Yantra: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity (Paperback)

by Madhu Khanna (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A worthy introduction to a noble subject. -- Arts Review --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review
“A worthy introduction to a noble subject.”
(Arts Review )

"Yantra explores the dynamics, metaphysics, aesthetics, and ritual importance of yantras."
(Yoga Journal, August 2004 )

"Readers of both Eastern and Western backgrounds will find this book provocative and profoundly informative."
(Thomas Peter von Bahr, New Age Retailer, May/June 2004, Vol.18 No.3 ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500272344
• ISBN-13: 978-0500272343
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,024,817 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exhaustive Analysis of Yantras and the Philosophy behind it, May 9, 2000

By A Customer

This book details all kinds of historical Yantras as revealed in various Vedas (historic Hindu scriptures). Yantras are cosmic machines which directs energies to the human body/mind to attain various psychic states. The author dwells deeply in to the philosophy behind it, which in essence is Hinduism. Understanding the Hindu concept of the world, the cosmos and the human being is the key to unlocking the power of Yantra. A reader who is not exposed to Eastern religious philosophies will find it difficult to comprehend the description of concepts behind the Yantra.

This book has many illustrations of historic Yantras and details of the significance of its geometric drawings. I liked this book for the depth of analysis and the description of underlying concepts. Please note that this is NOT an instruction work book on Yantras which details about how to make a Yantra.

One disappointing fact is that the author uses little space to describe Occult Yantras which are commonly used by ordinary people for protection, healing and power. The Sri Yantra, which enables a person to attain higher states is described in detail. Overall this book gave me indepth knowledge about the working of a Yantra - the energized cosmic machine.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Resource, January 1, 2008

By	Anonymous (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yantra: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity (Paperback)

Surprisng that this book has only one review here, considering most everyone i know has a copy in their library, and considers this book a cornerstone of their collection.

This book provides detailed, concise info regarding what the different yantras represent and how they work. I would have appreciated more information about the pecularities of use for different traditions. In any case i can't recommend this book enough. Thank goodness this book has not gone out of print.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but NOT a "coffe-table book", August 3, 2008

By	R. Jacobi (Detroit) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Yantra: The Tantric Symbol of Cosmic Unity (Paperback)

I received this book very recently, and to be honest, have not really done more than give it a relatively quick perusal. It looks to be highly informational, but if you are looking for a large amount of color reproductions, you might want to think twice. Not that I was really looking for a "coffee-table" book, but I have to admit to being slightly disappointed that there are not more color images it it. Still, it looks like a really good book; I don't regret buying it.