Twenty-one powers arise from Green Tara. Each assumes the exact form needed to remove a specific obstacle most effectively. This can be gentle, pacifying healing or energetic, fiery protection from danger.
Note: The depictions of the 21 Taras shown here follow the Longchen Nyingtik tradition of the Nyingma school. The sequence differs slightly to reflect the transmission and practice of our lineage.
1. BRAVE RESCUING TARA
Tara Nyurma Pamo
Homage to Tara, Brave, Rescuing Tara,
Eyes flickering, lightening power.
With wind and fire, Your feet so fast,
Protect us and grant great happiness.
BRAVE RESCUING TARA is red and semi-wrathful. A white, right-turning conch rests on her lotus. She is the fastest of all Taras and is famous for liberating beings from the suffering of Samsara with great speed and protecting them from fear. Her compassionate power removes obstacles and increases Bodhichitta. The conch symbolizes the glorious sound of the Dharma that permeates the universe and brings peace.
2. WHITE TARA
Tara Loter Yangchenma (Vajra Sarasvati)
Homage majestic, fearsome White Tara.
Most beautiful face in the three times of samsara.
Adorning your head, sits Amitabha,
You lead us to the Pure Land, with your wonderful Dharma.
WHITE TARA is white like the autumn moon and peaceful. A clear mirror, often marked with the syllable HRIM, rests on her lotus. As a form of Vajra Sarasvati, she is the treasury of intelligence and opens the gates to knowledge, art, music, and wisdom. Through her blessing, one attains eloquence and the ability to clearly distinguish various aspects of knowledge and phenomena. She especially promotes Dharma studies and dispels the darkness of ignorance with radiant light.
3. TARA SHINING GOLD
Tara Sermo Sönam Tobché
Homage to Tara, Shining Gold frown,
Like the sun the heavens send down.
And millions of stars in the sky quiet,
Destroys the darkness, rays resplendent.
TARA SHINING GOLD is golden yellow and peaceful. A wish-fulfilling jewel rests on her lotus. She increases wealth, lifespan, and above all, the merit of practitioners. She embodies the perfection of generosity and enables the completion of the six Paramitas. She lets a rain of material and spiritual necessities fall and frees beings from the suffering of poverty through the power of merit.
4. TARA VICTORIOUS CROWN
Tara Tsugtor Namgyalma (Ushnishaviyaya)
Homage to Tara, Victorious Crown,
Most perfect in deeds, triumphant found.
Ushnisha adorned with Amitabha bright,
Superlative Mahayana light.
TARA VICTORIOUS CROWN is golden yellow and peaceful. A longevity vase with nectar rests on her lotus. This independent Tara, who is also practiced separately, specializes in extending life force and protecting against premature death. Her light purifies negative influences that shorten life and protects against rebirth in lower realms. She represents victory over all negativities and grants immortality in the spiritual sense.
5. HUM SHOUTING TARA
Tara Rigjema (Kurukulla)
Homage to HUM Shouting Tara.
Your stamping foot protects beings in Samsara.
From between your brows, mantras sound,
Demons surrender as beams of light shine down.
HUM SHOUTING TARA is red and semi-wrathful. A bow and arrow, usually made of flowers, rest on her lotus. She serves to magnetize and positively influence favorable circumstances, resources, and beings. Her flower arrows conquer through love rather than force. Through the union of wisdom and compassion, she subdues ego and arrogance. She attracts everything necessary for the practice of Dharma and the well-being of beings.
6. TARA TRILOKYA WHO WINS
Tara Jigje Chenmo
Homage to Tara Trilokya Who Wins.
Your victory limitless happiness sends.
You completely fill all empty space,
Liberating beings from their ignorance.
TARA TRILOKYA WHO WINS is dark red and wrathful. A phurba, the ritual dagger, rests on her lotus. She is particularly powerful in subduing negative forces, invisible spirits, and demons that cause mental disturbances. She protects against mental illness and possession. Her wrathful energy and the dagger completely destroy obstacles and black magic. She splits the heads of negativity and thus liberates from delusion and madness.
7. TARA DESTROYER OF FOE
Tara Zhengyi Mithubma
Homage to Tara, Destroyer of Foe,
Your laughter causes the enemy woe.
Your nature is the great bright ten word sound,
With HUM manifests holiness profound.
TARA DESTROYER OF FOE is black or dark blue like rain clouds and wrathful with a frowning expression. A flaming sword rests on her lotus. She protects against natural disasters such as hail and lightning as well as wars, invasions, theft, and robbery. With her flaming sword, she cuts through the paths of enemies and annihilates curses and negative spells. She is invincible against attacks from both outside and inside.
8. GREAT DEMON SMASHING TARA
Tara Zhen Migyalwa
Homage Great Demon Smashing Tara,
You easily subdue seven demons of Mara.
Holding three secret correspondencees,
Forces spying demons to tremble on their knees.
GREAT DEMON SMASHING TARA is dark red and wrathful. A flaming Vajra rests on her lotus. She destroys criticism, disputes, lawsuits, and harassment by others, and especially protects against verbal violence and slander. Her energy completely burns and scatters the Maras and disturbing emotions. She is a shield against attacks on reputation and hostile speech.
9. TARA MUDRA GEMS THREE
Tara Sengdeng Nagchi (Khadiravani)
Homage to Tara Mudra Gems Three,
Hands offer mudras for all to see.
Splendid body, perfect jewels adorned,
Your shining mudra destroys suffering born.
TARA MUDRA GEMS THREE is emerald green and peaceful. The wheel of Dharma rests on her lotus. As the original Green Tara, often revered as the main form, she is the primary protection against the eight great fears and their inner counterparts such as pride, ignorance, and anger. Her light protects against all external dangers and internal obstacles on the path. She tames beings through peaceful means.
10. HAPPY SUBDUER TARA
Tara Jigten Sumle Gyalma
Homage to Happy Subduer Tara,
Precious jewel crown and body aura.
Your laughter covers all of samsara,
Your TU TA RE mighty light and power.
HAPPY SUBDUER TARA is red and peaceful with a joyful expression. A victory banner rests on her lotus. She brings supreme joy and overwhelms the distractions of worldly existence. Her laughter shakes the three realms of the desire realm, form realm, and formless realm. Her power subdues all obstacles that confuse the mind. Through her laughter and radiance, she leads beings to victory over Samsara.
11. TARA AUSPICIOUS FACE
Tara Dugkarmo
Homage to Tara, Auspicious Face,
Ends hate and nightmares without a trace.
On your sun-moon lotus in perfect ease,
All disasters transform into a cool breeze.
TARA AUSPICIOUS FACE is white and peaceful. A white parasol rests on her lotus. This independent Tara with her own extensive practice offers protection from nightmares, bad omens, conflicts, and disputes. Her white parasol and the fire emanating from her form an armor against spiritual harm and black magic. She promotes joy and ends hostilities.
12. TARA BURNING BRIGHT
Tara Yüllé Gyalma
Homage to Tara, Burning Bright,
A blaze surrounds you, swirls with all its might.
Right leg stretched and left leg bent, joyous face content.
With a glimpse the demons in fear are sent.
TARA BURNING BRIGHT is red and semi-wrathful with three eyes. A Vajra with open prongs stands on her lotus. She protects against wars, battles, hostile attacks, and all kinds of conflicts, including legal ones. She establishes an indestructible Vajra tent around practitioners, providing protection from weapons and violence. She pacifies hostilities and stops the advance of armies and negative forces.
13. TARA FROWNING FACE
Tara Tronyerchen
Homage to Tara, Frowning Face,
Your lovely appearance perfumes all of space.
When they see you, it raises enemy’s level,
You assume a form fierce, majestic and civil.
TARA FROWNING FACE is black like rain clouds and wrathful with a frowning expression. A pestle or club rests on her lotus. She subdues malevolent spirits and demons by stamping her feet and shaking the earth in all three worlds. Her wrathful energy splits the heads of negative forces and destroys even the most subtle obstacles. She removes the last traces of negativity and ignorance.
14. COMPASSIONATE RESCUER TARA
Tara Norter Drolma
Homage Compassionate Rescuer Tara,
Searching for beings in the six realms of samsara.
Your kindness protects those hungry who find,
Their three karmas with Yours sincerely align.
COMPASSIONATE RESCUER TARA is golden-red or orange and semi-wrathful with a dignified expression. A treasure vase rests on her lotus. She removes the suffering of poverty and grants material and spiritual wealth. She opens hidden treasures and promotes Dharma projects. Her blessing rains down prosperity and provides practitioners with everything necessary. She attracts the wealth of gods, nagas, and humans to support Dharma activities.
15. PEACEFUL LIBERATING TARA
Tara Lhamo Özer Chenma
Homage to Peaceful Liberating Tara,
Throughout dharmadhatu, forever samadhi power.
Forces surrender of demon yakshas strong,
And with TU RE extinguishes their wrong.
PEACEFUL LIBERATING TARA is white and peaceful. A golden fish or two fish rest on her lotus. She restores life force and vitality that has been stolen by spirits or lost through shock. She protects the life energy of the sick and of animals, bringing back lost vitality. Her light pacifies sudden obstacles and spirit attacks.
16. TARA MEDICINE KING
Tara Ritrö Loma Gyönma
Homage to Tara Medicine King,
An end to many epidemics bring.
With the flick of a finger the mudra is cast,
That awakens all from the ills of the past.
TARA MEDICINE KING is saffron yellow or orange and peaceful. A round medicine vessel rests on her lotus. She heals infectious diseases, plagues, and fevers, and protects against epidemics. This is why she is especially called upon during outbreaks. Her eyes, which shine like the sun and moon, burn pathogens and provide healing nectar. She is the mistress of medicinal herbs and health.
17. TARA LIBERATED FROM FATE
Tara Rabzhima
Homage to Tara, Liberated from Fate,
No sins or blessings in Your nirvana state.
With SO HA OM, You show the end sublime
Of negative karma from beginingless time.
TARA LIBERATED FROM FATE is white like the full moon and peaceful with a smiling expression. A small vase for purification rests on her lotus. She purifies negative karma, washes away sins, and pacifies unconscious actions and mental obscurations. She especially purifies the defilements of the five poisons. Her light and nectar cleanse even the most serious offenses that would lead to lower rebirths. She establishes beings in a state of peace and virtue.
18. TARA PURIFIER OF HEAVEN AND SEA
Tara Maja Chenmo
Homage to Tara, Purifier of Heaven and Sea.
Who holds an image of the hare moon god free.
By merely chanting TU RE an PEI,
Your light sends all poisons far, far away.
TARA PURIFIER OF HEAVEN AND SEA is white and peaceful. A moon with a hare rests on her lotus. She neutralizes all kinds of poisons, whether from plants, animals, or environmental toxins, as well as inner poisons such as attachment. Just as a peacock can transform poison into nectar, she transforms harmful substances into healing ones. She brings comfort and healing like a cool celestial lake.
19. ELIMINATE SUFFERING TARA
Tara Tashi Dönje
Homage Eliminate Suffering Tara,
Concerned for all beings suffering from desire.
Your loving heart lights all in samsara.
Beings are made happy by Your unleashed power.
ELIMINATE SUFFERING TARA is golden yellow and peaceful. An endless knot rests on her lotus. She brings auspicious circumstances, harmony, good weather, and timely rain, leading to good harvests and prosperity. She harmonizes the elements, restores balance in nature and in human life, and brings equilibrium. Through her, all circumstances become auspicious and obstacles are transformed into favorable conditions.
20. TARA BRIGHT HEART WITH HUM
Tara Rigngag Tobjom
Homage to Tara Bright Heart with HUM.
You easily destroy all demons who come.
The sound HUM pulsates from Your heart.
You stamp your foot and the demons depart.
TARA BRIGHT HEART WITH HUM is red and peaceful or semi-wrathful. A double Vajra rests on her lotus. She destroys the power of curses, evil mantras, and negative influences from others. She protects against tantric attacks and negative rituals. She grants the power of true speech and shields against mantric attacks. Her energy destroys negative intentions and protects the practitioner.
21. TARA SHAKER OF THREE WORLDS
Tara Pagme Nönma
Homage to Tara, Shaker of Three Worlds.
From Your falling foot, a bright TU RE hurls.
The seed HUM shines with bright blue awe,
Absorbs the Mount Muru mandala.
TARA SHAKER OF THREE WORLDS is golden-red or orange and peaceful. A stupa rests on her lotus. She suppresses violence and binds robbers, thieves, and hunters so they can do no harm. She pacifies violent tendencies and protects against looting. Her power calms aggressive energies and protects travelers on their way. She establishes beings in bliss through her magical power of subdual.
Twenty-one forms, one essence. Each of these Taras is a specific response to a specific obstacle. But where does this system originate? Who received, preserved, and transmitted it? The answer leads far back.