golden tara
MANTRA: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE PUSHTIM KURU SVAHA
"MAGNETIZE MUNDANE WEALTH & SUPREME SPIRITUAL INCREASE"
Tara's mantra is a loving play on her name. According to Sangharakshita, a traditional explanation of the mantra is that the variations of her name represent three progressive stages of salvation:
OM TARE TUTTARE TURE PUSHTIM KURU SVAHA
OM: Represents the essence of awakened body, speech, and mind.
O (naro) symbolizes the essence of awakened speech.
M symbolizes the essence of awakened mind.
Täre: Represents salvation from mundane dangers and suffering. Tara is seen as a savioress who can provide aid against material threats such as floods, crime, wild animals, and traffic accidents. She is therefore said to protect against ordinary worldly dangers.
Tuttare: Represents deliverance into the spiritual path conceived in terms of individual salvation. Traditionally, this refers to the path of the Arhant, leading to individual liberation from suffering. In Mahayana Buddhism, this kind of enlightenment is seen as lacking strong emphasis on compassion. Tara offers individual protection from spiritual dangers such as greed, hatred, and delusion—the three causes of personal suffering.
Ture: Represents the culmination of the spiritual path in terms of the Bodhisattva path—an altruistic path of universal salvation. Here, we seek enlightenment not only for ourselves, but also develop deep compassion for the sufferings of others. Tara delivers us from the narrow view that spiritual progress is only about escaping our own suffering. She leads us to realize that true spiritual progress involves developing compassion and working to help liberate others as well.
Pushtim: Means wealth, abundance, or increase.
Kuru: A mythical land north of the Himalayas, described as a realm of long life and happiness. It may have been the original northern home of the Aryans. The name also carries significance as a verb, meaning "do it!" or "make it so!" This plea refers back to the request for an increase in wisdom, merit, and abundance—for the sake of gaining enlightenment and helping all sentient beings.
Svaha: According to Monier Monier-Williams' Sanskrit Dictionary, means: "Hail!", "Hail to!" or "May a blessing rest on!" This final blessing can be seen as symbolizing the realization that we are, ultimately, Tara.