The main Tara forms in the tradition is the set called the 21 Taras. Some of the 21 Taras are correlated with other female deities, such as Saraswati, and some of them are different aspects, functions or forms of Tara.
The twenty-one Taras can be distinguished by the colour of their bodies, adornments and postures. They protect people from eight and sixteen kinds of fears. The eight fears are 1) danger of pride and from lions, 2) danger of torpor and from elephants, 3) danger of anger and blazing fire, 4) danger of jealousy and poisons of snakes, 5) violence of false view and of thieves, 6) danger of insatiable greed and imprisonment, 7) danger of desire and waters, 8) danger of doubts and demons.
The sixteen fears are the fear of the five elements (earth quakes, floods, wind, fire and fear of space), fear of weapons, tyrannous authority, criminals, spirits, elephants, wild animals, poisonous animals, sickness, accidents and untimely death, poverty and frustrations of hopes and plans.
Here are two lists of Taras and their functions. The first is according to the tradition of Atisha. I am not entirely sure if this text is not corrupt: one Tara appears to recur twice. The second list is according to the Long-Chen Nyin-Thig tradition, oir at least, so I have tried to make it.
Mostly the lists are the same. Some Taras seem to have the same functions but different names. Some Taras seem to be in a different position. However the purpose and direction of them is similar.
This list of the 21 Taras and their functions is according to the tradition of Atisha.
1) Nyurma Palmo
'Swift lady of glory' , to pacify hindrances and develop Bodhicitta.
2) Shiwa Ch'enmo
This Tara is to pacify external negative influences.
In most lists, this second place is occupied by Saraswati. Also, in this list Shiwa Ch'enmo seems to recur at position 15. It is this which makes me wonder if this is an accurate text.
3) Serdog Chen
To develop wealth and longevity
4) Namgyalma (Ushnisha)
This is an important deity for all schools. Ushnisha, she who dwells on the topknot of the Buddhas, develops longevity and wealth.
Her mantra has been published so I think i can give it to you. It is
OM BHRUM SOHA (Ohm Dhrung Sowha).
5) Kurukulla
Also an important deity for all schools, though possibly more so for the Sarma ( New Translation) schools. Kurukulla is to develop one's capacity. Kurukulla also has a reputation for bringing sex partners. This makes some people do a great deal of Kurukulla practice. This is not really a good idea unless one does other, balancing practices, because it can lead to anxiety, agitation and nervousness. Anyway, Green Tara should bring one a partner, if desired.
6) Jigten Sumle Nampar Gyalma
This Tara is to tame elemental spirits - local beings which can give us problems.
7) Shen Jom-Ma
This Tara is to protect against magic and curses from human and non-human beings.
8) Du Dra Jom Ma
This Tara is to give us victories.
9) Jigpa Kunkhyob Ma
This Tara is to save us from all fears.
10) Dudang Jigten Wangdu Dema
This Tara is to protect against being confused by spirits.
11) Norgyun (Basudarini)
This Tara is to remove poverty and bring wealth. Wealth practices always mention this deity.
12) Tashi Donjedma
This Tara is to bring auspicious conditions, like good farming climate and many children and wealth and luck, to the area we live in.
Because this mantra is for the good of all, I don't see why I shouldn't put it here:
Om Tare Tutare Ture Mangalam Soha.
'Mangala' means a blessing or good omen.
13) Metar Barma
This is to make people speak well of us and prevent verbal reputation problems.
14) Tronyer Chen
This Tara is to suppress forces which may be trying to obstruct us (spirit forces)
15) Shiwa Ch'enma
This deity is to purify and suppress the effects of one's own negative actions. This is a wonderful Tara to do.
16) Sarasati In this text, Saraswati is placed here.
17) Jigten Sumyowa
This Tara is to pacify problems.
18) Dugselma
This Tara purifies or neutralises the effects of poison. In the East, secret enemies often use poison - in fact, secret long-lasting poisons, not known to the West, are used. In one story, a practitioner was in a remote area of Bhutan and was invited to dinner at the house of some people he did not quite trust. So he used an anti- poison mantra when just about to taste the food, whereupon it turned black and burst into flames. In the West, we do not fear deliberate poisoning so much. However, we often fear food poisoning, and also sometimes we take substances that may harm us. This mantra is useful against these.
19) Mip'ham Gyalmo
This Tara is absolutely wonderful. Her mantra averts quarrels and bad dreams. Try it next time you get into an argument! It is very swift and effective.
I don't see any harm if I tell you this one:
Om Tare Tutare Ture Motsana Soha.
20) Selwe'i Drolma
This Tara is to remove pestilence. She is often evoked when plague strikes. Some people feel that it is somehow disrespectful to invoke her for a cold in the head or a drippy nose. Not at al. l As I say in Practice Notes, Tara should be invoked as often as possible and for every problem, no matter how small.
Invoking Tara does not make us weak somehow. Every time we invoke Tara, we become more like her: more merciful and more wise. P>21) Tr'inle Tamche Yongsu Dzogpar Jepe'i Drolma In most lists this place is occupied by Maritse. However, here we have this Tara who is to make all that we do perfect and complete. This Tara is also very wonderful to do.
This list of the 21 Taras and their functions is according to the tradition of the Longchen Nyin-Thig. I hope it is anyway; perhaps some of the names are according to the tradition of Chogyur Lingpa. Never mind, they seem tgo be in the same order.
1) Nyurma Palmo
'Swift lady of glory' , to pacify hindrances and develop Bodhicitta.
2) Saraswati (Yangchanma)
This Tara is the patron of arts, music and learning. She is the consort of the Bodhisattva of wisdom, Manjushri.
3) Serdog Chen
To develop wealth and longevity
4) Namgyalma (Ushnisha)
This is an important deity for all schools. Ushnisha, she who dwells on the topknot of the Buddhas, develops longevity and wealth. Her mantra and mandala may be found here.
Her mantra has been published so I think I can give it to you. It is
OM BHRUM SOHA (Ohm Dhrung Sowha).
5) Kurukulla
Also an important deity for all schools, though possibly more so for the Sarma ( New Translation) schools. Kurukulla is to develop one's capacity and to make one attractive to beings (How to win friends and influence people...).
6) Jigje Chenmo
This Tara is to tame elemental spirits - local beings which can give us problems.
7)Tummo Mit'hubma
This Tara protects us during storms - ordinary storms, and the storms of war and civil disorder.
8)Zhan Migyelma
This Tara is for when we have a problem with beings and people being aggressive towards us. She is to protect us.
9) Khamsum Namgyelma
This Tara is for when it is necessary for us to overcome something or have a victory
10) Norgyun (Basudarini)
This Tara is to remove poverty and bring wealth. Wealth practices always mention this deity.
Her mantra has been published so I think i can give it to you. It is
OM BASUDARINI SOHA (Ohm BA [as in back] soo dah ree nee Sowha). Or, Om Tare Tutare Ture Basudarini Svaha.
12) Tashi Tamche Jinma (Tashi Donjedma)
This Tara is to bring auspicious conditions, like good farming climate and many children and wealth and luck, to the area we live in.
12)Wangjedma
This Tara is used when it is necessary for us to have to fight or overcome someone.
13) Lhamo Drapungjom
this Tara is used to vercome negativity from the Eight classes.
140 T'hronyer Chandzadma
This Tara is to overcome fears.
15)Rabzhima
This Tara is to purify obstacles resulting from our negative actions and past karmas.
16) Barwai od
This Tara is to remove curses and bad magics, either from humans or from other beings.
17) Pagmed Nonma
This Tara is to protect us while we are travelling
18) Maja Chhenmo
This Tara is to overcome poison.
19) Mip'ham Gyalmo
This Tara is to protect against illnesses.
20) Rit'hrod Logyonma
This Tara is to overcome illness
21) Maritse (Osel Chenma, Hodser Chenma)
Maritse is correlated with the goddess of the dawn. She is invoked at sunrise or at the start of a journey. She protects travellers; she guards against thieves. Also, if one's energy has been stolen by any being, she can get it back and restore it.
Her mantra has been published so I think i can give it to you. It is
OM MARI ZEYE SOHA (Ohm Marie Zahyay Sowha).
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