8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
1/26
The Twenty-One Forms of TaraAccording to the Tradition of Lord
Atisha
http://www.preciousteaching.org/practices/the-twenty-one-forms-of-tara-according-to-the-tradition-of-lord-atisha/http://www.preciousteaching.org/practices/the-twenty-one-forms-of-tara-according-to-the-tradition-of-lord-atisha/http://www.preciousteaching.org/practices/the-twenty-one-forms-of-tara-according-to-the-tradition-of-lord-atisha/http://www.preciousteaching.org/practices/the-twenty-one-forms-of-tara-according-to-the-tradition-of-lord-atisha/http://www.preciousteaching.org/practices/the-twenty-one-forms-of-tara-according-to-the-tradition-of-lord-atisha/http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/nepal-004.jpghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/practices/the-twenty-one-forms-of-tara-according-to-the-tradition-of-lord-atisha/http://www.preciousteaching.org/practices/the-twenty-one-forms-of-tara-according-to-the-tradition-of-lord-atisha/http://www.preciousteaching.org/practices/the-twenty-one-forms-of-tara-according-to-the-tradition-of-lord-atisha/8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
2/26
The Twenty-One Forms of Tara According to the Tradition ofLord Atisha
Introduction
Tara has 21 primary emanations which perform different activitiessuch as pacification, increase and so forth. The different colors ofthese 21 Taras correspond to the 4 different types of enlightenedactivity:
Tara is the female Buddha of Enlightened Activity (Tib: trinley., ofwhich there are 4 types: pacifying, increasing, overpowering and
wrathful. Each of these is represented by a different color:
White represents the Enl ightened act iv i ty of paci fy ing, forexample overcoming sickness, causes of untimely death andobstacles to success in ones life or ones practice.
Yel low represents the Enl ightened act iv i ty of in creasingthepositive qualities conducive to a long life, peace, happiness andsuccess in ones Dharma practice.
Red represents the Enl ightened act iv i ty of power, or
overpowering external forces that cannot be tamed through thefirst two activities, for example, removing obstacles to sickness,untimely death, etc., and forcefully accumulating conduciveconditions for ones Dharma practice.
Black represents the Enl ightened act iv i ty of wrath, which
involves using forceful methods for accomplishing activities forEnlightened purposes that cannot be accomplished through othermeans.Visualization
The main (green) Tara is seated upon a lotus arising from thewaters of a lake, just as Tara is said to have arisen from thecompassionate tears of Avalokiteshvara. Her right hand is in the
mudra of supreme generosity indicating her ability to providebeings with whatever they desire. Her left hand at her heart is in
8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
3/26
the mudra of bestowing refuge: her thumb and ring finger arepressed together to symbolise the united practice of method andwisdom, and the three remaining fingers are raised to symbolisethe Three Jewels of Refuge Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. Ineach hand she holds the stem of a blue utpala flower. Each flowerconsists of three blossoms indicating that Tara, the embodiment ofenlightened activities, is the Mother of the Buddhas of the past,present and future.
Tara is dressed in the silken robes of royalty. She wears rainbowcolored stockings, a white half-blouse and various jeweledornaments. These symbolise her mastery of the perfections of
generosity, morality and so forth. The tiara fastened
in her black hair is adorned with jewels, the central one is a redruby symbolic of Amitabha, her spiritual father and the head of herBuddha family.She is seated in a distinctive posture, her left leg withdrawn tosymbolise her renunciation of worldly passion and her right legextended to show that she is always ready to arise and come to
the aid of those who need her help.With a warm compassionate gaze she looks down upon eachsentient being as a mother regards her only child. Her emerald-green color related to the wind element and hence to movement signifies her ability to act swiftly and without delay to bringbenefits to sentient beings.All 21 Taras have one face and twohands: in their right hands, upon the palm of their gift-bestowinggestures, they hold the flasks that accomplish their various active
functions, and with their left hands they hold a lotus flower. Theyare seated with their right feet extended and their left drawn up, onthrones of lotus and moon, adorned with silks and all preciousornaments, radiating forth measureless light, and surrounded onall sides by countless hosts of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, high patrondeities, dakinis, and protectors of the Law.
8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
4/26
Around the main (green) Tara who sits on a moon cushion on topof a multicolored lotus each of the 21 Taras sits on a lotus petal,going counterclockwise from the front.
All 21 Taras have one face and two hands: in their right hands,upon the palm of their gift-bestowing gestures, they hold the flasksthat accomplish their various active functions, and with their left
hands they hold a lotus flower. They are seated with their right feetextended and their left drawn up, on thrones of lotus and moon,adorned with silks and all precious ornaments, radiating forthmeasureless light, and surrounded on all sides by countless hostsof Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, high patron deities, dakinis, andprotectors of the Law.
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-circle.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
5/26
Principal Aspect: Khadiravani Tara
Tara of the Acacia Grove: green, peaceful expression
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Green-Tara.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Green-Tara.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Green-Tara.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Green-Tara.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
6/26
The Twenty-One Taras
1. NYURMA PALMOSwift Lady of Glory
The Tara swift and heroic, who destroys hindering demons andinjuries, her body colored red, holding the red flask that
subjugates.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE WASHAM KURU SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-1.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
7/26
2. SHIWA CHENMO Lady of Supreme Peace
The Tara white as the autumn moon, who defeats diseases andevil spirits, holding the white flask that pacifies.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SHINTING KURU SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-2.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
8/26
3. SERDOG CHENLady of Golden Yellow Color
The Tara who increases life and enjoyment, colored yellow,holding the yellow flask that increases.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE PUSHTIM KURU SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-3.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
9/26
4. TSUGTOR NAMPAR GYALMALady of Complete Victory,Embodying All Positive Qualities
The Tara victorious, who grants the highest life, colored yellow,holding the yellow flask of life.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE AYUR-JNANA PUSHTIM KURU
SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-4.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-4.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-4.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-4.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
10/26
5. HUNG DRADROGMAShe Who Proclaims the Sound ofHUM
The Tara crying the sound of HUM who subjugates and summonswith the gesture of wisdom, her body colored red-yellow, holding
the red flask that ravishes.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SHTRI AKARSHAYA HRIH SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-5.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
11/26
8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
12/26
7. SHEN JOM-MAShe Who Conquers Others
The Tara defeating others, who averts the magic mantras ofothers, her body colored black, holding the black flask that averts
magic mantras.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA VIDYA ARARA VARANAYA
SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-7.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
13/26
8. DU DRA JOM-MAShe Who Conquers Maras and Enemies
The Tara who defeats mara demons and enemies, her bodycolored red-black, holding the red flask that defeats mara demons
and enemies.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA MARA SHATRUN MARAYA
PHAT SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-8.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
14/26
9. JIGPA KUNKYOB (MA.She Who Protects from All Fears
The Tara whose gesture symbolizes the Three Jewels, whoprotects from all terrors, holding the white flask that defeats all
terrors.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MAM UPAKRAMA RAKSHA
RAKSHA SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-9.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
15/26
10. DUDANG JIGTEN WANGDU DEMAShe Who BringsMaras and the World Under Her Power
The Tara who tames all maras and obstructions, her body coloredred, holding the red flask that defeats mara demons.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA MARA PRAMARDHANI
SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-10.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-10.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-10.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-10.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
16/26
11. PONGPA SELMA She Who Eradicates Poverty
The Tara dispelling the suffering of poverty, who grants themagical attainments, her body colored red-yellow like refined gold,
holding the yellow flask that dispels poverty.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE VASUDHARINI SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-11.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
17/26
12. TRASHI TAMCHE JINMAShe Who Grants All That isAuspicious
The Tara who grants all good fortune, her body the color of gold,holding the white flask of good fortune.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MANGALAM SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-12.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
18/26
13. METAR BARMAShe Who Blazes Like Fire
The Tara who defeats hindering demons and obstacles, her bodycolored red and blazing like fire, holding the red flask that protects
from obstacles.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE BHAYA BHASMIM KURU SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-13.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
19/26
14. TRONYER CHENShe Who Is Frowning Wrathfully
The Tara with frowning brows, who destroys hindering demons,her body colored black, holding; the dark blue flask that pierces
hindering demons, her brows slightly frowning.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE VAJRA MAHA PADA BHASMIM
KURU SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-14.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
20/26
15. SHIWA CHENMAShe of Supreme Peacefulness
The Tara great and calm, who cleanses sins and obscurationns,her body colored white, holding the while flask that cleanses sins
and obscurations.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA PAPAM PRASHAMANAYA
SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-15.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
21/26
16. RIGPA HUNGLE DROLMATara Who Arises from theHung of Intrinsic Awareness
The Tara victorious over the contentions of others, who increasesones intelligence, her body coloredred, holding the red-yellow
flask that increases wisdom.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA DHARMAH PRATI-
PARISHODHAYA SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-16.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-16.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-16.pnghttp://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-16.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
22/26
17. DROLMA JIGTEN SUMYOWAShe Who Causes the ThreeRealms to Tremble
The Tara pacifying mara demons and obscurations, who shakesthe triple world, her body colored red-yellow, holding the yellow
flask that subdues magic mantras.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA STAMBHANI TARE SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-17.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
23/26
18. DUGSELMAShe Who Neutralizes Poison
The Tara pacifying the poison of the naga serpents, who dispels it,her body colored white, holding the white flask that dispels poison
and disease.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE NAGA VISHA SHANTIM KURU
SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-18.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
24/26
19. DUG-NGAL TAMCHE SELWEI DROLMA She WhoAlleviates All Suffering
The Tara who dispels bad dreams and suffering, her body coloredwhite, holding the white flask that dispels suffering.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE MACANA SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-19.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
25/26
20. RIMNE SELWEI DROLMA She Who Removes Pestilence
The Tara who dispels all fevers, her body colored red, holding thered flask that dispels fevers.
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE VISARATA SVAHA
http://www.preciousteaching.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Tara-20.png8/12/2019 21 Taras Specific Mantra
26/26