Story/Legend

According to Hindu mythology, Tara was created from the tears of Lord Shiva when he was mourning the death of his consort, Sati. She is also considered to be a manifestation of Kali, the goddess of death and transformation.

In one story, Tara is said to have helped the gods and goddesses in their battle against the demon Mahishasura. She is believed to have fought fiercely against the demon and his army, eventually defeating them and restoring balance to the universe.

Religious Aspect

In Hinduism, Tara is revered as a powerful goddess who grants spiritual and material benefits to her devotees. She is worshipped for her ability to remove obstacles, provide protection, and bring success in one's endeavors. Her devotees seek her blessings for spiritual growth, wisdom, and knowledge.

Description

Tara is often depicted as a beautiful, youthful woman with a fierce expression. She has three eyes, and is either standing or sitting on a lotus flower. She may hold a sword, a lotus, or a skull in her hands. She is typically shown wearing a garland of human heads and a skirt made of tiger skin.

Cultural Importance

Tara is an important figure in Hinduism, particularly in the Mahavidya tradition. She is also worshipped in Buddhism and Jainism. Tara is believed to have the power to remove negative energy and bring positivity to people's lives. Her devotees often perform rituals and pujas to seek her blessings for protection, prosperity, and success.

Festivals

Tara is worshipped on various festivals and auspicious occasions. In some parts of India, Tara Chandi Puja is performed during the Navaratri festival, which is celebrated for nine days in honor of the divine feminine. The festival of Diwali is also associated with Tara, as she is believed to remove darkness and bring light into people's lives.

Conclusion

Mahavidya Tara is a revered goddess in Hinduism, known for her power, protection, and compassion. She is worshipped by devotees seeking spiritual growth, knowledge, and success in their endeavors. Her fierce yet benevolent nature has made her an important figure in Indian mythology and culture.

References

"Mahavidya Tara." Hindu Goddesses, hindugoddesses.weebly.com/mahavidya-tara.html. "Mahavidya Tara." Tantra Wisdom, tantrawisdom.com/mahavidya-tara/. "Tara Devi: The Fierce Goddess of Protection and Compassion." Hindu Temple of Greater Cincinnati, 2 Mar. 2022, hindutemplecincinnati.org/tara-devi-the-fierce-goddess-of-protection-and-compassion/.

FAQs

Q. What is Mahavidya Tara? A. Mahavidya Tara is one of the ten goddesses of the Mahavidya tradition, a group of Hindu goddesses associated with different aspects of life and spiritual practices. Tara is worshipped for her power, protection, and compassion, and is often depicted as a fierce yet beautiful young woman.

Q. What is the story of Mahavidya Tara? A. According to Hindu mythology, Tara was created from the tears of Lord Shiva when he was mourning the death of his consort, Sati. She is also considered to be a manifestation of Kali.

Q. What is the religious significance of Mahavidya Tara? A. Tara is revered as a powerful goddess who grants spiritual and material benefits to her devotees. She is worshipped for her ability to remove obstacles, provide protection, and bring success in one's endeavors. Her devotees seek her blessings for spiritual growth, wisdom, and knowledge.

Q. How is Mahavidya Tara depicted? A. Tara is often depicted as a beautiful, youthful woman with a fierce expression. She has three eyes, and is either standing or sitting on a lotus flower. She may hold a sword, a lotus, or a skull in her hands. She is typically shown wearing a garland of human heads and a skirt made of tiger skin.

Q. What is the cultural importance of Mahavidya Tara? A. Tara is an important figure in Hinduism, particularly in the Mahavidya tradition. She is also worshipped in Buddhism and Jainism. Tara is believed to have the power to remove negative energy and bring positivity to people's lives. Her devotees often perform rituals and pujas to seek her blessings for protection, prosperity, and success.

Q. Are there any festivals associated with Mahavidya Tara? A. Yes, Tara is worshipped on various festivals and auspicious occasions. In some parts of India, Tara Chandi Puja is performed during the Navaratri festival, which is celebrated for nine days in honor of the divine feminine. The festival of Diwali is also associated with Tara, as she is believed to remove darkness and bring light into people's lives.

Q. What is the significance of Tara Chandi Puja? A. Tara Chandi Puja is a ritualistic worship of Tara and Chandi, the fierce form of Durga. It is performed during the Navaratri festival to seek blessings for protection, prosperity, and success. The puja involves the chanting of mantras and the offering of various items to the goddesses.

Q. What is the difference between Mahavidya Tara and Kali? A. While both Mahavidya Tara and Kali are associated with power, protection, and transformation, they have different characteristics and symbolism. Tara is depicted as a youthful and beautiful woman with a fierce expression, while Kali is often depicted as a more fearsome figure with a garland of human heads and a skirt made of human arms. Tara is associated with the removal of obstacles and the granting of success, while Kali is associated with destruction and the destruction of negative energies.