Om Hrim Strim Hum Phat…Om Hrim Strim Hum Phat…Om Hrim Strim Hum Phat
The Goddess is the source of all, the universal creator. “The gods, approaching the resplendent Goddess, asked her, “Who are you?”
The Goddess replied, “I am the form of Immensity; from me the world arises as Nature and Person, or Prakriti and Purusa. (Devi Upanisad 1-2).
The second night of Das Mahavidya Navaratri sadhana is devoted to the Goddess Tara, whose name means “Star.” She is a manifestation of Kali who is worshipped in the Tantric tradition through an image somewhat but not exactly similar to Kali. The famous 18th-century Bengali saint and Shakta poet Ramprasad Sen often wrote about Kali and Tara interchangeably. Kamalakanta who followed in Ramprasad’s footsteps did the same, as the Divine Mother assumes various forms by which to fulfill the wishes of Her children.
Tara represents the early dawn when there is hunger and desire for sustenance in the creative process of life. Known as “She Who Brings Through Life,” Tara is often propitiated to help us fulfill our creative ambitions in life. She is also depicted in various ways in Vedic, Tantra, Buddhist or Jain traditions. In the Tantras, Tara is described as the “Great Void” and “Changeless Face of the Immensity.” Her consort is the Never Decaying aspect of Shiva (Akshobhya Shiva). Thus, Tara is the Never Decaying aspect of the Divinity Herself.
Tara is said to laugh loudly as she drinks blood which symbolizes the creative juices of life. In Her compassionate form of Gauri, She also drinks the poison of the world; thus, her power is not only creative but also healing and transformative. In Buddhism, She is worshiped in 21 different forms and is the ultimate embodiment of compassion.
In Puranic legend, Tara is married to the Priest of the Devas named Brihaspati (Jupiter), who is the Lord of Wisdom. Many Vedic astrologers recommend Tara sadhana for improving the karmas of Jupiter in the astrological chart. Tara is also the power of knowledge and speech. One of the best ways to connect with Tara and propitiate Jupiter is through nada/shabdha yoga/the yoga of the inner sound current/inner listening and chanting AUM, because Tara is like a bridge between unmanifest and manifest sound.
