Yantra = sacred geometry - the diagrammatic body of a devata. Mudra = sealed hand-gesture used in puja, dhyana, dance. Mandala = the drawn ground on which deities are invoked. 8 yantras · 16 mudras · 5 mandalas catalogued below.
Sri Yantra · श्री यन्त्र
Deity: Lalita Tripurasundari
Geometry - Nine interlocking triangles (4 upward Shiva + 5 downward Shakti) around a central bindu. Surrounded by an inner 8-petalled lotus, an outer 16-petalled lotus, and three concentric squares with four T-shaped doors (one in each direction). 9 chakras total.
Bija: ॐ (Pranava) at the bindu
Purpose - Supreme yantra of Sri-Vidya. Worshipping it grants wealth, wisdom, beauty, and ultimate moksha. The bindu is the supreme reality; the unfolding chakras are the manifest cosmos.
Installation - Sringeri Sharada Peetham (Adi Shankara worshipped here), Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, Tripura-sundari shrines, Lalita home-pujas.
Sri Ganesha Yantra · श्री गणेश यन्त्र
Deity: Mahaganapati
Geometry - Central hexagram (two interlocked triangles) inside an 8-petalled lotus inside three squares with 4 directional gates.
Bija: गं (Gam)
Purpose - Obstacle-removal. Installed for new ventures, businesses, and at house-warming (griha-pravesha). Mahaganapati Pancharatnam recited.
Installation - Threshold / pooja-griha at new homes; over the cash-drawer of new businesses.
Sri Lakshmi Yantra · श्री लक्ष्मी यन्त्र
Deity: Mahalakshmi
Geometry - Eight-petalled lotus surrounding eight triangles, surrounding the central Sri-Lakshmi-bija. Diwali eve placed on a fresh kalasha.
Bija: श्रीं (Shrim)
Purpose - Sustained wealth and prosperity. Lakshmi Hridayam paired recitation amplifies. Diwali night puja anchor.
Installation - Northeast corner of home / shop. Daily diya + tulasi after morning bath.
Sri Saraswati Yantra · श्री सरस्वती यन्त्र
Deity: Sharada Saraswati
Geometry - Pentagram (5-pointed star) inside an 8-petalled lotus inside three squares. The five points represent the five sciences (Vedanga).
Bija: ऐं (Aim)
Purpose - Scholastic success. Children's study-rooms. Aksharabhyasa (first letter ceremony) anchor.
Installation - Study-table. North-facing for ideal direction. Light a ghee lamp before exams.
Sri Durga Yantra · श्री दुर्गा यन्त्र
Deity: Durga (Mahishasura-mardini)
Geometry - Nine concentric triangles (representing nine forms of Durga in Navaratri) with the central bindu containing the deity-bija.
Bija: दुं (Dum)
Purpose - Protection from enemies, fear, lawsuits, dark forces. Mahishasura-mardini protection.
Installation - Above the main door (lintel) of homes. Active during all 9 nights of Navaratri.
Maha Mrityunjaya Yantra · महा मृत्युञ्जय यन्त्र
Deity: Mrityunjaya Shiva
Geometry - Central bindu with the Maha Mrityunjaya bija (Hauṃ) inside a six-pointed star (two interlocking triangles), enclosed by concentric lotus rings and three protective squares.
Bija: हौं जूं सः (Haum-Jum-Sah)
Purpose - Healing, longevity, conquest of death + chronic illness. Combined with Mrityunjaya japa.
Installation - Above the bedside of the chronically ill. Also worshipped at hospitals + during operations.
Hanuman Yantra · हनुमान् यन्त्र
Deity: Hanuman
Geometry - Central image of Hanuman (some traditions: only his bija) inside an 8-petalled lotus inside three squares with directional gates.
Bija: हनुमते नमः (Hanumate namah) at the bindu
Purpose - Courage, removal of fear (especially of black-magic + ghosts), travel safety, victory over enemies.
Installation - Office desk, vehicle dashboard, briefcase. Activated by Hanuman Chalisa daily.
Navagraha Yantra · नवग्रह यन्त्र
Deity: The 9 planets
Geometry - A 3x3 grid with the nine grahas in fixed positions (Sun at centre, Moon NW, Mars S, Mercury N, Jupiter NE, Venus E, Saturn W, Rahu SW, Ketu SE).
Bija: Each cell carries its graha bija - Surya: ह्रां, Chandra: श्रां, etc.
Purpose - Removes planetary doshas - Mangala dosha, Shani dosha, Rahu-Ketu kala-sarpa, etc. Used in astrological remediation.
Installation - Worshipped at the navagraha shrine of every Shiva temple. Saturday + Tuesday peak observance.
