The floor of
the place of worship and the seat of Gods and Goddesses are decorated with
specific tantric motifs known as Peeth or Yantra,
related to the deity concerned. A Yantra is a diagrammatic
representation of the deity, and consists of linear or septal geometrical
permutations of. patterns considered as the plan of the terrestrial places
where the deity resides.
For Shiva and Vishnu the Peeth
is a square figure drawn by putting 12 to 19 dots, both logitudinally and
transversally. In the Vishnu Peeth the number of dots is 19. The
dots are joined to denote the cosmic field condensed at the central point.
The centre or Bindu represents the place where the deity resides.
The outer Largest square is the plan of a raised altar and the internal
lines leading towards the centre represent the flight of steps. The steps
symbolise entry from the earth through the cosmic field to the throne of
divinity.
Shakti Peeth is represented by two interlocked
triangles forming a hexagon. The circles represent lotus petals numbering
12 to 64. The whole Yantra is framed by lines of a square. It is
an area where the object and subject meet the central point, Bindu
which controls everything, serving as the vehicle of the mind. The circles
symbolize wholeness or totality and denote the elemental earth or the
material quality of nature.
A common Peeth for all
deities including Ganesh and Panch Devatas is known as Swastic Peeth.
It comprises geometrical design made by nine-point square. The dots are
joined to make nine Swastic symbols within the square. The outer
part of the remaining area is filled with wavy and zigzag dashed lines, or
of designs of flowers, conch shells, petals, leaves, swastic, etc.
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