21 Taras powerful Dharani Mantras in Sacred Sanskrit as taught by Buddha: how to chant and why it is so effective

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    The 21 Taras Mantra Dharanis in Sanskrit, as taught by Buddha in the Sanskrit Texts (and translated to Tibetan in the Kangyur), became popularized as the 21 Homages or 21 Praises to Tara.

    When chanted in the original Sanskrit, the 21 Praises to Tara are 21 potent and powerful Dharanis (long-form mantras).

     

    Buddha Weekly 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise Introductory praise with Green Tara statue Buddhism
    The introductory praise in the 21 Taras Dharani in Sanskrit from from the Buddha Weekly Video.

     

    Although popularized as both a Tibetan and English 21 Praise chant, in its Sanskrit Holy syllable form, it is an original Dharani (or series of 21 Dharanis) as taught by the Buddha in Sanskrit Sutra. In its Tibetan or English form (translated in the Kangyur), it loses its sacred vibrational sound and the actual “meaning” (translation) is significantly more simplified. The Dharani, in original Sanskrit, is nuanced and profound.

    21 Praises to Tara are Powerful Dharanis

    The 21 Praises to Tara are famous for blessing activity, protection, healing, long-life practice, and wish-fulfillment —but these stated benefits are actually in reference to the original Sanskrit sounds.

    Hrishikesh Sonar correctly pronounces the Sanskrit Dharanis for us in a beautiful chant, with captions for chant-along:

     

    NOTE: the principle of Sanskrit Dharani applies to all lineages of 21 Taras: Surya Gupta lineage, Atisha lineage or Nyingma lineages. Although the video below, which is correct Sanskrit pronunciation, visualizes with the ancient Surya Gupta lineage (paintings by Niels Petersen) the same Dharanis and pronunciation are correct for all visualization systems. In future, we’ll produce separate videos for these lineages.

    Mantras and Dharanis should not be translated

    In the same way a mantra, such as Om Mani Padme Hum loses most nuance and “potency” if translated for chanting to English — literally this translates, according to scholars as praise to the jewel in the lotus — in its Sanskrit form it is empowered by Sanskrit’s sacred mother syllables. In other languages, a mantra or Dharani simply becomes more of a “chanted prayer or praise” or hymn.

    Likewise, the powerful mantra of Tara, in sacred sound form Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha, becomes in English: I prostrate to Tara the liberator, mother of all the victorious ones. While this is a lovely praise, it no longer has the essence of sacred syllable and nuanced meaning.

     

    Buddha Weekly 21 Taras Surya Gupta courtesy Vajrayana Print on Etsy Buddhism
    21 Taras rare horizontal Tangkha in the Surya Gupta lineage style courtesy (with permission) of Vajrayana Print on Etsy>>.

     

     

    Enlightened Deities will respond to anyone, regardless of language. The question of translation and language relates to “mantras” and Dharanis both.

    For example, Om is a short form of AUM, which are the seed syllables of Body, Speech and Mind. As such, it represents the body, speech, and mind of all the Buddhas — in that simple Sanskrit Syllable Om. So, to do justice to a translation, we’d have to translate Om not as “I prostrate” but instead as “I prostrate to the body, speech and mind of Tara, the liberator.” Then, when you start to translate Tare (the next two syllables of Tara’s mantra), we find it has many meanings. Tare can mean “freeing from samsara,” but it can also mean “liberation from suffering” and “protection from fear” and about twelve other wonderful nuances, all in those two little syllables.

    Buddha Weekly Tara in the Palm of Your Hand and Tara at Your Lotus Heart Ven Zasep Rinpoche 2 Buddhism
    Information on the Surya Gupta lineage 21 Taras source: Venerable Zasep Rinpoche’s amazing books Tara in the Palm of Your Hand is available on Amazon. Tara at Your Lotus Heart is available from Gaden for the West>>

     

    Mantras, like Poetry, are difficult to translate without losing something. Dharanis are even more challenging (the 21 Praises are actually 21 Dharanis.) In English, we call it “Praise,” but Dharani means much more than praise. It means “essence” and “sound essence” and “empowered vibration” and “homage,” and another thirty or forty things. Any one of them alone, as a single English word, is misleading. This is why teachers often recommend students chant in Sanskrit and their native language both. (Sanskrit and English or Sanskrit and Tibetan, and so on.)

     

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise Introductory praise 1st Tara red Buddhism
    The first Tara of the Praise is Heroic Red Tara. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. from from the Buddha Weekly Video.

     

    The benefits of the Dharanis are fully stated in the final verses of the sacred texts, which outline the specific benefits to devout practitioners. The benefits, however, are for the Dharanis as transmitted by Buddha, in the original Sanskrit.

    The benefits (if you translate them to English) are stated in the text as (here translated to English for clarity):

    “Whoever is endowed with devotion for the goddess and recites this with supreme faith,

    Remembering it at dawn upon waking and in the evenings,

    Will be granted all fearlessness, will perfectly pacify all negativities,

    And will eliminate all unfortunate migrations.

    The multitudes of conquerors will quickly grant initiation:

    Thus, endowed with this greatness, one will eventually reach the state of a buddha.

    If affected by the most terrible poison,

    Whether ingested, drunk, or from a living being,

    Just by remembering, will one be thoroughly cleansed.

    If this prayer is recited two, three, or seven times,

    It will alleviate all the sufferings of torments

    They are caused by spirits, fevers, and poisons, and by other beings as well.

    If you wish for a child, you will get a child;

    If you want to for wealth, you will receive wealth.

    All your wishes will be fulfilled

    And all obstacles pacified.

    Tara and Surya Gupta Ben Christian
    The great Mahasiddha Surya Gupta had visions of Tara — here in a beautiful painting by the amazing artist Ben Christian Jampay Dorje>>

     

    Why 21 Dharanis?

    Tara, the Mother of the Buddhas, emanates in countless forms to help suffering beings in our troubled world. Each of these forms specializes in one of these Enlightened activities: the various White Taras for peaceful activity, the Red Taras for magnetizing and enchanting, the Yellow Taras for auspiciousness and wish-fulfillment, and the Black Taras for wrathful power to overcome evil or negative forces and obstacles.

     

    Buddha Weekly White Taras for Peaceful activities Buddhism
    In the 21 Taras, each of the Taras is an emanation of the Mother of all the Buddhas, Tara, but the symbolism and Dharanis are different for each to emphasize different activities. White Taras symbolize her peaceful activities such as longevity and blessings. From the Buddha Weekly video embedded above.

     

    Chanting Tara’s Praises daily — especially in the original Sanskrit — is a practice recommended by countless Buddhist teachers. Shakyamuni Buddha taught the 21 Praises originally in Sacred Sanskrit. Chanting the praise with the original Sanskrit vowels of Buddha is important as an empowering method, energizing the sounds with mantra and seed syllable vibrations.

    NOTE: In the featured video, Hrishikesh Sonar demonstrates the correct Sanskrit pronunciation, here beautifully chanted. Many people do not chant musically — but the pronunciation is the same. Note: in the English lettered Sanskrit below, any time you see an s or a c with a special accent — such as ś or ṣ — it is usually pronounced soft-style as is “sh” or “ch.”

    Buddha Weekly Paintings by Niels Petersen or the 21 Taras according to Surya Gupta Buddhism
    Original paintings used in this video and feature are by Niels Petersen, imaged correctly according to the Surya Gupta lineage of 21 Taras. His website is Nielspetersen.ca>>

     

    Bring the blessings and protection of Mother Tara into your life with this sacred and profound praise sung in the Mother language Sanskrit.  Visualize the 21 Taras — here presented through the art of Niels Petersen, according to the ancient lineage of Surya Gupta, as taught in the books Tara in the Palm of Your Hand, and Tara at Your Lotus Heart by Venerable Zasep Rinpoche.

    To learn more about the 21 Taras we strongly recommend Tara in the Palm of Your Hand. Even more in-depth is the new book from Venerable Zasep Rinpoche, Tara at Your Lotus Heart.

     

    Buddha Weekly Inside spread Tara in the palm of your hand Buddhism
    An inside spread of “Tara in the palm of your hand.” There are guided meditations (sadhanas) with illustrations for each of the 21 Taras. Uniquely, in this case, the 21 Taras are in the precious Surya Gupta tradition — where each of the 21 Taras appears different. In other systems, the 21 Taras appear similar, changing only in colour and a few minor expressions. To order the paperback edition of this book, visit Amazon>>

     

    Sanskrit Dharani of the 21 Taras

    With descriptions of the names, colors and powers of each Tara according to the book Tara in the Palm of Your Hand (found on Amazon here>>)

    Although the tradition is that you chant the entire 21 Dharanis plus the introductory Dharani daily or three times daily, if you have a specific issue or problem — if you need Tara’s help with a specific activity — you can look at the “Power or Rite” description below. The Color also indicates the type of activity

    • Red: Power and magnetizing or enchanting
    • White: Pacifying or calming and long-life
    • Blue or Black: Wrathful power to turn back obstacles, negative karmas, evil forces
    • Yellow: Auspiciousness and attracting good fortune.
    • Green: Combines all the colors and activities.

     

    Buddha Weekly Yellow Taras for Auspiciousness Buddhism
    Yellow Taras focus on the auspiciousness activities and attracting merit. From the Buddha Weekly video embedded above.

     

    Introductory Dharani

    om namo bhagavatyai āryaśrī ekaviṃśati tārāyai

    namastāre ture vīre

    tuttāre bhayanāśini

    ture sarvārthade tāre

    svāhākāre namo’stute

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise Introductory praise 1st Tara red Buddhism
    The first Tara of the Praise is Heroic Red Tara with eight arms in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    1st Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Pravita Tara
    Tibetan: Rabtupa We Drolma
    English: Heroic Red Tara
    • Power or Rite: turning back the power of others.
    • Seed syllable OM
    • Colour: red
    • Arms: 8
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namas tāre ture vīre

    kṣaṇa dyuti nibhekṣaṇe

    trailokya nātha vaktrābja

    vikasat kesarodbhave

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 2nd Tara White Buddhism
    The 2nd Tara of the Praise is a White twelve-armed Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From from the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    2nd Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Chandra Kanti Tara
    Tibetan: Karmo a Dang Ge Drolma
    English: Moonlight White Tara

    • Power or Rite: calming infectious disease.
    • Seed syllable TAM
    • Colour: white
    • Number of arms: twelve
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namaḥ śata śaraccandra

    sampūrṇa paṭalānane

    tārā sahasra nikara prahasat

    kiraṇojjvale

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 3rd Tara Yellow Buddhism
    The third Tara of the Praise is a twelve-armed yellow Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. Fom the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    3rd Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Kanaka Vana Tara
    Tibetan: Ser Mo Serdok Chen Ge Drolma
    English: Golden Color Tara

    • Power or Rite: calming infectious disease.
    • Seed syllable TAM
    • Colour: white
    • Number of arms: twelve
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namaḥ kanaka nīlābja-pāṇi

    padma vibhūṣite

    dāna vīrya tapaḥ śānti titikṣā

    dhyāna gocare

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 4th Tara Yellow Buddhism
    The 4th Tara of the Praise is a two-armed Yellow Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

     

    4th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Usnisa Vijaya Tara
    Tibetan: Tsug Tor Nam Pal Gyal We Drolma
    English: Golden Tara of Crown Victorious
    • Power or Rite: neutralizing lethal poisons.
    • Seed syllable TUTA
    • Colour: golden
    • Number of arms: four
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namastathāgatoṣṇīṣa

    vijayānantacāriṇi

    aśeṣapāramitāprāpta

    jinaputraniṣevite

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 5th Tara Yellow Buddhism
    The 5th Tara of the Praise is a two-armed Yellow Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

     

    5th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Hum Svara Nadini Tara
    Tibetan: HUM Dra Dolpi Drolma
    English: Tara Proclaiming the Sound of HUM
    • Power or Rite: subjugating.
    • Seed syllable TA
    • Colour: yellow
    • Number of arms: two
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namastuttāra huṅkāra

    pūritāśā digantare

    saptaloka kramākrānt niḥśeṣ

    ākarṣaṇa kṣame

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 6th Tara Red Buddhism
    The 6th Tara of the Praise is a four-armed Red Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

     

    6th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Trai Lokya Vijaya Tara
    Tibetan: Jig Ten Sum Lay Nam Par Gyal We Drolma
    English: Tara Victorious over the Three Levels of the World
    • Power or Rite: purification of all obscurations and negativities.
    • Seed syllable RE
    • Colour: ruby red
    • Number of arms: four
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namah śakrā nala brahma

    marud viśveśvar ārcite,

    bhūta vetāla gandharva gaṇa

    yakṣa puraskṛte

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 7th Tara Black Buddhism
    The 7th Tara of the Praise is a wrathful standing four-armed Black Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings — famous as “Tara Who Destroys All Enemies” — meaning destroyer of our obstacles. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    7th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Vadi Pramardani Tara
    Tibetan: Golwa Jompi Drolma
    English: Tara Who Crushes Adversaries
    • Power or Rite: Destroyer of adversaries (adversaries means obstacles and obscurations).
    • Seed syllable TU
    • Colour: ruby black
    • Number of arms: four
    • Peaceful or wrathful: wrathful

    namas triḍiti phaṭkāra

    parayantra pramardini

    pratyālīḍha padanyāse

    śikhi jvālā kulojjvale

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 8th Tara Yellow Buddhism
    The 8th Tara of the Praise is a four-armed Yellow Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

     

    8th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Mara Sudana Vasitottama Da Tara
    Tibetan: Wang Chug Terwe Drolma
    English: Tara Who Gives Supreme Spiritual Power
    • Power or Rite: completion stage practices; destroyer of Maras (demons) and the two obstructions
    • Seed syllable TU
    • Colour: ruby black
    • Number of arms: four
    • Peaceful or wrathful: wrathful

    namasture mahāghore

    māra vīra vināśini

    bhṛkuṭī kṛta vaktrābja

    sarva śatru niṣūdini

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 9th Tara Buddhism
    The 9th Tara of the Praise is Green Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. She is Principle Green Tara, combining all activities (Green, by tradition, combines all colours.) Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    9th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Khadiravana Tara
    Tibetan: Seng Ding Nag Che Drolma
    English: Tara of the Khadira Fragrant Forest (Principle Green Tara)
    • Power or Rite: Principle Green Tara: all activities
    • Seed syllable TAM
    • Colour: green
    • Number of arms: 2
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namastrīratna mudrāṅka

    hṛdayāṅguli vibhūṣite

    bhūṣitā śeṣa dikcakra

    nikara-sva-karākule

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 10th Tara Red Buddhism
    The 10th Tara of the Praise is a four-armed Red Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    10th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Soka Vinodana Tara
    Tibetan: Na Nyen Me Pi Drolma
    English: Tara Who Dispels All Suffering
    • Power or Rite: Her rite is entering the mandala
    • Seed syllable SA
    • Colour: red
    • Number of arms: 4
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namaḥ pramuditoddīpta

    mukuṭākṣipta mālini

    hasat prahasat tuttāre

    māra loka vaśaṅkari

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 11th Tara Black Buddhism
    The 11th Tara of the Praise is a two-armed standing Black Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    11th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Jag Vasi Vipan Nirbarhana Tara
    Tibetan: Dro Wa Gug Pa Am Pungpa Sel We Drolma
    English: Tara Who Summons All Beings and Dispels Misfortune
    • Power or Rite: Increasing enjoyments and accomplishing activities through the ten guardians
    • Seed syllable HA
    • Colour: black
    • Number of arms: 2
    • Peaceful or wrathful: wrathful

    namaḥ samasta bhūpāla

    patal ākarṣaṇa kṣame

    calada bhṛkuṭi hūṃkāra

    sarvāpada vimocini

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 12th Tara Yellow Buddhism
    The 12th Tara of the Praise is a eight-armed Yellow Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    12th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Kalyana Da Tara or Manga Laloka Tara
    Tibetan: Tashi Nang We Drolma
    English: Tara Who Grants Prosperity and Brings about Auspicious Circumstances
    • Power or Rite: Her rite is the fire offering
    • Seed syllable AH
    • Colour: yellow
    • Number of arms: 8
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namaḥ śīkhaṇḍa-khaṇḍendu

    mukuṭā bharaṇoj-jvale

    amitābha-jaṭā-bhāra

    bhāsvara-kiraṇa-dhruve

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 13th Tara Red Buddhism
    The 13th Tara of the Praise is a four-armed Red Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    13th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Pari Pacaka Tara
    Tibetan: Young Su Min Par Zed Pi Drolma
    English: Tara the Complete Ripener
    • Power or Rite: Her rite is for subduing hindrances
    • Seed syllable DRUM
    • Colour: red
    • Number of arms: 4
    • Peaceful or wrathful: wrathful

    namaḥ kalpānta huta bhuga

    jvālā mālāntara sthite

    ālīḍha muditābaddha

    ripu cakra vināśini

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 14th Tara Black Buddhism
    The 14th Tara of the Praise is a six-armed Black Tara with three faces (black, white red) in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    14th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Bhrkuti Tara
    Tibetan: Tro Nyer Yo We Drolma
    English: Wrathful, Shaking and Frowning Tara
    • Power or Rite: Her rite is the protective circle
    • Seed syllable AH TA
    • Colour: black
    • Number of arms: 6
    • Number of faces: 3 (central black, Tara’s right white, Tara’s left red)
    • Peaceful or wrathful: wrathful

    namaḥ karatalā ghāta

    ćaraṇa hatabhūtale

    bhṛkuṭī kṛta hūṃkāra

    sapta pātāla bhedini

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 15th Tara White Buddhism
    The 15th Tara of the Praise is a six-armed White Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    15th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Maha Shanti Tara
    Tibetan: She Wa Chen Mo Am Gelek Ter Wi Drolma
    English: Tara the Great Peaceful One Who Provides Virtues and Goodness
    • Power or Rite: cleansing, purification, praised in terms of her Dharmakaya aspect
    • Seed syllable NI
    • Colour: white
    • Number of arms: six
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namaḥ śive śubhe śānte

    śānta nirvāṇa gocare,

    svāhā praṇava saṃyukte

    mahā pātaka nāśini

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 16th Tara Red Buddhism
    The 16th Tara of the Praise is a two-armed Red Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

     

    16th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Raga Nisudana Tara
    Tibetan: Chagpa Jom Pi Drolma
    English: Tara Destroyer of All Attachment
    • Power or Rite: cleansing, purification, praised in terms of her Dharmakaya aspect
    • Seed syllable A (red)
    • Colour: coral red
    • Number of arms: two
    • Peaceful or wrathful: slightly wrathful

    namaḥ pramuditābaddha

    ripu-gātra prabhedini

    daśākṣara pada-nyāse

    vidyā-hūṃkāra-dīpite

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 17th Tara Yellow Buddhism
    The 17th Tara of the Praise is a two-armed Yellow Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

     

    17th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Sukha Sadhana Tara
    Tibetan:Dewa Drub Pe Drolma
    English: Tara Accomplisher of Joy and Bliss
    • Power or Rite: Binding thieves, praised for wrathful activity of shaking the three worlds.
    • Seed syllable SHA
    • Colour: orange
    • Number of arms: two
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namas ture pādaghāta

    hūṃkārākāra bījite

    meru mandharva vindhyaśca

    bhuvana trayacālini

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 18th Tara White Buddhism
    The 18th Tara of the Praise is a two-armed White Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

    18th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Sita Vijaya Tara
    Tibetan: Rab Tu Gye Pi Drolma
    English: Victorious Tara Who Increases Realizations
    • Power or Rite: Curing leprosy and Naga diseases (as Tara cured Surya Gupta.) Praised for dispelling poisons of all kinds.
    • Seed syllable KE
    • Colour: white
    • Number of arms: four
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namaḥ sureśarākāra

    hariṇāṅka kara sthite

    tārā_dvirukta phaṭkāra

    aśeṣa viṣa nāśini

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 19th Tara White Buddhism
    The 19th Tara of the Praise is a two-armed White Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

     

    19th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Dukha Dahana Tara
    Tibetan: Duk Ngal Sek Pi Drolma
    English: Tara, Extinguisher of All Suffering
    • Power or Rite: Curing leprosy and Naga diseases (as Tara cured Surya Gupta.) Praised for dispelling poisons of all kinds.
    • Seed syllable ZA
    • Colour: white
    • Number of arms: two
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namaḥ sura gaṇā dhyakṣa

    sura kinnara sevite

    ābaddha muditābhoga

    kari duḥ svapna nāśini

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 20th Tara Yellow Buddhism
    The 20th Tara of the Praise is a two-armed Yellow Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

     

    20th Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Sidhi Sambhava Tara
    Tibetan: Ngyu Drob Jung Pi Drolma
    English: Tara, Source of All Powerful Attainments
    • Power or Rite: Dispelling fevers and epidemics.
    • Seed syllable TSE
    • Colour: orange
    • Number of arms: two
    • Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

    namaś candrārka sampūrṇa

    nayana dyuti bhāsvare

    hara dvirukta tut-tāre

    viṣama jvara nāśini

    Buddha Weekly Niels Petersen 21 Taras Sanskrit Praise 21st Tara White Buddhism
    The 21st Tara of the Praise is a two-armed White Tara in the Surya Gupta lineage teachings. Chanting her Dharani in Sanskrit helps us to tap into the profound meaning of the mantra and its power to influence our lives. From the Buddha Weekly Video. Painting by Niels Petersen.

     

    21st Tara Dharani

    Sanskrit: Paripurana Tara
    Tibetan: Yong Zog Jed Pi Drolma
    English: Tara of the Perfection of Wisdom and Compassion
    • Power or Rite: Rite is for “sky going” to the Akanishtha Pureland in this very life; praised for subduing evil spirits and zombies.
    • Seed syllable PHE
    • Colour: white
    • Number of arms: two
    • Peaceful or wrathful: slightly wrathful

    nama stritat tvavi nyāse

    śiva-śakti samanvite

    graha vetāla yakṣa gaṇa

    nāśini pravare ture

    Buddha Weekly Tara in the Palm of Your Hand Zasep Tulku Rinpoche Buddhism
    Zasep Tulku Rinpoche is the author of Tara in the Palm of Your Hand, a commentary and practice of the 21 Taras.

     

     

    Chanting in English

    Chanting the 21 Praises in English may not have the same profound vibrational intensity as the Sanskrit, but it is a popular way to honor  Tara, the Mother of the Buddhas. If you prefer to chant in English, here’s our previous video version also beautifully chanted by Hrishikesh Sonar (in this version, with Surya Gupta lineage paintings by the well-known artist V.V. Sapar, used with permission):

    When you do translate the praise, you can see how many of the nuances are missing. English, typically, doesn’t carry as many layered meanings. This is the English translation used in chanting:

    PRAISE OF TARA’S MANTRA:

    Homage to Tara the Swift and Courageous,

    You drive away all our fears with TUTTARE,

    Saviouress fulfilling all aims with TURE,

    With syllables SVAHA, we offer homage.

    21 TARAS PRAISE IN ENGLISH:

    1. Heroic Red Tara

    Homage to You, the Swift One, the Heroine,

    Your gaze is as quick as flashes of lightning

    Who arose from the majestic carolla

    From the Lotus face of the Lord of Three Worlds.

    2. Moonlight White Tara

    Homage to You with a face that resembles

    The gathering of one hundred autumn full moons

    And who with the brightness of stars by the thousands

    Shines in a vast perfect light of resplendence.

    3. Golden Color Tara

    Homage to You divine golden-blue Goddess

    Whose hands are adorned by water-born lotus.

    Embody Six Perfections: Giving, Patience

    Ethics, Concentration, Vigor, and Wisdom

    4. Golden Tara of Crown Victorious

    Homage to You who crowns Buddha’s ushnishas,

    Whose victorious actions have no limit.

    Who has attained ev’ry transcendent wisdom,

    On whom the Bodhisattvas themselves rely.

    5. Tara Proclaiming the Sound of HUM

    Homage to You who with HUM and TUTTARA,

    Fill all worlds of desire, direction, space.

    Who with your feet press down on the Seven Worlds;

    You subdue all beings under your power.

    6. Tara Victorious Over the Three Levels of World

    Homage to You praised by Indra and Agni,

    Brahma, Vayu, Ishvara and all the gods

    All the spirits, zombies, and the smell-eaters,

    Even the Yakshas give praise in Your presence.

    7. Tara Who Crushes Adversaries

    Homage to You who with the TRAY and PEY sounds,

    Crush every magical wheel, evil forces,

    Right leg extended and left bent, you trample,

    You burn them completely in Your whirling fire.

    8. Tara Who Gives Supreme Spiritual Power

    Homage to You, TURE, the Boundless Fierce One,

    Who totally destroys leaders of maras.

    Whose lotus-like face forms furious wrinkles,

    You annihilate foes without exception.

    9. Tara of the Khadira Fragrant Forest

    Homage to You whose fingers held at Your chest,

    Displaying the mudra of the Three Jewels;

    Beautiful swirling light in your precious hands

    Dharma wheels connect every direction.

    10. Tara Who Dispels All Suffering

    Homage to You, the majestic and joyful

    With brilliant garlands of light around your crown

    With the great clangor of laughter TUTTARA

    Over power all the worlds and the maras.

    11. Tara Who Summons All Beings and Dispels Misfortune

    Homage to You, endowed with the great power,

    To draw assembly of worldly guardians.

    The One who with the HUM of wrathful wrinkles

    You rescue completely from all poverty.

    12. Tara Who Grants Prosperity and Brings About Aupsiciousness

    Homage to You, who is crowned with crescent moon,

    And whose ornaments so brilliantly sparkle.

    Amitabha in front of your ushnisha,

    Eternally radiating beams of light.

    13. Tara the Complete Rinpener

    Homage to You, who dwell in garlands of flames

    Engulfed in fire like the end of the aeon.

    Right leg outstretched and left bent with blissful joy

    Who with your power destroy all enemies.

    14. Wrathful, Shaking and Frowning Tara

    Homage to You, striking the ground with your hand

    And crushing the earth with your majestic foot.

    With wrathful, wrinkled face and the sound of HUM

    You fully subdue seven levels of worlds.

    15. Tara the Great Peaceful One Who Provides Virtues

    Homage to You, happy, virtuous and peaceful,

    Who acts from eternal bliss of Nirvana.

    And who with the pure sounds of OM and SVAHA,

    Eliminates the most unwholesome Karmas!

    16. Tara Destroyer of All Attachment

    Homage to You, who turns the Wheel of Dharma

    For truly devoted, who love the teachings

    Crushing enemies — all types of obstacles

    with the Hum and the ten syllable mantra.

    17. Tara Accomplisher of Joy and Bliss

    Homage to You with feet stamping and Ture

    Whose essence is the sacred syllable Hum.

    You cause Mount Meru, Mandhara and Vindhya

    Making all three worlds to tremble and shake!

    18. Victorious Tara Who Increases Realizations

    Homage to You, holding the moon in Your hand

    Like a celestial ocean of nectar.

    Sound of the PEY and the twice uttered TARA

    You completely dispel every poison.

    19. Tara, Extinguisher of All Suffering

    Homage to You on whom the devas rely

    And also the lords of all the Gandharvas.

    Your armor of joy, a radiant brightness,

    You eliminate arguments and nightmares.

    20. Tara, Source of All Powerful Attainments

    Homage to You, whose two eyes are shining bright,

    Brilliant with light like the sun and the full moon.

    Saying HARA twice and TUTTARE again

    You clear and eliminate epidemics.

    21. Tara of the Perfection of Wisdom and Compassion

    Homage to You whose pure Body, Speech and Mind

    Are perfect with the strength and power of peace.

    Suppressing Maras, Dons, Zombies and Yakshas

    With the most exalted syllable TURE.

    More about Surya Gupta Lineage of 21 Taras

     

    Nyingma Lineage version

    Also in English, if you practice the Nyingma lineage (or Atisha, since the colors are similar — Atisha’s visualization incorporates vases instead of implements on lotuses), here’s a lovely chanted version with those visualizations, with 21 Tara Paintings by Lasha Mutual,  and Green Tara image (with mantra) Jampay Dorje Ben Christian.

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    Lee Kane

    Author | Buddha Weekly

    Lee Kane is the editor of Buddha Weekly, since 2007. His main focuses as a writer are mindfulness techniques, meditation, Dharma and Sutra commentaries, Buddhist practices, international perspectives and traditions, Vajrayana, Mahayana, Zen. He also covers various events.
    Lee also contributes as a writer to various other online magazines and blogs.

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