Devi Tara Ashtottara Shatanamavali: 108 Names of Tara
Devi Tara Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 Names) - Sanskrit Text
ॐ तारिण्यै नमः। (1)
ॐ तरलायै नमः। (2)
ॐ तन्व्यै नमः। (3)
ॐ तारायै नमः। (4)
ॐ तरुणवल्लर्यै नमः। (5)
ॐ तीररूपायै नमः। (6)
ॐ तर्यै नमः। (7)
ॐ श्यामायै नमः। (8)
ॐ तनुक्षीणपयोधरायै नमः। (9)
ॐ तुरीयायै नमः। (10)
ॐ तरुणायै नमः। (11)
ॐ तीव्रगमनायै नमः। (12)
ॐ नीलवाहिन्यै नमः। (13)
ॐ उग्रतारायै नमः। (14)
ॐ जयायै नमः। (15)
ॐ चण्ड्यै नमः। (16)
ॐ श्रीमदेकजटाशिरायै नमः। (17)
ॐ तरुण्यै नमः। (18)
ॐ शाम्भव्यै नमः। (19)
ॐ छिन्नभालायै नमः। (20)
ॐ भद्रतारिण्यै नमः। (21)
ॐ उग्रायै नमः। (22)
ॐ उग्रप्रभायै नमः। (23)
ॐ नीलायै नमः। (24)
ॐ कृष्णायै नमः। (25)
ॐ नीलसरस्वत्यै नमः। (26)
ॐ द्वितीयायै नमः। (27)
ॐ शोभनायै नमः। (28)
ॐ नित्यायै नमः। (29)
ॐ नवीनायै नमः। (30)
ॐ नित्यनूतनायै नमः। (31)
ॐ चण्डिकायै नमः। (32)
ॐ विजयाराध्यायै नमः। (33)
ॐ देव्यै नमः। (34)
ॐ गगनवाहिन्यै नमः। (35)
ॐ अट्टहास्यायै नमः। (36)
ॐ करालास्यायै नमः। (37)
ॐ चरास्यायै नमः। (38)
ॐ अदितिपूजितायै नमः। (39)
ॐ सगुणायै नमः। (40)
ॐ असगुणायै नमः। (41)
ॐ आराध्यायै नमः। (42)
ॐ हरीन्द्रदेवपूजितायै नमः। (43)
ॐ रक्तप्रियायै नमः। (44)
ॐ रक्ताक्ष्यै नमः। (45)
ॐ रुधिरास्यविभूषितायै नमः। (46)
ॐ बलिप्रियायै नमः। (47)
ॐ बलिरतायै नमः। (48)
ॐ दुर्धायै नमः। (49)
ॐ बलवत्यै नमः। (50)
ॐ बलायै नमः। (51)
ॐ बलप्रियायै नमः। (52)
ॐ बलरतायै नमः। (53)
ॐ बलरामप्रपूजितायै नमः। (54)
ॐ ऊर्ध्वकेशेश्वर्यै नमः। (55)
ॐ केशायै नमः। (56)
ॐ केशवायै नमः। (57)
ॐ सविभूषितायै नमः। (58)
ॐ पद्ममालायै नमः। (59)
ॐ पद्माक्ष्यै नमः। (60)
ॐ कामाख्यायै नमः। (61)
ॐ गिरिनन्दिन्यै नमः। (62)
ॐ दक्षिणायै नमः। (63)
ॐ दक्षायै नमः। (64)
ॐ दक्षजायै नमः। (65)
ॐ दक्षिणेरतायै नमः। (66)
ॐ वज्रपुष्पप्रियायै नमः। (67)
ॐ रक्तप्रियायै नमः। (68)
ॐ कुसुमभूषितायै नमः। (69)
ॐ माहेश्वर्यै नमः। (70)
ॐ महादेवप्रियायै नमः। (71)
ॐ पञ्चविभूषितायै नमः। (72)
ॐ इडायै नमः। (73)
ॐ पिङ्गलायै नमः। (74)
ॐ सुषुम्णाप्राणरूपिण्यै नमः। (75)
ॐ गान्धार्यै नमः। (76)
ॐ पञ्चम्यै नमः। (77)
ॐ पञ्चाननादिपरिपूजितायै नमः। (78)
ॐ तथ्यविद्यायै नमः। (79)
ॐ तथ्यरूपायै नमः। (80)
ॐ तथ्यमार्गानुसारिण्यै नमः। (81)
ॐ तत्त्वरूपायै नमः। (82)
ॐ तत्त्वप्रियायै नमः। (83)
ॐ तत्त्वज्ञानात्मिकायै नमः। (84)
ॐ अनघायै नमः। (85)
ॐ ताण्डवाचारसन्तुष्टायै नमः। (86)
ॐ ताण्डवप्रियकारिण्यै नमः। (87)
ॐ तालदानरतायै नमः। (88)
ॐ क्रूरतापिन्यै नमः। (89)
ॐ तरणिप्रभायै नमः। (90)
ॐ त्रपायुक्तायै नमः। (91)
ॐ त्रपामुक्तायै नमः। (92)
ॐ तर्पितायै नमः। (93)
ॐ तृप्तिकारिण्यै नमः। (94)
ॐ तारुण्यभावसन्तुष्टायै नमः। (95)
ॐ शक्तिभक्तानुरागिण्यै नमः। (96)
ॐ शिवासक्तायै नमः। (97)
ॐ शिवरत्यै नमः। (98)
ॐ शिवभक्तिपरायणायै नमः। (99)
ॐ ताम्रद्युत्यै नमः। (100)
ॐ ताम्ररागायै नमः। (101)
ॐ ताम्रपात्रप्रभोजिन्यै नमः। (102)
ॐ बलभद्रप्रेमरतायै नमः। (103)
ॐ बलिभुजे नमः। (104)
ॐ बलिकल्पिन्यै नमः। (105)
ॐ रामरूपायै नमः। (106)
ॐ रामशक्त्यै नमः। (107)
ॐ रामरूपानुकारिण्यै नमः। (108)
॥ इति स्वर्णमालातन्त्रे श्रीतारा-अष्टोत्तरशतनामावलिः सम्पूर्णा ॥
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
oṁ tāriṇyai namaḥ · oṁ taralāyai namaḥ · oṁ tanvyai namaḥ · oṁ tārāyai namaḥ · oṁ taruṇa-vallaryai namaḥ … oṁ nīla-sarasvatyai namaḥ … oṁ kāmākhyāyai namaḥ … oṁ śiva-bhakti-parāyaṇāyai namaḥ … oṁ rāma-rūpānukāriṇyai namaḥ ॥
(Each of the 108 names is chanted in the feminine dative form "Om [name]yai namah" - salutations to the Saviouress, the slender one, the dark-hued Tara, and so on.)
Meaning
This litany salutes Devi Tara - the second of the ten Mahavidyas - by 108 names. She is Tarini, the saviouress who ferries souls across the ocean of existence; Ugratara, the fierce protectress; Nila-Sarasvati, the blue goddess of speech and wisdom; Ekajata and Chinnabhala of the matted lock; the dark Shyama; the granter of boons seated amid cremation-ground intensity. The names celebrate her as both terrible and tender - destroyer of obstacles, bestower of eloquence and knowledge, dweller in the subtle channels (Ida, Pingala, Sushumna), and the very form of Truth (Tathya, Tattva) and ultimate liberation.
About this Namavali
The Tara Ashtottara Shatanamavali is drawn from the Swarnamala Tantra, as its colophon states. Tara is the second Mahavidya in the Tantric tradition, closely related to Kali, and is especially revered as Nila-Sarasvati - the goddess of transcendent speech - and at the Tarapith Shakti Peetha in Bengal. As a Tantric goddess of the "left-hand" wisdom traditions, her 108 names carry potent, esoteric imagery; they are recited by initiated upasakas as an archana of profound spiritual power.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
Worship of Tara is held to grant the swift removal of dangers and obstacles (she is the "saviouress" who rescues in crisis), mastery of speech and learning (as Nila-Sarasvati), protection from negative forces, and ultimately liberation. Her namavali is chanted for courage in adversity, for eloquence and wisdom, and for crossing the most difficult passages of life. Because her worship is Tantric, guidance from a qualified guru is traditionally recommended for her deeper sadhana.
Astrological Relevance
Among the Mahavidyas, Tara is traditionally associated with the planet Brihaspati (Jupiter) - the Guru, karaka of wisdom, speech and higher knowledge - making her worship a powerful remedy for an afflicted or weak Jupiter and for guru-chandala dosha. As a fierce form of Shakti linked to Kali, she also addresses Ketu (moksha, the unseen) and the protective fire of Mars. Devotees turn to Tara for relief in sudden danger and crisis, for restoring blocked speech and learning, and for protection during severe planetary afflictions.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
Bathe and sit facing east or north before an image or yantra of Tara. Light a lamp and offer red or blue flowers. Recite "Om [name]yai namah" for each of the 108 names, offering a flower or akshata at each, ideally after the Tara bija mantra (Strīṁ). Because this is a Tantric namavali, sincere devotees are advised to receive it from a qualified guru and to maintain inner purity and discipline.
Best Day & Time
Tuesday and the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha), especially the Chaturdashi and Amavasya nights, are sacred to Tara, as is the night-worship (nishita puja). Navaratri and the Tara Jayanti (Chaitra Shukla Navami) are highly auspicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Devi Tara?
Tara is the second of the ten Mahavidyas, a fierce yet saving form of the Goddess, also worshipped as Nila-Sarasvati and at the Tarapith Shakti Peetha; she rescues devotees from danger and bestows wisdom and speech.
What is the source of this namavali?
Its colophon attributes it to the Swarnamala Tantra, a Tantric scripture.
Is a guru needed for Tara worship?
As a Tantric Mahavidya, her deeper sadhana is traditionally undertaken under the guidance of a qualified guru, though devotional recitation of her names with reverence is widely practised.
Tara as Nila-Sarasvati: the fearless liberator in Tantric devotion
Among the ten Mahavidyas, Devi Tara occupies a place of singular intensity. She is the compassionate yet fierce saviouress - her very name, derived from the Sanskrit root meaning to cross over, captures her essential gift: she carries the devotee across the turbulent ocean of samsara. Revered also as Nila-Sarasvati, she bestows eloquence, learning, and the courage to speak truth, making her especially dear to those engaged in mantra-sadhana, scholarly pursuits, and any form of spiritual seeking that demands both knowledge and inner fortitude. The 108 names of the Ashtottara Shatanamavali are drawn from Tantric scripture and each name is understood as a concentrated lens through which the devotee perceives a different facet of her limitless grace.
In the Jyotish tradition, Tara's association with Jupiter (Brihaspati) reflects her role as a bestower of wisdom and protective blessings; devotees facing challenges related to Guru in the natal chart or under an afflicted Brihaspati dasha are traditionally guided toward her worship. The Shatanamavali is generally recited on Fridays or Ashtami tithis, ideally near a lamp lit with sesame oil or blue flowers offered as a mark of her Nila (deep-blue) aspect. Devotees believe sincere and regular recitation gradually dissolves fear, sharpens the intellect, and deepens one's capacity for true compassion - the very qualities that Tara herself embodies in the highest degree.