribed a certain number of times on each petal.
The Srl-c'akra or holy circle is delineated in a diagram of
this kind and then worshipped. It is supposed to represent the
orb of the earth, nine triangles being drawn within the circle
to denote the nine continents. In the centre is the drawing
of a mouth, which is believed to typify the female energy
(Sakti) presiding over the circle. According to some authori-
ties, even the orthodox Sahkaracarya must have been a Sakti-
worshipper ; for he is known to have placed a representation
of the Sri-cakra in each of the four monasteries founded by
him.
These Yantras or mystic diagrams are thought to be quite
as effective in their operation as the Mantras, and of course a
combination of the two is held to be absolutely irresistible.
An enemy may be killed or removed to some other place,
or a whole army destroyed, or salvation and supreme felicity
in a future state obtained by drawing a six-sided or eight-
sided diagram and writing a particular Mantra underneath.
If this be done with the blood of an animal1 killed sacrificially
in a place where corpses are burned (Smasana), no power in
earth or heaven can resist the terrific potency of the charm.
1 It may give an idea of the depths of superstition and degradation to
which Saktism can lead if we note here that the retas of either male or
female is believed to be still more efficacious.
implore the immediate presence of the offended Brahman,
who thereupon becoming mollified, obligingly consented to
repeat another Mantra which reconverted all the filth into the
most delicious ambrosial food.
We now pass on to the Yantras. These are mystical dia-
grams drawn on metallic tablets, often of copper—generally
combinations of triangular figures like the inverted triangles
of the Freemasons—supposed to possess occult powers.
Each of the goddesses worshipped by the Saktas has a
Yantra assigned to her, which is sometimes placed in the
centre of a lotus-diagram, the Blja belonging to the goddess
being also inscribed a certain number of times on each petal.
The Srl-c'akra or holy circle is delineated in a diagram of
this kind and then worshipped. It is supposed to represent the
orb of the earth, nine triangles being drawn within the circle
to denote the nine continents. In the centre is the drawing
of a mouth, which is believed to typify the female energy
(Sakti) presiding over the circle. According to some authori-
ties, even the orthodox Sahkaracarya must have been a Sakti-
worshipper ; for he is known to have placed a representation
of the Sri-cakra in each of the four monasteries founded by
him.
These Yantras or mystic diagrams are thought to be quite
as effective in their operation as the Mantras, and of course a
combination of the two is held to be absolutely irresistible.
An enemy may be killed or removed to some other place,
or a whole army destroyed, or salvation and supreme felicity
in a future state obtained by drawing a six-sided or eight-
sided diagram and writing a particular Mantra underneath.
If this be done with the blood of an animal1 killed sacrificially
in a place where corpses are burned (Smasana), no power in
earth or heaven can resist the terrific potency of the charm.
1 It may give an idea of the depths of superstition and degradation to
which Saktism can lead if we note here that the retas of either male or
female is believed to be still more efficacious.