“As Tara did, we develop the potential of our minds to attain full Enlightenment through meditation. Meditation is a process of focusing our mind on a virtuous object.” — From Tara in the Palm of Your Hand [1]

• For Part 1 in this series see>>
• For Part 3 in this series see>>
  

With a video for each Tara including individual mantra chanted by Yoko Dharma, embedded below.

In Vajrayana Buddhism — specifically, here in the Surya Gupta 21 Taras practice — we engage the path with meditation that involves all of Sacred Body, Speech and Mind. In meditation on the 21 Forms of Tara, we explore in our minds, the rich symbolism of all the aspects of Tara in visual form. Of course, Tara, and all Enlighteneds Buddhas transcend appearances. But for the unenlightened, the meditator seeking enlightenment, its is supremely effective to embody Tara various aspects as a virtuous object of our visualization. By involving all three of Body, Speech and Mind, the meditation is more intense.

For “Body”, we  learn to project the “virtuous object” in our mind. For Speech, we engage with mantras, among other methods. In the Surya Gupta method of meditation, each of the Taras has Her own mantras (although the main mantra Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha is fine for each as a focus.) For mind, we contemplate her “Praise”, her virtues, her symbolism, and her powers.

NOTE: For meditation, if you do not have Surya Gupta initiations, you would visualize each Tara in front of you — not yourself as the self-generated deity. In full practice, there is a sadhana, self-generation, visualization and mantra for EACH Tara.

 

Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha

Ultimately, the object of “Body” meditation can be anything (if we are advanced). In Tara in the Palm of Your Hand, H.E. Zasep Rinpoche pointed out the example of great Asanga and the maggots:

“There is a story about Asanga, a great Buddhist teacher from the fourth century CE who founded the Yogacara or Mind Only School of Tibetan Buddhism. He attained a realization of loving kindness through having a maggot as his object of meditation. For 12 years Asanga had been doing a solitary meditation retreat on Buddha Maitreya, the Buddha of Loving Kindness.

“Though Asanga devoutly wished to see Maitreya, Maitreya had not appeared to him. Asanga was ready to give up. With a heavy heart, he left his retreat.

As he was walking along the road, he saw a dying dog being eaten by maggots; he was filled with compassion for the dog, and cut off a piece of his own flesh to feed it. Then he decided to further ease the dog’s suffering by removing the maggots. But he suddenly had a realization: the maggots were sentient beings too, no different from the dog; there was no inherent difference between the dog and the maggots because all sentient beings have Buddha Nature. Both were worthy of compassion.

“Initially, Asanga had been going to use his fingers to pluck the maggots from the dog, but now he was afraid he would hurt the maggots if he did that. So he decided to use his tongue. Kneeling by the dog, he bent his head down, ready to do what would seem to the ordinary person to be a completely repugnant act. As he bent his head towards the maggots, the dog and maggots suddenly disappeared; in their place was Maitreya. He told Asanga that the compassion Asanga had felt for both the dog and the maggots had so purified his Karma that he could now see him, Maitreya.”

For those of us less advanced than great Asanga, it is best to meditate on the Enlightened Forms of the Body of the Buddhas. Tara, especially in her 21 aspects, has many forms.

Here are Tara’s 8 to 14: [See part 1 for the first seven, and, of course, Rinpoche’s book, “Tara in the Palm of Your Hand” for much more detail, including the mantras for each Tara.]

[NOTE: Individual Tara images illustrated here are by the illustrious artist V.V. Sapar [See our feature interview with V.V. Sapar here>>] commissioned and directed  by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, out of generosity, makes these wonderful high-resolution images available for free download on the Khyentse Foundation website>>]

Surya Gupta 21 Taras 8-14, including “principal Green Tara”

In this feature, we cover Taras 8-14, the second set of seven Tara manifestations. These Taras are according to the Mahasiddha Surya Gupta’s rich system — where each of the 21 Taras has a unique name and praise, with deeply profound symbolism, attributes and practices.

In the Surya Gupta tradition, there are two additional manifestations. Under Tara 9 — who is none other than the main manifestation of Green Tara — she has two attendants: Marici and Ekajati. In simpler practice, only Principal Green Tara might be visualized, but in formal Surya Gupta practice, Marici and Ekajati are also visualized as emanations of Tara, complete with their own mantras. This is why, sometimes, you’ll see Surya Gupta tradition described as 23 Taras.

Here, depending on the teacher and lineage, it may be confusing. In the Gelug tradition, Tara 9 is Tara of the Khadira Fragrant Forest (Principal Tara) and she has her two attendants. (See Tara in the Palm of Your Hand (book) for details of this tradition.)

In the Jonang tradition, Principal Tara is not counted among the 21 Taras, and she still has her two emanation attendants, but there is an additional 9th Tara (see image below.):

Vara-da-Tārā (Mchog stsol ba’i Sgrol ma); Tārā Granter of Boons – On a red lotus and moon, from SVA appears Red Tārā with four arms. The first pair of hands hold vajra and bell with the gesture of joy on the crown of the head. The second right is snapping fingers in a dancing movement while the second left holds the branch of an aśoka tree, raining down jewels on beings. The lord of the type is Amoghasiddhi.

Tara 9 is Principal Green Tara

Below, according to the Gelug tradition this system, Tara 9, Tara of the Khadira Fragrant Forest, is the Green Tara we all know and love. She is normally visualized with two arms, although in the wonderful V.V. Sapara series (shown below with each Tara) —with iconography by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and paintings by V.V. Sapar [For a full feature on V.V. Sapar including an interview, see this feature>>] — Tara 9 has four arms. Since Tara’s manifestations are endless and not limited, there is no contradition.

[Part 1 of this series, with the history/introduction to Surya Gupta’s rich system of 21 Taras and a detailed description of the first seven Taras is here>>]

Tara 8 Tara Who Gives Supreme Spiritual Power

Mara Sudana Vasitottama Da Tara / Wang Chug Terwe Drolma

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

8th Tara mantra
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SHA TRUM MARAYA PHED SOHA

Video with visualizations and Mantra of the 8th Tara

Praise

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 Tara of the Khadira Fragrant Forest (Principle Green Tara)

Khadiravana Tara / Seng Ding Nag Che Drolma

NOTE: In the Surya Gupta system, the sadhana for the 9th Tara, Green Tara, also includes her principle two attendants: Marici and Ekajati, who are also emanations of Tara.)

Power or Rite: Principle Green Tara

• Seed syllable TAM
• Colour: green
• Number of arms: 2
• Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

Video 9th Tara of the 21 Taras

Mantras of Arya Tara of the Khadira Fragrant Forest and Her Two Attendants Video with mantras and visualizations:

Mantra of Arya Tara of the Khadira Fragrant Forest

OM TARE TUTTARE TURE NGOD PA SARVA RAKCHA SOHA

Mantra of Tara’s Attendant Marici

OM MARICI MAM SVAHA

Mantra of Tara’s Attendant Ekajati

OM EKAJATI HUM SVAHA

Praise

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 Tara Who Dispels All Suffering

Soka Vinodana Tara / Na Nyen Me Pi Drolma

Power or Rite: Her rite is entering the mandala

• Seed syllable SA
• Colour: red
• Number of arms: 4
• Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

Video: 10th Tara of the 21 Taras

Tara Who Dispels All Suffering Chanted by Yoko Dharma:

Praise

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.

Mantra of Tara 10

OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA MARA TRA MARTA YA HUM PHED SOHA

Tara 11 Tara Who Summons All Beings and Dispels Misfortune

Jag Vasi Vipan Nirbarhana Tara / Dro Wa Gug Pa Am Pungpa Sel We Drolma

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

Praise

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.

Mantra

OM TARE TUTTARE TURE VASU DHA RE SOHA

Video of the 11th Tara

Tara 12 Tara Who Grants Prosperity and Brings about Auspicious Circumstances

Kalyana Da Tara or Manga Laloka Tara / Tashi Nang We Drolma

Power or Rite: Her rite is the fire offering

• Seed syllable AH
• Colour: yellow
• Number of arms: 8
• Peaceful or wrathful: peaceful

Praise

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.

Mantra

OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MANGA LAM PUSH TIM KURU SOHA

Video of the 12th Tara

Tara 13 Tara the Complete Ripener

Pari Pacaka Tara / Young Su Min Par Zed Pi Drolma

Power or Rite: Her rite is for subduing hindrances

• Seed syllable DRUM
• Colour: red
• Number of arms: 4
• Peaceful or wrathful: wrathful

Praise

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.

Mantra:

OM TARE TUTTARE PHO TRA YA BHAY MEM KURU SOHA

Video of the 13th Tara

Tara 14 Wrathful, Shaking and Frowning Tara

Bhrkuti Tara / Tro Nyer Yo We Drolma

Power or Rite: Her rite is the protective circle

• Seed syllable AH TA
• Colour: black
• Number of arms: 6
• Peaceful or wrathful: wrathful

Praise

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.

Mantra:

OM TARE TUTTARE TURE VAJRA MAHA SARA YE BHAY MEM KURU SOHA

Video of the 14th Tara with Mantra

• For Part 1 in this series see>>
• For Part 3 in this series see>>

• For those looking for the book details referenced above:

Book Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Wind Horse Press (January 3, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0992055407
• ISBN-13: 978-0992055400
• Buy on Amazon as paperback>>
• Buy on Amazon.ca (Canada)>>
• Buy on Amazon.co.uk paperback>>

21 Praises

Around the world, many people begin and end their day with Tara’s twenty-one praises. This practice has been credited with many benefits, including protection from harm, prosperity, and swift progress on the path of enlightenment.

It can be beneficial to chant this in the world’s oldest known language—Sanskrit. The nuances of this practice, the originating sounds, is similar to mantra practice. In Sanskrit:

21 Praises to Tara in Sanskrit

om namo bhagavatyai aryashri ekavim shati tarayai

ॐ नमो भगवत्यै अर्यश्री एकविम शती तरयै

Namas tare ture vire

tuttare bhayanashini

ture sarvarthade tare

svaha kare namo stute

णमसतरेतुरेविरे

तुत्तरे भयनशिनि

तुरे सर्वर्थदे तरे

स्वहा करे नमो स्तुते

1 Pravita Tara

Namas Tare Ture vire
kshanair dyuti nibhekshane
trailokya nat ha vaktrabja
vikasat kesharobhave

णमस टरे टुरे विरे

क्षनैर द्युती निभेक्षने

त्रैलोक्य नत ह वक्त्रब्ज

विकसतकेशरोभवे

2 Chandra Kanti Tara

Namah shata sharac chandra
sampurna patalanane
Tara sahasra nikara
prahasat kira noj jvale

णमह शता शरक चन्द्र

सम्पुर्न पतलनने

टरा सहस्र निकर

प्रहसतकिरानोजज्वले

3 Kanaka Vana Tara

Namah kanaka nilabja
pani padma vibhu shite
dana virya tapah shanti
titik sha dhyana gochare

णमह कनका निलब्ज

पनी पद्मा विभु शिते

दना विर्य तपह शन्ति

तितिकशध्यनागोचरे

4 Usnisa Vijaya Tara

Namas tat hagatosh nisha
vijayananta charini
ashesha paramita prapta
jina putra nishevite

णमस तत हगतोश निश

विजयनन्त चरिनि

अशेश परमिता प्रप्त

जिनापुत्रनिशेविते

5 Hum Svara Nadini Tara

Namas Tuttara Hum kara
puritasha dig antare
sapta loka kramakranti
asheshak arshanak shame

णमस टुत्तरा हुम कर

पुरितश दिग अन्तरे

सप्त लोका क्रमक्रन्ति

अशेशकअर्शनकशमे

6 Trai Lokya Vijaya Tara

Namah shakranala Brahma
marud vishvesh varachite
bhuta vetala gand harva
gana yaksha puras krte

णमह शक्रनला ब्रह्म

मरुद विश्वेश वरचिते

भुता वेतला गन्द हर्व

गनायक्षापुरसक्र्ते

7 Vadi Pramardani Tara

Namas trad iti phat kara
para yantra pramardani
praty alid ha pada nyase
shik hi jvalakulek shane

णमस त्रद इति फत कर

परा यन्त्र प्रमर्दनि

प्रत्री अलिद ह पदा न्यसे

शिक हि ज्वलकुलेक शने

8 Mara Sudana Vasitottama Da Tara

Namas Ture maha ghore
mara vira vinashani
bhrku ti krta vaktrabja
sarva shatrum nishudani

णमस टुरे महा घोरे

मरा विरा विनशनि

भ्र्कु ति क्र्ता वक्त्रब्ज

सर्व शत्रुम निशुदनि

9 Khadiravana Tara 

Namas tri ratna mudranka
hrdyanguli vibhushite
bhu shitashesha dik chakra
nikara sva Karakule

णमस तृ रत्न मुद्रन्क

ह्र्द्यङुली विभुशिते

भु शिता शेश दिक चक्र

निकरास्वकरकुले

10 Soka Vinodana Tara

Namah pramudita topa
muku ta kshipta malini
hasat prahasat Tuttare
mara loka vashamkari

णमह प्रमुदिता तोप

मुकु त क्षिप्त मलिनि

हसत प्रहसत टुत्तरे

मरा लोका वशम्करि

11 Jag Vasi Vipan Nirbarhana Tara

Namah samanta bhu pala
patalakarshana kshame
chalat bhrku ti hum kara
sarvapada vimoch ani

णमह समन्त भु पल

पतलकर्शना क्षमे

चलत भ्र्कु ति हुम कर

सर्वपदाविमोचअनि

12 Kalyana Da Tara or Manga Laloka Tara

Namah shikhanda kandendu
muku tabha ranojjvale
Amitabha jata bhara
bhasvare kirana dhruve

णमह शिखन्द कन्देन्दु

मुकु तभ रनोज्ज्वले

अ्इतभ जता भर

भस्वरेकिरनाध्रुवे

13 Pari Pacaka Tara

Namah kalpanta hutabhug
jvala malan Tara sthite
alidha muditabandha
ripu chakra vinashani

णमह कल्पन्त हुतभुग्

ज्वला मलन टरा स्थिते

अलिध मुदितबन्ध

रिपुचक्रविनशनी

14 Bhrkuti Tara

Namah kara talaghata
charana hata bhu tale
bhrkuti krta Hum kara
sapta patala bhedini

णमह करा तलघत

चरना हता भु तले

भ्र्कुती क्र्ता हुम कर

सप्तपतलाभेदिनी

15 Maha Shanti Tara

Namah shive shubhe shante
shanta nirvana gochare
svaha pranava samyukte
maha papaka na shani

णमह शिवे शुभे शन्ते

शन्त निर्वना गोचरे

स्वहा प्रनवा सम्युक्ते

महापपकानशनी

16 Raga Nisudana Tara

Namah pramudi tabandha
ripu gatra vabhedini
dashakshara pada nyashe
vidya Hum kara dipite

णमह प्रमुदी तबन्ध

रिपु गत्र वभेदिनि

दशक्षरा पदा न्यशे

विद्यहुमकरादिपिते

17 Sukha Sadhana Tara

Namas Ture pada ghata
Hum karakara bijite
meru mandara kailasa
bhuvana traya chalini

णमस टुरे पदा घत

हुम करकरा बिजिते

मेरु मन्दरा कैलस

भुवना त्रय चलिनि

18 Sita Vijaya Tara

Namah sura sarakara
harinika karast hite
Tara dvir ukta Phat kara
ashesha visha nashani

णमह सुरा सरकर

हरिनिका करस्त हिते

टरा द्विर उक्त फत कर

अशेश विश नशनि

19 Dukha Dahana Tara

Namah sura ganadh yaksha
sura kimnara sevite
abandha mudita bhoga
kali duhs vapna nashani

णमह सुरा गनध यक्ष

सुरा किम्नरा सेविते

अबन्धा मुदिता भोग

कलीदुह्सवप्ननशनी

20 Sidhi Sambhava Tara

Namah chandrarka sampurna
nayana dyuti bhas vare
hara dvir ukta Tuttare
vishama jvara nashani

णमह चन्द्रर्क सम्पुर्न

नयना द्युती भस वरे

हरा द्विर उक्त टुत्तरे

विशमाज्वरानशनी

21 Paripurana Tara

Namas tri tattva vinyasa
shiva shakti saman vite
graha vetala yakshaugha
nashani pravare Ture

णमस तृ तत्त्वा विन्यस

शिवा शक्ती समन विते

ग्रहा वेतला यक्षौघ

नशनीप्रवरेटुरे

 

21 Praises to Tara in English

The praises do lose some of the “mystery” and intensity and sheer sound-power in English, but the intention and praise is maintained. Many people chant the praise in English:

1 Homage to you, Tara, the swift heroine,

Whose eyes are like an instant flash of lightning,

Whose water-born face arises from the blooming lotus

Of Avalokiteshvara, protector of the three worlds.

 

2 Homage to you, Tara, whose face is like

One hundred full autumn moons gathered together,

Blazing with the expanding light

Of a thousand stars assembled.

 

3 Homage to you, Tara, born from a golden-blue lotus,

Whose hands are beautifully adorned with lotus flowers,

You who are the embodiment of giving, joyous effort, asceticism,

Pacification, patience, concentration, and all objects of practice.

 

4 Homage to you, Tara, the crown pinnacle of those thus gone,

Whose deeds overcome infinite evils,

Who have attained transcendent perfections without exception,

And upon whom the sons of the Victorious Ones rely.

 

5 Homage to you, Tara, who with the letters TUTTARA and HUM

Fill the (realms of) desire, direction, and space,

Whose feet trample on the seven worlds,

And who are able to draw all beings to you.

 

6 Homage to you, Tara, venerated by Indra,

Agni, Brahma, Vayu, and Ishvara,

And praised by the assembly of spirits,

raised corpses,
Gandharvas, and all yakshas.

 

7 Homage to you, Tara, whose TRAT and PHAT

Destroy entirely the magical wheels of others.

With your right leg bent and left outstretched and pressing,

You burn intensely within a whirl of fire.

 

8 Homage to you, Tara, the great fearful one,

Whose letter TURE destroys the mighty demons completely,

Who with a wrathful expression on your water-born face

Slay all enemies without an exception.

 

9 Homage to you, Tara, whose fingers adorn your heart

With the gesture of the sublime precious three;

Adorned with a wheel striking all directions without exception

With the totality of your own rays of light.

 

10 Homage to you, Tara, whose radiant crown ornament,

Joyful and magnificent, extends a garland of light,

And who, by your laughter of TUTTARA,

Conquer the demons and all of the worlds.

 

11 Homage to you, Tara, who are able to invoke

The entire assembly of local protectors,

Whose wrathful expression fiercely shakes,

Rescuing the impoverished through the letter HUM.

 

12 Homage to you, Tara, whose crown is adorned

With the crescent moon, wearing ornaments exceedingly bright;

From your hair knot the buddha Amitabha

Radiates eternally with great beams of light.

 

13 Homage to you, Tara, who dwell within a blazing garland

That resembles the fire at the end of this world age;

Surrounded by joy, you sit with your right leg extended

And left withdrawn, completely destroying all the masses of enemies.

 

14 Homage to you, Tara, with hand on the ground by your side,

Pressing your heel and stamping your foot on the earth;

With a wrathful glance from your eyes you subdue

All seven levels through the syllable HUM.

 

15 Homage to you, Tara, O happy, virtuous, and peaceful one,

The very object of practice, passed beyond sorrow.

You are perfectly endowed with SOHA and OM,

Overcoming completely all the great evils.

 

16 Homage to you, Tara, surrounded by the joyous ones,

You completely subdue the bodies of all enemies;

Your speech is adorned with the ten syllables,

And you rescue all through the knowledge-letter HUM.

 

17 Homage to you, Tara, stamping your feet and proclaiming TURE.

Your seed-syllable itself in the aspect of HUM

Causes Meru, Mandhara, and the Vindhya mountains

And all the three worlds to tremble and shake.

 

18 Homage to you, Tara, who hold in your hand

The hare-marked moon like the celestial ocean.

By uttering TARA twice and the letter PHAT

You dispel all poisons without an exception.

 

19 Homage to you, Tara, upon whom the kings of the assembled gods,

The gods themselves, and all kinnaras rely;

Whose magnificent armor gives joy to all,

You who dispel all disputes and bad dreams.

 

20 Homage to you, Tara, whose two eyes – the sun and the moon –

Radiate an excellent, illuminating light;

By uttering HARA twice and TUTTARA,

You dispel all violent epidemic disease.

 

21 Homage to you, Tara, adorned by the three suchnesses,

Perfectly endowed with the power of serenity,

You who destroy the host of evil spirits, raised corpses, and yakshas,

O TURE, most excellent and sublime!

NOTES

[1] Tara in the Palm of Your Hand, by H.E. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche

[2] Jonang Foundation>>

Book Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Wind Horse Press (January 3, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0992055407
• ISBN-13: 978-0992055400
• Buy on Amazon as paperback>>
• Buy on Amazon.ca (Canada)>>
• Buy on Amazon.co.uk paperback>>