Tara Chalisa
तारा चालीसा
40-verse hymn to Tara — the second of the Dasha Mahavidyas (ten cosmic wisdom-goddesses), the saviouress (tarayati = she who ferries across) who rescued Lord Shiva himself by suckling him when he drank the Halahala poison at Tarapith. She is depicted standing upon a corpse, holding scissors, sword, blue lotus, and skull-bowl — a fierce yet supremely compassionate mother who grants liberation in this very lifetime to sincere tantric sadhakas.
Significance
Tara is the supreme rescue-goddess: tarayati iti Tara — she who ferries the devotee across the ocean of samsara. Her chalisa is the most concise daily recitation in the Tara-tantra tradition, recited at the Tarapith shrine in Birbhum (Bengal) where the maha-siddha Bama Khepa lived and where the third eye of Sati is said to have fallen. Particularly powerful on Kaushiki Amavasya — the no-moon night when Tara is said to be most accessible to sincere seekers.
When recited: Tara Jayanti (Chaitra Shukla Navami), Kaushiki Amavasya (no-moon night of Bhadrapada), midnight tantric upasana, before deep meditation retreat
Benefits
- Liberation (moksha) in this very lifetime through tantric sadhana
- Rescue from situations of seemingly inevitable destruction
- Awakening of the third eye and intuitive wisdom (ritambhara prajna)
- Powerful protection during cremation-ground meditation (shmashana sadhana)
- Removal of the deepest karmic obscurations (avarana)
- Successful tantric initiation under a Tara-sampradaya guru
Opening verses
First 6 verses of the Tara Chalisa — the most-recited opening section.
जय जय तारा महाविद्या। दश महाविद्या में तुम द्वितीया॥
तारापीठ में वास तुम्हारा। बीरभूम बंगाल में प्यारा॥
सती के नेत्र यहाँ गिर आये। शक्ति पीठ का धाम बनाये॥
शिव को विष पीते देखा जब। स्तन्य पान करा बचाया तब॥
श्याम वर्णा शव पर खड़ी। कैंची खड्ग नीलकमल धरी॥
बामा खेपा सिद्ध पुकारे। तारिणी माँ हमें उबारे॥
Meaning
Victory, victory to Tara, the great wisdom-goddess; among the ten Mahavidyas you are the second. Tarapith is your abode, beloved in Birbhum, Bengal. The eyes of Sati fell here, consecrating this Shakti Peetha. When you saw Shiva drinking the Halahala poison, you rescued him by offering breast-milk. Dark-hued, standing upon a corpse, holding scissors, sword, and the blue lotus. Bama Khepa, the siddha, invoked you — Mother Tarini, deliver us. Devotees who recite this chalisa at the cremation-ground on Kaushiki Amavasya night — or even from afar in their own meditation seat — invoke the fierce-yet-compassionate Mother who suckled Shiva himself, securing her direct intervention to ferry the devotee across the ocean of samsara within this very lifetime, the supreme promise distinct to her tantric stream.
For complete authoritative text
Refer to printed editions from these sources for the full 40-verse chalisa with traditional pronunciation guides: