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The Twenty-One Taras: Aspects and Emanations

In the vastness of Buddhist tantra, the Twenty-One Taras emerge as distinct embodiments of enlightened activity. Each form carries specific qualities and blessings, manifesting compassion through different aspects of awakened mind.

Primary Forms

Praises to the Twenty-One Taras

1. **Swift and Heroic Tara** (Nyur-ma Pamo)
   Color: Green
   Aspect: Swift protection and liberation from fears
   Mudra: Granting refuge with right hand, left in meditation
   Emanates from: Amoghasiddhi Buddha's enlightened activity

2. **Tara Moon-White as Autumn Frost** (Yangchenma)
   Color: White like autumn moon
   Aspect: Supreme peace and tranquility
   Mudra: Teaching dharma
   Associated with: Clarity of mind and peaceful abiding

3. **Golden-Colored Beautiful Tara** (Sönam Tökar)
   Color: Golden yellow
   Aspect: Increase of merit and prosperity
   Mudra: Triple gem mudra
   Blessing: Abundance and spiritual wealth

4. **Crown Victory Tara** (Tsugtor Namgyalma)
   Color: Golden
   Aspect: Victory over obstacles
   Mudra: Crown mudra
   Power: Overcomes both outer and inner obstacles

5. **Tara Who Proclaims HUM** (Hung-drok)
   Color: Red
   Aspect: Magnetizing beneficial forces
   Mudra: Beckoning mudra
   Sound: The seed syllable HUM

6. **Tara Victorious in the Three Worlds** (Jikje Chenmo)
   Color: Red-black
   Aspect: Peace from the three poisons
   Mudra: Protection mudra
   Domain: Triumph over samsara, form and formless realms

7. **Tara Who Crushes Opposition** (Zhenje)
   Color: Red fire
   Aspect: Dispelling negative forces
   Mudra: Wrathful mudra
   Activity: Removes obstacles with fierce compassion

8. **Tara of Invincible Power** (Migyo Chenmo)
   Color: Deep red
   Aspect: Unshakeable strength
   Mudra: Bound mudra
   Quality: Adamantine stability

9. **Tara Protector of the Three Jewels** (Könchok Sumgyi)
   Color: Orange-red
   Aspect: Guardian of dharma
   Mudra: Three jewels mudra
   Role: Protector of Buddhist teachings

10. **Tara Dispeller of Grief** (Nyönmong Selma)
    Color: Ruby red
    Aspect: Removing sorrow
    Mudra: Comfort mudra
    Blessing: Relief from mental suffering

11. **Tara Gathering of Wealth** (Norter Gyunma)
    Color: Yellow-orange
    Aspect: Abundance and prosperity
    Mudra: Giving mudra
    Activity: Draws forth material and spiritual riches

12. **Tara Blazing with Light** (Özer Chenma)
    Color: Brilliant white
    Aspect: Illumination
    Mudra: Light-radiating mudra
    Quality: Dispels ignorance's darkness

13. **Tara of Ripening Power** (Mingyur Chenmo)
    Color: Deep red
    Aspect: Maturation of wisdom
    Mudra: Ripening mudra
    Function: Brings practice to fruition

14. **Tara with Frowning Brows** (Tronyer Chenmo)
    Color: Black-red
    Aspect: Wrathful protection
    Mudra: Threatening mudra
    Activity: Fierce blessing that tames negativity

15. **Tara of Great Peace** (Zhima Chenmo)
    Color: White crystal
    Aspect: Supreme peace
    Mudra: Peace mudra
    Quality: Bestows deep tranquility

16. **Tara Who Destroys Maras** (Düjom Chenmo)
    Color: Red
    Aspect: Victory over obstacles
    Mudra: Subjugating mudra
    Power: Overcomes spiritual obstacles

17. **Tara of Perfect Wisdom** (Yeshe Chenmo)
    Color: Orange
    Aspect: Transcendent wisdom
    Mudra: Wisdom mudra
    Quality: Grants clear understanding

18. **Tara Moon of Intelligence** (Lodrö Dawa)
    Color: White
    Aspect: Sharp wisdom
    Mudra: Moon mudra
    Blessing: Increases intelligence and memory

19. **Tara Lady of Healing** (Menma)
    Color: White
    Aspect: Healing and long life
    Mudra: Medicine mudra
    Activity: Removes illness and grants vitality

20. **Tara Who Grants All Wishes** (Yishin Norbu)
    Color: White crystal
    Aspect: Wish-fulfilling
    Mudra: Wish-granting mudra
    Power: Fulfills authentic aspirations

21. **Tara of Final Liberation** (Tharpa Chenmo)
    Color: White
    Aspect: Complete enlightenment
    Mudra: Liberation mudra
    Blessing: Guides to ultimate freedom

Sacred Mantras and Practice

Each Tara carries her own specific mantra, but all share the root mantra: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SVAHA

In practice, these forms are understood as inseparable from one's own enlightened nature - neither existing nor non-existing, but manifesting as needed to benefit beings.

The practitioner traditionally approaches these aspects through:

  • Devotional practice (prayer and mantra)
  • Visualization (sacred imagery and light)
  • Recognition (seeing their qualities in daily experience)
  • Integration (embodying their enlightened activity)

May this compilation serve practitioners in their connection with these sacred emanations of enlightened compassion.