Goddess Tara, particularly in the form revered within the Dasa Mahavidya tradition, embodies a complex and powerful symbolism. Tara is one of the ten aspects of the Divine Feminine in Hinduism and holds a unique place as a goddess of protection, fierce compassion, and transcendence. She is also known as Nilasarvai and Ugratara, manifesting in a dark blue form which speaks to her association with the cosmic void, primal energy, and the transformative power of destruction.
Symbolism of Tara in Dasa Mahavidya
Dark Blue Complexion: Tara’s dark blue hue represents the vast, unfathomable cosmos and the boundless depths of knowledge. The color symbolizes the eternal night and the void, suggesting her role as a guide through darkness and ignorance to enlightenment and transformation.
Youthful Appearance and Short Stature: Her youthful form suggests raw energy, potential, and the essence of life’s vigor. The short stature hints at humility and accessibility, suggesting that the divine is within reach for those who seek her guidance.
Pancha Mudra (Five Mudras): Tara’s adornment with five specific mudras represents the purification of the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—within the body. By embodying these elements, she becomes a deity of both cosmic and earthly existence, able to aid her devotees in transcending the limitations of physical and spiritual realms.
Standing over Shiva: In many depictions, Tara stands over Shiva’s supine form, symbolizing the dynamic, active principle (Shakti) dominating the static, passive principle (Shiva). This imagery conveys that transformation and creation arise from an energetic push against the stability of consciousness.
Matted Hair and Funeral Pyre: Her single braid and appearance amidst a funeral pyre signify the ascetic nature of the goddess. Funeral pyres are also associated with ultimate transformation, indicating Tara's role as the liberator of souls, guiding them across the abyss of life and death.
Snake Adornments and Severed Heads: The serpents and garland of severed demon heads around her signify her fearless nature, as well as her power to dissolve negativity and destroy ego. They represent her ability to remove ignorance, suffering, and illusion.
Three Eyes: Her third eye is a symbol of higher perception and insight, suggesting that Tara transcends ordinary vision, perceiving beyond time and space.
Modern-Day Relevance and Worship
In contemporary practice, Tara is seen as both a motherly and fierce figure, especially among those seeking courage and strength to face difficult life challenges. She’s venerated for her protective qualities and ability to guide devotees through life’s adversities. Meditation on Tara, particularly through visualization, is often recommended to aid in conquering fears, overcoming ego, and fostering inner transformation. Her imagery is also popular in modern spiritual practices focusing on feminine power and resilience.
Festivals, Pujas, and Worship Practices
Worship of Tara is especially prominent during certain Navaratri celebrations and personal sadhanas undertaken during the lunar phases, particularly the dark moon. Pujas dedicated to Tara often include offerings associated with her nature, such as blue flowers, red and black-colored offerings, and symbols of transformation like skull cups or candles representing the purification of ego.
- Tara Mahavidya Puja: A ritual that invokes her Dasa Mahavidya form is performed with intense devotion, focusing on her role as a savior during difficult times.
- Meditation and Visualization: Devotees visualize her standing on a funeral pyre, symbolizing the burning away of their own inner darkness, while focusing on her mantra, often chanted to invoke her protective presence.
- Use of Blue Lotus: The blue lotus, which represents both transcendence and the courage to face the unknown, is significant in her worship. It reminds devotees of their inner potential for peace and clarity.
Importance and Lesser-Known Facts
- Symbol of Fearless Compassion: Though fierce, Tara embodies compassionate qualities, acting as a protector for those navigating the “fearful darkness” of life.
- Associations with Tibetan Buddhism: In Tibetan Buddhism, Tara holds a significant place, further illustrating her universal appeal across different spiritual traditions as a goddess of mercy and swift aid.
- Mantra: Tara’s primary mantra, “Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha,” is chanted for protection and overcoming obstacles. Although more common in Tibetan practice, variations of this mantra are also used by some Hindu devotees.
Use of Her Symbols in Modern Culture
Tara's symbology appears frequently in art, jewelry, and contemporary spirituality, where she represents empowerment, transformation, and the power of feminine energy. Her symbols, such as the severed heads and snakes, are sometimes used metaphorically in art and literature to represent the triumph over ego and personal fears.
Meditation on Tara and Her Relevance in Psychological Transformation
Tara’s image as a goddess standing over Shiva represents the idea of moving beyond static consciousness into a dynamic state of awareness. Meditating on Tara involves visualizing her fierce form to confront inner fears, purify thoughts, and invite deep personal growth. Her ability to transcend dualities makes her an ideal deity for those on a spiritual path of self-inquiry and liberation.
Through the worship of Tara, devotees seek not only protection but also the ability to see the world more clearly and fearlessly. Her symbolism teaches that strength and compassion go hand in hand, showing the way forward through the darkness and ignorance to enlightenment and peace.