The Twenty-One Taras: Unveiling the Radiant Pantheon of Buddhist Deities

In Buddhist tradition, the Twenty-One Taras stand as a celestial chorus, embodying various aspects of compassion, wisdom, and enlightened activity. Originating from the profound tantra known as the ‘Twenty-One Praises of Tara’, spoken by the Buddha Samantabhadra, each Tara represents a unique emanation, color-coded to signify specific activities aimed at benefiting sentient beings. Through the ages, three distinct lineages have preserved and propagated the worship of these divine beings: the Pandita Suryagupta lineage, the Lord Atisha lineage, and the lineage stemming from the Nyingma Lama Longchenpa. While they share a common origin, each lineage diverges in its portrayal of the iconographic forms of the Twenty-One Taras.

The Symbolism of Colors:

The colors attributed to each Tara serve as a symbolic code, representing the four noble activities undertaken by enlightened beings: pacifying (white), enriching (yellow), subjugating (red), and eliminating (black). Additionally, mixed colors such as orange signify a harmonious blend of these qualities, while nuanced hues like bluish-yellow evoke specific associations, such as the traditional Tibetan turquoise.

The Iconography and Attributes:

1. The Swift Heroine (Nyur.ma.pa.mo) - Clad in vibrant red, symbolizing her swift and decisive action in overcoming obstacles and challenges.

2. Saraswati (Yang.chen.ma) - Radiant in white, embodying the purity and tranquility necessary for pacifying disturbances and negativities.

3. The Giver of Supreme Virtue (Sö.nam.chog.ter.ma) - Adorned in yellow with a hint of blue, representing her ability to enhance virtues and positive qualities.

4. The All-Victorious (Nam.gyal.ma) - Dressed in white, she exudes an aura of invincibility, safeguarding life and vitality.

5. The Giver of Intelligence (Rig.je.ma) - Donning a reddish-yellow attire, she bestows wisdom and insight, resonating with the sacred syllable HUM.

6. The Terrifier (Jig.je.ma) - Cloaked in menacing black with a reddish hue, she instills fear in malevolent forces, triumphing over worldly obstacles.

7. The Invincible (Shen.gyi.mi.tub.ma) - Veiled in black, she crushes opposition with unwavering strength and resilience.

8. The Conqueror of Others (Shen.le.nam.par.gyal.ma) - Adorned in reddish-black, she pulverizes the forces of Mara, dispelling delusion and ignorance.

9. The Saviour of the Scented Forest (Jig.ten.sum.la.gyal.ma) - Clad in pristine white, she embodies the sanctity of the Three Jewels, offering salvation to all beings.

10. The Conqueror of the Three Worldly Realms (Jig.ten.sum.la.gyal.ma) - Arrayed in resplendent red, she subdues the turbulent realms of existence, ushering in peace and harmony.

11. The Giver of Wealth (Nor.ter.ma) - Draped in yellow-orange, she eliminates poverty and scarcity, bestowing abundance and prosperity.

12. The Auspicious (Ta.shi.dön.je.ma) - Radiant in orange attire, she showers auspicious blessings upon devotees, creating favorable conditions for spiritual growth.

13. The Destroyer of Opposing Forces (Da.pung.som.ze.ma) - Adorned in striking red, she blazes with the flames of transformation, annihilating obstacles and hindrances.

14. The Wrathful (To.nyer.chen) - Clad in reddish-black, she manifests fierce compassion, dispelling negativity with her wrathful gaze.

15. The Very Peaceful (Rab.shi.ma) - Serene in white, she emanates a profound sense of peace and tranquility, soothing troubled minds.

16. The Blazing Light (Bar.wä.od.chen.ma) - Cloaked in fiery red, she illuminates the path to liberation, saving beings through the power of the sacred syllable HUM.

17. The Subduer of Countless Harmful Forces (Pag.me.nön.ma) - Adorned in orange, she trembles the three worlds, subjugating harmful influences and malevolent spirits.

18. The Peahen (Ma.ja.ma) - Arrayed in pure white, she purifies poisons of the body, speech, and mind, fostering healing and renewal.

19. The Invincible Queen (Mi.pam.gyal.ma) - Clad in resplendent white, she dispels conflicts and nightmares, establishing harmony and peace.

20. The Mendicant (Ri.tö.ma) - Draped in saffron yellow, she eradicates diseases and ailments, restoring health and vitality.

21. Rays of Light (Öd.zer.chen.ma) - Radiant in white, she accomplishes all enlightened activities, illuminating the path to ultimate liberation.

Conclusion:

The Twenty-One Taras stand as a testament to the boundless compassion and wisdom of the enlightened mind. Through their diverse manifestations and noble activities, they offer solace, protection, and guidance to all beings traversing the journey of existence. May their benevolent presence continue to illuminate the hearts of sentient beings, guiding them towards the shores of enlightenment and ultimate liberation.