TRADITIONAL USE AND DESCRIPTION
These instruments display the complete structure of
the sky and the movement of the stars around the Earth.
CHAKRA YANTRA--Circle Instrument
This instrument consists of a circular ring mounted
between two pillars. The circle rotates between the two pillars
at an angle parallel to the Earth's polar axis. Mounted on the
ring at the center is a movable bar that is used to point to
the desired celestial object in the sky. In a larger example
of this instrument, the movable bar would be a sighting tube.
The circle is marked for degrees of declination. A plate located
at the southern base of the circle is marked for hour angles.1 By moving the circle so that the shadow
of the circle becomes a straight line, the time of day can be
ascertained. By rotating the bar until the light of the Sun shines
directly down it and its shadow is minimum, the declination of
the Sun can be determined.
1
The east--west angle of the Sun with relation to one's position
on Earth. Solar noon is when the Sun is directly overhead. Solar
time differs from local standard time depending on one's location
in the time zone, daylight savings, and whether the Earth is
nearer to or farther away from the Sun (due to its elliptical
orbit).
KAPALI YANTRA--Bowl Instrument
In the same location as the Chakra Yantras are the
Kapali Yantras, which consist of two separate bowls. The Western
Kapali (the one with the post in its center) is a solid bowl
representing a reflection of the dome of the sky. The horizontal
ring on the top edge of the bowl represents the horizon. The
bowl contains lines relating to different coordinate systems
of the celestial sphere. It can determine altitude, azimuth,
the local solar time of day, the summer and winter solstice,
the spring and autumn equinox, and the rising zodiac sign of
the Sun.
The Eastern Kapali is a solid bowl that displays the celestial
sphere in a rotated position to illustrate the full path of the
Sun over the course of a year.
VEDIC INFLUENCE OF THE KAPALI AND CHAKRA YANTRAS--THE VIEW OF
MAHARISHI VEDIC SCIENCESM
Observing the Chakra and Kapali Yantras locates the
silent witnessing value of Pure Consciousness from the point
value of one's individual awareness. In a very natural way, the
unbounded wholeness of Pure Consciousness becomes more acutely
and intelligently expressed in one's awareness even while the
point value remains in the awareness. Silence is located from
the point of activity; the uninvolved holistic value of Pure
Consciousness is located from activity.
Observing these yantras establishes the silent witnessing
quality of the unmanifest unbounded value of Pure Consciousness
in one's individual awareness along with activity. The Chakra
Yantras enliven Pure Knowledge in one's awareness, and the Kapali
Yantras enliven the organizing power of Pure Knowledge. The Åtmå
(Self) becomes established on the specificity of the Veda.
On a physiological level, observing the Chakra and Kapali
Yantras is said to enliven the cerebral cortex, which is responsible
for integrating and unifying our conscious experience.
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