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The Sri Yantra is a configuration of nine interlacing triangles<br />
centred around the bindu, drawn by the superimposition of five<br />
downward-pointing triangles, representing Sakti, and four<br />
upright triangles, representing Siva. Because it is a composition of<br />
nine (nava) triangles (yoni) it is often called 'Navayoni Chakra'.<br />
The Sri Yantra is a symbolic pattern of Sakti's own form<br />
(svarupa), powers and emanations, the form of the universe<br />
(visvarupa), symbolizing the various stages of Sakti's descent in<br />
manifestation. It is a pictorial illustration of the cosmic field in<br />
creation. Like creation itself, the Sri Yantra came into being<br />
through the force of primordial desire. The impulse of desire<br />
(Kamakala), born of the inherent nature of Prakriti, creates a throb<br />
(spanda) which vibrates as sound (nada). This manifestation is<br />
represented by a point, or bindu. In the first state of manifestation,<br />
the bindu is called Para Bindu, which is the nucleus of the<br />
condensed energy, the seed of the ultimate Sound, and the<br />
dynamic and static aspects of the two (Siva-Sakti) in one. It<br />
contains all the possibilities of becoming; it transforms into Apara<br />
Bindu when creation begins: 'The essential point in the middle of<br />
Sri Yantra. Rajasthan, c. 18th<br />
century. Gouache on paper.<br />
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