श्री यन्त्र मंत्र (षोडशी मंत्र) — Word-by-Word Meaning
श्री यन्त्र मंत्र (षोडशी मंत्र)
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
श्रीं
Shreem
Bija mantra of Lakshmi — attracts wealth and prosperity
ह्रीं
Hreem
Bija of Maya Shakti — cosmic creative energy
ऐं
Aim
Bija of Saraswati — knowledge and wisdom
कमले
Kamale
O lotus one (Lakshmi)
कमलालये
Kamalalaye
Dweller in the lotus
प्रसीद
Praseeda
Be pleased, be gracious
महालक्ष्म्यै
Mahalakshmyai
To the great Lakshmi
त्रिपुर सुन्दरी
Tripura Sundari
The beauty of the three worlds (supreme Shakti)
श्री यन्त्र
Shri Yantra
The sacred geometric form representing the cosmos
षोडशी
Shodashi
The 16-syllable mantra (most secret Shakti mantra)
Complete Translation
Om Shreem Hreem Shreem — O Lotus Goddess dwelling in the lotus, be pleased, be gracious! Shreem Hreem Shreem — Om, salutations to Mahalakshmi!
Om Aim Hreem Shreem — Salutations to Tripura Sundari (the beauty of the three worlds)!
Ka-E-Ee-La-Hreem, Ha-Sa-Ka-Ha-La-Hreem, Sa-Ka-La-Hreem, Shreem — (The Panchadashi/Shodashi mantra encoded in the geometry of the Sri Yantra).
Origin & History
Source: Sri Vidya Tantric tradition
Author: Ancient Tantric sages (attributed to Adi Shankaracharya for popularization)
Period: Ancient (codified in medieval period)
The Sri Yantra and its associated mantras come from the Sri Vidya tradition, one of the most sophisticated schools of Hindu Tantra. The geometry of the Sri Yantra — 9 interlocking triangles creating 43 smaller triangles — is mathematically precise and is said to represent the entire process of cosmic creation and dissolution. Adi Shankaracharya is credited with establishing Sri Yantra worship in the major Shankaracharya mathas (monasteries).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sri Yantra?▼
The Sri Yantra is the most sacred geometric symbol in Hinduism — a complex pattern of 9 interlocking triangles (4 pointing up = Shiva, 5 pointing down = Shakti) surrounded by lotus petals and a square gate. It represents the entire cosmos and the union of divine masculine and feminine.
What is the Shodashi Mantra?▼
The Shodashi (16-syllable) Mantra is considered the most secret and powerful mantra in the Sri Vidya tradition. It is an extension of the Panchadashi (15-syllable) mantra with an additional 'Shreem' at the end. Traditionally, it requires initiation from a qualified guru.
Can I use a printed Sri Yantra?▼
Yes. While a copper or gold Sri Yantra is ideal, a correctly printed image also works for meditation and mantra chanting. The key is the geometric accuracy and your devotion, not the material.
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