Tara Devi - Mahavidya
Who is the Mahavidya Tara Devi?
The great mother of soul transformation, Tara Devi is present in some of the most ancient tantric sites in India, including the 64 yogini temples of Hirapur and Bheraghat. Apart from this, there are three important locations where the energy of Tara is immense.
The first of these places is the Taratarini Shakti Peeth, one of four great maha peeths, (spiritually activated vortex) frequently referred to in Tantric literature. Tara Devi is worshipped here as the ancient Taratarini, and her temple is built upon a mountain overlooking the Rushi-kulya river valley some 1000 feet below.
Just as the Kamakya Temple is associated with the yoni of the cosmic mother, Taratarini is associated with the breasts of the eternal mother. Her sanctity here is affirmed within the sacred text of both the Shiva and Kalika Puranas.
The site emerged prior to vedic and organized tantric times and continued on to be successively sanctified by many centuries of sadhana and worship by both Buddhist and Hindu tantrics. The mighty Kalinga Empire, which was annexed by the Mauryan kingdom in 3rd century BCE, considered Tara their Ishta Deva, their favorite deity, whom they worshipped as Taratarini. Two ancient stones formed the original peetham, each representing a breast of Sati Devi who’s body parts feel to earth as Lord Shiva carried her across India, grieving her physical death. One breast has been worshipped as Tara, and the other as Tarini. Hence, devi there is Taratarini.
We Swami Premajyoti and I visited that ancient hill-top temple in 2015, where priests, typically wear red. A friendly priest, Kumar Rana Ji, performed the puja, and then showed us remnants of the Mahavidyas, rescued from ruins of the older temple in ancient days,
Tara is a long favorite deity of seafarers, who often visited her prior to setting sail down the wide river mouth and into the ocean. She is, known as the Divine Ferrywoman, who can quickly transport her devotees to the farther shore of their aspirations, both material and spiritual and in the deepest sense, in the migration of consciousness from the darkness of ignorance into the light of truth. Tara is the protector, who will see them safely through the storms of life, always bringing them into a secure harbor.
Within the complex of Kamakhya Temple in Assam, considered by many the most Tantric site on earth, Tara Devi has a powerful presence as well. Tara Maa’s temple is located very near to Kamakhya Devi’s own temple, about 20 yards short of the main gate. There are steps leading up 30 yards to the site, unique for its stillness, it offers an excellent place for pranayam, japa, and deep meditation.
The celebrated tantric seer, Sage Vashistha, performed extensive Tara sadhana nearby, yet, Tara did not materialize at first. When the aspiration of the great sage had finally reached a zenith, the goddess finally appeared before him. She instructed him to find Janardana-Buddha, who had already perfected the mystical path which led to her grace. “Learn my secret from him”, she said, “for he is a Master and from that, you will be successful”. And so - he went on pilgrimage.
When Vashistha finally found the Buddha, the great master was surrounded, it is said, by Tantric devotees offering the five great secrets. Learning the techniques of preserving light energy, directly from Lord Buddha, Sage Vashistha returned to Kamakhya. Through the grace of Tara Devi, he too perfected the techniques of Kaula Marg tantra, and blossomed into a tantric master. Sage Vashishta’s legendary ashram is a short drive from Kamakhya alongside natural waterfalls and amongst the great beauty of nature.
Another location of Tara’s great energy and grace is Tarapith in Chandipur village, Bengal. The entire area has been sanctified by the sadhana of innumerable saints, including the famous Tantric, Bama Khepa. In the cremation grounds, which adjoin the temple, devotees ongoingly perform rare practices, some openly known, and others held highly secret.
Tarapith temple has been long associated with the third eye of the cosmic mother. Through Mother’s grace, I received initiation into Kaula Marg tantra in my Guru’s meditation hut there three decades ago. From centuries ago, Tantric devotees continue to dedicate their sadhana at this site and often, through the grace of Tara Devi, receive visions in the space between the eyebrows.
Tara Devi is Poorna Rakta Yogini - the one who in union bestows complete passion. Following Maha Kali, Tara is the second of the great Mahavidya Shaktis of wisdom. As a force of protection from the ten directions, she rules the northern region. Astrologically she is linked to Jupiter, the Guru.
At the dawn of the manifest world, the divine beings (devas) and the demonics (asuras) churned the ocean for the mysterious elixir of immortality. Before the divine elixir appeared, a deadly poison emerged from the depths. To save all beings, the mighty Lord Shiva poured the poison directly into his own mouth. He fell unconscious under its powerful effect and the necessary cosmic principles of dissolution and renewal were at dire risk. Tara Maa appeared and took Shiva on her lap. She suckled him, the milk from her breasts counteracting the poison, and he recovered.
This story demonstrates her great power. She is seductive and draws those souls who are hers closer to her where she will expand their power from within. She cuts through the illusion of Maya once its purpose is served with her magical scissors as she places her leg upon the chest of her blessed chosen, to whom she reveals as none other than a form of Shiva.
Yoga classes near me, Meditation techniques for beginners, Online yoga and meditation courses, Yoga poses for flexibility, Stress relief through meditation, Yoga for mental health, Guided meditation for relaxation, Yoga for weight loss, Mindfulness meditation benefits, Yoga retreats and workshops, Yoga and meditation for anxiety, Chakra balancing practices, Yoga for back pain relief, Mind-body connection exercises, Yoga and meditation for better sleep, Yoga for strength and endurance, Meditation apps and resources, Yoga for stress reduction, Breathwork exercises, Yoga teacher training programs.Tantra Vedanta sacred texts, Tantra vs Vedanta, Tantric meditation practices, Vedantic philosophy explained, Tantra yoga techniques, Vedanta spiritual teachings, Tantric rituals and symbolism, Advaita Vedanta philosophy, Kundalini awakening in Tantra, Jnana yoga in Vedanta, Tantra and spirituality, Vedanta meditation practices, Tantra and chakras, Bhakti yoga in Vedanta, Tantra mantra and mantra yoga, Vedanta self-realization, Tantra workshops and courses, Vedanta gurus and teachers, Tantra healing and energy, Vedanta scriptures, Tantric massage and therapy, Vedanta non-duality, Tantra and consciousness expansion, Vedanta lectures and seminarsTantra practices, Tantric yoga, Tantra meditation techniques, Tantra massage, Sacred sexuality Tantra, Tantric rituals, Tantra for couples, Kundalini awakening Tantra, Tantric workshops and classes, Tantra healing and energy, Tantra philosophy, Tantra books and resources, Tantra gurus and teachers, Tantra retreats and seminars, Tantra symbols and symbolism, Tantra mantras and rituals, Tantra and chakras, Tantra spirituality, Tantra for beginners, Tantric breathing techniques, Pranahatha Yoga ®, shodashi, shodashi devi, shodashi mahavidya, chinnamasta devichinnamasta, bhairavi kriya, babaji, chinnamasta sadhana, chinnamasta mahavidya, shodashi kali, soruba samadhi, kriya tantra institute, shodasi devi, tarai devi story, who is tara devi mahavidya?tara devi temples in India