Tara Mahavidya - Mantra & Significance

Tara Mata is the second of the Das Mahavidya, whose name means 'star' and 'she who ferries across'. Just as a star guides a traveller through the dark, Tara carries her devotees across the ocean of difficulty and ignorance. She is closely related to Kali but expresses a more nurturing, motherly compassion. She is also revered as Neel Saraswati, the blue goddess of transcendent speech and knowledge.

Tara is depicted with a deep blue complexion, standing upon a corpse or lotus, with a fierce yet compassionate expression. She wears a garland of skulls and a tiger-skin garment, and her tongue is often shown out, like Kali. In her hands she holds a sword, a lotus, scissors and a skull-cup - symbols of cutting ignorance and granting wisdom. Her motherly form is sometimes shown nursing Shiva, expressing her boundless compassion even in fierce appearance.

Tara is worshipped for guidance through crises, protection in danger, eloquent and truthful speech, and the dawning of higher knowledge. She is the goddess invoked when one feels lost or overwhelmed, for she is swift to rescue. As Neel Saraswati she sharpens intellect, supports writers, speakers and seekers, and grants the wisdom that ferries the soul beyond fear. She is both a fierce protector and a tender mother.

The core Tara mantra is:

Om Hreem Streem Hum Phat (ॐ ह्रीं स्त्रीं हुं फट्)

A fuller form invoking her as Ugra Tara is Om Hreem Streem Hum Phat Swaha. The seed Streem carries her saving, nurturing power, while Hum and Phat cut through obstacles and fear. As a tantric mantra of a fierce form, it is best received and practised under the guidance of a realised guru, with devotion and a calm mind.

1. Bathe and sit in a clean place, facing north or east. 2. Place an image of Tara Mata and light a ghee or mustard oil lamp. 3. Offer blue or red flowers, fruits and simple bhog; some devotees offer blue lotus. 4. Chant Om Hreem Streem Hum Phat on a rudraksha mala, ideally 108 times. 5. Night and the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) are considered powerful for her worship. 6. Pray for guidance, protection and clear, truthful speech. Approach her fierce form with reverence and, where possible, a guru's guidance.

Sincere worship of Tara Mata is believed to bring rescue from crises and danger, courage in fear, clarity and power of speech, success in studies and creative work, and steady progress on the spiritual path. Above all she gives the trust that, however dark the moment, the Mother will ferry her devotee safely across.