Granter of Moksha or Salvation & extreme knowledge, Tara

Goddess of Source of the entire extreme knowledge of Universe, bestow Moksha.
(Salvation or Liberation from the cycle of death and birth)

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Maa Tara or Goddess Tara, feeding her Brest milk to Shiva, standing on corpse of Shiva of pyre

Goddess Tara, Second in Dus Mahavidya

'Akshovya-Shiva' (Who gulped the dangerios poision name Kalakuta, which come out from churning of Ocean or Samudra Manthan) is the Vairabh of Goddess Tara, identified as 'Rama' of Vishnu's Twentyfour incarnations and belong from Soft Aggressive or 'Somya Ugra' category.

Blue Appearance of Maha Kali is known as 'Tara'

When Maha Kali adopted her blue appearance, she did so in order to kill the demon Hayagreeva (name of a giant in Hindu Mythology), accoding to Narad-Pancharatra (Mythological or Tantric text book of Vaishnava's, dedicated to Sage of Gods, 'Narad'), While, in Tara Rahasya (Tantric text book, describe about the mystry of Goddess Tara), during the war of Rama and Ravana, she incarnate as the form of the power of Rama. From then she was well known as 'TARA' (a sparkle of light or Star). She bestows upon Moksha (Salvation or Libration from the cycle of death and birth) and rescues from every tough and hard situation of life. According to Swatantra Tantra (name of a Tantrik text book), Maha Kali got her blue appearance on the birth of Maha Shakti (supreme power) Tara, which was in the bank of Cholna river near Meru (name of the mountain) Mountain. As per Mahakal Samhita (Hindu Mythological text book, dedicated to the lord of death), she was born on the 9th day of the Hindu month of Chaitra Shukla Paksha (in Hindu calendar a month consists of two lunar phases: Shukla Paksh is the waxing phase of moon). We celebrate this day as Ram Navami (birth date of lord Rama) also. Goddess Tara is associated with Akshovya Shiv (A name of Lord Shiva, who stays on her head, and got name due to he gulped the Kalakut Vish (Poisson and Kalakut), with got as gem in churning of ocean). She occupies the central position in Buddhism. In Hinduism her way of worship is adopted from Buddhism. She is almost fierce, horrible and potentially dangerous in Hinduism, but in Buddhism, along with these features, she is also playful and charming.

There are three different incarnations of Goddess Tara.

1.Ugra Tara or Tarini, she is with her furious and horrible appearance. This incarnation of her is enriched with Tamo Guna or the natural property of Destruction, the existing of other two natural property i.e. Satwa, Rajo Guna is too less. He helps devotee in tough circumstances and help get rid of great fatality or fear.

2. Neel Saraswati, She is the know-er of extreme knowledge, she is supreme in knowledge based deities, all the knowledge which spread over in the Universe, is form of her. She is with Rajo Guna or the natural property of creation. In her incarnation of Neel Saraswati, Tamo Guna & Satwa Guna is too less.

3. Ekjata, she got this name because of her retaining Lord Shiva upon to her head as the the of Akshovya and she who bestow libation from birth and death), enriched with Satwa Guna or the natural property of sustain er and truth way. In her incarnation of Ekjata , other tow natural property i.e. Tamo Rajo Guna is too less.

Devi is also known as her, other eight forms which is well known as Asta Tara (अष्ट तारा) as same as Asta Lakshmi. She is very significant to provide wealth and money.

1. Tara, तारा.
2. Ugra Tara, उग्र तारा.
3. Mahogra Tara, महोग्र तारा.
4. Vajra Tara, वज्र तारा.
5. Neel Tara, नील तारा .
6. Saraswati, सरस्वती .
7. Kameswari, कामेश्वरी.
8. Bhadra Kali, भद्र काली.

Visual appearance of Goddess Tara

Physical appearance of Goddess Tara

In the incarnation of Ugra Tara , she protects her devotees from every tough challenges of life. She can be pleased very easily, even she gives darshan (sight of her physical appearance) at night to her devotees. She is very scary and horrible in her physical appearance. She stands on a burning pyre, on which there is a body (symbolized by Lord Shiva) lying like a corpse. She stands in Pratyalida Mudra (like a warrior taking the steps before war that he makes with his right foot), her right foot is on the chest and left foot is on the sex organ of Lord Shiva, which indicates the control or getting rid of lust or sexual desire. She is of blue complexion, wears a garland of Maha Shankha (Human skull), She is of short stature and she appears in a tiger skin, her ornaments and sacred thread are nothing but snakes. She poses with her tongue lashed out of the mouth, she has four handsshe is endowed with three eyes on her nob. She wears a single braid of matted hair on her head, around which a snake is wrapped, She carries a Lotus and Khappar (Bowl made of human skull) in her upper and lower left hands, a scissor and sword in her both right hands. She resides in Shamshan (cremation ground), foxes (who are the carriers of Devi) and dogs surround the pyre and eat flesh, bones, etc.

In her incarnation of Neel Saraswati, she reflects great and extreme knowledge, nothing is beyond her realization. She possesses all the knowledge which is there in the Universe, so she is able to give Vakya Siddhi (whatever spoken, will come true). Most importantly, she is able to give life to that dead body on which she stands on the pyre. She has the power of turning the dead alive, thus, she has a supreme image. She has the absolute knowledge about how to get Moksha or Salvation; she is in the center of the water bodies enveloping the entire Universe.

In her incarnation of Ekjata, she is the only one who is able to attain the highest position, as she has placed or retained Lord Shiva ( after his rebirth) upon her head and gives him the name Akshovya (Name of a sage or Lord Shiva). It is symbolized as accomplishment of Moksha or Salvation.

First Maharshi Vasistha, Worshiped Goddess Tara

Maharishi Vashistha initiated the worship of Maa Tara; so, she is also known as the Vashistharadhita (first worshiped by Vashistha). As we get reference from different tantric text books in Hindu mythology, the worship method of the goddess originates in Tibet (China). In Brihadnil Tantra, Tara Tantra, Mahakal Samhita, Swatantra Tantra, Neel Tantra, Rudra yamla, Brahma yamla, Mundamalini Tantra, Shakti Sangam Tantra, Tara Rahashya, Tara Kularnava, Tararini Tantra etc. we find the reference of Goddess Tara.

Origin of Ugra Tara

(According to 12th chapter of Brihad Neel Tantra, a Tantric text book dedicated to Goddess Tara or Neel Saraswati) : Gods have a marvelous heaven 'Goloka', which is decorated with precious gems, rubies, pearls etc. to live. A group of Demons, seized their idyll place and beat back. All Gods approach, great Lord Brahma (the Creator) to help to draw back their position in heaven, but Lord Brahma said, they were unable to help. Lord Brahma advised to approach to Maha kali for help. With Gods, Lord Brahma also praised to Maha Kali to helping of gods and pray to rescue in this great crises. So, Maha Kali manifest Tarani or Ugra Tara, for destroying of Demons and bring the Gods to their former position.

Another Origin reference is from Tara Rahasya; (a Tantric text book, Dedicated to mystery of Goddess Tara) : Second, she again manifest herself, in the form of Rama, when Lord Ram kills Demon ten headed terrifying Ravana King of Sri Lanka. Lord Shiva said, Oh Devi! In ancient era! When you killed, that ten headed terrifying Ravana, the marvelous appearance of your's, become famous as Tara. At that time you are naked and adorned with boon, secure gesture, Human skull and bilbo or sward in your's four hands, you are seeing very terrifying, dangerous and horrible with your's red fickle tongue, out of mouth and gods shudder to see yours that appearance . Then all worried gods, went to Lord Brahma and prayed to happy Rudra, who is in the Goddess for destroying. (Rudra symbolized the god of extremity anger in all elements and the destroyer of everything) All Gods with Lord Brahma praise Rudra in Maha Shakti to cool down. After seeing all gods with Lord Brahma, that incarnation of Shakti , who bestow Salvation takes a sward in her right hand to prevention of shame. And for shame, he down her head and become famous as Lambodari, she become naked in extreme anger, when she fight as rama with ravana. To prevent of shame Lord Brahma gave membrane to wear.

Sacred place of her, Tarapith

In Tarapur or Tarapith of Birbhum District, in West Bengal, India. There is a marvelous temple Goddess Tara, where worship daily according to tantric rites. Huge numbers of devotees comes from different part of the world mostly from India and visit temple daily. This place is described in some tantric text book, as the place where to get the boon or blessing is essay either then different places. If we analysis the significance of this place among different tantric text book, we find this place is most significant for tantric Scholar.

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Appreance Goddess Tara in Tarapith Temple

Goddess Tara in Buddhism

Goddess Tara seems very significant in Buddhism or in Buddhist tradition, even worship of Tara, is came from Buddhism to Hinduisms. In earlier Buddhist context name Vasavadattd, there is a reference of Goddess Tara, different forms and functions of Tara, shows extraordinary power in Tibeten context. According to the Tantric Buddhist iconography and mythology, Goddess Tara is related with the family of the Dhyani Buddha Amoghasiddhi Dhyani Buddha Amitabha. In Tibetan Buddhism, Goddess Tara is a prime in nature and primary shown as Savior. In dire circumstances like lost in an unhurt forest, trapped in a storm at sea, being trapped in false criminal cases, threaten by anyone, to subjugate and destroy evil spirits or one's personal enemies etc. when her devotees call, she rescue her devotees . In many tales of Buddhism, Goddess Tara appears at the request of her devotees and escape, even to snatch them from the jaws of death. She mostly give a blessing of long life and She is approached primarily as the one who protects, preserves and saves life. Although GoddessTara primary shown in Buddhism as the cheater of death, the pro longer of life, She is beautiful, charming, playful and young girl, she does have different forms of appearance, some of which are fierce and even terrifying.

Green Tara in Buddhism, Charming and Beautiful

The terrifying and fierce aspect of Tara is known as "Tara Kurukulla" in Buddhism. She who bear the tiger Skin, she adorned with five Skulls and wear a neck-less of hundreds of human heads, stands as a dancing pose, with furious rage, seeing with the five signs of atrocity. She is with a special power to win or subdue and destroy evil spirits and personal enemies.
Another terrifying and fierce form of Goddess in Buddhism is known as Mahamaya Vijayavahini Tara, another names of her is The Blue She Wolf and Mahacina Tara (also known as Ugra Tara), reference of this aspect of Goddess is found in both Hinduism and Buddhism. She is also stands on Pratyalida Gesure or Mudra, wear a garland of heads hanging in her neck, with three eyes, celestial and laughs horrible, as she looks terrible. She is with a complexion of blue lotus, stands on the corpse, wear snake as ornaments, red, big and round eyes, wear membrane of tiger, endowed with the five auspicious symbols and with protruding tongue out from her mouth.

Similarities of Tara and Kali :

If we analyze the features of "Maha Kali" and "Ugra Tara", we can find there is not much difference between the two. Both the Goddesses stand upon a male figure, which clearly represents the Lord Shiva, both are associated with cremation grounds with foxes and dogs surrounding them, both are almost naked or wear minimum clothing consisting of membrane or chopped human body parts like hands, bones, heads, skull etc., both wear garlands of isolated heads or skulls, both have their tongues lashing out of their mouth and blood oozing out; most importantly, both have close nexus with blood.

As written in Mundamala Tantra (tantra related to worship in consequence with garland of human skull or Maha Shankha), she is one who likes and enjoys blood and sacrifice. According to Tara Tantra (Tantra related to goddess Tara), she derives pleasure from human and animal sacrifice. She enjoys blood, especially when it is sourced from specific human body parts like forehead, hands, breast, head and area between the eyebrows. These all body parts are related to different Chakras (major energy points of the body).

Significance of certain terms associated with Goddess Maha Kali and Tarra:

Resident of the burial ground : A god who is vindictive as well as destroyer in nature, and who resides primarily in a burial ground. In actuality, shamsan or burial ground is one such place where cremation of dead bodies take place. But from a philosophical point of view, the cremation ground is the place where the Pancha Mahabhuta gets merged with the Chid-Brahma. These five Mahabhutas or elements, namely, the sky, earth, water, wind and fire are the reason behind the creation of any and every living thing of this universe, our physical existence is composed entirely of these elements, and hence, at the end, these elements find their own place in their respective philosophies. The gods and Goddesses, who are associated with the Tamasi guna (of passionate attitude) always prefer to reside in the cremation grounds. There is one more significant reason for which the Goddesses like Maha Kali, Tara, Bhairavi and others make cremation grounds their place of residence. This is because philosophically, cremation ground symbolises the soul or spirit, which is free from any kind of deformation. Human beings are often under the influence of several kinds of deformities, such as, lust, anger, temptation, phantasm, jealousy, selfishness, etc. Hence, the Goddess resides in such places where all such negative aspects of human beings are completely burnt and brought down to ashes. According to popular belief, our soul or heart is that place where such negativity are diminished to fruitless attributes. In this way, Goddess Maha Kali settles down in the purified heart of her devotees.

Pyre : A raised platform made up of wooden sticks, arranged in order to burn a dead body, is known as a pyre. A true devotee should always keep the flame of knowledge burning in his heart, so that he can keep the darkness of ignorance at bay.

The pew of the Goddess : The Goddess makes the body of Lord Shiva as her seating position. Upon her taking position only, consciousness can be induced in a dead soul. Without power, Lord Shiva is nothing more than an unconscious dead body. It is only by the grace of the Goddess that a dead body is enlivened.

Karalvadana or Ghor-rupa : Goddess Maha Kali appears to be of very dark complexion. Her image creates a feeling of terror among the common people. But the true devotee, in whose heart the Goddess resides, has no reason to be terrified by the devastating appearance of the Goddess, as even the Yama, the king of death, is also afraid of nearing the Goddess, and hence, no harm could ever be caused to the devotee.

Pinpayodhara : The Goddess possesses full, firm and round bosoms, which symbolises the fact that she nourishes the living beings of the all the three parts of the universe, namely, heaven, earth and Hades. She feeds her devotees with her breast milk and showers her blessings upon them.