Crossword Genius

Universal symbol of bloke turning a boy around (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mandala

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'universal symbol' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bloke turning a boy around' is the wordplay.
'bloke turning' becomes 'manda' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a boy' becomes 'Al'.
'around' is a reversal indicator.
'al' back-to-front is 'la'.
'manda'+'la'='MANDALA'

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mandala that I've seen before include "Buddhist circular universe figure; and lama (anag.)" , "Buddhist and Hindu symbol of the universe" , "pictorial symbol" , "Buddhist/Hindu symbol of the universe" , "Hindu circular representation of the universe" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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