LalitaTripurasundariTheRedGoddess

DearOne,Tripuraistheultimate,primordialShakti,thelightofmanifestation.She,thepileoflettersofthealphabet,gave
birthtothethreeworlds.Atdissolution,Sheistheabodeofalltattvas,stillremainingHerselfVamakeshvaratantra

WhatisShriVidyaandwhatrelationshipdoesithavetothegoddessLalitaandtoheryantra,theShriYantra?Vidya
meansknowledge,specificallyfemaleknowledge,orthegoddess,andinthiscontextrelatestoheraspectcalledShri,
LalitaorTripurasundariwhosemagicaldiagramiscalledtheShriYantra.Sheisaredflower,soherdiagramisaflowertoo.

Thetantriktraditionviewsitssymbolsashavingagrossaspect,asubtleaspect,andasupremeaspect.IntermsofLalita,
thegrossformistheimageofthegoddesswithherfourarmsandsoforth,thesubtleformisasyantra,andthesupreme
formishermantra,allthreebeingthegoddessindifferentaspects.Behindthesometimescolourfulsymbolismisdeep
wisdomcoupledwithpracticalmethodsforrealisingoneself.

Lalitalovespuja.Thistermisusuallytranslatedasworship.However,thisismisleading,asitintroducesadualityintoa
processintendedtobringthepractitioner(sadhakaorsadhvika)toanondualposition.Therecanbevariouspujas
includingdailyrites,thoseperformedatthefourtwilights,ritesdoneforspecificobjects,optionalritesdoneonfestival
days,oronotherwiseauspiciousdayssuchaslunareclipsesortheentranceofthesunintoasiderealconstellation,rites
inassembliesorgroups,andritesaccomplishedwithapartner.Subhagodaya,onthissite,isatranslationwhichgivesthe
fullpujaofTripurasundariorLalita.

LalitameansSheWhoPlays.Allcreation,manifestationanddissolutionisconsideredtobeaplayofDeviorthegoddess.
Mahatripurasundariishernameastranscendentbeautyofthethreecities,adescriptionofthegoddessasconquerorofthe
threecitiesofthedemons,orasthetriplecity(Tripura),butreallyametaphorforahumanbeing.

Whatthenisayantra?Thewordisusuallytranslatedasamachine,butinthespecialsenseofthetantriktraditionrefersto
theDeviinherlinearorgeometricalform.Yantras,bytheway,arealwaysusedflat.Theymaybetwodimensionalorthree
dimensional.EveryaspectofDevihasherownmantraandyantra.TheyantraofDeviLalitaisShriYantra.Thedivinityof
theyantraalwaysoccupiesthecentreorapex.

Thedifferentpartsorpetalsandlinesoftheyantraareusuallyarrangedinconcentriccircles(mandalas)andcontainrays
orsublimbsofdevi.TheShriYantrahasnineofthesemandals,eachfilledwithvariousaspectsoftheDevi.InShriYantra
thereare111aspects.TheShriYantraissaidtobeageometricformofthehumanbody,whichimpliesthatgoddessas
MacrocosmisonewithhumanbeingasMicrocosm.

FormationoftheShriYantra

ThecreationoftheShriYantraisdescribedintheYoginiHridaya(HeartoftheYoginiTantra),whichstilldoesnotexistin
anEnglishtranslation,asfarasweareaware.ThisissaidtobethesecondpartoftheVamakeshvaraTantra.

"FromthefivefoldShakticomescreationandfromthefourfoldFiredissolution.ThesexualunionoffiveShaktisandfour
Firescausesthechakratoevolve.OSinlessOne!Ispeaktoyouoftheoriginofthechakra.

"Whenshe,theultimateShakti,ofherownwill(svecchaya)assumedtheformoftheuniverse,thenthecreationofthe
chakrarevealeditselfasapulsatingessence.Fromthevoidlikevowelswiththevisarga(:)emergedthebindu,quivering
andfullyconscious.Fromthispulsatingstreamofsupremelightemanatedtheoceanofthecosmos,theveryselfofthe
threemothers.

"Thebaindavaofthechakrahasatripleform,dharma,adharmaandatma,andmatri,meyaandprama.Thechakraofnine
yonisisthegreatmassofconsciousnessblissandistheninefoldchakraandtheninedivisionsofthemantra.

"ThebaindavaisplacedonadenseflowerymassandistheChitkala.Similarly,theambikaformofeightlinesisthecircle
ofthevowels.Theninetrianglesquiverforththeeffulgentformof10lines.TheShakti,togetherwithhersurroundingnine
blossomedforththe10trikonas.Thesecondquiveringformof10lineshasKrodhishaasfirstofthe10.Thesefour
chakras,ofthenatureoflight,createthe14foldform,theessenceofperception."YoginiHridaya,I616.

AttheveryheartofthebinduorcentreoftheShriYantraisthatwhichcausedittoemanate.ThisisKamakala,consisting
ofthethreebindusorpotentials.Oneisred,oneiswhite,andoneismixed.Theredbinduisova,thewhitebindusemen,
andthemixedbindutheunionofShivaShakti,theindividualaspotentialShriCakra.

FatherandMotherarerepresentedinShriVidyabytwolimbsoraspectsofLalitaknownasVarahiandKurukulla.The
semenofVarahi,thefatherform,givesfouralchemicaldhatustothechild.TheovaofKurukulla,themotherform,gives
fivedhatnstothechild.Consciousnessentersviaorgasm.Thethreebindus,collectivelyknownasKamakala(digitof
sexualdesire),aretherootpotentialofsun,moonandfire.Itislikesunandmooncomingtogetherinaneclipse,orthe
seedfromwhichtheplanthumanbeinggrows.

Varahi'sfouralchemicaldhatusareknownasthefourfires.Kurukulla'salchemicaldhatusareknownasthefivesaktis.
Thecombinationofthesefivesaktis(downwardpointingtriangles)andfourfires(upwardpointingtriangles),formsthe
complexfigureinthecentreofShriCakra.

Varahi'sfourfiresarethe12(3x4)sunKalas,12siderealconstellations.Kurukulla'sfivetrianglesarethe15(5x3)Kalas
ofthemoon,15lunardays.ThecompleteindividualgrowswithinninemonthstobebornasaShriYantraorplant.The
floweringofthisplantisshownbythe24petalsoftheyantra.TheaboveallgivesrisetothefamiliarshapeoftheShri
Yantra.Theyantraisusuallyarrangedinoneoftwoforms.IntheBhuprastara,itistwodimensionalandlaidflat,usually
facingtheeast,butsometimesthenorth,dependingonthepractice.TheMeruprastarahastheyantrainapyramidalform.
Unlesstheyantrabedecoratedwiththeappropriatebijaandothermantras,itisworthless.Itisalsodeadunlessitis
installedwithlifeandtheindividualdoingthepujaisinitiatedintooneofthelines(parampara).

TheNineMandalasoftheShriYantra

TheEarthSquareorBhupura

Thismandalarepresentstheenclosingwallsorfenceofthezonuleofapractitioner.ThethreelinesofthebhupuraofShri
Yantraeachhasasetofsubsidiaryaspectsorsublimbsofthegoddess.Onthe
outerlinearetheeightworldprotectors(lokapalas),theguardianspiritsofthe
directionsandintermediatedirections.

OnthemiddlelineareeightSiddhiSaktisidentifiedwiththesenses.Ontheinner
lineareeightShaktisrulingDesire,Anger,Envy,Delusion,Greed,Jealousy,Virtue
andVice.TheyaretheeightMatrikas.Thesesaktisarecollectivelyknownasthe
ObviousOnes(PrakataYoginis).AformofthetripleDeviknownasTripurarulesall
theseshaktisinthisindividualmandalaoftheyantraknownas'TheChakraRuling
theThreeWorlds'.Shehasfourarms,isthecolourofcrystal,isadornedwith
pearlsandholdsabook,apot,andabeautifullotus.herVidyaisAmAmSauh.

Outerline:Indra(E)wearsyellow,ridesanelephantAgni(SE)wearsred,ridesa
ramYam(S)wearsblack,carriesastaffNirriti(SW)wearsdarkgreenVaruna(W)
wearsblue,andhisvehicleisamakarVayu(NE)wearspaleclothesSoma(N)
wearspurewhiteIshana(NE)isaformofMahadevaShiva.

MiddleLine:TheSiddhiShaktisaresmearedwithvermilion,wearredgarlands,carrynooseandgoad,andareasbright
andbeautifulasredlotuses.

InnerLine:Brahmiwearsyellow,hasfourarms,isbeautiful.Onehanddispelsfear,onegrantsboons,theothersholda
jewelledjarandmakesthegestureofpurification.Mahesvariwearswhite,hasthreeeyes,holdstrident,skull,axe,and
vesselcontainingsourcurds.Kaumariwearsyellow,holdsshaktidart,Javelin,andmakesthegesturesofdispellingfear
andgrantingboons.Varahiisdarkincolour,holdsconch,discus,dispelsfear,grantsboons.Shewearsmanyornaments
andgems.Shehastheheadofapig,holdingplough,mace,swordandshield.Indraniisblack,carryingabrightbluelotus.
Camundaisblack,holdstridentanddamaru(hourglassdrum),holdsaxe,andmilkinabowl.Mahalaksmiwearsyellow,
holdsserpent,shield,bellandmilkinaskullshapedcup.

Thenatureofthisoutermostmandalaisfireoffire.Thegemistopaz.Thetimeis24minutes(360breaths).TheMudrais
theAllAgitating.
SixteenPetals

ThesaktisinthiscircleareknownastheHiddenOnes.

Thewholemandalaof16petalsiscalled'FulfillerofDesire'.ThepresidingformoftheLalitaisTripureshi.HervidyaisAim
KlimSauh.Sheisdescribedasornamentedwithallgems,carryingabookandarosary.The16yoginisinthismandalaare
associatedwiththeattainmentofdesiresbythecultivationorstrengtheningofpowerovermind,ego,sound,touch,sight,
taste,smell,intellect,steadiness,memory,name,growth,ethericbody,revivification,andphysicalbody.Theyare
describedastheNityaKalas.Eachholdsanoose,agoad,potfullofnectar,andmakesthesignofgiving.Theyarevery
red.

Thegemofthemandalaissapphire.Thedhatuofphysicalalchemyischyle,thefirstproductofthedisintegrationoffood
bythebiologicalfires.Thetimeisthreehours(2700breaths).TheMudraistheWetteningMudra.Thenatureofthe
mandalaissunoffire.
EightPetals

ThesaktisinthismandalaarecalledtheVerySecretYoginis.Thewholecircleofeightpetalsiscalledthe'AllExciting
Cakra'.PresidinghereisTripuraSundari.HervidyaisHrimKlimSauh.Sheis
describedasswayingbecauseofherloveintoxicatedstate,withhereyesfullof
bliss.

Shesmileswithpassion.Sheshowsthemudrasdispellingfearsandgranting
boons.

Theeightsaktisineachoftheeightpetalsofthemandalaaredescribedassaktis
ofSpeech,Holding,Walking,Excreting,Pleasure,Abandoning,Concentrationand
Detachment.Theyaredescribedassapphireblue,holdingnoose,goad,dispelling
fear,andholdingbluelotus.Theirnames(AnangaMadanaetc)allconveytermsof
lovingsexuality.

Thegemiscat'seye.ThedhatuisFlesh.Thetimeisdayandnight(21600
breaths).Themandala'snatureismoonoffire.

FourteenTriangles

Thismandalaiscalled'TheCakraBestowingAllGoodFortune'.TheYoginisare
called'ConcealedbyTradition'.ThepresidingformofthedeviisTripuraVasini.Her
vidyaisHaimHklimHsauh.

Sheisveryredandverybeautiful.Fourteenshaktisofthetrianglesareassociated
withthechiefnadisorcurrentsofbioenergy.Theyaredescribedasbeingproud,
wanton,young,colourofcochineal,ornamentedwithgems,holdingnoose,goad,
mirror,winecupfullofnectar.TheyaretheAkarshanisorAttractors.

Thegemiscoral.Thedhatuisblood.Thetimeisweekday.TheMudraiscalledAll
Subjugating.Thenatureofthemandalaisfireofsun.

Outer10Triangles
Thismandalaiscalled'TheCakraBestowingAllObjectstotheSadhaka'.ThesaktisarecalledtheKulaKaulas.The
presidingaspectofRedDeviisTripuraShri.

Here,thegoddessisaseffulgentas1000risingSuns,adornedwithcelestialornaments,withlargerisingbreasts,holding
bookandrosary,dispellingfearsandgrantingboons.

The10shaktisinthetrianglesaredescribedashavingthrilledfaces,holdingnooseandgoadandadornedwithvarious
crystalandheavenlygems.
 ThesearetheYoginisofthe10vitalbreaths.Thegemispearl.Thedhatuis
Ova/Semen.ThetimeisLunarDay(tithi).

TheMudraiscalledtheAllIntoxicatingwithLove.Thenatureissunofsun.

Inner10Triangles
Themandalaiscalled'TheCakraProtectingAll'.TheYoginisarecalledWithout
Origin.ThepresidingaspectofLalitaisTripuraMalini.HervidyaisHrimKlimBlem.

Sheholdsnooseandgoad,dispelsfear,andholdsaskull.Sheisofvermilion
brightness.

Hershaktisarethecolourof1000risingsuns,adornedwithpearlsandgems,
holdingnoose,chisel,andshowingthegesturesofknowledge,andgivingboons.
Theyarethesaktisofthe10VitalFires.Thegemisemerald.ThedhatuisMarrow.
ThetimeisLunarFortnight.TheMudraistheGreatGoad.Thenatureismoonof
sun.

EightTriangles

Thismandalaiscalled'TheCakraDestroyingallDisease'.TheyoginisareknownastheSecretorRahasyayoginis.The
presidingaspectoftheRedGoddessisTripuraSiddha.

HervidyamantraisHrimShrimSauh.SheisdescribedastheDestroyerofPoison.

Heryoginisarethecolourofpomegranateflowers,wearingredclothes,smeared
withredscent,eachcarryingfivearrowsandabow.Thesesaktisaretherulersof
Cold,Heat,Happiness,Sorrow,Desire,andthethreegunasSattvas,Rajas,
Tamas.TheyarealsocalledtheeightVasinisandruletheeightSanskritletter
groups.Thegeminthismandalaisdiamond(Vajra).Thetimeismonth.TheMudra
isKhecariMudra.Thenatureofthemandalaissaidtobefireofmoon.

TheFourWeapons
InbetweenthemandalasofeighttrianglesandthecentraltrianglesarethefourweaponsoftheRedGoddessflowery
bow,floweryarrows,nooseandgoad.
CentralTriangle
Thismandalaiscalled'TheCakraGivingAllSuccess'.TheYoginisarecalledVerySecret.LalitadwellshereasTripura
Amba,herVidyabeingHsraimHsrklimHsrsauh.

SheisalsoknownasSampatpradaBhairavi,copperyeffulgent,like1000suns,withthreeeyes,afacelikethemoon,
adornedwithwhitegems,withabeautifulfigure,risingswellingbreasts,intoxicated,wanton,young,proud,holdingbook,
 dispellingfear,holdingarosaryandgrantingboons.

HerthreesaktisarecalledLadyofLust(Kameshvari),AdamantineLady(Vajreshi),
andFloweryVagina(Bhagamalini).KameshvariiscalledtheRudraShakti.Sheis
whiteincolour,besmearedwithcamphor,adornedwithpearlsandcrystal,and
variousothergems,holdingbook,rosary,bestowingboonsanddispellingfear.

VajreshiistheVishnuShakti.Sheisbrightasredpowder(kumkuma),adornedwith
flowersandgems,likethedawnsun.Hereyelidsaresmearedwithsapphiredust,
sheholdssugarcanehow,floweryarrows,bestowsboons,dispelsfear.

BhagamaliniistheBrahmaShakti.Sheiseffulgentasmoltengold,adornedwith
pricelessgems,holdsnoose,goad,andshowsthegesturesofknowledgeand
bestowingboons.

ThegemofthemandalaisGomaya.ThedhatuisFat.Thetimeisseason(two
months).TheMudraistheBijaMudra.Thenatureofthemandalaissunofmoon.
Bindu

Thismandalaiscalled'PurelyBlissful'.TheYoginiinthismandalaistheQueenof
Queens,Rajarajeshvari,theVeryRedOne,herTranscendentMajestyLalita
MaheshvariMahatripurasundari.

Hervidya(Kamarajavidya)iskaeilahrimhasakahalahrimsakalahrim,plus
asecret16thsyllable.HerdescriptionisthatgiveninVamakeshvaraTantra.

SurroundingheraretheFifteenNityas.Thegemisruby.Thedhatuishair.Thetime
isyear.ThemudraisYoniMudra.Thenatureofthiscentralmandalaismoonof
moon.

YantraMantraTantraofLalita
Lalita,asprimordialdevi,raysoutherattendantsandshaktisasmodificationsofmoon,sunandfire.InthisShivahasno
place,noqualities,iswithouttheabilitytoact.Onlywhenunitedwithdevimay'he'act.

ThisisbasedonthesubtleandpracticalideaofShivaaspureconsciousness,witnessofthetriplemanifestationofhis
Shakti.ThisShakti,theveryessenceofthethreegunasofSattvas,Rajas,andTamas,isthecauseofallmanifestationin
theuniverseandasahumanbeing.Thethreeshaktis,byblendingandreblending,createallthings.

Shaktiistripleassun,moonandfirethatistosayofallthesiderealconstellationsandplanets,andthereforeofTime
itself.SheistripleasWill(Iccha),Knowledge(Jnana)andAction(Kriya).Sheisthreefoldasintellect,feelings,physical
sensation.

Shaktiistripleaswakedreamdeepsleep.WhatiscalledtheFourthisthewitness,Shiva,whoissaidtopervadethe
wholecosmosjustasheatpervadesaredhotiron.

Thephysicalbody,accordingtothepreceptsofAyurveda,istripleasthe'humours'Vata,PittaandSleshma.Thevarying
combinationsofthesethreeshaktismakeupthephysicalbody.

Shaktiisalsofivefoldasaether,air,fire,waterandearth.Thecombinationofthefiveelementsandthreegunasproduce
Lalita'sEternities(Nityas)15innumber,eachidentifiedwithalunardayofthebrightfortnight.Themoon,symbolising
Shakti,isthemirrororreflectionholdingtogetherallcreation.

AcloseexaminationofthedetailsrelatingtotheninemandalasofShriYantrarevealsthattheshaktisofthewholecircle
representthehumanbeing,who,inpotential,isShaktiShivaunited.Theaimisforapersontorealisethatallpowers,
energiesandmanifestationareshaktisofconsciousness,pureawareness.

Theyantramaybeexaminedintwoways,eitherasmanifestationordissolution.Maintenanceisanintermediatestate
betweenthetwopolarities.Whensheisworshippedascreatrixtheorderisfromcentretoperimeter.Asdissolver,thepuja
isfromperimetertocentre.
InSivanandaYogi'sSubhagodayaisgiventhedailyritualorpujaofLalita'sShriYantrabasedontheVamakeshvara
Tantra.Thisriteisbasedonnondualism,inaspiritualsensetherealisationoftheintrinsiconenessofmacrocosmand
microcosm.

Asthepujaisintendedtobanishallthoughtsofdifference,thedeviisfirstfeltorvisualisedintheheart,andthendrawn
outviathebreathandinstalledintheyantra.Sheisthenworshippedasactuallyresidingthere.Butaclearlinkhasbeen
madebetweensubjectandobject.Thetruehomeofdeviisascosmocreatrixintheheartofthebodywhichisthedeviin
humanform.

TheVariousMandalasofShriYantra
TheTripleGoddess,fromherownwilltomanifest,extendsherselfinaninefoldway,asmodificationsofmoon,sunand
fire.Theattributionsofthevariousmandalasshowsthetypeofenergyrepresented.ThemeditationinBhavanaUpanshad
isafigurativewayofdescribingthiscelestialcityormountainwhichisahumanbeing.

Theislandofjewelsisthegrosshumanbodywithits9alchemicalbasesordhatus.Eachisfigurativelydescribedasa
gemdiamond,emerald,sapphire,ruby&c.Theseaofnectar(semen/ova)isthebaseforthearisingofthehumanbody.
Thediagramsunsupthemeditation.Wecanseethatthisislandofgemsisaverypleasantplacetohe,fullofgardens,
withabeautiful,begemmedpalace,waftedwithagentlebreezeuponwhichiscarriedgreatfragrance,cool,alluring.

ThisindicatestheKaulaviewthatonegainsliberationbyaverypleasantway,enjoyingasonegoes.Thisparadiseisland
isvery,veryclose.Eachoftheelementsintheislandmeditationhasasubtlemeaningassociatedwiththeesoteric
physiologyofShriVidya.

She,Lalita,unitedwithShiva,issubtletyofsubtlety,hiddenbehindthecurtainhangingfromthecanopy.Herformsmay
appeartobecomeprogressivelylesssubtle,butshestillremainsherself.

BalaSundariBhairavi
AlthoughTripurasundari,asmotheroftheuniverse(jagadamba)istheaspectmostoftenmetwithinworksofShriVidya,
sheisalsoworshippedasBala(ayounggirl),andasBhairavi(acrone).

AsBala,sheis16yearsold,avirgin,veryplayfulanddear.Balahasherownyantraandmantra.hervidyaisAimKlim
Sauh.

BhairaviisalsoanaspectofLalita,butrepresentsShaktiinwhommenstruationhasceased,andhassomeaffiliationswith
Kali.

ApplicationsofShriVidya

Therearemanyprayogas(ritualuses)relatedtoShriYantra.Someritesdependonauspicioustimes,suchasFullmoon
daysornightsinspecificsolarmonths

Devialsomanifestsasthefiveelementsofaether,fire,air,waterandearth.Thesaktisarepurple(air),white(water),red
(fire),yellow(earth),blue(aether).

ChapterIIofVamakeshvaragivesalargenumberofrites,whichoneisnotentitledtoperformunlessthedailyriteisalso
accomplished.Theseritesarecalledtheshatkarma,sixacts:protection,peace,victory,wealth,punishment,destruction.
Thecategoriesvaryoccasionally.Whenpunishinganenemyitisnecessarytobothprotectyourselfandtoknowtheright
timeforperformance,accordingtotherules,andalsothevulnerablepoints,whichvarywiththephaseofthemoonand
withastrologicalaspects.

ItisimportanttorememberthatShriVidyawasprimarilyoral,andvitalinformationwasoftenleftoutofthewritten
versions,soitisnecessarytoknowahostofthingsbeforearitecanbestarted.

Initiation

DeviLalitamaybeinstalledinadisciple,ayantra,oranimage.Allthemethodsessentiallyfollowasimilarform,butthe
righttimemustbeselected.Adisciplemusthavethenecessaryqualificationsandpotential.

Afterinitiation,sheorheistoperformanoperationtoenduethevidyawithenergyorlife.Thisinvolvestherecitationofthe
rootvidyaaspecifiedlargenumberoftimes,althoughothervalidmethodsexistforpreparation.

TheVidya(Mantra)
Therearesaidtobe15linesofmantra,eachperceivedbyadifferentRishi(Seer).Themostwidespreadseemstobethat
calledKadi(beginningwith'Ka'),whichitselfhasthreesections.TheothermaindivisionisHadi,althoughitissaidthatthe
KularnavaTantraincorporatesbothinadivisioncalledKahadi.DevoteesoftheKadilineworshiptheShriYantrafromthe
perimetertothecentre,whileHadidevoteesworshipitfromthecentretotheperimeter.Someofthelinesofthevidyaare
saidtobebroken,anddonotruninacontinuousstream.

The64KaulaTantras
ThesetantrasareenumeratedinVamakeshvaraandKulachudamaniTantras,andinotherplaces.Atsometimeinhistory
aschoolofShriVidyawasformedonanorthodoxVedikbasis.Aproponentofthisschool,Lakshmidhara,wrotea
commentaryonthefamousShriVidyahymncalledSaudaryalahari.

Unfortunately,mostofthe64tantrasarelost.ButtheircontentsmaybegaugedfromLakshmidhara'scommentary.We
havetorememberthatthedescriptionsarebasedonanorthodoxVedicinterpretation.

1)MahamayaSambhara.Deludingofintellectandsenses.2)YoginiJalaSambhara.InvolvingtheagencyofYoginis.3)
TattvaSambhara.Causingelementstoappearandtransform.411)EightBhairavaTantras.Thecommentatorsaysthat
theseareobjectionableastheybelongtotheKapalikasorskullwearerssuchasNaths,Aghoris,andsoforth.1219)The
BahurupaAstaka.ImportanceattachedtotheeightshaktisorMatrikas.

2027)TheEightYamalas.Ofthese,onlyRudraYamalaseemstohavesurvived,althoughitisdoubtfulthatthetextwhich
existsisthesameastheoriginal.Otheroftheyamalasdoexistinpartasquotationsinlatertantras.Thecommentator
saystheserelatetoSiddhi.28)CandraJnana.Expoundsthe16Nityas,butcondemnedas'itsmacksofKapalikatenets'.
29)MaliniVidya.Enablingonetocrossgreatoceans.ThiscouldbetheMaliniVijayaTantra,aworkoftheKashmir
Saiviteswhichincludesmagicaloperationsbasedonthe36tattvas.

30)MahaSammohana.Hypnosis.3133)Vamajusta,MahadevaandVatula.Thesearecondemnedastheydealwith
Vamachara.3435)VatulaUttaraandKamika.Thelatterisstillextant,andbelongstotheKashmirgroupofAgamas.The
chiefguruofthisschoolisthefamousAbhinavagupta.36)HridbhedaTantra.CondemnedthroughVamachara.3738)
TantrabhedaandGuhyatantra.Condemnedbecauseofretaliatorymagic.39)Kalavada.Digitsofthemoon,inductionof
chandrakalas,whicharethe108partsofthemoonfoundinahoroscope.

40)Kalasara.Therulesofcolour.Thereisnoreasongivenforitsexclusion.41)KundikaMata.Attainmentofsiddhi
throughelixirsanddrugs.42)MataUttara.Dealswith'quicksilver'.SeetheMatrikabhedaTantra.43)Vinakhya.Powerover
Yakshinis.44)Trotala.Magicalpracticesofmedicineandclairvoyance.45)TrotalaUttara.Bringingthe64croresofyoginis
facetoface.46)Pancamrita.Nectarfromthebody.ThefivenectarsarementionedintheKaulaJnanaNirnaya.47)
Rupabheda.48)BhutaUddamara.49)Kulasara.50)Kullaoddisha.51)Kulacudamani.48,50and51arestillavailable.The
commentatorsaysthesetantrasarenotsanctionedbyVeda.

5256)SarvajnaTantra,MahakaliMata,Arunesi,Modinisa,Vikunthesvara.Theyarealldeclaredreprehensibleasthey
belongtothedigambaras(nakedsadhus).5764)East,West,South,North,UttaraKaulas,Vimala,Vimalotta,DeviMata.
Oneoftheselinesstillexists.

TheNineNathas
EachofthenineNathasorlordsisidentifiedwithanapertureofthehumanbody,andwithoneoftheninemandalasofthe
wholeShriYantra.One'sownguideisShivaaspervadingtheseninechakras,andisidentifiedwiththecurrentofbioenergy
calledSusunna.Theyareallmeditatedonaswhite,withtwoeyesandtwoarms,showingthegesturesbanishingfearand
givingboons.TheymaybevisualisedasbeinginsexualintercoursewiththepresidingaspectsoftheDeviinthenine
mandalas.

TheFourOceans
Thefourdutiesofahumanbeingaredescribedasoceansbecauseoftheirlimitlessextent.Thesadhakainthezoneisat
thejunctionpointorfieldofactionofthesefouroceans,ontheislandofgems.

TheNineBodilyDhatus

Eachoftheninematters(dhatu)inthebodyispresidedoverbyanaspectofLalita.TheUniverse,inShriVidya,issaidto
betime,space,andacombinationofthetwo.ThefirstisShakti,thesecondShiva,andthethirdShivaandShaktiin
union.ThesearealsothethreeeyesonLalita'sface,andsun,moon,fire.

TheIslandofNineGems
Onthisisland,whichisallandeverything,seedandsprout,thesixseasonsallmanifestsimultaneously.TheAeonTrees
(Kalpadruma)areidentifiedwithresolutionasanyactundertakenwithresolutionisfruitful.Thesixseasonsareidentified
withthesixtastesofahumanbeing.

Horsesarethefivesensesastheyleadoneforwardintoaction,figurativelytakenaswar.ItisLalitawhoslayedthedemon
Bhandawithallhisfearfulhordes.Allhersaktisassistedherinthis.Thenthecelestialcity,theNagarwasbuilt.Elephants
aretheobjectsofsenses,ortheimpressions.

ShriVidyaimpliesunitybetweenknower,meansofknowledgeandknowledgeitself.Thesearethethreecities.Thismeans
thattheknower,bymeansofthefiveinstrumentsofknowledge,offerstoknowledgeitself,Deviintheyantra.(See
Bhavanopanishad).

TheFifteenNityaShaktis
ThesearemodificationsofLalitaasredgoddesswithherthreegunasandherfiveelementsofaether,air,fire,waterand
earth.Theyareidentifiedwiththe15daysofthelunarfortnight.Asthemoonremainsitself,thoughappearingdifferently
accordingtophase,sotooLalita.EachNityahasherownvidya,yantraandgroupofenergies(saktis).Lalitaor
Tripurasundariisthe16thdayorFullmoon,withher15digits.Eachofthe15Nityashasacertainnumberofarms,the
totalityofarms(=rays)ofthewholecirclebeing108.Becauseanyunitoftimeistakenasamicrocosmorparallelofany
othervalidunit,eachofthe15Nityashas1440breaths.

Onelunarfortnightis21600breathswhichisthenumberofawholecycleorprocess.Thebreathsofahumanbeing
duringonedayandnightare2160010800ofwhicharesolar,theother10800beinglunar.Bythisdevice,theunityofthe
15Nityas,time,spaceandahumanbeingisshown.AstimeisbreathinShriVidya,wefindthattheperiodsofthefour
famousyugasarealsobasedonbreath.Eachbreathisinfluencedduringthedaybytheplanetsintheirwaxingandwaning
ofpower.

Thesecausepoisonstoaccumulateinthephysicalbody.Nectarisreleasedwhenthesunmandal'melts'themoon
mandal,andoneattainstoHamsa.Thisisthenectarofcompassion.

LalitaastheWholeUniverse
Tantrikritesofteninclude'nyasas',theplacingofsomeprinciplesinacertainsequenceonone'sownbody.Theideaisthat
thisprocesspurifiesanddivinises.

Lalita'sSodha(sixfold)Nyasaisahighlycomplexriteinwhichapractitionerplacesonthebodythe51lettersofthe
alphabet,theplanets,the27naksatrasorlunarmansions,the12siderealconstellations,andthe51sacredsites(pithas)
ofallIndia.

Placingthesedifferentthingsonthebodythepractitionercomestorealiseonenesswiththewholecosmos.Thisritualalso
illustratessomeimportantconcepts.TheTantrarajastatesthatthereisnodifferencebetweenthecircleofthelettersofthe
alphabetandthesiderealZodiac.LalitaasdeviisShaktiasalllanguage,mantra,sound,musicandvibration.Sheisalso
ShaktiofTimeasallplanetsandconstellations.Sheistheveryessenceofsunandmoon.Eachoftheserealmsrequires
innercomment.

51Ganesasand51Letters

TheimageofGanesaillustratesthethreerealms.elephant,hisbodyhuman,andhisvehicleamouse.Thesearethree
realmsinonebeing.Heislordofobstaclesinthreeways.Aselephant,hisgreatstrengthcanbreakharriers.Ashuman,he
canusehisintelligence.Asmouse,hecanpenetratethesmallestplaces.EveryaspectofShriVidyamaybeunderstood
inthreewaysgross,subtle,andsupremeandsothemeaningofthingsoftenremainsuncertainunlessyoualready
knowsomeonewhohasthekey,orbelongtotheingroup.

Aslettersofthealphabet,LalitaisMatrikaShakti,whodeludesbyherMayathroughwords,speech,mantra.

Planets

Thetantriksknewtheseventraditionalplanetsofwesternastrology,andalsohadagreaternumberofshadowyplanets,of
whichRahuandKetuthenodesofthemoonarethebestknown.TheplanetsareimportanttoanunderstandingofShri
Vidya,butthedetailsaresoextensivethattheymustbereservedforalatertime.

27Nakshatras
Theseconstellationswerethoughtofasbeyondthe12siderealconstellations,soremotetheywerealmostbeyondtime
itself.These27areemployedinShriVidyatodeterminesuitabilityofpartners,constructingVajraYantras,andsoforth.
Eachofthe27hasitsownanimal.Ayoniorlingamisclassifiedasbeingharmoniousorthereverseaccordingtothe
positionofthenatalmoonintheseconstellations.Theyarealsoassociatedwithsacredherbsandtrees,andmuchusedin
specificoroptionalrites.

Yoginis

TheYoginisofthebodilycentres(dhatus)revealverymuchofinterestastheyareassociatedwiththewellknownbut
muchmisunderstoodcakras.TheseYoginisarereallyimagesoftheayurvedicoralchemicbasesinthebody.

Theycanonlybeunderstoodinrelationtosuchanalchemy.Kundaliniisthebodyshakti,thegreatdeluder,thetrickster,
thecauseofsleep.Toraisehermeanstobecomeconsciousofhermanifestation.Shaktiinthebodyhashervarious
formsasPrana(Breath)Shakti,fireShaktiandsoforth.WhenPranaShaktibecomesagitated,shezigzagsupthebody.
Atthistimeonestartstoexperiencedissolution.Variousthingsmybeseenandfelt.

Dakini,Rakini&c.presideoverthealchemicalphysicalbasesofskin,blood,flesh,fat,bone,marrow.Thelastofthese
yoginispresidesoverthehighestdhatu,highestasitformsthephysicalbasisfornewlifeova/semen.Inthisformsheis
trulylimitless,asshemanifestsastheAeonTree(Kalpadruma).TheDakinisandRakinis&c.arepicturedasterrifyingas
theyconsunersofthefoodoneingests.

TwelveRashis(Constellations)
Theseareviewedas12greatsunsorsunKalas,mightyAdityaspresidingovergreataffairs,feedingonhumanbeingsand
theiressence.

51Pithas

TheseareplacesinIndiaparticularlysacredtodevi,astheymarkthespotswherethepartsofherbodyfellafteritwas
slicedintopiecesbythediscusofVisnu.TheyonifellatKamarupa,hencethespecialspiritualregardinwhichthisplace
isheldbyKaulas.

TheNadis
Nadimeansriver,andisextendedtoincludeothercurrentsandcourses,suchasthoseofthebioenergyandthepulse.
Ayurvaidyashavewrittenworksdistinguishingvarioustypesofpulseindicatingdysfunctionofthethreepowers.Nadiis
also150thpartoftheascendantinabirthchartbasedonthesiderealzodiac.SuchabirthchartiscalledRashiKundali.It
isimpossibletocastaccuratechartswithoutknowingwhichnadirulesapersonortime.Eachnadihasanaspectofthe
devirulingit,andasolarandlunarparthencethereare3600inthezodiac.

Therearesaidtobe72000nadisinthehumanorganism.Thisnumberindicatesalargebutnotinfinitenumberofchannels
ofbioenergy.TheyarethepathwaysofPranaShakti.

ThechiefpathwaysareSusumna,extendingfromapointbetweentheanusandgenitalstothetopoftheheadidaand
pingala,whicharethesolarandlunarpathwayscoiledaroundthecentralchannel.ThisSusumnaisShivaandShaktiin
sexualunion.Thehumanbodyisconceivedofasatreetherootisatthetopofthehead,anditramifiesdownwards.
ThesechannelsarethepathwaysorbodyvehiclesforVata,oneofthethreedosasorhumoursinAyurvedaofthehuman
body,andconstitutethecentralnervoussystemwiththreemainconcentrations.

Marmas
Marmasare108innumber,welldocumentedpointsofthehumanorganisnwhich,ifpierced,usuallycausedeath.Many
arerecognisedbywesternmedicine.OntheShriYantra,marmasarerepresentedbytheconfluenceofthreeormorelines.

Sandhis
Thesearejointsinthehumanframe,kneejoint,elbowjoint&c.Thebodyisthetempleofthedevi.OntheShriYantra
sandhisarerepresentedbythejunctionoftwolines.

MeaningofKula

A'kula'isaShakti.TheforegoingshowsthateachShaktiintheyantraissomeenergyofthehumanorganisminitsgross,
subtle,orcausalaspects.'Akula'(lit.'notKula')isShiva.

"HavingabandonedherfamilyofyoungKulawomen,shebecomesShiva,withnoqualities,nocharacteristics,devoidof
theformoftime."VamakesvaraTantra
"Allthingsthebody.Thebodyisthesacrificialladle.Knowledgeisthefood."ShivaSutrasII,910.

TheWeaponsofLalita
Lalitaholdsfivefloweryarrows,noose,goadandbow.Thenooseisattachment(moon).Thegoadisrepulsion(sun).The
sugarcanebowisthemind.Thefloweryarrowsarethefivesenseimpressions.Whenoonsciousnessperceivesthese,the
outwarddirectedarrowsstopbeingdrysticks.

ThesefivefloweryarrowstogetherwiththebowarepersonifiedassixKrishnasorKamadevas.V84ofchxxivof
TantrarajatantrastatesthatLalitaassumedamaleformasKrishna,and'byenvelopingallwomenenchantedthewhole
world'.Eachofthesixformsislikedawn,withsixarms,holdingflute,noose,goad,sugarcanebow,flowers,sourmilk.

EroticisminShriVidya
ThephysiologyofShriVidyapostulatesmacrocosmandmicrocomasone.Fromthisfollowstherealisationthatthesexual
unionofmanandwananmirrorsthecosmiccreation.Itisnaturalthatlovingsexualityshouldbeseentohaveacosmic
status.

Kaulashavebeencriticisedastheirworksemphasiseloveanddeath,buttheywerealwaysrealists.Manytantras
establishthattheterrifyingKaliandthebenignLalitaaretwosidesofthesamecoin.Thiscoinorcurrencyiscalledlife.
Lalita,withherwaxingmoon,representscreation,andKalikawithherwaningmoondissolution.Eachisacomplete
symbol,ofhighsublimityandloadedwithspiritualsignificance.

The15SyllableMantra

Achart,inSanskrit,intheAdyarLibraryeditionofVarivasyaRahasya,whichdealswiththe15letteredVidyaofLalitais
sousefultoanunderstandingofShriVidyaandtheyantrathatwehavesummariseditscontentsbelow.

TheKadiVidyarunskaeilahrim:hasakahalahrim:sakalahrim.Thereisalsoasecret16thsyllablesaidtobethe
quintessenceofLalita.

Therevidya,yantra,guru,disciple,goddessareallconceivedofasbeingone.TheShriYantraiswithinthewheeloftime
(Kalacakra),andrepresentsthehumanbody(microcosm),andtheuniverse(macrocosm).These15lettersareconceived
toexistwithinthemeruorspineofahumanbeing,fromthebasetothetopofthehead.

Theseven(ornine)'cakras'arestrungalongthisthreadoflight,asarethedifferentmandalsorcirclesofShriYantra.Note
thattheLalitaVidyaisitselfdividedintothreeparts,eachrepresentsfire,sunandmoon.

Differentlettersofthealphabetallexistinasubtleformwithinthespinalcord.EachchakraispresidedoverbyaYogini
whosefunctionisconnectedwiththetransmutationoffood,whichisalchemyofthefoodfactory.

Thereare50petalsassociatedwiththesesixcakrasasthereare50lettersoftheSanskritalphabet.21600/50=432.The
cakraoftheabsoluteorsemen/ovaitselfhas1000lettersorpetals.Semenisconceivedofasresidingherebecauseofits
alchemicalnatureasanelixirproducedbythesynthesisoftheformsoffood.

Thesethreewhichareonenessareknower,meansofknowledge,objectofknowledge.Theirunioniscalledsamarasa.

ThethreecornersofthecentraltriangleoftheShriChakraarepresidedoverbythreesymbolicNathas.TheFourthNatha,
ShivaHimself,isunitedwithShaktiinthecentreoftheBindu.

ThisBindu,unitedShivaShakti,createsthecosmos.IfweobservenatureweseethattheShriCakra(child)comesfrom
thesexualunionorsamarasa(perfectassimilation)ofman(Shiva)andwoman(Shakti).

TheirsamarasaisknownastheFourth,becauseitappearswhenallthreearepresent,andalsoproducesorhasthethree
asitspowersorsaktis.

ThisFourthisawareness,thewitness,theenjoyer,themeasurer,themeasuringstick,andthemeasured,Adinatha,the
merulingam,beyondtimeandspace,andthereforeoutsidetheShriYantraorthecosmosasmodificationorplayofsun,
moonandfire.TheselastthreeformthebodyofLalita.

ThethreesaktisoftheFourthareknownasKamesvari,VajresiandBhagamalini,inthesymbolismofShriVidya.

TheyarealsothesaktisIccha,JnanaandKriya(Knowledge,Will,Action),andintheiraspectsasCreator,Maintainerand
DestroyerareknownasVama,whovomitsforththeuniverse,Jyestawhomaintains,andRaudriwhodissolves.
Thebodyofahumanbeingismadeupofthesethreeincombinationandblending.Theyareactive,passiveand
reconciling.

ThethreearealsosymbolisedasthreeholymountainsknownasKamagiri,Purnagiri,andJalandhari.Theapexofthese
foothillsistheverysecretOddiyana,atthecentreofShriYantra.Thethreealsorepresentthreesymboliclingaswithinthe
humanframe.

Conceivedofasthehumanbody,andastheMeruorsubtlespine,thesethreeplacesarepointsofconvergenceor
pilgrimageofthechannelsofbioenergyconnectedwiththesunandmoon.Thereisacorrespondencebetweenthese
channelsinthebody,andtheluminariesintheheaven.

AstheShriYantraisTimeandSpace,allconstellations,planets,lunarmansions,areconceivedofasbeingthebodyof
Lalita,MahaTripuraSundari.ItwasthesethreecitiesthatweredestroyedbyLordShiva,anddescribedintheShiva
MahimnaStotra.

AttheconfluenceofthethreeriversofbioenergyarethreelingamsofSupremeShiva,resortedtobythewise.Oneunited
withtheFourthisliberated.OthersaredeludedbytheMayaorplayofthegoddess,who,withherthreeaspectsinallis
knownasMahamayaAdya,thewombofall.

Shedeludesbyhereveryprocess,andhastheformofMatrikadevi,orgoddessofspeechandwords.The15syllablesof
thevidyaareusuallydisguisedinsymbolicdesignorcode.ThethreeHrimsarecalledthethreemayagranthisorknotsof
delusion.ThisHrimbreaksdownintoHaforShiva,HaforShakti,andImforsamarasa.

TheFourth(Turiya)alsopervadesconsciousnessinitsstatesofwaking,dreaminganddeepsleep.Thisisalsoexpressed
intheShivaSutra.

MeaningofShriVidya
TheYoginiHridaya,thesecondpartoftheVamakeshvaraTantra,statesthatthemantrahasseveralmeanings.Someare
literal,otherstraditional,inner,Kaulika,occultandreal.

LiteralMeaning

ThesyllablesrepresentShivaandShakti.Thefirstpart,KaEILaHrim,iscalledVagbhava,andisVamaShakti,Brahma,
JnanaShakti,andEasternFace.Thesecondpart,HaSaKaHaLahrim,isKamaraja,JyestaShakti,Visnu,IcehaShakti,
andSouthernFace.Thethirdpart,SaKaLahrim,iscalledShakti,isRaudriShakti,Rudra,KriyaShaktiandWestern
Face.Thefourthpart,thehiddenorsecretsyllable,ismothergoddess,ShambhuNatha,thetotalityofthethreeshaktisof
Knowledge,WillandAction,andtheNorthernFaceoramnaya.

TraditionalMeaning
Ka=air,Ha=fire,Sa=water,La=earth,Ha=aether.Thevowelsareaboveaether.The15syllablesare1ofaether,2of
air,threeoffire,fourofwater,andfiveofearth.ThethreeformsofLarepresentthethreeWorlds.Thefiveformsofthe
letterHarepresentsound.

InnerMeaning
ThevidyashowsonenessofShiva,Guru,devianddiscipleasitisShivainsoundform(Shakti)whichpreservestheline.

KaulaMeaning
TheMothergoddessisknownasGaneshi(LadyofHosts),becauseofhergreatnunberofrays.ThesearetheGanesasof
thesixfoldNyasa.Devihasthreeeyeswhicharesun,moon,fire.ShehasthreesaktiswhichareWill,Knowledge,Action.
Shehasthreegunaswhichareactive,passive,reconciling.Thesearethenineplanets.The27naksatrasare10
KnowledgeandActionmodes,10objectsofsenses,Devi,Deva,threegunasasone,andthefourinnercauses.Thesix
yoginishavetheirnamesbeginningDa,Ra,La,Ka,Sa,Haandendin'akini'.Theypresideoverthephysicalbases
(dhatus)ofthebody.The12siderealconstellationsarethe10vitalbreaths,theembodiedbeing(jiva),andtheSupreme
Creator.The51pithascorrespondtothelettersofthealphabet,andarepointsofconfluenceoneshouldvisitwithinthe
body.Eachofthethreesectionsofthevidyasrepresentsspeechinpotential,information,inmanifestation.TheDeviis
MatrikaShakti.

BreathisTime
ThisisafundamentalpostulateofShriVidyaandmuchofthesymbolismisbasedonit.ThelettersofSanskritsaidto
representtheembodimentofLaiitaasmantraare52innumber:16vowelsand36consonants.These,multipliedtogether,
total576.Thisnumber,dividedbynineyields64.TheShriYantraissaidtohave64,000,000yoginisintheninesub
mandalas.

EachmandalahasaunitofTimeassociatedwithit.Thebasicunitisabreath.Onenadikaisequalto24minutesor1440
seconds,andeachbreathisone360thofthis,orfourseconds.Ahumanbeingbreathes21600timeseach24hours.

AKaliYugais432,000yearsof360days.ADvaparaYugais864,000years.ATretaYugais1,296,000years.ASatya
Yugais1,728,000years.Thecircleofthesiderealzodiachas12constellations,eachofwhichhasnineparts
(navamshas).These108(12x9)arecalledCandrakalas.

EachCandrakaiais,itself,amicroconstellation.Thenumberofdegreesinthesiderealcakrais360.Thenumberof
minutesis21600.Aconjunctionis21600',asquare5400',anopposition10800'.Eacheternity(Nitya)oftherootmantra
has1440breaths.(SeetheprayogaofBhavanaUpanishad).ThisimpliesthatLalitais21600,assheisthecollectivityof
the15Nityas.

Lalita'scakraisthegrandsynthesisofTime,Space,andhumankind.Her36tattvasarethewholecosmos.

RitualAccessories(Upachara)
Thesecanbemultipliedindefinitely.Thechiefarescent(earth),incense(air),flame(fire),water,andflowers(aether).They
shouldallbered,ortingedwithred.Theyrepresent,intheirbasicform,thefiveimpressions.SeeGandharvaTantra.

DevatasoftheLeftovers

AttheendoftheriteVatukaNathaisintheNE,andtakesflameleftoversYoginisintheSEtakemantraleftovers
KshetrapalaintheSWtakesscentandincenseleftoversGanesa,intheNW,takesmudraleftovers.TheaspectofLalita
calledSosikaconsumeseverythingthatisleft.SheisworshippedintheNEinacircularpit.

Gayatri

Thisisthenameofaspecifickindofmantrausedatthefourtwilightsofdawn,midday,duskandmidnight.Thereare
VedikandTantrikgayatris.Lalitahasherownwhichistripurasundaryaividmahekameshvaryaidhimahitannoklinne
prachodayat.

EsotericMeaningoftheVidya

Thisleadsthesadhakatoidentifythevidyawithmoon,sunandfire,assectionsofthecentralorSusunnaNadi,relatingto
Intellect,Emotions,andPhysicalSensations.ThesehavetohebroughttogetherfortheFourthtoappear.Thereare10fire
kalas,12sunkalas,and15moonkalas.The16thincludesthemall.

Sound

ThelettersofthevidyaareNada,orsound,andtheabsolute,andendasutteredsound.Whenchargedwiththe
consciousnessoftheFourththesemerelettersbecomemantra.Otherwise,wordscontinuallydelude.

The16thsyllableofthevidyaalsorepresentstheFourth.ThisFourthisKamakala.BeyonditistheUltimateAbsolute
(AtituryabeyondtheFourth),andbeyondanysortofdescription.