Making of Yantras

Yantras can be two dimensional or three dimensional. Two dimensional yantras can be inscribed or etched on any plain surface like metal, paper or wood. It can be formed into a locket, or an amulet also referred to as talisman, tayat, elass or raksha. 

Drawing of a Yantra needs accuracy, discipline, concentration, neatness and precision. They are usually drawn on a flat surface, such as a copper, silver or gold plate.
It is created by an Upasaka with proper instructions from his Guru and the blessings of Kuladevatha (family deity). They are created under definite rules with specific rituals & energized through a ‘Siddha mantra’, a process which invokes the power of a deity for any of the purposes such as to create, uphold, conceal or manifest.

Once the ‘lekhan’ (drawing the geometric shapes and writing the mantras with an intent) is complete, the yantra is submerged in water overnight (jalaadhivaas) after which the yantra is energized through a number of rituals.

The Tantric first sanctifies the ceremonial place with mantras and then, sanctifies his body within and environment, using mantras. This leads to the sanctification of the individual, inside and out. Through these different forms of purification, the Upasaka connects with his inner divinity and is prepared to invoke the Deity and make offerings. The Upasaka awakens the deity within by tantric techniques, and using distinct breathing patterns, mantras and hand postures (mudras), the deity is invoked in the yantra. The tantric who prepares the yantra gives a portion of his life energy (prana shakthi) to activate the deity in the Yantra. An elaborate pooja is offered and a certain number of ahuti (offerings) is given with the mantra of the corresponding residing deity and the ghee which has been energised (hutha shesha) is applied on the yantra. The process ends with a ritual called ‘Prana Prathishtha’ - chanting specific mantras to firm up the presence of the divine energy.

The final step is to consecrate the yantra, which involves further energization through offerings of incense, flowers, and other sacred items. Energizing the Yantras converts them from mere geometric diagrams to a ‘power diagram’ through which the contained invisible forces of energy, are invoked to begin working for the benefit of the individual.

Thus, each yantra contains the power of mantra and sadhana shakti.

Printed yantras have no power and will not serve the purpose

A yantra should be created by the organic process mentioned above and only then a yantra is energized and it will have prana (life).
Only when these structures are held by mantras, the mystical power in them can be unfolded. In printed yantras, machine creates the yantra and not an Upasaka, without following rituals, not knowing the details of the beneficiary nor the intent (sankalpa). Without these processes, there is no power in yantras, and their value is limited to being geometrical structures.