Essay name: Devi Tantra, Mantra, Yantra (study)
Author:
Srider Basudevan Iyer
Affiliation: University of Mumbai / Sanskrit, University Department
This essay studies the history of Devi (the Goddess) in relation with worship using Tantra, Yantra and Mantra. The study explores the concept of the 'Female Principle' or Goddess, examining her role and significance in ancient Indian society.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
51 (of 55)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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chapter 1. Introduction Yantra- Materials. 51 A yantra is a geometrical figure drawn and painted with various
colours at the time of worship on cloth, paper, leaf, stone or metals.
The widely accepted naturally formed yantra is the lotus flower with
eight or sixteen petals 108
Cloth. Cotton or silk cloth which is clean and fresh can be
used.
Paper. As a medium paper is light in weight and easy to carry
Leaf. The leaves of Bhurja, the Pal膩sa, the Bilva are the most
popular apart from Asvatta and the Lotus.
Stones. Worshipping stones as goddesses is age old.
Concentrically etched stones with coloured striations have been
discovered in the Medhuli village of Madhya Pradesh. These
are worshipped as 'Mai' - the symbol of the goddess by the Kol
and Baiga tribes 109. This is of two types one is the Swar峁嘺mukhi
of the orthodox Pa帽cayatana worship and the second is a
naturally formed yantra. Such a naturally formed yantra can be
seen at K膩m膩khy膩 in Assam and at Kollur in Karnataka. A
艢r墨cakra inscribed on the stone can be seen in the form of an
Ardha-meru-艢r墨cakra at Thirumaichur in Tamilnadu. The
108 Bunce W. F. The Yantras Of Deities And Their Numerological Foundations.
Gatwood E.L, Devi And The Spouse Goddesses; P. 16
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