Mythological · Spiritual

Goddess Tara, the second among the ten wisdom Goddesses (Das Mahavidya)

Goddess Tara of Tarapith
Goddess Tara of Tarapith, by Chanchal Chandra Bhattacharyya

In Hinduism Goddess Tara is the second deity of the Das Mahavidya , the ten great wisdom goddesses. They are the ten forms of Devi Mahamaya, the Mother of Universe. In our last post we spoke about the first deity Goddess Kali.

Maa Tara is Shakti (energy) and this feminine energy represents kindness. She is the Goddess of fulfilment and of liberation. The name Tara is derived from Sanskrit root ‘tr’ meaning to cross.

Maa Tara removes attachment from her devotees and help them to achieve what they want. She grants success. She strengthens inner qualities of ’karuna’ (compassions), metta (affection-charity), and sunyata (empty). She is worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists.

Goddess Tara is defined as protector of her every creation on earth. Tara means ‘saviour’, ‘brightness’ and ‘star’. She is also named as Tarini in Tantra Sastra. Goddess Tara is blue complexioned. She wears a tiger skin skirt, wears a garland made of severed human heads. She has four hands and a projected tongue. She is standing. Maa Tara has eight forms and are called ’Asta Tara’.

Tarapith, is a siddha pith located in Bengal, India. In Tarapith, the Goddess looks bright and majestic with a silver crown on her head, and a red vermilion on the parting of her beautiful hair. She is shown as the mother of Lord Siva in child form in Tarapith. She is the mother of all beings on earth.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Tara or Shayama Tara is also known as ‘Jetsun-Dolma’, a prime deity. In Mahayana Buddhism Tara is described as female Buddha. In Vajrayana Buddhism Devi Tara is known as the Mother of liberation and as deity of meditation (in Tibet). Goddess Tara is known as Mother of all Buddhists.

In Japan Devi Tara is known as ‘Tara Boatsu’.

Maa Tara destroys evils. She loves the blood of demons. On the other hand, she cares for all her children irrespective of religion and social status. Goddess Tara is the mother of all. She is the protector. She grants our wishes. Her blessing is always with us.

Jai Maa Tara

Hope you loved to read about Goddess Tara.

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