Tantric Art - Other Goddesses

There are several aspects to the goddess Tara, but the most popular are Green Tara and White Tara. Both are said to have been born from the tears of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion. Green Tara, depicted as a lively young girl, is the active, nature aspect of Tara. Her influence is both dynamic and protective.

White Tara is depicted as more mature but still young and ineffably beautiful. This is the maternal aspect of Tara. White Tara is the goddess of compassion and longevity.

Dhumavati, the widow goddess, is an old crone. Her haggard appearance is made even more unsettling by her rude manner and insatiable hunger. She creates obstructions and misfortune. Those who fear her are only considering her negative side. They would do well to remember that obscuring one thing reveals another and that good luck often comes from seeming misfortune. That is Dhumavati's gift.

Bhairavi is the embodiment of destruction. Decay and in self-destructive behavior, like alcohol and drug use, belong to her. Bhairavi is very beautiful and her seductive ways can weaken a man's power if he does not overcome his animal nature. But there is a positive side to Bhairavi - decay must happen for new life to begin. All things must end some time, otherwise there would be no beginnings.

Chinnamasta is Parvati, self-decapitated. When her two attendants became hungry, Parvati fed them by cutting off her own head and feeding them - and her own head - with the gushing blood. This is more than a tale of love and sacrifice. In Tantra, decapitation refers to dissolution of the ego. Chinnamasta is also shown standing upon a couple making love, emphasizing the need to overcome animal passions to transform the act of love into a work of growth and renewal.

This is not actually a goddess, but a dakini, representing the unending flow of female energy. Dakinis are the guardians of wisdom. This image is of the dakini Vajrayogini in her form as Naro Khajoma.

This negative aspect of the goddess is associated with magic and her energy is utilized to still enemies' gossip. Bagalamukhi is generally seen holding the tongue of Madan, a demon who won the power of manifesting anything he said. When he used this ability to kill, the gods sent Bagalamukhi who grabbed hold of his tongue. Nevertheless, he convinced her that he should not die, but instead won the right to be worshipped with her.

Bhuvaneshwari, like Kali, Tara, Chinnamasta and Bagalamukhi, is one of the ten Mahavidyas - aspects of Shanti, the universal feminine creative force. Bhuvaneshwari, the classic earth mother, is one of the warmer aspects of this energy. The knowledge she offers helps to control the character defects that hinder one on the spiritual path.