Tara
तारा • Tārā
"Star; She who carries across (Tar = to cross/save); The Savior"
Category & Classification
Iconography
Attributes & Weapons
- Kartri (Scissors/Knife) (Upper left) - Cutting through delusion
- Kapala (Skull cup) (Lower left) - Contains nectar of immortality
- Nilotpala (Blue Lotus) (Upper right) - Purity arising from mud; spiritual unfoldment
- Khadga (Sword) (Lower right) - Destruction of obstacles
Distinctive Features
- Blue complexion (key difference from Kali)
- Three eyes
- Matted hair with serpents
- Crescent moon in hair
- Garland of severed heads
- Tiger skin or minimal clothes
- Standing on corpse (like Kali)
Family & Relations
| Origin | Self-manifested as cosmic savior; emerged from Kali's third eye; or primordial goddess of guidance |
Mythology & Stories
Self-manifested as cosmic savior; emerged from Kali's third eye; or primordial goddess of guidance
Tara is the compassionate mother who guides souls across the ocean of worldly existence. While fierce in appearance, she represents the immediate protection and guidance available to all who call her.
Saving Shiva from Poison
When Shiva drank the halahala poison during Samudra Manthan and was burning, Tara appeared and breastfed him like a child, transforming the poison into nectar. Thus she is the ultimate mother who saves even the gods.
Source: Shakta Tantra tradition
Origin from Kali
Tara emerged from Kali's third eye as her compassionate aspect. While Kali is the fierce destroyer, Tara is the compassionate guide who helps devotees cross the ocean of existence.
Source: Tantric tradition
Vashishtha's Worship
Sage Vashishtha traveled to Tibet/China to learn Tara worship when it was not known in India. He brought her worship back, establishing the Tarapith tradition.
Source: Shakta tradition
Buddhist Connection
Tara is worshipped in both Hindu Tantra and Buddhism. The Buddhist Tara evolved parallelly, with Green Tara and White Tara being prominent forms. Both traditions share reverence for her as the compassionate savior.
Source: Historical
Worship & Mantras
Mantras
Om Streem Hreem Hoom
Om Hreem Streem Hum Phat
Om Tarayai Vidmahe Mahogratarayai Dhimahi Tanno Devi Prachodayat
Om Hreem Streem Hum Phat Svaha
Om Hreem Treem Hum Phat
Stotras & Hymns
Offerings
- Blue flowers
- Blue cloth
- Fish (at Tarapith)
- Rice
- Hibiscus
Temples
Tarapith
Birbhum, West Bengal
Most famous Tara temple; major Tantric center; stone image with silver eyes
Tarapeeth
Various locations in Bengal
Secondary Tara shrines
Nalhateshwari
Assam
Ancient Tara temple
Associated Festivals
Astrological Connection
Symbolism & Philosophy
Cosmic Role: Cosmic guide; savior; she who carries devotees across the ocean of samsara
- As 'Star' she guides like the pole star guides travelers
- Blue color represents boundless sky and infinite potential
- Standing on Shiva shows Shakti activating consciousness
- Lotus in hand shows purity arising from worldly mud
- Her fierce form shows she destroys obstacles to liberation
- Breastfeeding Shiva shows she nourishes even the highest gods
The compassionate aspect of fierce Shakti; accessible to sincere devotees; path of grace
