Brass Goddess Tara Devi Head for Home Decor

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the goddess Tara, is the second of the Dasa (ten) Mahavidyas or “Great Wisdom [goddesses]”, and is a form of Shakti (primeval energy in female form), the tantric manifestations of the goddess. The word ‘Tara’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘tṛ’, meaning to cross.[1]In many other contemporary Indian languages, the word ‘tara’ also means star in reference to their motion in crossing the sky. The origin of the goddess Tara is documented in the tantrik text Tara Rahasya. The legend begins with the churning of the ocean between the Devas and Asuras. Lord Shiva drank the poison (Halahala) that was created from the churning of the ocean (in the process turning his throat blue and earning him the epithet Nilakantha), thus saving the world from destruction, but fell unconscious under its powerful effect. Mahadevi Durgaappeared as Maa Tara and took Shiva on her lap. She suckled him, the milk from her breasts counteracting the poison, and he recovered. According to a text named Adbhuta Ramayana,when Sita in the form of Kali slew Sahasraskandha Ravana, Brahma and other deities propitiated Her with hymns. Appeased, Devi assumed the calmer form of Tara. Holding Her sword with the right hand, Devi accepted the clothing of tiger skin from Brahma, removed Her golden crown,piled Her hair into Jatamukuta and bound it with the serpent Akshobhya. Rudra laid on the ground and requested the boon of Brahmavidya from Her,to which Devi placed Her left foot on his chest and enlightened him. Hence, Rudra offered Her a blue lotus[disambiguation needed] and a skull cup.