21 Taras

Introduction

21 Taras are revered group of goddess bodhisattvas in Buddhism, each representing the compassionate aspect of enlightenment. Every Tara acquires the virtues of compassion and wisdom with the desire to help every sentient beings. Moreover, Taras are considered to be the personification of virtues of enlightenment. In Buddhism, 21 number is very sacred and holy, as it represents completeness and perfection. There are 21 qualities or techniques through which one can attain enlightenment. So, each of the Tara embodies one virtue of enlightenment.

The name Tara can be translated into “star” or “savior”. As her name suggests, she is a goddess of guidance and illumination, as well as a goddess willing to assist all sentient beings in their liberation from samsara. So, Being Tara involves selflessness, being ready to response to the needs of others, and a dedication to the path of enlightenment.

The origin of Tara dates back to the birth of Green Tara and White Tara through the tears of Guru Padmasambhava, as he gazed upon the sufferings of every sentient being. Green Tara and White Tara manifested through Guru Padmasambhava’s tears, promising to aid him in liberating all sentient beings. Over time, the Taras evolved into a pantheon of 21 separate goddesses, each possessing their own unique qualities, attributes, and compassionate energies.

Click here to view 21 Tara Thangka ​

Iconography

The iconography of the 21 Taras is almost similar, with variances in color or, at times, expression. Each Tara has different colors with symbolic meanings behind them. Moreover, Tara's expressions are mostly serene, but some Taras exhibit wrathful expressions.

In artistic representation, Taras are often depicted sitting in the moon disc placed on top of lotus. Taras left hand shows protective mudra while holding the lotus flower (utpala). Similarly, Taras right hand shows varada mudra or fulfillment mudra. Protective mudra represents their protective nature while the varada mudra represents their ability to bestow wishes and boons. While sitting in lotus, Taras left leg is curved inward, depicting resignation to world passion, and their right leg is extended outward and placed in lotus, suggesting their readiness to leap into action to aid those in distress.

Twenty-one Taras

1.Noble lady Tara Nyurma Pamo

Nyurma pamo is depicted in red complexion with semi-wrathful expression. She is also known as “the liberator” or “the savior”, as she protects people from fear and liberate them from samsara. A white conch shell twists clockwise on her Utpala flower, symbolizing the enchanting sound of relative and absolute bodhicitta that pervades the entire world.

2.Noble lady Tara Loter Yang Chenma

 Loter Yang Chenma is depicted in white complexion with peaceful expression. She is also known as “provider of knowledge” or “source of melodies”. In Hinduism, she is recognized as Sarasvati. Moreover, She is recognized as the goddess of knowledge, so devotees turn to her to be wise. A clear mirror marked with syllable HRIM is placed on her Utpala flower, which radiates light.

3.Noble Lady Tara Sonam Tobche

Sonam Tobche is depicted in golden yellow complexion with peaceful expression. She is also known as “good fortune”, “luck”, “prosperity”. She provides prosperity, good fortune, wealth, and longevity to sentient beings. A wish fulfilling jewel is placed on her Utpala flower, which bestows boons and wishes to devotees.

4.Noble Lady Tara Tsugtor Namgyalma

 Tsugtor Namgyalma is depicted in golden color with peaceful expression. In Sanskrit, she is translated to “Ushnishtavijaya”. She is also known as “the victorious one” because she is victorious over all non-virtuous action. A vase of immortality is placed upon her Utpala flower, which radiates light in ten directions. The light transforms samsara and nirvana into nectar that fills the vase.

5.Noble Lady Tara Wangdu Rigje Lhamo

Wangdu Rigje Lhamo is depicted in red complexion with semi-wrathful expression. She is also known as the “goddess with magnetizing or attracting attributes”. A bow and arrow is placed upon her Utpala flower, which shoots sharp rays of light to pierce through arrogance and pride.

6.Noble Lady Tara Jigje Chennai

Jigje Chennai is often depicted in radiant red complexion with wrathful expression. She is also known as “the great fierce one”. Her powerful force of compassion protects us from negative forces. An indestructible Phurba is placed upon her Utpala flower, which subdues all the negative force.

7.Noble Lady Tara Zhengyi Mithubma

Zhengyi Mithubma is often depicted in radiant blue-black complexion with wrathful expression. She is also known as “the unconquerable one”. A sword blazing with flames is placed upon her Utpala, which destroys enemies, evil deeds, lightning, hails, natural disasters and artificial disasters.

8.Noble Lady Tara Zhengyi Migyalma

Zhengyi Migyalma is depicted in radiant red complexion with wrathful expression. She is known as “the invincible one” because she is the goddess against whom no one can win. A flaming Vajra is placed upon her Utpala flower. The fire of Vajra radiates outward, destroying and burning demons, negative emotions and obstacles.

9. Noble Lady Tara Sengdeng Nagchi

Sengdeng Nagchi is depicted in radiant green complexion with serene expression. She protects sentient beings from eight external and internal fears- lions (pride), wild elephants (ignorance), fire (anger), snakes (jealousy), floods (attachment), imprisonment (miserliness), thieves (wrong views) and cannibals (doubt). A Universal wheel is placed upon her Utpala flower, which tames sentient beings by fulfilling their needs.

10.Noble Lady Tara Jigten Sumle Gyalma

Jigten Sumle Gyalma is depicted in red complexion with peaceful expression. She is known as “the one who is victorious over all three realms”. She brings joy to the life of every sentient being. A victory banner is placed upon her Utpala flower, which overpowers all the gods of the desire realm.

11.Noble Lady Tara Phagma Norter Drolma

Phagma Norter Drolma is depicted in red complexion with semi-wrathful expression. She is known as “the noble one” or “the bestower of wealth”. She bestows riches to the entire world. A treasure vase is placed upon her Utpala flower. The treasure vase showers riches to the entire world, liberating sentient beings from poverty.

12.Noble Lady Tara Tashi Donje

Tashi Donje is depicted in peaceful and golden color. She is also known as “the one who manifest auspiciousness”. An auspicious infinity knot is placed upon her Utpala flower, which benefits every sentient beings including plants and animals, creating perfect balance in the entire world.

13.Noble Lady Tara Yulle Gyalma

Yulle Gyalma is depicted in radiant red complexion with semi-wrathful expression. She is known as “the one who is victorious over wars”. She provides joy to entire sentient beings and protects them from wars. A Vajra with open prongs is placed upon her utpala fowers. Light radiates through her vajra which annihilates the entire troops of enemy or make them retreat.

14.Noble Lady Tara Thronyer Chen

Thronyer Chen is depicted in radiant black color with wrathful expression. She is known as “the frowning lady”. She destroys evil of nine kinds and spirits of eight kinds. A pestle is placed upon her Utpala flower, which destroys demons and negativity.

15.Noble Lady Tara Rabzhima

Rabzhima is depicted in radiant white complexion with peaceful expression. She is known as “the completely peaceful one”. She purifies our bad karma and obscurations. A vase filled with nectar is placed upon her Utpala flower, which purifies everything.

16.Noble Lady Tara Ringngag Tobjom

Ringngag Tobjom is depicted in red color with semi-peaceful and semi-wrathful expression. She is known as “the one who destroys the power of bad intentions”. A crossed vajra is placed upon her Utpala flower, which destroys negative emotions, thoughts, spells and curses.

17.Noble lady Tara Pagme Nonma

Pagme Nonma is depicted in golden color with peaceful expression. She is known as the supporter of non-violence. She subdues thieves, robbery, bandits, hunters with her power. A stupa is placed upon her Utpala flower, which stops violent actions.

18.Noble Lady Tara Maja Chenmo

Maja Chenmo is depicted in radiant white complexion with peaceful expression. She is known as the great peacock. As the peacock can eat poisonous plants, she protects us from poison. A full moon marked with rabbit is placed upon her Utpala flower, which radiates light in all directions, removing all the poison from the environment and sentient beings.

19.Noble Lady Tara Dugkarmo

Dugkarmo is depicted in radiant white complexion with peaceful expression. She is known as the invincible queen of the white umbrella. A white umbrella is placed upon her Utpala flower, which protects sentient beings from worldly disputes, curses, conflicts and bad dreams.

20. Noble Lady Tara Rito Loma jonma

Ritro Loma Gyonma is depicted in yellow-red color with peaceful expression. She is known as the lady of mountain retreat, wearing the leaves of tree. She protects sentient beings from diseases and epidemics. A round vase filled with nectar is placed upon her Utpala flower, which dispels all the diseases and epidemics.

21.Noble Lady Tara Lhamo Ozer Chenma

Lhamo Ozer Chenma is depicted in radiant white complexion with serene expression. She is known as the mother of brilliant rays of lights. She bestows longevity to sentient beings. Additionally, she liberates sentients from illness. A golden fish is placed upon her Utpala flower, which helps in summoning our lost vitalities and energy.