The Tara Mantra
A Prayer for Protection and Compassion
A short mantra invoking Green Tara, the swift, compassionate protector of Vajrayana Buddhism, chanted to dispel fear and obstacles.
Verses
O Tara, the swift liberator, who removes all fears and grants all blessings, I offer this homage to you.
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
This is a Buddhist mantra associated with the goddess Tara, a revered figure in Tibetan and Indian Buddhism. It is traditionally recited as a prayer for protection, compassion, and the removal of obstacles, often during meditation or devotional practice. The mantra is part of the wider Tara tradition, which emphasizes the goddess's role as a swift and compassionate savior. Tara's mantra and practice are rooted in the Tara-mula-kalpa (the Tārā-mūla-kalpa tantra), the principal Sanskrit ritual text dedicated to her, later classified within the kriya tantra class of Tibetan Buddhist scripture.
Did You Know?
Mantra
This is the core mantra of Tara, a goddess of compassion and protection in Buddhism and Hinduism. It is a seed-syllable mantra, meaning its power lies in sound vibration rather than literal translation.
Meaning
'Tare' invokes Tara, 'Tuttare' dispels inner and outer obstacles, 'Ture' grants swift success, and 'Svaha' is an offering. Together, it is a plea for liberation from fear and suffering.
Origin
This mantra is central to the '21 Taras' tradition, where each Tara embodies a different aspect of enlightened activity. It is often recited to invoke Tara's swift, protective energy.
Usage
Practitioners chant this mantra for protection from danger, to overcome fears, and to develop compassion. It is considered a powerful tool for both spiritual and worldly concerns.
Significance
The mantra is a direct expression of Tara's vow to help beings escape suffering. Its repetition is believed to create a protective shield and cultivate inner peace.
Tara
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