How to Draw Sri Chakra: The Self-Revealing Method (Step-by-Step)

How to Draw Sri Chakra: The Self-Revealing Method

A geometric guide based on the research of Acharya Sri Popuri Sambashiva Sastry.

Learn how to draw the Sri Chakra (Sri Yantra) accurately without complex mathematics. This guide uses the 'Self-Revealing' geometric method, where intersections naturally guide the construction of the 43 triangles. Perfect for students of Vedic geometry and sacred art.

Navigation Note: This page contains detailed written instructions.

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Visual Reference Gallery

The Insight/Philosophy

📐 Tools & Preparation (Click to Expand)

Essential

[ ] Paper
[ ] Pencil (Mechanical preferred for precision)
[ ] Compass
[ ] Ruler
[ ] Set Square
[ ] Eraser

Optional

[ ] Protractor
[ ] Marker or Pen

Step 0: Choose Your Scale

This method is based on a relative grid, not fixed inches or centimeters. You can choose any Unit of measurement depending on the desired size of your Yantra.

Choosing Your Size:

Small Drawing: Start with an Inner Circle Radius of 2 inches.

Best for: Standard Letter or A4 paper.

Standard Drawing: Start with an Inner Circle Radius of 4 inches.

Best for: A3 or 11x17 inch paper.

Large Drawing: Start with an Inner Circle Radius of 6 inches.

Best for: Poster board or full chart paper.

Visual 1: The Master Grid Verify the nine horizontal chords. They should descend from Surya (Top) to Ketu (Bottom), and the inscribed rectangle with sides from Surya to Ketu.

Visual 2: The First Interaction. We now have the First Shiva (Upward) and Second Shakti (Downward). Notice they intersect to form a Diamond shape in the center. These crossing points are the key to unlocking the next step.

Phase 1: The Foundation (The 9 Grahas)

Step 1: The Circle and Axis

The Center: Mark a precise dot in the center of your page. This will be the center of Sri Chakra—the Bindu.
The Circle: Set compass to radius of 4 Units (e.g., 2 inches). Draw a complete circle.
The Axis: Draw a straight vertical line passing exactly through the Bindu, extending from top to bottom. Label the top intersection A and the bottom intersection B.

Step 2: The 7 Horizontal Lines & Labeling

We create a ladder of equidistant lines to act as our skeleton.

Mark Divisions: Mark points every 1 Unit (0.5 inches) along the vertical axis, starting from the center and going up and down. You should have 9 points total (Center + 4 Up + 4 Down).
Draw Lines: Draw horizontal lines through the 7 internal points (exclude the very top A and very bottom B).
Labeling: Count from the Top Down:
- Line 1: Surya (Sun)
- Line 2: Chandra (Moon)
- Line 3: Leave Unlabeled (Construction line)
- Line 4: Leave Unlabeled (Construction line)
- Line 5: Shani (Saturn)
- Line 6: Rahu
- Line 7: Ketu

Step 3: The Inscribed Rectangle

We use this to bound the drawing boundaries.

Top Anchors: Identify where Surya (Line 1) touches the circle rim (Left and Right).
Bottom Anchors: Identify where Ketu (Line 7) touches the circle rim (Left and Right).

Draw: Draw a vertical line connecting Left Surya to Left Ketu. Repeat for the Right side.

Step 4: The First Shiva Triangle (Upward)

Base: The Shani line (Line 5). Use the points where it touches the circle rim.
Apex: Point A (The top of the vertical axis).
Draw: Connect the ends of Shani to Point A.

Step 5: The Second Shakti Triangle (Downward)

We now draw a downward-pointing triangle using the vertical construction lines from Step 3.

Identify the Base Corners (On Chandra): Mark where the Vertical Lines (from Step 3) intersect the Chandra line.
Identify the Apex (On Ketu): Mark the exact center where the Ketu line crosses the vertical axis.
Draw: Connect the two Chandra points down to the Ketu center.

Visual 4: The First Shakti Triangle. This large downward-pointing triangle is rooted on the Kuja line and touches the base of the vertical axis.

Visual 5: The Outer Geometry. We have added the First Shakti (Downward, rooted on Kuja) and the Second Shiva (Upward). The drawing is becoming dense. Verify that the tip of the large downward triangle touches the very bottom of the circle, and the tip of the upward triangle touches the Surya line.

Visual 6: The Outer Geometry. The Third Shiva Triangle. We have added the squat upward triangle rooted on Ketu. Verify that three Upward Triangles and two Downward Triangles are now complete.

Phase 2: The Derived Lines (Self-Revealing)

In this phase, we stop measuring with a ruler. The geometry begins to construct itself.

Step 6: Finding the Kuja Line (Mars)

We did not draw the Mars (Kuja) line in our initial grid. The Yantra will now reveal exactly where it belongs.

Identify the Crossing: Look at the left side of your drawing. Locate the point where the upward-pointing First Shiva Triangle (from Step 4) crosses the downward-pointing Second Shakti Triangle (from Step 5).
Mark the Point: Make a dot exactly at this intersection. Repeat for the right side.
Draw the Line: Draw a horizontal line connecting the Left Intersection to the Right Intersection.
Label: This is the Kuja Line (Mars).

The Acharya’s Insight: The Self-Revealing Geometry - "Notice that we never measured the position of Mars. The energy of the previous steps (Shiva and Shakti) interacted to create the position of Mars naturally. This is the definition of a Siddha (Perfect) Yantra—the lines find themselves."

Step 7: The First Shakti Triangle (The Great Downward Triangle)

Now that we have the Kuja line, we can draw the largest downward triangle.

Base: The Kuja Line you just revealed. The corners are where the Kuja line touches the circle rim.
Apex: The very bottom of the vertical axis (Point B).

Draw: Connect the Kuja corners down to Point B.

Step 8: The Second Shiva Triangle (Upward)

We now draw the second largest upward triangle.

Identify the Crossing: Look at the left side of your drawing. Locate the point where the upward-pointing First Shiva Triangle (from Step 4) crosses the horizontal line of Shani.
Mark the Point: Make a dot exactly at this intersection. Repeat for the right side.
Apex: The Surya Bindu. Identify the center point on Surya Line (Line 1).
Base: The Rahu Line (Line 6).

Draw: Draw lines from Surya Bindu crossing the intersection we identified to Rahu Line. Do not draw the base line of this triangle as it might slightly deviate as we draw the next triangle. Connect the Rahu corners up to the Surya center point.

Step 9: The Third Shiva Triangle (Upward)

Identify the Crossing: Look at the left side of your drawing. Locate the point where the downward-pointing First Shakti Triangle (from Step 7) crosses the horizontal line of Rahu.
Mark the Point: Make a dot exactly at this intersection. Repeat for the right side.
Apex: The Kuja Line (Mars). The apex is the exact center point of the Kuja line.
Base: The Ketu Line (Line 7).
Draw: Draw the line on the left side with apex from Kuja Line passing through the intersection identified on Rahu line, to touch the Ketu Line. Repeat the process for right side.
Close Ketu Base: Close the base of triangle by connecting the dots on Ketu line where the lines from Step 9.5 touched.
- Note: This is a Squat triangle. It looks wide and short.
Close Rahu Base: Connect the triple intersections to close the base of Rahu. Note that it might slightly off from the original horizontal line that is labeled as Rahu.

Visual 7: The Shukra Line (Venus). The alignment of the outer triangles has revealed the location of Venus without measurement.

Visual 8: The Inner Star. The Fourth Shiva Triangle. The upward-pointing triangle with its base on Shukra and apex on Chandra is now formed.

Phase 3: The Inner Mesh (The Star within a Star)

Now we enter the heart of the Yantra. We will reveal the remaining planetary lines by observing where our current triangles cross.

Step 10: Finding the Shukra Line (Venus)

Just like Mars, the position of Venus (Shukra) is not measured. It is revealed by the intersection of Points from edge of circle.

Mark The Intersection: On the left side, look at where inscribed rectangle from Step 3 crosses First downward triangle. Mark a precise dot at this crossing point.

Repeat on the right side.

Shukra Line: Mark a constuction line connecting both the dots.
Identify Reference Points: Identify the diagonal sides of the 2nd Shakti Triangle (the downward-pointing triangle that starts at the Chandra line and points to the Ketu center).
Draw the Line: Draw a horizontal line passing through the Shukra Bindu.
1. Extension: Extend the line to the left and right until it touches the diagonal sides of the 2nd Shakti Triangle.
2. Stop: Do not extend it past these diagonal sides.
Label: This is the Shukra Line (Venus).

The Acharya’s Insight: "The Heart Revealed By simply drawing the previous forms of Shiva and Shakti, the location of Shukra (Venus) manifests itself. We do not place it; we discover it. "

Step 11: The Fourth Shiva Triangle (Upward)

Base: The Shukra Line (Step 10).
Apex: The Chandra Line (Line 2). The apex is the exact center point of the Chandra line.
Draw: Connect the Shukra base points up to the Chandra center.
- Result: You now have a Star within a Star in the center of your drawing.

Visual 9: The Third Shakti Triangle. The downward-pointing triangle connecting the Surya base to the Shukra apex is complete.

Visual 10: The Budha Line (Mercury). The intersection of the inner stars reveals this horizontal line, bridging the final gap

Visual 11: The Fourth Shakti Triangle. This inner downward triangle connects the Budha base to the Rahu apex.

Phase 4: The Inner Most Drawing

Step 12: The Third Shakti Triangle (Downward)

Identifying the Crossing: Identify the two points where the upward First Shiva Triangle (Step 2) touches the Chandra Line.
Base: The Surya Line (Line 1).
Apex: The Shukra Line (Venus). The apex is the exact center point of the Shukra line.
Draw: Connect the Surya base points down to the Shukra center, passing though the crossings on Chandra Line.
- Result: You now have a Star within a Star in the center of your drawing.

Step 13: Finding the Budha Line (Mercury)

The Budha horizontal line is revealed by the intersection of the two triangles you just drew (Step 11 and Step 12).

Identify the Crossing: Look at the Left side. Find where the upward Fourth Shiva (Base as Shukra and apex as Chandra) crosses the downward Third Shakti (Base as Surya) .
Mark the Point: Place a dot at this intersection. Repeat for the Right side.
Draw the Line: Connect these two dots. Extend the line outward to the left and right.
1. Stop Point: Stop exactly where this line touches the diagonal sides of the 2nd Shiva Triangle (the upward triangle with its Base on Rahu and Tip at Surya).
Label: This is the Budha Line (Mercury).

The Acharya’s Insight: The Final Bridge "This line is the bridge that allows the smallest triangles to form. "

Step 14: The Fourth Shakti Triangle (Downward)

Base: The Budha Line (Step 13).
Apex: The Rahu Line. The apex is the exact center point of the Rahu line.
Draw: Connect the Budha base points down to the Rahu center, passing though the crossings on Shukra Line.

Result: You now have a downward triangle inner layer.

Visual 12: The Fifth Shakti Triangle (Kamakala). The innermost triangle is formed, pointing downward to the center.

Phase 5: The Final Triangles & The Bindu

We now construct the innermost layers. Precision is key here, as these triangles are small and delicate.

Step 15: Finding the Guru Line (Jupiter)

The final horizontal line is the smallest of all.

Identify the Crossing: Look at the Left side. Find where the upward triangle from Ketu crosses the downward triangle from Surya.
Mark & Draw: connect this Left Intersection to the Right Intersection.
Extension: Extend this line outward to the left and right.
Stop Point: Stop exactly where this line touches the diagonal sides of the Upward Triangle with base as Shukra
Label: This is the Guru Line (Jupiter).

The Acharya’s Insight: " The Guru (Jupiter) line is hidden deep within the center. It is not measured, nor is it easily seen from the outside. It is born only from the perfect union of the inner Shiva and Shakti forms "

Step 16: The Fifth Shakti Triangle (The Kamakala)

This is the final triangle—the innermost core of the Sri Chakra.

Base: The Guru Line (Jupiter).
Apex: The Shani Line. The apex is the exact center point of the Shani line.
Draw: Connect the Guru ends down to the Center.

Step 17: The Bindu (The Point of Origin)

The geometric construction is now complete.

The Final Touch: Mark the Bindu clearly.

Traditional Note: While the geometric tip touches the center, it is customary to draw the final Bindu as a dot floating inside the Fifth Shakti triangle. This represents the seed of the universe, surrounded by the three Gunas (represented by the triangle).

Final Clean-Up Instructions

Once the ink is dry, you may gently erase the vertical axis and the portions of the horizontal lines that lie outside the triangles. This leaves only the pure Web of Light (The Sri Yantra) visible.

Appendix: Quality Assurance Checklist

Before finalizing your drawing, verify these key geometric markers. If your drawing is correct, all of the following will be true:

1. The Primary Triangles

[ ] 4 Shiva Triangles (Upward Pointing):
- One large (touching the top of the circle).
- One medium (touching the Surya line).
- One small (touching the Kuja line).
- One tiny (touching the Chandra line).
[ ] 5 Shakti Triangles (Downward Pointing):
- One large (touching the bottom of the circle).
- One medium (touching the Rahu line).
- One small (touching the Shukra line).
- One tiny (touching the Budha line).
- One innermost (touching the Bindu).

2. The Intersections (Marma Sthanas)

[ ] No Triple Crossings (except at the center):
- Look at the outer layers. The lines should generally meet at clean 3-line intersections. If you see messy knots of lines, check your initial horizontal spacing.
[ ] The Central Star:
- The star in the middle (formed by the 3rd Shiva and 3rd Shakti) should look balanced and symmetrical, not squashed flat or stretched thin.

3. The Count

[ ] If you count every single small triangle formed by the interlocking lines, there should be exactly 43 triangles (including the central one).

Phase 6: The Blossoming (Petals & Gates) (Click To Expand)

Transition Note: Having completed the Navayoni (The Cosmic Matrix), we move from the sharp, fiery precision of the inner star to the cooling, organic curves of the Padmas (Lotuses). This is not just a change in shape, but a change in state—from the unmanifest potential to the manifest beauty of the world.

Step 18: The Harmonic Boundary (Ashta Dala)

We do not choose the size of the petals arbitrarily. The outer beauty is defined by the inner truth.

Deriving the Measure: Place your compass on the Surya Bindu (the center of the first horizontal line). Extend it to the exact point where the upward Shiva Triangle crosses that line.
The Sacred Radius: Lock this measurement. This distance is your Harmonic Unit.
The Circle: Add this unit to your original radius. Draw the new circle. This creates the precise band where the first 8 petals will rest.

Step 19: The 32-Point Grid

The petals must align perfectly with the star. We use the same Harmonic Unit to divide the circle.

The Walk: Keep your compass locked to that same measure. Place the needle at the North Pole of your inner circle.
The Division: Mark off points around the circumference. You will find that exactly 32 points fit perfectly around the circle.

The Meaning: This confirms that the outer circle is mathematically singing the same note as the inner star.

Step 20: Drawing the Eight Petals

The Alignment: Lay your ruler from the Central Bindu through the North Point. Mark the tip on the outer circle.
The Form: Each of the 8 petals spans 4 units of your grid.
The Action: Draw smooth, flowing curves from the tip down to the base points. Repeat this 8 times.
- Observation: Notice how the petals touch each other gently, forming a continuous chain of protection around the fire of the central star.

Step 21: The Sixteen Petals (Shodasha Dala)

The energy now doubles in frequency, becoming finer and more intricate. We do not need a new grid; we simply listen closer to the rhythm of the existing one.

The Expansion: Draw a larger circle outside the 8 petals to define the new boundary.
The Reference: Look back to your 32-point grid on the Inner Circle.
The Form: While the first petals were broad (spanning 4 units), these petals are more focused. Each of the 16 petals spans exactly 2 units of the grid.
The Alignment:
- The Tips of these petals align with every odd-numbered mark on your grid (1, 3, 5, 7, etc.). Mark 1 is North.
- The Base of each petal sits on the even-numbered marks.

The Action: Draw the curves connecting these points. As you work around the circle, notice how this layer creates a continuous, interlocking chain of petals.

Step 22: The Trivalaya (Three Rings)

Between the flowering energy of the lotuses and the solid walls of the world, there is a buffer of silence.

The White Space: We create three concentric circles of empty space outside the 16 petals.
The Proportion: The total width of this band is 1 Harmonic Unit, which in our example is 0.5 inches.
The Division: We must divide this 0.5-inch space into three equal rings.
- Math: 0.5 inches ÷ 3 ≈ 0.16 inches per ring. Roughly 4mm if using metric, or slightly more than 1/8th of an inch.
The Drawing:
- Circle 1: Open your compass 0.16" wider than the petal tips. Draw the first circle.
- Circle 2: Open another 0.16" wider. Draw the second circle.
- Circle 3: Open to the full 0.5" width. Draw the final boundary circle.

Note: In this method, we treat the 'Three Circles' as three distinct bands of white space. Other traditions may count the lines themselves as the circles.

Step 23: The Fortress Walls (Bhupura)

We now ground the Yantra into the physical plane.

Square 1 (Inner): Draw a perfect square that touches (is tangent to) the outermost circle of the Trivalaya.
Squares 2, 3 & 4 (Outer): Draw three more squares expanding outward.
- Spacing: Maintain the same spacing width used for the Trivalaya rings (0.16 inches).

Step 23: The Fortress Walls (Bhupura)

We now ground the Yantra into the physical plane.

Square 1 (Inner): Draw a perfect square that touches (is tangent to) the outermost circle of the Trivalaya.
Squares 2, 3 & 4 (Outer): Draw three more squares expanding outward.
- Spacing: Maintain the same spacing width used for the Trivalaya rings (0.16 inches).

Visual 14: The First Petal. The harmonic unit defines the curve of the first petal on the 8-petal lotus.

Visual 15: The Ashta Dala. The ring of eight petals is complete, enclosing the central star.

Visual 16: The Shodasha Dala. The sixteen petals are drawn, interlocking to form the second layer of the lotus.

Visual 17: You now have three distinct bands of white space surrounding the sacred center.

The Final Reflection

The geometry is now complete. What began as a single point of intention—the Bindu—has expanded into a universe of precise triangles, blooming petals, and protective walls.

But this image is not just a drawing; it is a mirror. The journey you took to create it—measuring, dividing, connecting—is the same journey consciousness takes to become the world. You have not just built a diagram; you have reconstructed the architecture of the cosmos.

Now, put down your compass. The construction is finished, but the pilgrimage has just begun. Let your eyes travel from the open gates of the Bhupura, through the organic grace of the petals, past the interlocking fires of the triangles, and return to rest in the center.

In that Bindu, there is no geometry, no measure, and no separation. Only stillness.

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