Tara is one of the Dash Mahabidya. The 10 forms of Sati are called the Dash Mahavidya. The origin lore is like this- Daksha did not approve the marriage of Shiv and Sati. When Daksha arranged a grand yagna and did not invite Shiv and Sati, Sati wanted to visit uninvited. When she told Shiv about her intention, Shiv told that Daksha did not invite them because he wanted to insult them and attending the yagna uninvited will not give good result. Even though Sati pleaded a lot, Shiv did not give her the permission to visit the yagna. This angered Sati and in order to remind Shiv about her power, Sati manifested the 10 forms of Dash Mahabidya. A frightened Shiv saw the 10 forms in 10 directions around him and realised that it is useless to try keeping Shakti bound. Reluctantly he gave permission to Sati and after that we all know what happened after Sati visited the yagna. As per the above shlok, Kali and Tara are the greatest Mahabidyas among all 10. These are 10 sadhana-paths to attain Mahamaya.
There are references of Tara in both Hindu and Buddhist religion. Buddhists (Bajrayaan) believe that Tara is the supreme mother of all. There are different types of Buddhist Tara, namely Green Tara, Golden and Blue Tara etc. White Tara offers peace to those who are suffering from physical and emotional wounds. Green Tara offers protection. Golden Tara offers material abundance and Blue Tara offers good luck and spiritual awakening. Red Tara offers help with love and relationship. An interesting thing is that, Chinese dacoits (Mog) used to worship Tara before robbery. On the other hand, the Hindu Tara Ma resides in Tarapith, West Bengal. She is a manifestation of Neel Saraswati as well.
The form of Buddhist and Hindu Tara look very different. But there is a connection between these two. Once upon a time Mahamuni Vaishishta started meditating on Devi Tara in order to get her Darshan. He meditated on the Beej mantra of Devi Tara which was given to Him by none other than Lord Brahma himself. Even after meditating for 1000 years when he did not get Darshan of Maa, Mahamuni Vaishishta became infuriated and decided to curse the Beej mantra of Devi Tara, as soon as he rose to do so he was stopped by a booming voice from the sky. It was Maa Tara who spoke herself and instructed Mahamuni Vaishishta that even though his devotion is unmatched still Devi can’t come to him in Tara Roopa as he was not using the correct Tantric Methodology. Devi adressed Mahamuni Vaishishta as a dear son and instructed him to go to Tibet and learn the Tantric way of worship From Buddha Roopi Janardana who resides there. Mahamuni obeyed that and learnt all the rituals and methodologies involved with Tantric worship of Maa Tara from the spiritual master and returned to the very place where he began his quest of Sadhana. He worshipped Devi as per the Tantric rites and Devi being pleased with the steadfastness of her bhakta, appeared in front of him and asked him to request any boon that she wants from her. When Devi appeared she was in her Ugra Murti with radiance of that of a Blazing Sun. Mahamuni Vaishishta asked her to mellow down her form and that he wanted no boon from her, all that he asked was Maa Tara should bless that place and reside there permanently. Devi agreed to it and till today she resides in the sacred place of Tarapith.
One of the most notable sadhak of Ma Tara is Bamakhyapa (1837-1911), who is considered the Bhairab of the Shiv lying under Ma Tara’s feet. As per local lore, Bamakhyapa still visits the temple every night. While the devotees can see the idol of Ma Tara in Tarapeeth temple, the Brahmshila of the deity is kept secret, away from humans. It is said that if anyone watches or touches it, that person will go mad or lost eye sight. Tarapeeth is a place for tantric sadhaks, it is not a place for sansaari people. A lot of trantrics offer services here in a shmashaan (crematoriam for Hindus), even related to dark magics. However, such things are never positive and Ma Tara’s blessings do not fall upon negative aspects. So, one should refrain from approaching such tantriks with bad intentions. Also, a lot of fools visit the temple to showoff; touching the idol or taking selfy with devi murti spoils the sanctity of the holy ground. One must not do such things otherwise, they will receive curses.
