Sri Chakra - Entire creation
Parameshwara said like this to Paarvati in Bhairavee Yamaalam.
Srichakram tripurasundaryaa bhramaadaakaarameeshwaree |
panchabhootaamakamchaiva tanmaatraatmaka meva cha ||
indriyaatmaka mevam cha mana statvaatmakam tathaa |
maayaaditatvaroopam cha tattvaateetam cha baindavam ||
O Parvathi ! Sri chakra is not a small and ordinary yantra. It is the representation of the whole creation.
The root of all the creation is the 5 elements, 5 thanmatras. Thanmatras are the first ones that formed. They are Shabda, Sparsa, Rasa, Roopa and Gandha. From them, their grosser forms, the 5 elements formed. They are Space, Fire, Water, Earth and Air. Then happened the process of pancheekaranam (mixing of the 5 elements). Then they united with the three gunas - Satva, Rajas and Tamo gunas. Then the happened the creation with the 25 tattvas - 5 karmendriyas (limbs, reproductive & excretory organs), 5 sense organs, intellect, mind, ego, chit and soul. All the five elements and the five thanmatras are in Srichakra. As these are the roots of all the creation, it is implied that Sri Chakra is the representation of all the whole creation. Worshipping Sri Chakra equals to worshipping the whole movable and immovable creation.
If one has to point where Paramaatma resides, one has to show every small/big place in the creation. Because Paramaatma is filled all over the creation. So if Sri Chakra represents the whole creation, then Paramatma should be inside it right? That is why it is said the Divine Mother is inside Sri Chakra. That is why she is called Sri Chakraraja Nilaya.
Stages in Srichakra
It is said like this in prapancha saara sangraha:
Bindutrikona kaashtaavataarayuga lokakonavruttayutam
vasudalavrutta kalaadalavrutta trimaheegruham bhaje chakram
1 Bindu, 1 triangle, 1 octagon, 2 decagons, 1 quadradecagon. circle, another octagon, circle and a hexadecagon, circle and a base(bhugruha). These are the 9 stages in SriChakra.
1st stage - Bhupura: This is the chakra that mesmerizes the 3 lokas. This has 3 segments. They represent Bhuloka, bhuvarloka and Suvarloka
1st segment - It has all the 8 siddhis. They are Anima, Laghima, Garima, Mahima, Eeshitva, vashitva, Praakaamya, Praapti, Sarvakaama.
2nd segment - It has the 8 Matrukas - They are Brahmi, Maheshwari, Koumaari, Vaishnavi, Vaaraahi, Maahendree, Chaamundaa, Sri Mahalakshmi
3rd segment - It has mudra shaktis. They are Sarvasankshobhinee, Sarvavidraavinee, Sarvaakarshanee, Sarvavashamkaree, Sarvonmaadinee, Sarvamahaankushaa, Sarvakhecharee, Sarvabeeja, Sarvayonih
Adhidevata of this stage is Tripura. Yogini is Peruprakatayogini
2nd Stage - Hexadecagon: This is the chakra that fulfills all the wants. It has the 16 glows of the moon. They are: Kaama, Buddhi, Ahankaara, Shabda, Sparsa, Rasa, Roopa, Gandha, Chitta, Dhairya, Smruti, Naama, Beeja, Atma, Amruta, Shareera.
Adhidevata of this stage is Tripureshee. Yogini is Guptayogini
3rd Stage - Octagon - This is that chakra that overcomes all kinds of crisis. Angels in this stage are Anangakusuma, Anangamekhala, Anangamadana, Anangamadanaatura, Anangarekha, Anangavegini, Anangaankusha, Anangamaalini
Adhidevata of this stage is Tripurasundari. Yogini is Guptatarayogini
4th Stage - Quadradecagon: This is the chakra for all auspicious things. It represents all the 14 lokas. Angels of this stage are: Sarvasankshobhini, Sarvavidraavani, Sarvaakarshini, Sarvaahlaadini, Sarvasammohini, Sarvasthambhini, Sarvajrumbhini, Sarvavashamkari, Sarvaranjani, Sarvonmadini, Sarvardhasadhini, Sarvasampattiroopini, Sarvamantramayi, Sarvadwandwakshayamkari.
Adhidevata of this stage is Tripuravaasini. Yogini is Sampradaayayogini
5th Stage - Decagon: It is called Bahirdashaara. It is the chakra to fulfill all the wishes of earning. It represents the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu. Angels of this stage are: Sarvasiddhiprada, Sarvasampatpradaa, Sarvapriyamkari, Sarvamangalakaarini, Sarvakaamapradaa, Sarvadhukhavimochani, Sarvamrutyuprashamani, Sarvavighnanivaarini, Sarvaangasundari, Sarvasoubhaagyadaayani
Adhidevata of this stage is Tripureshi. Yogini is Kulotteernayogini
6th stage - Decagon: It is called Antardashaara. It is the chakra for protection from all evils. It represents Agnikalas. Angels of this stage are: Sarvagna, Sarvashaktih, Sarvaishwaryapradaayini, Sarvagnaanamayi, Sarvavyaadhinaashini, Sarvaadhaaraswaroopa, Sarvapaapahara, Sarvaanandamayi, Sarvarakshaaswaroopini, Sarvepsitaphalaprada
Adhidevata of this stage is Tripuramaalini. Yogini is Nigarbhayogini
7th stage - Octagon - This chakra is for curing all diseases. It represents the 8 vasuvus. They are present in the form of vagdevatas. They are: Vashini, Kameshwari, Modini, Vimala, Aruna, Jaya, Sarveshwari, Koulini
Adhidevata of this stage is Tripurasiddamba. Yogini is Rahasyayogini
8th stage - Triangle - This chakra is to attain everything. It represents all traids. They are: 3 gunas, 3 murthys, 3 Shaktis, Creation-sustenance-destruction, Vaama-jyeshta-roudri, iccha-gnana-kriya shaktis, Gnaata-Gnaana-Gneya, letters from 'Aa' to 'Sa'. The whole creation started from here.
Adhidevata of this stage is Tripuraamamba. Yogini is Atirahasyayogini
9th stage - Bindu - This is the stage of eternal bliss
Adhidevata of this stage is Mahatripurasundari. Yogini is Parapara rahasyayogini
Sri chakra - Human body
It is explained like this in Bhaavanopanishath
1st stage - It has 3 segements
1st segment - 9 emotions: Love, fun, compassion, anger, courage, fear, terror, wonder, peace
2nd segment - Distractions of mind: Wants, frustration, greed, delusion, condescension, lowliness, sinful intrigue and virtue
3rd segment - shakti centres: Moolaadhaara, Swaadishtaana, Manipura, Anaahata, Vishuddi, Lambikagra, Agnachakra, Sahasra, Dwaadashaanta
2nd stage - 16 glows of moon: 5 organs of actions, 5 sense organs, 5 elements and the Mind
3rd stage - 8 moortis: It represents the faculties of the indriyas. They are vachana, gamana, daana, visarga, sambhoga, pravrutti, nivrutti, upeksha
4th stage - 14 lokas: These are the 14 most important nerve centers of human body. They are Alambusa, Kuhoo, Vishwodaree, Varunaa, Hastijihwa, Yashashvini, Gaandhaari, Poosha, Shankhini, Saraswati, Ida, Pingala, Shushumna
5th stage - Bahirdashaaram: It represents the 10 services that conduct all the activities of the body. They are Prana, Apaana, Vyana, Udaana, Samaana, Naaga, Koorma, Krukara, Dhananjaya and Devadatta
6th stage - Antardashaaram: It represents the faculties of the 10 services. They are Rechaka, Pooraka, Shoshaka, Daahaka, Plaavaka. Various types of foods. They are Bhakshya, Bhojya, Lehya, Choshya, Peya.
7th stage - Ashtavasuvus: The behavior of the human body. It is to cool, to heat, to enjoy, to suffer, to desire, the sattva guna, the rajo guna, the tamo guna
8th stage - Trishaktis: The thithis that occur from Paadyami to Aamaavasya or pournami
9th stage - Bindu: The union of Kaameshwara and Kaameshwari. Kaameshwara is the Buddhi(intellect) and Kaameshwari is the Atma. Their union is Moksha (Liberation).
Another analogy
Bindu Brahmarandhra
Trikona Front part of the head
Ashtakona Forehead
Antardashaara Center of eyebrows
Bahirdashaara Neck
Chaturdashaara Heart
Ashtadala Navel
Shodashadala Waist
Vruttatraya Thighs
Bhoopura Feet
Sri chakra is nothing but the human body and Divine mother is inside it. Isn't it awesome. Isn't it wonderful! The same Divine Mother for whom we are doing so much penance. The Mother who is the Lord of the whole creation. She who is the mother of everyone is actually inside you. She is waiting for your call. She is 1000 times more eager to hug you. Wow! This is really awesome. Let's put an end to these cycles of birth and death. Lets wow to make this the last birth and start the real penance with the mantra Om Shri Matray Namah!
11th poem of Soundarya Lahari
Chaturbhih Shreekanthaih sshivayuvathibhih panchabhi rapi
prabhinnabhi sshambho rnavabhi rapi moolaprakruthibhih
chatushchatwarimsha dvasudala kalaashrativalaya
trirekhabhi ssaardham tava sharanakonah parinataah
O Mother! your Srichakra is glowing with 4 Shivachakras, 5 Shaktichakras, 9 moola prakrithis, octagon, hexadecagon, 3 mekhalas, bhoopura and 44 corners.
manvasra dwidashaara ashtakona vrutta chatushtayam
ashtaavimshati marmaani chaturvimshati sandhayah
Sandhi is an intersection of two lines. Marma is an intersection of three lines. There are 28 Marmas and 24 Sandhis in Manvasra, Dashaaradwaya and Ashtakona. All chakras in Srichakra have corners. There are 45 corners in it. 3 in Trikona, 8 in Ashtakona, 20 in Dasharadwaya and 14 in Manvasra. This sums upto 45.
There are various opinions about he number of corners in Srichakra. So it is advised to approach learned Gurus and follow their teachings.
There are various opinions about beejaaksharas in Srichakra as well. So it is advised to approach learned Gurus and follow their teachings here as well.
Beejaaksharayutam chakram yateenaam uttamottamam
beejaakshara viheenantu gruhasthaanaam prashastakam
A Srichakra with beejaaksharas is best for Yatis. For Gurhasthas its is advised to use one without beejaaksharas
Beejamvina tunirjeevam shavava tparikeetitam
beejaheenam tu yacchakram ta cchakram siddhidham na cha
A Srichakra without beejaaksharas is lifeless. Worshipping it is pointless.
Shapes of Srichkra - Srividyaarnava tantra
1. Bhuprastaara: It is flat. It is drawn on sheets of silver, copper or gold. It is also drawn on floor
2. Meruprastaara: It is like an inverted funnel. Each stage is built one upon the other. It has equal measurements of length, width and height
3. Kailaasaprastaara: This is also like Meru. But with a bit shorter.
Bhuprastaara represents angels like Vashinyas etc. Meruprastaara represents the 16 nityas. Kailaasa prastaara represents Maatrukas
Meru prastaara in Sringeri (Shankara sampradaya) - It looks like an inverted funnel. Stages are built one upon other. All corners are of equal size. There are 3 circles between Bhupura and Hexadecagon.
Meru prastaara (Kalyana Ananda Bharati Sampradaya) - There is a circle between Bhupura and Hexadecagon, one circle between Hexadecagon and Octagon and one circle between Octagon and Quadradecagon. This is related to Virupaksha peetha in Sringeri
Meru prastaara (Oordhwa dala): In this all the petals look upwards
Meru prastaara (Adho dala): In this all the petals look downwards
Kailaasa prastaara: This is similar to Meru but its height is only 1/4 of its width or length
