T H E   S Y M B O L I S M   O F   Y A N T R A S

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PART 2
It is written in the "Upanishad's" that:
"God, being the un-moved mover,
Being beyond all cosmic manifestations,
Is the immobile point around which everything revolves".

This point is the embodiment of peace, love and is the nucleus of the cosmic yantra of the phenomenal world, made up of a combination of patterns continuously evolving thanks to the eternal dance of primordial Nature.

This point is the source where everything is born and where everything eventually dissolves. It is the symbol of the Supreme Consciousness.

When it projects itself, the consciousness creates the world of names and forms, unites them in a unique stream and serves as a force of connection and cohesion.

The meditation or concentration on this point has a unifying effect on the consciousness and focuses the mind towards abstract aspects, finally leading (through perseverant practice) to Self realization.

Bindu also symbolizes the sperm or the masculine energy. It represents the static energy and the fusion of the masculine and feminine principles or of the aspirant and God.

THE CIRCLE OR THE CYCLIC MANIFESTATIONS
The circle is obtained by expanding a point. This expansion represents both, a widening of the area of the point, an expansion of manifestation, and a restriction of the point to an individual unity, thus limiting the cosmic consciousness.

The circle is a dynamic element and symbol of the cyclic manifestations. The point is placed out of the space and it is the seed from which all shapes emerge. A circle has an inner space that depends on its radius.

The radius of desires gives the static point a dynamic movement around itself and creates a distance between the center and the periphery.

This is the beginning of all shapes and contains them potentially. The point is the qualitative aspect while the circle is the quantitative aspect.

Numerically, the circle represents the figure zero. Essentially, it consists of all shapes, numerically represented by figures from zero to nine. After each cycle of nine figures, we need to combine zero with the other figures in order to start a new series.

This is a process that never ends. Thus, the circle symbolizes the entire phenomenal world, the cosmic egg, Brahmarandra, the infinite, the space that surrounds everything. From a tattvic point of view the circle corresponds to the air element.

TRIANGLE - THE MASCULINE OR FEMININE ENERGY
The triangle is the simplest shape after the point and the circle. It is made up of three lines, which are the minimum required for creating a shape.

The triangle is related to number 3 and to the idea of trinity or triad. It generally represents the subtle energy of fire. A horizontal line represents inactivity and stability.

This is the base of the triangle. The vertical lines represent movement and are the least perceived as stimuli by the eyes. The oblique lines stimulate the eyes more than the horizontal ones. Thus, a triangle is both a dynamic and an attractive shape.

Triangles with a bigger base generate a state of stability, while the triangles with a base smaller than the height suggest an ascending movement.

Both types of triangles have been used in architecture. The triangles used to draw a yantra may point up or down. The triangles pointing upwards are a symbol of a masculine energy, of the ascension to the spiritual levels. The triangles pointing downwards represent the feminine energy, or manifestation.

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