SRI YANTRA

The most holy symbol of Hindu Tantric tradition, the Sri Yantra represents Self-Realization and is formed from the mantric sound pattern of Aum. Its sacred geometry symbolizes the feminine creative aspect of sacred sound out of which the many manifestations of Divinity are mirrored back as patterns of light.

In manifestation, the Limitless One has to limit Him/Herself in a form. The formless Great Radiance has to radiate rays of definite forms and marshal them as the various gods, thus creating out of the One, the Many with distinct and distinguishable forms and features. These lines of light build the form-patterns of the gods, which are known as Yantras or Chakras...if one has to see the form of the Formless, the auspicious body of the Divine, the light has to be marshaled in a set pattern of radiant rays.

-Sri Shankaranarayanan

Aum (Om) : The basis of all sounds; universal symbol-word for God. "Aum" of the Vedas became the sacred word "Hum" of the Tibetans; "Amin" of the Moslems; and "Amen" of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Jews, and Christians. "Aum" is the all-pervading sound emanating from the Invisible Cosmic Vibration; God in the aspect of Creator.

-Paramahamsa Yogananda