21 Mother Taras — the unlimited forms of compassionate activity with mantras and visualizations
Feature Contents
21 Taras according to the Nyingma Terma tradition, courtesy (and with permission) of VajrayanaPrint on Etsy. This is a rare horizontal format of the 21 Taras.
Why are there so many forms of Tara? Why is the glorious saviour Bodhisattva Tara so diversified in appearance: peaceful, powerful, attractive, wrathful, and whirling with activity? Why isn’t Tara seen as a serene, meditating Buddha? How can she be seen as a heroine, a mother, a young girl, a wrathful wonder-woman — all at the same time? How can they all be Tara?
Then — the important question: How can I get started practicing the 21 Taras? We answer all of these questions and more in this in-depth feature — with English, Sanskrit and Tibetan 21 Praises. In this feature, we focus in more detail on Atisha’s lineage with images, symbolism, and mantras — since we’ve previously covered the other two lineages.
21 Taras according to Lord Atisha are usually visualized often with Heroic Red Tara (Tara 1 in the praise) in the center (but not always) surrounded by the other Taras, each holding Bhumpa vases with special nectars inside. (Often, however, Thangkas artists will place Green Tara in the center (see below) in which case, the only way to readily tell the difference is to look for the Bhumpa vases in the right hand. The Bhumpas are usually distinct colors as well. Meanwhile, in the 21 Tara’s according to Sadhanasamucchaya, Nyingma Terma, Green Tara is normally central, with each Tara holding a lotus with a special implement instead of a Bhumpa.
Atisha’s 21 Taras is popular but —
Lord Atisha’s system is one of the most popularly practiced, due to its relatively easy visualization — each Tara holds a Bhumpa vase, and the only differences are color (and some Tara’s have slightly wrathful expressions). Despite the popularity, it is relatively rare to find a thangka in the Atisha system — even people who practice the Atisha lineage tend to hang Nyingma Terma lineage thangkas (since they are similar color and easily to find.)
The main difference with Atisha lineage is Green Tara is not in the center (usually Heroic Red Tara is in the center; with Atisha, Green Tara is very important but stands apart from the 21 Taras) and instead of Atisha-colored vases, in the Nyingma lineage each Tara holds a lotus with a unique implement. A quick search of available art reveals that most available art (for example on Etsy) is according to Sadhanasamucchaya, Nyingma Terma, features Green Tara in the center. It is also slightly more difficult but relatively easy to find Surya Gupta lineage Taras. Atisha’s system — even though it is arguably one of the most popularly practiced — is difficult to find in art.
Atisha lineage or Nyingma Terma? Actually, this one is a 17th-century thangka from the Himalayan Art collection. Although it has Green Tara at the center (often the case, since Green Tara is the central Tara in most systems), the individual Taras have Bhumpa vases, per Atisha’s lineage.
NOTE: We’ve previously covered the Nyingma Terma lineage and the Surya Gupta lineages:
According to Vajrayana tradition, it was Shakyamuni Buddha, under the Bodhi tree who first spoke the Tara Tantra — the origin of the 21 Tara’s praise. Bokar Rinpoche, in his popular book Tara the Feminine Divine wrote:
“The night preceding his awakening, while sitting under the Bodhi tree, Shakyamuni was attacked by a horde of demons attempting to divert him from his goal. At that moment, Tara appeared and with eight great laughters made the demons fall to the ground and stopped them from doing harm. The Buddha then placed his mind in a state of perfect meditation and at dawn attained awakening. After that, he uttered the Tara Tantra…” [5]
The greatest of teachers, Shakyamuni Buddha. According to Vajrayana tradition, as recorded in the Tara Tantra, when Buddha sat under the Bohi tree, assailed by the maras: “Tara appeared and with eight great laughters made the demons fall to the ground and stopped them from doing harm.” The eight great laughters represent protection from the eight great fears.
Whether you believe Tara literally manifested at that moment or represented the “activity” aspect of Buddha’s mind, ultimately they are the same. Tara, the embodiment of the rescuing activity of Enlightenment, represents the overcoming of the eight great fears (here, symbolized with the eight great laughters of Tara.)
21 Taras according to Sadhanasamucchaya. In this lineage, the color of each Tara is similar to the Atisha lineage, but instead of “bhumpa” vases with nectar each Tara holds a lotus — with unique implements displayed on the top of each lotus. In Atisha’s lineage, heroic Red Tara is often the center deity, while in Sadhanasamucchaya (Nyigma terma) it’s usually Green Tara in the center, as seen here.
Activity and the Bodhisattva
It is often taught that while a Buddha is Enlightened, the Bodhisattva is the Enlightened hero. Why? Because the Bodhisattva’s mission is compassion for all sentient beings — to save all beings from Samsara.
Wind activity is associated with Tara. Her prayer flag (green flag) with her image and praises symbolically carries her blessings on the wind to all beings. Wind symbolizes her activity power. She is the “activity of all the Buddhas” — compassionate, loving, kind energy.
With that in mind, it is natural to associate Bodhisattva with activity. The ability to help all beings only arises from compassionate and wise activity. For this reason, Tara is the heroine who is relied upon by all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. Without compassionate activity, the Bodhisattva mission is only an aspiration. It is activity — embodied by Tara — that has the potential to save all sentient beings. This is one reason Tara is called “the Mother of all the Buddhas.” It is also the reason Tara is universally adored.
Noble Arya Tara — who has more names, emanations, and epitaphs than any Bodhisattva — embodies all of the compassionate and wisdom activities of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. All of them. How better to represent all of these diverse activities than in a multiplicity forms? Not just 21 Taras, but 108 Taras, and 1008 Taras, and more.
Did you guess correctly? Atisha and Nyingma lineage systems are similar in body colors, but this Thangka is actually 21 Taras according to Sadhanasamucchaya, Nyingma Terma lineage, Himalayan Art.
The forms arise from her distinct activities, and especially manifest in the 21 Taras. Even within the 21 Taras, there are three distinct “systems” of 21 Taras: the lineage of Atisha and Narjuna, the lineage of Surya Gupta, and the Nyingma terma tradition. It may seem confusing — because they each are distinct in colors, attributes, pose, powers and mantras. At the same time, it’s just another way we see the unlimited activity power of Tara.
1008 or one Tara — diverse, yet ultimately one
You can think of all of the 1008, or any of the three systems of 21 Taras, as simply one Tara — normally manifested as Noble Green Tara, since green symbolizes enlightened activity. Or, you can see them all as individuals, with different colors, ages, attributes, expressions, activities, powers, mantras. There is no difference. The diversity is also a unifying force. Tara is Tara. She embodies any Enlightened compassionate or wisdom activity, without any exception, but her multiplicity shows there is no limit to those activities. At her most wrathful, she can be Palden Lhamo, or Ekajati. In her magnetizing, powerful form she is Vajrayogini or Kurukulle. Her ultimate serene and peaceful form is White Tara.
A Tara altar with top left 21 Taras in Surya Gupta lineage, top right Chittamani Tara, in foreground Green Tara statues (2 on right) and White Tara (left statue). Slightly out of frame (in front of White Tara) is Kurukulle (Red Tara).
Although the simplest way to practice and honor glorious mother Tara is as Noble Green Tara, it can be helpful to visualize her other forms simply to tap into that activity in our minds. Symbols are the language of the mind. Especially profound in terms of “tapping” the Enlightened activities is the forms, meditations, and mantras of the 21 Taras.
We’ve covered the more complicated Surya Gupta system of 21 Taras in previous written features [Part 1 here>>] and in a series of 21 videos on our Youtube channel. In this feature, we focus on the beautifully simple, yet profound, 21 Taras according to Atisha’s lineage.
The full mandala palace of the 21 Taras according to Atisha lineage. In the center is Chittamni Tara or Green Tara, and surrounding her are the 21 Taras of the Atisha lineage in a circle.
21 Taras according to the great Atisha
In Atisha’s beautiful system of visualization, the main changes in appearance among the 21 Taras is the colors and the color of the vases she holds in her hand. Broadly speaking:
• White represents pacifying activities
• Yellow represents accumulating and auspicious activities
• Red represents power or magnetizing activities
• Black represents wrathful of subduing activities
• Green represents all activities (as in Green Tara)
Some of the Taras are also “shades” of color, such as orange or gold, or “red black” which is more of a nuanced power.
For each of the 21, we list her:
• Name in English
• Praise: verse as spoken by Shakyamuni Buddha (from the source Tantra)
• Praise in Sanskrit for traditional chanting
• Color of Tara
• Vase color
• Nectar
• Specialty
• Activity
• Visualization
• Sanskrit Mantra
To Practice the 21 Taras
As advised by various teachers, including Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the simplest way to practice the 21 Taras is to chant or say the 21 verses of praise in either Sanskrit, Tibetan or English.
Ideally, start with your daily Green Tara or White Tara practice as is your custom. Then, chant the 21 Tara praises.
More elaborately, you can visualize each Tara as you chant, then focus on the mantra for 3, 7 or 21 repetitions after the praise verse.
Chant-along video from Buddha Weekly with the prasies chanted by Hrishikesh Sonar:
Chanting in Sanskrit
If possible, practice chanting the praise in Sanskrit (provided below) for three reasons:
• It is a form of mantra chanting and is the spoken word of Buddha — very profound and powerful.
• Each line is the same number of beats for very effective chanting.
• Sanskrit is the mother language and its fifty syllables are considered sacred.
NOTE: Sanskrit is here transliterated in the Western alphabet for easier practice since many practitioners do not read Tibetan or Sanskrit text. For example, instead of using special characters, we have used the English-style “sh” and “ch” to make pronunciation easier — instead of the special character s and c. Pronunciation: If you don’t know the pronunciation of Sanskrit (and Tibetan) there are no silent vowels. An “h” following a consonant is normally aspirated, like “B-ha” rather than a silent h. “Thay” is never like “they” in English but rather “Tuh-Hey” For instance “Tare” is not pronounced “Tear” but rather “Tahreh.” Most vowels on short “e” is “eh” not “ee.” “A” is “ah” not “eh.” “I” is not “eye” but “ee”. Think “soft or short” — not long for vowels.
White Tara. The white Tara’s are for healing, pacifying or long life, as they pacify the obstacles and negative karmas that cause illness.
Special activities such as healing
If you are focused on a specific activity, such as “healing” look up the specialty and “activity in the list below, then plan a session around that single Tara with extensive focus an visualization of that Tara, then at least 108 repetitions of the mantra.
For Atisha 21 Taras mantras, although empowerment or “lung” transmission is preferred and more effective, anyone can practice her mantras, regardless of initiations or empowerments. Without empowerment, the deity (Tara) is always visualized in front of you.
Best practice always includes:
• Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha
• Bodhichitta statement: “May all beings be happy” — and the four immeasurables. For a feature on the Four Immeasurables, see>>
• Offerings of some kind, at least “mental” offerings
• An aspiration
• Dedication: “I dedicate the merit of this practice for the benefit of all sentient beings.”
Video: Four immeasurables together with Taking Refuge chanted by the amazing Yoko Dharma:
NOTE: At the end of this commentary, we have reproduced all the verses of the 21 Praises as one chant-able script in English, Sanskrit and Tibetan (phonetic Tibetan, we use Western-style letters.)
1. Swift Lady of Glory
Homage! Tara, swift, heroic!
Eyes like lightning instantaneous!
Sprung from op’ning stamens of the
Lord of three world’s tear-born lotus!
Color: Red Vase: Red Nectar: Controlling nectar Specialty: Swift mantra activities; influences sentient beings positively Activity: Magnetizing
Visualization: On the first petal is Tara the Swift Lady of Glory (Nyurma Palmo), red in color. She is the quick one, holding in her right palm a red flask for controlling. She grants the ability to influence sentient beings so that they will listen to you and you can lead them to the Dharma.
Mantra
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE WASHAM KURU SVAHA
2. Lady of Supreme Peace
Homage! She whose face combines a
Hundred autumn moons at fullest!
Blazing with light rays resplendent
As a thousand-star collection!
Color: White Vase: White Nectar: Pacifies disease Specialty: Healing diseases Activity: Pacifying
Associations with other practices: She is also known as Sarasvati.
Visualization: On the second petal is Tara, Lady of Supreme Peace (Shiwa Chenmo), white in color, holding a white flask containing nectar for pacifying disease.
Mantra
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SHANTIM KURU SVAHA
3. Lady of Golden Yellow Color
Homage! Golden-blue one, lotus
Water born, in hand adorned!
Giving, effort, calm, austerities,
Patience, meditation her sphere!
Sanskrit
Namah kanaka nilabja
pani padma vibhu shite
dana virya tapah shanti
titik sha dhyana gochare
Color: Golden Yellow Vase: Yellow Nectar: Increases lifeforce and long life Specialty: Long life Activity: Accumulating
Visualization: On the third petal is Golden-Colored Tara, Giver of Supreme Virtue (Serdok Chen), yellow-gold in color, holding in her hand a yellow flask containing nectar for increasing life and fortune. Her mantra is:
Mantra
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE PUSHTIM KURU SVAHA
4. Lady of Complete Victory, Embodying All Positive Qualities
Homage! Crown of tathagatas,
Actions triumph without limit!
Relied on by conquerors’ children,
Having reached ev’ry perfection!
Sanskrit
Namas tat hagatosh nisha
vijayananta charini
ashesha paramita prapta
jina putra nishevite
Color: Yellow Vase: Yellow Nectar: Increasing lifeforce Specialty: Increasing lifespan, long life Activity: Accumulating
Associations with other practices: She is also known as Ushnishavijaya (although in other stand-alone practices her color/attributes vary).
Visualization: On the fourth petal is Tara Completely Victorious, Embodying All Positive Qualities (Tsuktor Nampar Gyalma), yellow in color, holding a yellow flask containing nectar for increasing the lifespan.
Mantra
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE AYUR-JYANA PUSHTIM KURU SVAHA
5. She Who Proclaims the Sound of Hum
Homage! Filling with TUTTARE,
HUM, desire, direction, and space!
Trampling with her feet the seven worlds,
Able to draw forth all beings!
Sanskrit:
Namas Tuttara Hum kara
puritasha dig antare
sapta loka kramakranti
asheshak arshanak shame
Color: Red-yellow Vase: Red Nectar: Enchanting Activity: Enchanting and magnetizing Specialty: Attracting others to you, although should be with positive motivation.
Associations with other practices: She is also known as Kurukulla (Kurukulle) or Red Tara
Visualization: On the fifth petal is Tara Proclaiming the Sound of HUM (Hung Dradrokma), red-yellow in color, holding a red flask containing nectar with the function of enchanting other sentient beings, causing them to be attracted to you.
(Note: Before you think of (incorrectly) Tara as a “love goddess,” remember she is an Enlightened Being and her magnetizing activity can only be focused on positive karma activities — not selfish love. Attracting someone to you to receive Dharma is her highest purpose. Mundane love is not generally positive karmic activity.)
Mantra
OM TARE TUTTARE SHTRI AKARSHAYA HRIH SVAHA
Lama Zopa indicates: “If there is somebody you need to influence, such as somebody who is extremely deluded and tries to harm you and others and to harm the Dharma, in order to help that person transform their mind into the Dharma, then you can recite this mantra and insert that person’s name between the tuttare shtri and the akarshaya, so the mantra transforms slightly into…” (with the same proviso as above — only for positive karmic intentions):
OM TARE TUTTARE SHTRI [the name of the person] AKARSHAYA HRIH SVAHA.
6. She Who Is Completely Victorious Over the Three Worlds
Homage! Worshipped by the all-lords,
Shakra, Agni, Brahma, Marut!
Honored by the hosts of spirits,
Corpse-raisers, gandharvas, yakshas!
Sanskrit:
Namah shakranala Brahma
marud vishvesh varachite
bhuta vetala gand harva
gana yaksha puras krte
Color: Red-black Vase: Blue Nectar: Nectar intoxicates the spirits Activity: Enchanting and magnetizing Specialty: Attracting
Visualization: On the sixth petal is Tara Completely Victorious Over the Three Worlds (Jikten Sumle Nampar Gyalma), red-black in color, who is victorious over the three realms. She holds a blue flask containing nectar that intoxicates the spirits.
Mantra
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SHATRUN UCCHATAYA SVAHA
Lama Zopa indicates: “By intoxicating the spirits, they become unable to function and so unable to cause harm to others. I guess it’s a bit like taking a business client to dinner and getting them drunk, making it a lot easier to get them to agree to any deal you have to make.”
7. She Who Conquers Others
Homage! With her TRAD and PHAT sounds
Destroying foes’ magic diagrams!
Her feet pressing, left out, right in,
Blazing in a raging fire-blaze!
Sanskrit:
Namas trad iti phat kara
para yantra pramardani
praty alid ha pada nyase
shik hi jvalakulek shane
Color: Black Vase: Black Nectar: Nectar that averts black magic sent against you Activity: Wrathful Specialty: Overcoming black magic
Visualization: On the seventh petal is Tara Who Conquers Others (Shen Jom-Ma), black in color, destroying those possessing black magic. She has a slightly wrathful appearance—her forehead
is wrinkled—and she holds a black flask containing nectar that averts mantras and black magic sent against you.
Mantra
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA VIDYA APARA VARANAYA SVAHA
8. She Who Conquers Maras and Enemies
Homage! TURE, very dreadful!
Destroyer of Mara’s champion(s)!
She with frowning lotus visage
Who is slayer of all enemies!
Sanskrit:
Namas Ture maha ghore
mara vira vinashani
bhrku ti krta vaktrabja
sarva shatrum nishudani
Color: Red-black Vase: Red Nectar: Overcomes maras and enemies Activity: Wrathful Specialty: Defeats enemies, demons, evil spirits
Visualization: On the eighth petal is Tara Who Conquers Maras and Enemies (Dru Dra Jom-Ma), red-black in color. Her right hand holds a red flask containing nectar whose function is to defeat maras and enemies.
Mantra
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA MARA SHATRUN MARAYA PHAT SVAHA
9. She Who Protects from All Fears
Homage! At the heart her fingers,
Adorn her with Three Jewel mudra!
Light-ray masses all excited!
All directions’ wheels adorn her!
Sanskrit:
Namas tri ratna mudranka
hrdyanguli vibhushite
bhu shitashesha dik chakra
nikara sva Karakule
Color: White Vase: White Nectar: Protective nectar Activity: Pacifying and protecting Specialty: Protection from any fear or danger.
Visualization: On the ninth petal is Tara Who Protects from All Fears (Jikpa Kunkyob Ma), white in color, her gesture signifying the Three Rare Sublime Ones. She holds a white flask containing nectar whose function is to protect all sentient beings from fear and dangers.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MAM UPAKRAMA RAKSHA RAKSHA SVAHA
If there are dangers such as earthquakes, floods, typhoons, or the like, you can take strong refuge and recite this mantra, or visualize Tara in front of you.
10. She Who Brings Maras and the World Under Her Power
Homage! She so joyous, radiant,
Crown emitting garlands of light!
Mirthful, laughing with TUTTARE,
Subjugating maras, devas!
Sanskrit:
Namah pramudita topa
muku ta kshipta malini
hasat prahasat Tuttare
mara loka vashamkari
Color: Red Vase: Red Nectar: Overcomes the Maras and demons who control the world Activity: Enchanting Specialty: Overcomes Maras.
Visualization: On the tenth petal is Tara Who Brings Maras and the World Under Her Power (Dudang Jikten Wangdu Dema), red in color, holding a red flask containing nectar whose function is to destroy Mara and to control the world.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE SARVA MARA PRAMARDHANI SVAHA
11. She Who Eradicates Poverty
Homage! She able to summon
All earth-guardians’ assembly!
Shaking, frowning, with her HUM sign
Saving from every misfortune!
Sanskrit:
Namah samanta bhu pala
patalakarshana kshame
chalat bhrku ti hum kara
sarvapada vimoch ani
Color: Yellow-red — sparkling gold Vase: Yellow Nectar: Overcomes all poverty Activity: Attracting and affluence. Specialty: Accumulating wealth and overcoming poverty.
Visualization: On the eleventh petal is Tara Who Eradicates Poverty (Ponpa Selma), red-yellow in color, like refined gold. She holds a yellow flask containing nectar whose function is to eliminate poverty.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE VASUDHARINI SVAHA
Lama Zopa commentary: “This is the Tara you use when you make a Tara wealth vase for prosperity. When you put a statue or drawing of this Tara in a wealth vase, to eliminate either your poverty or that of others, you take strong refuge and recite this mantra in front of the vase. “
12. She Who Grants All That Is Auspicious
Homage! Crown adorned with crescent
Moon, all ornaments most shining!
Amitabha in her hair-knot
Sending out much light eternal!
Color: Gold Vase: White Nectar: Performs auspicious activities. Activity: Peaceful Specialty: Pacifying for auspiciousness. Calming negative obstacles hindering auspiciousness.
Visualization: On the twelfth petal is Tara Who Grants All that Is Auspicious (Trashi Tamche Jinma), golden in color, performing auspicious activities. She holds a white flask containing nectar that performs auspicious actions.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MANGALAM SVAHA
13. She Who Blazes Like Fire
Homage! She ’mid wreath ablaze like
Eon-ending fire abiding!
Right stretched, left bent, joy surrounds you
Troops of enemies destroying!
Color: Red like a blazing fire Vase: Red Nectar: Destroys enemies and protects from obstacles. Activity: Intense magnetizing and enchanting Specialty: Removing obstacles (especially to Dharma practice) or to life circumstances that influence Dharma practice.
Visualization: On the thirteenth petal is Tara Who Blazes Like Fire (Metar Barma), red in color and blazing like fire. She holds a red flask containing nectar that destroys enemies and protects from obstacles.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE BHAYA BHASMIM KURU SVAHA
14. She Who Is Frowning Wrathfully
Homage! She who strikes the ground with
Her palm, and with her foot beats it!
Scowling, with the letter HUM the
Seven levels she does conquer!
Sanskrit:
Namah kara talaghata
charana hata bhu tale
bhrkuti krta Hum kara
sapta patala bhedini
Color: Black and wrathful Vase: Dark blue Nectar: Controls and subdues interferences Activity: Wrathful power Specialty: Controller and subduer.
Visualization: On the fourteenth petal is Tara Who Is Frowning Wrathfully (Tronyer Chen), having a slightly wrathful appearance, black in color. She holds a dark blue flask containing nectar that controls and subdues interferences.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE VAJRA MAHA PADA BHASMIM KURU SVAHA
15. She of Supreme Peacefulness
Homage! Happy, virtuous, peaceful!
She whose field is peace, nirvana! S
he endowed with OM and SVAHA,
Destroyer of the great evil!
Sanskrit:
Namah shive shubhe shante
shanta nirvana gochare
svaha pranava samyukte
maha papaka na shani
Color: White Vase: White Nectar: Pacifying and purifying negative karmas Activity: Pacifying Specialty: Purification of negative karmas that cause sickness, spirit harm and obstacles.
Visualization: On the fifteenth petal is Tara the Supremely Peaceful One (Shiwa Chenmo), white in color. She holds a white flask containing nectar whose function is pacifying and purifying negative karma.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA PAPAM PRASHAMANAYA SVAHA
Lama Zopa comments: “Reciting her mantra pacifies sickness, spirit harm, obscurations, and negative karma.”
16. Tara Who Arises from the HUM of Intrinsic Awareness
Homage! She with joy surrounded
Tearing foes’ bodies asunder,
Frees with HUM and knowledge mantra,
Arrangement of the ten letters!
Sanskrit:
Namah pramudi tabandha
ripu gatra vabhedini
dashakshara pada nyashe
vidya Hum kara dipite
Visualization: On the sixteenth petal is Tara Who Arises from the HUM of Intrinsic Awareness (Rikpa Hungle Drölma), red in color. She holds a red-yellow flask containing nectar whose function is to increase wisdom.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA DHARMAH PRATI-PARISHODHAYA SVAHA
17. She Who Causes the Three Realms to Tremble
Homage! TURE! With seed letter
Of the shape of syllable HUM!
By foot stamping shakes the three worlds,
Meru, Mandara, and Vindhya!
Color: Red-yellow Vase: Yellow Nectar: Overcomes and pacifies all maras and obstacles, shaking the three worlds Activity: Magnetizing and controlling the power of mantras Specialty: Calms all obstacles no matter how overwhelming.
Visualization: On the seventeenth petal is Tara Who Causes the Three Realms to Tremble (Drölma Jikten Sumyowa), red-yellow in color. Pacifying maras and obstacles, shaking the triple world, she holds a yellow flask containing nectar whose function is to control the power of mantras, which means controlling those who try to harm you using mantras.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA STAMBHANI TARE SVAHA
18. She Who Neutralizes Poison
Homage! Holding in her hand the
Hare-marked moon of deva-lake form!
With twice spoken TARA and PHAT,
Totally dispelling poison!
Sanskrit:
Namah sura sarakara
harinika karast hite
Tara dvir ukta Phat kara
ashesha visha nashani
Color: White Vase: White Nectar: Pacifies every poison, sickness and illness Activity: Neutralizing and healing or pacifying Specialty: Eliminates poisons and sickness.
Visualization: On the eighteenth petal is Tara Who Neutralizes Poison (Dukselma), white in color. She holds a white flask containing nectar whose function is to eliminate all sicknesses and poison.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE NAGA VISHA SHANTIM KURU SVAHA
Lama Zopa: “If somebody poisons you or you have taken some poison by mistake, this is the mantra you can chant to eliminate it.”
19. She Who Alleviates All Suffering
Homage! She whom gods and their kings,
And the kinnaras do honor!
Armored in all joyful splendor,
She dispels bad dreams and conflicts!
Sanskrit:
Namah sura ganadh yaksha
sura kimnara sevite
abandha mudita bhoga
kali duhs vapna nashani
Color: White Vase: White Nectar: Eliminates disputes, nightmares and suffering Activity: Pacifying Specialty: Overcomes disputes and suffering peacefully.
Visualization: On the nineteenth petal is Tara Who Alleviates All Suffering (Duk-Ngal Tamche Selwé Drölma), white in color. She holds a white flask containing nectar that eliminates disputes, bad dreams, and other sufferings.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MOCANA SVAHA
20. She Who Removes Pestilence
Homage! She whose two eyes bright with
Radiance of sun and full moon!
With twice HARA and TUTTARA
She dispels severe contagion!
Color: Red Vase: Red Nectar: Eliminates all epidemics and contagious disease Activity: Magnetizing and drawing good health, immune response and healing Specialty: Epidemics.
Visualization: On the twentieth petal is Tara Who Removes Pestilence (Rimne Selwé Drölma), red in color. She holds a red flask containing nectar whose function is to eliminate all epidemics and contagious diseases.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE VISARATA SVAHA
Lama Zopa: “If there is a contagious disease or epidemic in the country, this is the specific Tara to be practiced.”
21. She Who Completely Perfects All Enlightened Activities
Homage! Full of liberating
Pow’r by the set of three natures!
Destroys hosts of spirits, yakshas,
And raised corpses! Supreme! TURE!
Sanskrit:
Namas tri tattva vinyasa
shiva shakti saman vite
graha vetala yakshaugha
nashani pravare Ture
Color: White but radiating multi-colored light Vase: Green Nectar: Nectar of magical attainments Activity: Pacifying Specialty: All enlightened activities Associations with other practices: She is also associated with/equated with Marichi (Marici)
Visualization: On the twenty-first petal is Tara Who Completely Perfects All Enlightened Activities (Trinle Tamche Yongsu Dzokpar Jepé Drölma), white in color and radiating varicolored lights. She holds a green flask containing nectar that accomplishes various magical attainments.
Mantra:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA SIDDHI SADHANAM SVAHA
Below: Surya Gupta lineage visualizations are entirely different. See the Heroic Red Tara image below and link to our series on this lineage.
Detail of a painting of Tara 1, Heroic Red Tara, by V.V. Sapar of the first Tara in the Surya Gupta sytem. In the background is the Lotus Face of Avalokiteshvara. (Full image below in the feature.)
Surya Gupta and Nyingma lineages
Although we’ve covered these lineages in separate features [Feature found here>>]for convenience here is the list of names of these two other lineages:
Suryagupta Tradition
1 Tara, Swift and Courageous or Tara, Heroic (Skt. Tārā Tura-vīrā or Tārā Pravīrā; Wyl. sgrol ma myur ma dpa’ mo or sgrol ma rab tu dpa’ mo)
2 Tara, White as the Autumn Moon or Tara, Brilliant Like the Moon (Skt. Tārā Śuklakānti or Tārā Candra-kānti; Wyl. sgrol ma ‘od dkar can or sgrol ma zla mdangs)
3 Tara, Golden Coloured (Skt. Tārā Kanaka-varṇī; Wyl. sgrol ma gser mdog can)
4 Tara, Crown Jewel of the Tathāgatas or Tārā, Victorious Crown Jewel (Skt. Tārā Tathāgatoṣṇīṣā or Tārā Uṣṇīṣa-vijayā; Wyl. sgrol ma de bzhin gshegs pa gtsug tor can or sgrol ma gtsug tor rnam rgyal ma)
5 Tara, Resounding with Hung (Skt. Tārā Hūṃ-kāra-nādinī or Tārā Hūṃ-svara-nādinī; Wyl. sgrol ma hUM sgra sgrogs ma)
6 Tara, Victor Over the Three Worlds (Skt. Tārā Trailokavijayā; Wyl. sgrol ma ‘jig rten gsum rgyal ma or sgrol ma khams gsum rnam rgyal ma)
7 Tara the Destructor or Tara, who crushes adversaries (Skt. Tārā Pramardinī or Tārā Apavādi-pramardanī; Wyl. sgrol ma rab ‘joms ma or sgrol ma rgol ba ‘joms ma)
8 Tara who destroys mara or Tara who destroys mara and bestows excellence (Skt. Tārā Māra-mardaneśvarī or Tārā Māra-sūdanī-vaśitottama-dā; Wyl. sgrol ma bdud ‘joms dbang phyug ma or sgrol ma bdud ‘joms dbang mchog ster ma)
9 Tara of the Khadira Forest or Tara who grants all wishes (Skt. Tārā Khadira-vaṇī or Tārā Vara-dā; Wyl. sgrol ma seng ldeng nags ma or sgrol ma ‘dod ster ma)
10 Tara who dispells sorrow (Skt. Tārā Śoka-vinodanī; Wyl. sgrol ma mya ngan sel byed ma)
11 Tara who magnetises all beings, or Tara who magnetises all beings and dispels their misfortune (Skt. Tārā Jagad-vaśī or Tārā Jagad-vaśī-riṣṭa-nirvahaṇī; Wyl. sgrol ma ‘jig rten dbang sdud ma or sgrol ma ‘gro ba kun ‘gugs phongs pa sel ma)
12 Tara who is the light of auspiciousness or Tara who bestows prosperity (Skt. Tārā Maṅgalālokā or Tārā Kalyāna-dā; Wyl. sgrol ma bkra shis snang ma or sgrol ma bkra shis ster ma)
13 Tara who ripens all (Skt. Tārā Pari-pācakā; Wyl. sgrol ma yongs su smin byed ma)
14 Tara, Furrowing Brow, or Tara who enthrals all (Skt. Tārā Bhṛkuṭī or Tārā Vaśīkārī; Wyl. sgrol ma khro gnyer can ma or sgrol ma ‘gugs ma)
15 Tara who is great peace (Skt. Tārā Mahā-śānti; Wyl. sgrol ma zhi ba chen mo)
16 Tara who destroys attachment (Skt. Tārā Rāga-niṣūdanī; Wyl. sgrol ma chags ‘joms ma)
17 Tara who accomplishes bliss (Skt. Tārā Sukha-sādhanī; Wyl. sgrol ma bde ba sgrub ma)
18 Tara, white and victorious (Skt. Tārā Vijayā or Tārā Sita-vijayā; Wyl. sgrol ma rnam par rgyal ma)
19 Tara who burns suffering (Skt. Tārā Duḥkha-dahanī; Wyl. sgrol ma sdug bsngal sel byed ma or sgrol ma sdug bsngal bsregs ma)
20 Tara who is the source of attainments (Skt. Tārā Siddhi-saṃbhavā; Wyl. sgrol ma dngos grub ‘byung gnas ma)
21 Tara who perfects all (Skt. Tārā Pari-pūraṇī; Wyl. sgrol ma yongs su rdzogs byed ma)
Here is Heroic Red Tara in the Nyingma Terma tradition. Here, the visualization is different, with various implements (in this case a conch shell) on the blue lotus held in Tara’s hand. See our feature on this lineage>>
Tara 1 in the Nyingma lineage visualization has the sacred conch shell on top of a lotus in Tara’s left hand. Art by Lasha Mutul.
1 Tara who is swift and courageous (sgrol ma myur ma dpa’ mo; Drolma Nyurma Pamo; Skt. Tārā Turavīrā) for development of bodhichitta
2 Tara who is melodious (sgrol ma dbyangs can ma; Drolma Yangchenma; Skt. Tārā Sarasvatī) for knowledge and wisdom (i.e. Sarasvati)
3 Tara who grants supreme merit (sgrol ma bsod nams mchog gter; Drolma Sonam Chokter; Skt. Tārā Puṇyottama-dā) for the force of merit
4 Tara who is completely victorious (sgrol ma gtsug gtor rnam rgyal; Drolma Tsuktor Namgyal; Skt. Tārā Uṣṇīṣa-vijayā) for long life (i.e. Ushnishavijaya)
5 Tara Kurukulla (sgrol ma rig byed ma; Drolma Rikchema; Skt. Kurukullā) for magnetising people and wealth
6 Tara who causes terror (sgrol ma ‘jigs byed chen mo; Drolma Jikché Chenmo; Skt. Tārā Mahābairavā) for destroying the power of harmful influences (i.e. Vajravidarana)
7 Tara who is invincible (sgrol ma gzhan gyis mi thub ma; Drolma Shyenkyi Mitupma; Skt. Tārā Aparadhṛṣyā) for protection from hailstorms and lightning
8 Tara, triumphant over others (sgrol ma gzhan mi rgyal ba; Drolma Shyen Migyalwa; Skt. Tārā Aparajitā) for repelling blame
9 Tara of the Khadira Forest (sgrol ma seng ldeng nags; Drolma Sengdeng Nakkyi; Skt. Tārā Khadira-vaṇī) for protection from the eight great fears. (She is the main Tara, green in colour)
10 Tara who conquers the three worlds (sgrol ma ‘jig rten gsum rgyal; Drolma Jikten Sumgyal; Skt. Tārā Trailokavijayā) to have power over the world
11 Tara who bestows wealth (nor ster ma; Drolma Nor Terma; Skt. Tārā Vasudā) for dispelling poverty and granting good fortune
12 Tara who brings auspiciousness (bkra shis don byed; Drolma Tashi Dönché; Skt. Tārā Maṅgalārthā) for the auspiciousness of children, fame, rain and so on
13 Tara who destroys the power of enemies (sgrol ma dgra dpung ‘joms ma; Drolma Drapung Jomma; Skt. Tārā Ripu-cakra-vināśinī) for victory in war
14 Tara Furrowing Brow (sgrol ma khro gnyer can mdzad; Drolma Tronyer Chendze; Skt. Tārā Bhṛkuṭī) for protection from spirits
15 Tara who is perfect peace (sgrol ma rab tu zhi ma; Drolma Rabtu Shyiwa; Skt. Tārā Praśāntī) for purifying harmful actions
16 Tara who is ablaze with light (sgrol ma ‘bar ba’i ‘od can; Drolma Barwé Öchen; Skt. Tārā Kiraṇojjvalā) for dispelling spells and negative effects
17 Tara of limitless subjugation (sgrol ma dpag med gnon ma; Drolma Pakmé Nönam; Skt. Tārā Aprameyākramaṇī) for protection from robbers, thieves, animals and hunters
18 Tara, majestic as the Great Peahen (sgrol ma rma bya chen mo; Drolma Mabja Chenmo; Skt. Tārā Mahāmāyūrī) to protect from and neutralize poison
19 Tara who is unconquerable and victorious (sgrol ma mi pham rgyal mo; Drolma Mipam Gyalmo; Skt. Tārā Ajitarājñī) for protection from quarrels and bad dreams (i.e. Sitatapatra)
20 Tara, Dweller in the mountains (sgrol ma ri khrod ma; Drolma Ritröma; Skt. Tārā Śabarī) for protection from epidemics
21 Tara, ‘Rays of Light’ (sgrol ma od zer can ma; Drolma Özer Chenma; Skt. Tārā Mārīcī) for restoring the spirits and energies of sick people (i.e. Marichi)
21 Tara’s according to Sadhanasamucchaya, Nyingma Terma
Venerable Zasep Rinpoche’s careful English translation (without equal beats) is reproduced below from his beautiful book Tara in the Palm of Your Hand (on Amazon here>>):
Tara 1
Homage to you, the Swift One, the Heroine,
Whose eyes are like an instant flash of lightning,
Who arose from the open corolla
Of the lotus face of the Lord of the Three Worlds.
Tara 2
Homage to you whose face is like one hundred autumn moons
Completely full, and gathered into one,
Radiating a great and distinguished light,
Superior to the gathering of a thousand stars.
Tara 3
Homage to you who are golden blue,
Whose hands are beautifully decorated with a water-born lotus;
Who embody the Six Perfections of giving, moral discipline,
Patience, perseverance, concentration, and wisdom.
Tara 4
Homage to you, who crown the Buddhas’ ushnishas,
Whose victorious actions are without limit,
Who have attained all transcendental wisdoms without exception,
And on whom the Bodhisattvas themselves rely.
Tara 5
Homage to you, who, uttering TUTTARE and HUM,
Fill the worlds of desire, direction and space,
Who with your feet press down the seven worlds,
And who by your power draw all beings without exception.
Tara 6
Homage to you to whom Indra, Agni,
Brahma, Vayu, Ishvara and the other gods offer prayers,
And who are praised by spirits, zombies,
Smell-eaters and Yakshas.
Tara 7
Homage to you who with the mantras TRA and PHAT
Completely destroy all the magic wheels,
Crushing them with your right leg bent and your left stretched out,
Burning them completely in a blazing whirl of fire.
Tara 8
Homage to you, TURE, the Great Fierce One,
Who totally destroy the leaders of the maras,
Whose lotus face forms wrathful wrinkles,
And who annihilate all enemies without exception.
Tara 9
Homage to you whose fingers, held at your chest,
Are in the mudra of the Three Jewels;
The gathered light from your hands,
Decorated with wheels, extends in all directions.
Tara 10
Homage to you who are so joyful,
With a garland of light around your crown,
And whose great laughter of TUTTARA
Overpowers all the worlds and maras.
Tara 11
Homage to you, endowed with the power
To draw the assembly of worldly guardians,
The One who with the HUM of wrathful wrinkles
Rescues completely from all poverty.
Tara 12
Homage to you who are crowned with a crescent moon,
And whose ornaments shine brightly,
With Amitabha Buddha seated in front of your ushnisha
Eternally sending forth beams of light.
Tara 13
Homage to you who dwell within a garland of flames
Like the fire at the end of the aeon;
With your right leg outstretched and your left bent with joy,
You destroy all enemies.
Tara 14
Homage to you who strike the ground with the palm of your hand
And trample it with your foot;
With a wrathful, wrinkled face and the sound of HUM,
You subdue all seven levels of the world.
Tara 15
Homage to you, the happy, virtuous, peaceful one,
Who act from the eternal bliss of Nirvana,
And who with the pure sounds of SOHA and OM
Eliminate even the strongest unwholesome Karmas.
Tara 16
Homage to you who turn the sharp Wheel of Dharma
For those who love the teachings,
And who crush all inner and outer enemies,
With the ten-syllable mantra and the seed syllable HUM.
Tara 17
Homage to you who stamp your feet while reciting the sound of TURE,
Whose essence syllable is HUM;
You cause Mount Meru, Mandhara and Vindhya
And all three worlds to tremble and shake.
Tara 18
Homage to you who hold in your hand
A beautiful moon resembling a celestial lake;
Saying TARA twice, and the letter PHAT
You dispel poisons completely and forever.
Tara 19
Homage to you on whom the lords of the hosts of devas rely,
And also the lords of the Gandharvas;
By the splendor of your joyful armour,
You eliminate arguments and nightmares as well.
Tara 20
Homage to you whose two eyes
Are so beautiful and bright, like the sun or moon;
Saying HARA twice, and TUTTARE again
You quell and eliminate the most fearful epidemics.
Tara 21
Homage to you who by embodying the three Ultimates
Are perfect with the strength of peace,
Able to eliminate maras, Dons, zombies, and Yakshas;
TURE is the most exalted syllable of the Supreme.
21 Praises to Tara in Sanskrit (Western characters)
Om namah spukasam namah Taraye mi Tara
1
Namas Tare Ture vire
kshanair dyuti nibhekshane
trailokya nat ha vaktrabja
vikasat kesharobhave
2
Namah shata sharac chandra
sampurna patalanane
Tara sahasra nikara
prahasat kira noj jvale
3
Namah kanaka nilabja
pani padma vibhu shite
dana virya tapah shanti
titik sha dhyana gochare
4
Namas tat hagatosh nisha
vijayananta charini
ashesha paramita prapta
jina putra nishevite
5
Namas Tuttara Hum kara
puritasha dig antare
sapta loka kramakranti
asheshak arshanak shame
6
Namah shakranala Brahma
marud vishvesh varachite
bhuta vetala gand harva
gana yaksha puras krte
7
Namas trad iti phat kara
para yantra pramardani
praty alid ha pada nyase
shik hi jvalakulek shane
8
Namas Ture maha ghore
mara vira vinashani
bhrku ti krta vaktrabja
sarva shatrum nishudani
9
Namas tri ratna mudranka
hrdyanguli vibhushite
bhu shitashesha dik chakra
nikara sva Karakule
10
Namah pramudita topa
muku ta kshipta malini
hasat prahasat Tuttare
mara loka vashamkari
11
Namah samanta bhu pala
patalakarshana kshame
chalat bhrku ti hum kara
sarvapada vimoch ani
12
Namah shikhanda kandendu
muku tabha ranojjvale
Amitabha jata bhara
bhasvare kirana dhruve
13
Namah kalpanta hutabhug
jvala malan Tara sthite
alidha muditabandha
ripu chakra vinashani
14
Namah kara talaghata
charana hata bhu tale
bhrkuti krta Hum kara
sapta patala bhedini
15
Namah shive shubhe shante
shanta nirvana gochare
svaha pranava samyukte
maha papaka na shani
16
Namah pramudi tabandha
ripu gatra vabhedini
dashakshara pada nyashe
vidya Hum kara dipite
17
Namas Ture pada ghata
Hum karakara bijite
meru mandara kailasa
bhuvana traya chalini
18
Namah sura sarakara
harinika karast hite
Tara dvir ukta Phat kara
ashesha visha nashani
19
Namah sura ganadh yaksha
sura kimnara sevite
abandha mudita bhoga
kali duhs vapna nashani
20
Namah chandrarka sampurna
nayana dyuti bhas vare
hara dvir ukta Tuttare
vishama jvara nashani
21
Namas tri tattva vinyasa
shiva shakti saman vite
graha vetala yakshaugha
nashani pravare Ture
21 Praises to Tara in Tibetan
Chhag tshäl dröl ma nyur ma pa mo
Chän ni kä chig log dang dra ma
Jig ten sum gön chhu kye zhäl gyi
Ge sar je wa lä ni jung ma
Chhag tshäl tön käi da wa kün tu
Gang wa gya ni tseg päi zhäl ma
Kar ma tong thrag tshog pa nam kyi
Rab tu chhe wäi ö rab bar ma
Chhag tshäl ser ngo chhu nä kye kyi
Pä mä chhag ni nam par gyän ma
Jin pa tsön drü ka thub zhi wa
Zö pa sam tän chö yül nyi ma
Chhag tshäl de zhin sheg päi tsug tor
Tha yä nam par gyäl war chö ma
Ma lü pha röl chhin pa thob päi
Gyäl wäi sä kyi shin tu ten ma
Chhag tshäl TUTTARA HUM yi ge
Dö dang chhog dang nam kha gang ma
Jig ten dün po zhab kyi nän te
Lü pa me par gug par nü ma
Chhag tshäl gya jin me lha tshang pa
Lung lha na tshog wang chhug chhö ma
Jung po ro lang dri za nam dang
Nö jin tshog kyi dün nä tö ma
Chhag tshäl TRAD che ja dang PHAT kyi
Pha röl thrül khor rab tu jom ma
Yä kum yön kyang zhab kyi nän te
Me bar thrug pa shin tu bar ma
Chhag tshäl TURE jig pa chhen po
Dü kyi pa wo nam par jom ma
Chhu kye zhäl ni thro nyer dän dzä
Dra wo tham chä ma lü sö ma
Chhag tshäl rab tu ga wa ji päi
U gyän ö kyi threng wa pel ma
Zhe pa rab zhä TUTTARA yi
Dü dang jig ten wang du dzä ma
Chhag tshäl sa zhi kyong wäi tshog nam
Tham chä gug par nü ma nyi ma
Thro nyer yo wäi yi ge HUM gi
Phong pa tham chä nam par dröl ma
Chhag tshäl da wäi dum bü u gyän
Gyän pa tham chä shin tu bar ma
Räl päi khur na ö pag me lä
Tag par shin tu ö rab dzä ma
Chhag tshäl käl päi tha mäi me tar
Bar wäi threng wäi ü na nä ma
Yä kyang yön kum kün nä kor gäi
Dra yi pung ni nam par jom ma
Chhag tshäl sa zhii ngö la chhag gi
Thil gyi nün ching zhab kyi dung ma
Thro nyer chän dzä yi ge HUM gi
Rim pa dün po nam ni gem ma
Chhag tshäl de ma ge ma zhi ma
Nya ngän dä zhi chö yül nyi ma
SVAHA OM dang yang dag dän pä
Dig pa chhen po jom pa nyi ma
Chhag tshäl kün nä kor rab ga wäi
Dra yi lü ni nam par gem ma
Yi ge chu päi ngag ni kö päi
Rig pa HUM lä dröl ma nyi ma
Chhag tshäl TURE zhab ni deb pä
HUM gi nam päi sa bön nyi ma
Ri rab Mandhara dang big je
Jig ten sum nam yo wa nyi ma
Chhag tshäl lha yi tsho yi nam päi
Ri dag tag chän chhag na nam ma
TARA nyi jö PHAT kyi yi ge
Dug nam ma lü pa ni sel ma
Chhag tshäl lha yi tshog nam gyäl po
Lha dang mi am chi yi ten ma
Kün nä go chha ga wäi ji gyi
Tsö dang mi lam ngän pa sel ma
Chhag tshäl nyi ma da wa gyä päi
Chän nyi po la ö rab säl ma
HARA nyi jö TUTTARA yi
Shin tu drag pöi rim nä sel ma
Chhag tshäl de nyi sum nam kö pä
Zhi wäi thü dang yang dag dän ma
Dön dang ro lang nö jin tshog nam
Jom pa TURE rab chhog nyi ma
Sources
1. Rinpoche, Lama Zopa. The Power of Mantra: Vital Practices for Transformation (Wisdom Culture Series) (pp. 97-98). Wisdom Publications. Kindle Edition. The mantras quoted here are from the teachings of Lama Zopa Rinpoche and are the Sanskrit versions of the mantras. In Tibetan they sound slightly different. (For example, “Svaha,” which is Sanskrit becomes “Soha” in Tibetan phonetics.) As quoted here, from Lama Zopa’s book The Power of Mantra: Vital Practices for Transformation (full details in Citations). For the mantras according to Surya Gupta, see our previous series. [Found here>>]
2. Sanskrit names and praises from: In Praise of Tara, Martin Wilson
3. Surya Gupta names: Tara in the Palm of Your Hand, Venerable Zasep Rinpoche
4. Nyingma Lineage names: Rigpawiki.
5. Bokar Rinpoche. Tara The Feminine Divine (Kindle Locations 402-405). Kindle Edition.
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