Himalayan Art Resources

Buddhist Deity: Tara (Suryagupta Twenty-one)

Suryagupta Tradition Twenty-one Taras Name List | Tara: Suryagupta Main Page

Names of the Twenty-one Taras:

1. Tara Very Heroic
2. Tara Radiant White Moon
3. Tara Golden Coloured
4. Tara Crown Ornament of the Conqueror
5. Tara Resounding with Hum
6. Tara Victorious Over the Three Worlds
7. Tara Defeating Adversaries
8. Tara Treasure of Supreme Power
9. Tara Bestowing Wishes
10. Tara Dispelling Sorrow
11. Tara Clearing All Misfortune
12. Tara Auspiciously Shining
13. Tara Completely Ripening
14. Tara With a Frown
15. Tara Treasure of Virtue and Goodness
16. Tara Destroyer of Attachment
17. Tara Accomplishing Happiness
18. Tara Greatly Increasing
19. Tara Burning Suffering
20. Tara Giving Rise to Attainments
21. Tara Accomplishing the Complete Perfection

There can be a certain amount of variation in posture and colour among the twenty-one forms. Sometimes a form will be depicted seated or standing. All of this appears to be artistic license along with a possible lack of extant models and examples for the artist to follow.

Jeff Watt [updated 9-2017]