Devi Tara Mantra: Sanskrit Bija Mantras, Meaning & Benefits
Devi Tara Mantra - Sanskrit Text
Ekakshari (one-syllable) Tara Mantra:
ॐ त्रीं
Tri-akshari (three-syllable) Tara Mantra:
ॐ हूं स्त्रीं हूं ॥
Chatur-akshara (four-syllable) Tara Mantra:
ॐ ह्रीं ह्रीं स्त्रीं हूं ॥
Panchakshari (five-syllable) Tara Mantra:
ॐ ह्रीं त्रीं ह्रुं फट् ॥
Shadakshara (six-syllable) Tara Mantra:
ऐं ॐ ह्रीं क्रीं हूं फट् ॥
Saptakshara (seven-syllable) Tara Mantra:
ॐ त्रीं ह्रीं ह्रूं ह्रीं हुं फट् ॥
Hamsa Tara Mantra:
ऐं स्त्रीं ॐ ऐं ह्रीं फट् स्वाहा ॥
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
Ekakshari: oṃ trīṃ
Tri-akshari: oṃ hūṃ strīṃ hūṃ
Chatur-akshara: oṃ hrīṃ hrīṃ strīṃ hūṃ
Panchakshari: oṃ hrīṃ trīṃ hruṃ phaṭ
Shadakshara: aiṃ oṃ hrīṃ krīṃ hūṃ phaṭ
Saptakshara: oṃ trīṃ hrīṃ hrūṃ hrīṃ huṃ phaṭ
Hamsa: aiṃ strīṃ oṃ aiṃ hrīṃ phaṭ svāhā
Meaning
These are bija (seed-syllable) mantras of Goddess Tara, the second of the ten Mahavidyas. They are not made of ordinary words but of sound-energies: trīṃ is the principal seed of Tara, hrīṃ the seed of the Great Goddess, strīṃ the seed of the feminine creative power, hūṃ the seed of fierce protection, and phaṭ the “striking” syllable that cuts through obstacles and negativity. Together they invoke Tara as the saviouress who “ferries” the devotee across the ocean of worldly suffering toward liberating knowledge.
About this Mantra
Tara (“the star,” “she who carries across”) is one of the most ancient and powerful of the ten Mahavidyas of the Tantric tradition. She is closely associated with Ugratara, Ekajata and Nila-Saraswati, and her most famous seat is the Tarapith temple in West Bengal. Because her worship is rooted in Tantra, her mantras are transmitted as graded bija formulas - from a single syllable to longer combinations - each suited to a particular level of practice. They are traditionally received from a guru, who fixes the correct intonation and discipline.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
Tara is invoked for protection in danger, for the dissolving of deep-seated fear, and above all for the awakening of higher speech and wisdom - as Nila-Saraswati she is the goddess of transcendent knowledge and eloquence. Sincere practice of her mantras is said to grant courage, sharp intellect, fearlessness in crisis, and steady progress toward moksha. Because she is the “ferry” across rough waters, devotees turn to her in times of sudden upheaval and seemingly impossible difficulty.
Astrological Relevance
Among the Mahavidyas, Tara is traditionally linked with the planet Jupiter (Guru/Brihaspati) and, in some streams, with the Moon - both significators of wisdom, speech and the mind. Her worship is therefore prescribed to strengthen an afflicted Jupiter (for knowledge, guidance and good counsel) and to steady a disturbed Moon (for emotional fearlessness and mental clarity). As a fierce protective Mahavidya she is also invoked during difficult Rahu–Ketu periods and for removing sudden, “eclipse-like” crises in the chart.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
These tantric bija mantras are best taken through initiation (diksha) from a qualified guru, who gives the appropriate mantra and count. After bathing, sit on a clean asana facing north or east, before an image of Tara, and use a rudraksha or crystal mala. Maintain purity, secrecy and steadiness. Begin with the shorter mantras; the longer combinations are taken up under guidance. Conclude with gratitude and offer the practice to the Goddess.
Best Day & Time
Tuesdays, the nights of the new moon (Amavasya) and the fourteenth lunar day (Chaturdashi), and the pre-dawn or late-night hours are considered most potent for Tara sadhana. Navratri - especially the night devoted to the Mahavidyas - is particularly auspicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Goddess Tara?
Tara is the second of the ten Mahavidyas, a fierce yet compassionate form of the Divine Mother who “carries the devotee across” suffering. She is also revered as Nila-Saraswati, goddess of transcendent speech and wisdom.
Do I need a guru to chant these mantras?
Tara’s bija mantras belong to the Tantric tradition and are traditionally received through initiation from a qualified guru, who ensures correct pronunciation and discipline. Beginners should seek proper guidance rather than experimenting alone.
Which mantra should a beginner use?
The simpler forms such as the one-syllable or three-syllable Tara mantra are usually given first. The longer combinations are taken up later under a teacher’s direction.
Tara the Saviouress: bija mantras of the second Mahavidya
Among the ten Mahavidyas of the Shakta Tantric tradition, Devi Tara stands as the saviouress - Tara meaning both star and one who carries across - the cosmic feminine force that guides and protects the soul through the darkness of ignorance. The bija mantras associated with Tara, from the single primordial seed-syllable to the more elaborate seven-syllable and Hamsa forms, are understood in Tantric practice not merely as sounds but as compressed encodings of the Goddess's essential nature. To chant a bija mantra with awareness, the tradition teaches, is to awaken that specific aspect of divine energy within the practitioner's own consciousness rather than merely to address an external deity.
In the Jyotish tradition, Tara's energies are associated with both Jupiter (Guru), as the planet of wisdom, scriptural knowledge, and liberation, and the Moon (Chandra), as the planet governing the mind, intuition, and the subtle emotional body. Devotees believe that meditation on Tara's bija mantras, particularly during the waxing and full-moon phases, sharpens the discriminative intellect and quiets emotional turbulence, helping the sadhak distinguish between the real and the transient. The Tara mantras are traditionally approached under the guidance of an experienced teacher, as the Tantric tradition places great emphasis on proper initiation (diksha) and correct practice (vidhi) to ensure the energy is channelled with steadiness and devotion.