SRICHAKRA

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How to Draw a Sri Chakra

A sacred symbol

Hindus use three kinds of external symbols for worship:

 The image cast in human forms.

 The most subtle form, the mantras, which is divine power clothed in the

fundamental sounds.

 Yantras, or charkas, which are geometric representations of the deity. The

Shaktas, or followers of Shakti worship, consider the Sri Yantra, or Sri Chakra,

the holiest among them

The Sri Chakra is conceived as Shiva-Shakti. The diagram consists of a series of

triangles around a small central circle called the bindu. The bindu represents the

Shiva-Shakti in union, from which the rest of the diagram, representing the cosmos, is

evolved.

Enclosing the bindu and superimposed on each other are the four Shiva triangles

(Srikanthas) pointing upwards, and five Shakti triangles (Shiva-Yuvatis) pointing

downwards. These constitute the nine dhatus, or basic categories, of the universe,

evolving from the Supreme Mother represented by the bindu.

The triangles are surrounded by two circles of lotuses, one with eight petals

(Vasudala) and the other with sixteen petals (Kalasra). Outside these, are three circles

(mekhalatraya) and a rectangular enclosure (Bhupura) of three lines for the whole

figure, with entrances on the four sides.

Constructing the Sri Chakra

The following directions for the construction of the Sri Chakra are according to

Kaivalyaashrama.

Draw a circle. Draw a vertical diameter line through the centre of the circle, and, from

the top, divide it into 48 equal parts. From the top, mark the points of the sixth, 12th,

17th, 20th, 23rd, 27th, 30th, 36th, and 42nd divisions.

>From these points, draw horizontal lines to touch the circumference of the circle.

Number the lines from the top. Now, from both ends, rub off the lines to the extent

pointed out below.

Line 1: 1/16 part

Line 2: 5/48 part

Line 4: 1/3 part

Line 5: 3/8 part

Line 6: 1/3 part

Line 8: 1/12 part

Line 9: 1/16 part

raw triangles in the following manner. From the ends of lines 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9,

draw lines to meet lines 6, 9, 8, 7, 2, 1, and 3 respectively, at the vertical diameter.

Also, connect the ends of line 7 with the top point of the diameter, and the ends of line

3 with the bottom point of the diameter.

Mark the circumference of the circle into eight equal parts and draw eight symmetrical

lotus-petal shapes on the outside of the divisions (as in figure). Then draw a circle

touching the outside of the petals. Divide the circumference of that circle into 16

equal parts, and draw similar, symmetrical lotus petals.

Around the petals, draw two concentric circles close together. Around this, but not

touching it, draw three squares, enclosing each other with equal gaps between them.

Rub off the squares at the middle of all the four sides, and have them turned out to

form an entrance, as in the picture.

The Sri Chakra can be kept in the house as a holy article, and can also be worshipped.

It is believed to be especially beneficial if the Sri Chakra is worshipped on festivals,

birthdays, and ashtami or chaturdashi of the shukla paksha.

When it is drawn on a plate made of panchaloha (five metals - gold, silver, copper,

brass, and tin), the Sri Chakra is considered very powerful.

A Sri Chakra drawn on a plate, foil or disc of gold, silver, copper or other material,

can be worn as a charm. According to the rules, the Sri Chakra should always be

placed on a flat surface, except when used as a charm, ring, or earring. It is not

supposed to be used as a wall hanging.

The Sri Chakra is said to be a benign yantra, helping where there are fierce elements

disturbing the peace or causing negative effects.