TheShortCommentaryonthe

TantraofTwentyoneHomagestoTaracalled
TheTreasureVaseofBenefitandHappiness
NamoGuruLokeshvaraya!
TheLordofThreeKayas1[1],
TreasuryofactivitiesofalltheVictoriousones.
Ultimately,youareunelaboratedgreatbliss:Samantabhadri.
Ibowtoyou,thefearlessswiftmotheroftheVictoriousones,
AsIbrieflyexplaintheversesofpraisewithdevotion.
Venerable noble mother Tara is Kuntuzangmo,Tib Samantabhadri,Skt in the
sphereofthedharmakaya2[2],DorjePhagmo,TiborVajravarahi,Sktinthesphereofthe
sambhogakaya3[3],andAryaTarainhernirmanakaya4[4]form.DorjeYangchenma,Tib
and Lhamo Palchenmo,Tib are among her many other manifestations; each has a
different name and form. In the Land of Snow, (Tibet) in particular, beings are
benefitedbyherotherinconceivablemanifestations,specifically,YesheTsogyal, Tibor
JhanaDakini5[5].Skt Justbyprayingtoher,withthehelpofherswiftaction,wecan
spontaneouslyaccomplishthetwopurposes6[6]. Therefore,itisofgreatbenefitto
persevereinthispractice.
There are many different Indian and Tibetan traditions explaining this
tantra7[7]ofpraise.Motivatedbydevotion,Iwillexplainthistantrainaccordance
withTheTreasureVaseofEssentialGreatBlissofInnerPractice,whichisthe
profoundmindtreasure8[8]teachingoftheomniscientRigdzinJigmeLingpa.Each
ofthetwentyoneversesispraisetotwentyonemanifestations.

HomagetomotherTara,swiftandfearless,
Youreyesarelikeflashinglightning.
Bornfromtheblossomingstamens
OfthelotusfaceoftheLordofThreeWorlds.

ThefirstpraiseistoNyurmaPalmo,Tib theFearlessSwiftLady. Herewe

pay homage to the lady of activity who liberates beings from the temporal and
perennialsufferingsofsamsara9[9].SheiscalledSwiftLadybecauseherimpartial
compassion10[10]benefitsbeingswithoutevenaninstantsdelay.SheistheFearless

Lady,becauseshehastheunhinderedpowertosubduedemons,aswellasthe
afflictionsofbeings.Sheprotectsbeingsfromallfears.Herwisdomeyesmovelike
theflashoflightningasshefullycognizesallphenomena.Theladyendowedwith
omniscience,compassion,power,andactivitywasbornfromtheteardropsofthe
stamenlikeeyesofthefullyblossomedlotuslikefaceofAvalokiteshvara11[11],the
SaviorofThreeWorlds. Thethreeworldsarethesubterrestrial,terrestrialand
celestialrealms,(theworldsofnagas12[12],humans,andgods,respectively).
Tara is seductive, and has the youthfulness of the rising sun, and a semi
wrathfulsmile.Herrighthandisintheboongivingmudra13[13],andherlefthand
holds a blue lotus upon which is a rightturning conch. This symbolizes her
mastery of the two truths14[14] and bodhicitta15[15]: in this world, and in the god
realm16[16].Theoutermeaningofthepraiseliterallypraisesthenirmanakayaaspect
of the Noble Lady. In the inner aspect of the praise, if not taken literally, her
sambhogakaya and dharmakaya aspects are praised. The Savior of the Three
Worldsisthedharmakaya,anditsmanifestationistherupakaya,orformbody,
(whichiscomposedofthesambhogakayaandnirmanakaya).
Homagetoyouwhosefaceislike
Thegatheringofahundredfullmoonsinautumn,
Shiningresplendentlight
Intheperfect,spaciousconstellationofathousandstars.
The second verse is homage to Yangchenma,Tib the Treasure of Wisdom.
TheLadywithashiningfacelikeanarrayofhundredautumnfullmoons,means
herfaceisahundredtimesfairerandmorebeautifulthanthemoon.Herrighthand
holdsamirror,whichislikeafullmoonengravedwithanHRI17[17] syllable. The
perfect spacious constellation of a thousand stars, refers to the field of her
wisdom,whichisabundantlyspacious,andvast,likethecountless,resplendentrays
ofthefullmoon. Thislightclearsthedarknessoftheignoranceofpractitioners,
whichisthecauseofdullness,diseaseandpossessionbyevils.Itopensthedoorto
the treasury of knowledge by illuminating the light of the four specific perfect
understandings.ThesearetheperfectunderstandingoftheDharma18[18],(teachings)
the perfect understanding of the definitive meaning, perfect confidence (in the
doctrine)andtheperfectknowledgeoftheVictoriousOnes,(brilliance).According
toatantra,theinnermeaningistoservethemotherofthespherewhichmeans
emptinessorthenatureofmind.Inordertolookatourinnateself,thefaceofthe

ultimate Vajravarahi, we must accumulate merit19[19] and purify our mind

streams20[20], so that they are like an array of a hundred pure white moons.
Because of these practices, the door to her blessing will be opened by our true
inclination. Inthatway,wecanseeultimateluminosityandigniteourdynamic
wisdom.
Homagetoyou,thegoldenlady
Whosehandisadornedwithabluelotus,
Youarethelordofthedomainoftheactivitiesofgenerosity,
Diligence,austerity,tranquility,patienceandmeditation.
The third praise is to Sonam Thobkyedma,Tib the Yellow Lady of Good
Fortune.Sheisbeautiful;herskinisthecolorofpuregoldglitteringintheearly
morningsun. Herlefthandisadornedwithabluelotus,uponwhichsitsagem
thatbestowsallwishes. SheisthelordoftheBodhisattvas21[21] sphereofactivity,
whichencompassesthetranscendentperfectionsofgenerosity,patience,diligence,
ethics,tranquility,wisdom,andmeditation.Austerity,(inthiscontext)isethics,and
tranquilityiswisdomandmeditation.Wepayhomagetotheunchallengeablelady
whohasthetenpowers:thepoweroverlife,thepowerovermind,thepowerover
wealth,thepoweroveraction,thepoweroverbirth,thepoweroverinclination,the
poweroveraspiration,thepowerovermiracles,thepoweroverprimordialwisdom,
and the power over dharma. The outer meaning is that she has attained the
completionofthesixperfections,injustonemeditation.Theinnermeaningisthat
hersingularmeditationislikealotus,freefromtheflawofadherencetosubjectand
object,andisendowedwiththecompletionofthesixperfections.
HomagetoyoubornfromtheTathagatascrown
Whoenjoysboundlesstotalvictory,
RelieduponbytheSonsofConquerors
Whohaveachievedperfection.
TheforthpraiseistoNamgyalma,Tib theVictoriousLady,theOneWho
HasAccomplishedImmortality.TheWisdomGoddessofwisdommantra,who
emanates from the crowns of the Tathagatas22[22], enjoys total victory over the
boundlessdisruptiveforces. Hercomplexionisgolden,andsheholdsavaseof
longevity. Bodhisattvaswhohaveachievedthetenbhumis23[23],theessenceofthe
ten transcendent perfections, without exception, rely on her guidance as their

spiritual mother. She enriches practitioners by dissolving the fourteen subtle

essences of the animate, inanimate, and other subtle essences of samsara and
nirvana24[24]. Inreality,shehasachievedthesacred,unchangingbodyofeternity
throughtheintentionofAtiyoga25[25],thecrownofnineyanas26[26].
HomagetoyouwhofillsalloftherealmsofDesire,
ItsAspectandSpacewithTUTTARAandHUNGsyllables,
Youtramplethesevenworldswithyourfeet,
Youhavethepowertocommandallforces.
ThefifthisthepraisetoRigyedLhamo,Tib theAllKnowingLadywhohas
thequalityofmagnetizing27[27].ThisredTarasitsonbluelotusandholdsabowand
anarrow.Shefillsthedesirerealm,itsaspect,whichistheformrealm,andspace,
whichistheformlessrealm,withthebrightlyradiatingTUTTARAmantra28[28],and
thesoundofHUNG.(PhyogsinTibetanisanambiguousword.Inthisinstance,the
authorofthecommentaryinterpretsitastheaspectofthedesirerealm.)Thisis
becausebeingsinboththedesirerealmandtheformrealmsharethesameaspectof
havingform.Likewise,spaceisinterpretedastheformlessrealm.Theradiance
of the TUTTARA mantra and the sound of HUNG symbolize her realization of
emptiness29[29] andcompassion. Sheconquersthesevenworldsbyjusttrampling
themwithherfeet. Ifsheisabletosummonalloftheseforceswithoutexception
justbythepowerofthemantra,therecanbenodoubtofherpoweroverthelesser
forces,forexample:sangha,kings,ministers,andlandlords.
Thereareanumberofdifferentidentificationsofthesevenworlds. Jetsun
DrakpaGyaltsenpointsouttheyarethefivegoers,andthetwoupperrealms,which
makesseven. Drolgon Zhab saysthe seven worldsarethe realmsofthe nagas,
pretas,asuras,humans,vidyadharas30[30],kinarasandgods;thesevenrealmswith
power.InthecommentarybyGedunGyatso,thesevenrealmsarecomprisedofthe
sixrealms:(therealmsofthegods,jealousgods,humans,animals,hungryghosts
and hellbeings), and the realm of the bardo, (which is also known as the
intermediatestate).
Otherswritethatthesevenworldsare:thesky,theformandformlessrealms,
andtheworldsoftendirections.RigyedLhamomagnetizesandleadsbeingstothe
pathofthethreeyanas.Theultimatemeaningisthatthroughpractice,whennon
conceptualneutralalayasclarityiscognized,theformlessrealmsdissolve. When

thesimplepureluminosityoftheundiscriminatingclarityofalayavijnana31[31],or
base of consciousness is cognized, the form realms dissolve. When mental
consciousnessisfreefromdelusionandthefivesensorycognitions,thedesirerealm
ceases. Thesecessationsaretheabidingpurity,orthefruitionofpurification. At
thisstageofawareness,thesevenworldsarethesevencognitions,whereallthe
concepts of desire and the other three realms without exception dissolve into
dharmadatu32[32].
Homagetoyou,whoisworshippedbyIndra,
Agni,Brahma,Vayudeva,VisvakarmanandIshvara,
Andpraisedinyourpresence,
Byahostofspirits,zombies,gandharvasandyakshas.
The sixth homage is to Jigyed Chenmo,Tib the dark red Great Terrifying
Lady,whoholdsaphurba33[33]sparklingwithHUNGsyllablesthatdestroyallevils.
Indra,thekingofgods;Agni,thesage;Brahma,thecreator;Vayudeva,thewind
god;thegreatIshvaraandallthegreatonesoftheworld,andthemainguardiansof
thedirectionsworshipher. Infrontofherkneelahostofevilspiritswhoharm
beingsbytheirmisguidance.Therearespiritswhocauseinsanityandmemoryloss,
andspiritswhoturncorpsesintozombies. Therearegandharvas34[34]ofthebardo
andtherealmofYama;yakshaslikeSemo,whodeceivebyseducing;kingspirits
whomakesbeingscrazyandangry;andpishacademonsthateatflesh. Allthese
evildoersawaitherorderswithhumilityandrespect.HomageispaidtoTarawho
crushestheheadsofthosedifficulttotame,andmakesthemfaintintothestateof
dharmadhatu. TheinnermeaningofthisisthatIndraandtheothergodsarethe
personificationoffiveelements35[35],andthespiritsarethepersonificationofthefive
aggregates36[36]. Their reverence symbolizes the purity of the elements and
aggregates,whicharethebaseofthemaleandfemaleBuddhas37[37].
Homagetoyou,whodestroysmaleficmagicalwheels,
WiththesoundsofTRATandPHAT
Andtrampleswithrightlegoutstretchedandleftlegdrawnin
Dazzlingamidstwhirlingflames.
The seventh homage is to Tumo Zhenge Methubma,Tib the Unchallenged
Furious Lady, who averts wars, lightning and hailstorms by intoning TRAT and
PHAT,whichinSanskritmeanstotearandcut. Thesesyllablesthwartthemagical

wheelsoftheintentionalevildeedsoftheeightclassesofspirits.Theyavertlightning
strikesandhailstorms,anddestroycannonsandotherweaponsofwar.Todepictthat
shehasgonebeyondoftheextremesofsamsaraandnirvanabyhercompassionand
realizationofemptiness,herrightlegisoutstretchedandherleftlegisdrawnin,and
tramplesonmalignantbeings.Sheconquersallfearsofnirvanaandsamsarawithher
power of realizationofemptinessandcompassion. Sheisblack,andsitsamidst
flames.Herwrathfulwrinkleswhirllikeoceanwaves.Homageispaidtothelady
whowieldsamysticallyblazingswordheldatopabluelotusthatburnsallfoesto
ashes. The inner meaning of her outstretched and drawn in legs is the sensory
cognitions;whenthesensorycognitionsperceiveandharmonizethesensoryobjects,
thesamsaricwarsarise. Bysayingtearandcut,sheseversattachmenttosensory
objectsandpurifiesthem.ThisisthebaseofthemaleandfemaleBodhisattvas.
HomagetoTURE,thegreatterrifyinglady,
Whodefeatsthechampionsofdemons.
Yourfrowninglotusface
Slaysallfoeswithoutexception.
Theeighthhomageistothedarkredfrowninglady,ZhenMegyalvaiPalmo,Tib
theInvincibleFearlessLady. Wepraisetheladywhoavertscriticismandother
harms, which are the source of humiliation caused by our afflictive emotion of
pride. Herhandimplementisavajra38[38]. Byrecitingthe mantraTURE,which
means Swift Lady, another of her names declaiming her swift compassionate
action,shearisesinwrathfulformfromthetranquildharmadhatu,andsubjugates
thedemonsdifficulttotame:theafflictions,theaggregates,thelordofdeath,and
themaras39[39].
She transforms her blossoming lotuslike peaceful face into a wrathful,
scowlingface,anddestroystheevilmindofouterenemies. Sheeliminatesthose
whohateandabusethedharmaanditsupholders,thosewhocauseobstaclesfor
practitioners,andthosewhoharmsentientbeings.Inreality,sheexecutesallfoes
withoutatrace:theafflictiveobscurationsthatarethefoesofliberation,andthe
knowableobscurationsthatarethefoesofomniscience.Thedefinitivemeaningis
thatthebaseofthewrathfulmaleandfemaledeities,(theservingfaculties)arethe
pureabidingnatureofthefourattributesofbody,andthefourclassesofillusory
conceptions. Theyeliminatethefoesofomniscience:theknowableobscurations,
andthefoesofliberation:theobscurationofafflictiveemotions.

Homagetoyou,whoholdsyourfingersmarvelously
InthemudrasymbolizingtheTripleGematyourheart.
Swirlingmassesoflightadornyou,
Permeatingeverydirectioninbeautifulcircles.
The ninth praise is homage to Sengdeng Nagi Drolma,Tib the Tara of the
RosewoodForestwhoprotectsfromallkindsoffears. Hercolorisdarkgreen,
with the dazzling radiance of emeralds. Her right hand is in the boongiving
mudra,andthethumbandringfingerofherlefthandholdsabluelotusengraved
withawheel.Herremainingfingersareheldgracefullyuprightatherheartinthe
mudrasymbolizingtheTripleGem 40[40]. Theswirlingwheeloflight,(ametaphor
forprotection)adornsherlikethefinestofgarments,anditprotectslikeashield
againstalltorments.Likewise,allbeingsoftheworldintendirectionsareprotected
fromallkindsoffearsbytheallpervasivelightthatbeamsfromherbody,clearing
theirfearsinadisplayofextraordinaryradiance.
Theeightkindsoffearsare:
1. Thefearofelephantsrepresentsthepowerofignorance.Whenignorancegrows
strong,oneignoresthelawofcauseandeffect,indulgesinalcohol,(heretheuse
ofalcoholisasymbolicofwrongview)andbecomescrazy.
2.
Thefearofironchainssymbolizeshabituationtolustanddesirethatbind
togetherthesensesandtheirobjects.
3.
The fear ofpishaca demons signifies the doubt thatsteals the lifeforce of
nirvana, as it moves in the sky of ignorance, and the doubt that harms the
understandingofultimatemeanings.
4.
The fear of rivers (floods) is a symbol of desire, acting savagely. By the
possession of spirits, the current of desire carries beings towards samsara in its
tumultuouswavesofbirth,sick,aginganddeathcausedbykarmicwind.
5.Thefearoffirerepresentsthepowerofangerthatburnstheforestofvirtue.
Anger is the cause of anxiety, which in turn causes quarrels, disputes, and
partialities.

6.
Thefearofrobberycorrespondstothewrongviewsthatstealthetreasureof
thesupremegoal. Thiscausesonetowanderaimlesslyinthebarrengroundof
wrongview,(andto)believeinextremesandlowasceticpractices.
7.
Thefearofreptilesrepresentsjealousy,thepoisonofintoleranceofanother
personsprosperity.Jealousyresultsineverythingbecomingacauseforagitation.
8.Thefearoflions.Signifiespride,theconceitofholdinghighonesownviews
andconduct.Pridecausesoneto(metaphorically)developclawsassharpasalions
tobelittleothers.
Theseandtheircasualfactorsaretheeightfears.
Anothersetofeightfears,whicharethefruitionofsecondaryafflictionsare:
1.Thefearofpunishmentbykingscausedbyselfinfatuationandharmingothers.
2.Thefearoffoesiscausedbyhypocrisy,gloom,slothandexcitement.
3.Thefearofevilspiritsiscausedbydishonestyanddeceit.
4.Thefearofleprosyiscausedbylackofshameanddreadofblame.
5.Thefearofbeinglonelyiscausedbydisbelief.
6.Thefearofpovertyiscausedbystinginess.
7.Thefearofthunderiscausedbyangerandenmity.
8.Thefearoffailureiscausedbyindolenceandcarelessness.
Homageispaidtotheladywhoprotectsusfromthesetwosetsoffears.The
inner meaning is that her wheel of the three primordial wisdomminds, (the
wisdomminds of emptiness, clarity and compassion, illustrated by the mudra
symbolizingtheTripleGem)eliminatestheninebondsandotherafflictions,which
isacauseforaccomplishingthefearlessvajraofselfcognizedluminosity.
Homagetoyou,ladywhounfurls
Garlandsofjoyousmajesticlightfromyourcrown.
ByyourpiercinglaughterofTUTTARE,
Yousubjugatetheworldandmaras.

ThetenthhomageistoJigtenSumgyal,Tib VictoriousOverThreeWorlds,
who subjugates worldly beings. She is red and holds a victory banner. Multi
coloredlightsradiatefromhercrown,givingperfectjoyandfulfillingthetemporal
andultimatewishesaccordingtothedesiresofbeings. BysayingtheTUTTARE
mantramelodiouslywiththeeightattributesoflaughter,(ofthewrathfuldeity)she
confuses and subjugates the demonic lords of the (sensory god realm), who are
known as the Controllers of Others Emanation. She also subjugates kings,
ministers, sorcerers, and wealthy householders and leads them to the path of
liberation. In the root text, the outer phenomena change only when self
appearancestransform. Therefore,subjugationispossibleiftheintentionofthe
spiritual mother (nondual emptinesscompassion) is attained, and there is no
alternate method. The inner meaning is the four joys subjugate demons and
afflictions. The subjugation of the three doors by blissfulprimordial wisdom is
subjugationofthethreeworlds.
Homagetoyou,
Whocansummonhostsoftheprotectorsofearth.
ByyourfrowningmovementsandHUNGsyllable,
Youbringfreedomfromallpoverties.
TheeleventhhomageistoThronyerChenma,Tib theFrowningLadywho
bestowswealthanddispelspoverty.Shesummonsthegoddessofearth,thenagas,
thegodofwealth,yakshasandotherlordsoftendirectionsandtheirretinuesto
serveheractivities. Sheisholdsatreasurevase,andisorangeincolor. Sheis
majestic,withascowlingfaceandafurrowedbrow.LightradiatesfromtheHUNG
syllable at her heart, drawing in the wealth and prosperity of gods, nagas and
humans. Sheshowersthepoorandneedywithwealth,satisfyingalltheirneeds
andfreeingthemfromtheirsufferings.Theinnermeaningisthatbypurifyingthe
earthlikeignorancethatsupportstheworld,theprimordiallyperfectgreatmeritis
revealed,clearingsamsaraandnirvanaofallpoverty.ThisalsoindicatestheSecret
andWisdompath.

Homagetoyou,whosediademisacrescentmoon,
Allyouradornmentsdazzlebrightly.
Excellentperpetuallightshines
FromAmitabhaatyourtopknot.

The twelfth homage is to Tara, Tashi Dongyed Dolma,Tib the One Who
BestowsAuspiciousnesswhobringstimelyrain,helpswithchildbirth,andmakes
placesauspicious.ThisgoldenTarasitsonbluelotusandholdsanauspiciousknot.
Fromtheraysofhercrescentmoondiadem,showersofnectarfall,improvingcrops
and vegetation. Clear and brilliant whitelight radiatesfromall of her precious
jewelsandsilkenattire.Amitabha,thelordofherBuddhafamilysitsonherblack
hairknot. Fromhimtoo,boundlessunceasingcompassionateraysshineforthe
benefit of sentient beings. These rays bring a shower of auspicious signs and
articles.Theycleansethepoisonousbadomensofanimateandinanimateexistence,
causingallbeingsandtheirenvironmentstoenjoyperfect,glorious,auspiciousness.
Theultimatemeaningofthefirstlineisdirectperception,thesecondlinemeans
theenhancingexperienceandthelasttwoofthelinesmeanthecompletionstage
of the expansion of primordial wisdom and kayas of the fourth
empowerment41[41],(Word).

Homagetoyou,whodwellsamidstgarlands
Blazinglikethefireattheendofaneon.
Withyourrightlegoutstretchedandleftlegdrawnin
Yourjoyfulturningdestroysenemyforces.

ThethirteenthhomageistoDrapungJomma,Tib theTaraWhoAvertsWar.
Sheavertswarsandobstacles,andleadsbeingstovictoryinthewarwithformand
formlessenemies. Sheisredincoloranddwellsamidstgarlandsofwisdomfire
swirlinglikethefireattheendofaneon.Herrightlegisstretchedoutandleftleg
isdrawnin.Sparksoffireflyfromtheprongsofthevajrashebrandishes,subduing
allharmfulenemies.Shecomfortsthembygatheringthemunderthevajratentthat
protects them from their own evil. With every skillful means42[42], she turns the
wheelofdharma,accordingtothedispositionofthebeingstobetamed.Shemakes
themcontentandjoyous,andsubduesthemaleficforcesofthetwoobscurations.
The inner meaning is that this indicates the realization that exhausts all
phenomena.Justasthefireattheendoftheeonconsumestheworld,whenthe
primordialwisdomswirlsindharmadhatu,theouterearthandstones,theinner
animatebody,andthesecretconceptionsarealsoexhausted.Sothefoesofthetwo
obscurations43[43] aresubjugated,andthejoyofthegreattranquilityofthecoreof
inner clarity of primordial wisdom44[44] that does not dwell in the extremes of
samsaraandnirvanaisexperienced.

Homagetoyou,whostrikestheearthwithyourpalms,
Andstampsuponitwithyourfeet.
WithwrathfulgrimacesandHUNGsyllable,
Youscatterthesevenunderworlds.
The fourteenth homage is to Thronyer Chenzed,Tib the Wrathful Wrinkled
(Frowning) Tara who subdues the eight classes of harmful spirits and nine
malignantspiritbrothers.Sheisblacklikeadarknight,andholdsawoodenpestle
upon a blue lotus. She makes the world tremble and quake by striking the
mountainsandislandswiththepalmsofherhandsandstampinguponthemwith
herfeet. Bythepowerofherregalfrowning,theresoundingvibrationofHUNG,
andtheglarefromherradiantvajralight,whichislikeafireshower,sheshattersthe
heartsandheadsofallmalignantspirits:samaya45[45]breakers,demonsandothers
from the seven underworlds and above, and makes them faint into the state of
dharmata46[46].Thesevenunderworlds,whicharelikelayersofsevenroofs,are:the
abodesofdemons,thegeneralbase,thehigherbase,thebaseless,thespecificbase,
thebaseofessence,theperfectbase,andthepurebase. Inreality,thetwosoles
striking symbolize striking the crucial point of the path of the nonduality of
pristinewisdomandthebasicsphere,whichuprootsthesevenlatenciesorseven
cognitionswiththeirobjects.

Homagetoyou,whoisblissful,virtuousandtranquil,
Andenjoysthedomainofpeacefulnirvana
With(mantra)endowedperfectlywithSVAHAandOM
Youdestroyallawfulnonvirtuouskarma.
ThefifteenthhomageistoRabtuZhima,TibthePerfectPacifier,whopacifies
theobscurationofnegativekarma47[47].Shesitsonbluelotus,andispeaceful.Her
coloriswhitelikeacrystalmoonandsheholdsananointingvase.Sheisfreefrom
the fruitionof suffering, and as a result, sheis blissful Shehas eliminatednon
virtue,andasaresult,sheisvirtuous.Herafflictionshaveended,andasaresult,
sheistranquil.Shehasgonebeyondthesufferingsofthetwoobscurationsandshe
enjoysandabidesinthesphereofsublimetranquility.Byherpowerofcompassion,
andpowerofrecitingperfectlyinaccordancewiththesadhana48[48]hertwentythree
oreighteensyllablemantras,thefiveheinousnegativekarmas49[49]thatmakebeings
fall into the lower realms, and other karma that generates great sufferings are
uprootedandpurified. Themantraincludestheadditionalsyllables,OMatthe

beginningandSVAHAattheend.Theultimatemeaningisthatherblissfulnessand
otherqualitiesareconnectedto the fivewisdomminds: the wisdomofabsolute
space,mirrorlikewisdom,thewisdomofequality,discriminatingwisdom,andall
accomplishingwisdom.
Homagetoyou,whoissurroundedbyjoyousones
Whocompletelyscatterthebodiesofenemies.
Youliberateallwithyourspeech,adornedwithtensyllables
AndHUNG:yourpristineawareness.
ThesixteenthhomageistoDrolmaBarvaiOdcan,TibtheTaraWhoAvertsthe
EnemiesandMantrasSpell,whoisredlikethefireattheendofeon,sitsonblue
lotus,andholdsacrossedvajra. Sheissurroundedbyahostofvidyadharasand
mendicantswhohaveaccomplishedthepracticeofmantraandpoweroftruthful
speech andareendowedwithperfectjoyofsamadhi. Theirradiancescattersthe
bodies ofthe foesandovercomes the power of magical spellsand the power of
sorcery,destroyingthemwithoutatrace.Byrecitinghermantraarrangementofthe
tensyllables,OMTAREandsoon,sheAttheheartofthewrathfullady,awareness
restsintheformofaHUNGradiatinglightthatclearstheouter,inner,andsecret
obscurationsofthebeingstobetamed.Theultimatemeaningisthatbysubduing
thefoeoftheimpureappearanceofourbody,theawarenessbodyoftheMotherof
theVictoriousOnesisaccomplished:theunchanginggreatblissfulbodyendowed
withthetenpowers.
HomagetoyouwhoseseedsyllableisHUNG
WhouttersTUREandstampsyourfeet.
CausingMeru,MandharaandVindhyamountains
Andthethreeworldstotremble.
TheseventeenthhomageistoDolmaPagmedNonma,Tib theUnfathomable
Suppressor,whoavertsharmfromhunters,thieves,robbersandenemies. Sheis
orangelikesaffron,sitsonabluelotusandholdsastupa50[50]. BysayingTURE,
stampingontheground,andtheradiatingseedsyllablesfromtheHUNGather
heart,sheshakesalltheabodesofthegreatgods,includingMountMeru,Mandhara
andVindhya.Theeffectofheractionsextendsbeyondthethreethousandworlds.
Her stamping causes the three realms: desire, form and formless, on the
subterranean,terrestrialandcelestialworlds,toquakeandquiver.Bythepowerof

herfrighteningforces,shecrushesbutchers,thieves,andotherenemiesunderher
feetandgivespeacetoallbeings.Theultimatemeaningisthatthequaveringofthe
threeworldsispurificationofthethreedoors,(body,speechandmind).
Homagetoyou,holdingaharemarkedfullmoon,
Shapedlikethegodsoceanofnectar
ByutteringTAREtwiceandPHAT
Youdispelallpoisonwithoutexception.
TheeighteenthhomageistoMajaChenmo,TibtheGreatPeahen,whoaverts
andpacifiespoison.Sheisaswhiteasthemoon,andsitsonabluelotus.Inherleft
hand,sheholdsafullmoonmarkedwitharabbit,whichistheshapeoftheoceanof
nectarofthegodrealm. Withherradianceandherchantingofthemantra,OM
TARE TUTTARE TURE SARVA VETRA TARA PHAT SVA HA, which has two
TARESandaPHATsyllable,sheclearsallpoisons,bothanimateandinanimate,
withoutatrace.Generally,allobstaclesarisefrompoisons,andthebaseofallthe
animate and inanimate poisons is our afflictions. She clears all the poisons of
sentientbeingswithoutatracewiththemedicineofthetruthofreality.

Homagetoyou,onwhomkings,congregationsofgods,
Minorgods,andkinarasrely.
Yourarmorofmagnificentjoy
Dispelsalldisputesandbaddreams.

The nineteenth is homage to Mipham Gyalmo,Tib the UndefeatedQueen,

whoavertsconflictsandbaddreams. Sheiswhiteandholdsawhiteumbrella.
Indra,Brahma,godsofthedesireandformrealms,demonsandlocalgodswho
harmbeings,andthegodsofmountains,lakesandtreeswhohelpbeings,honorher
without exception. In general, by the mantra that is blessed by her and the
visualizationofherbodyasarmor,allconflictsandbaddreamscanbeaverted.In
particular,themulticoloredvajrasandthesparklestheyemitavertreligiousand
political critics, and make their statements powerless. She wears a crown to
symbolize honoring lamas as deities, actualization of primordial wisdom, and
stabilization of bodhicitta. She wears earrings as a sign of refraining from the
humiliationoflamas.Herarmlets,bracelets,andanklets,sixinnumber,signifythat
sherefrainsfromkillinginsects. Hernecklacesrepresentherperfectrecitationof
mantra.Herbelt,lowergarmentsandornamentsindicatethatherbodyisendowed

withbodhicitta.Allofherornamentsarelikefinearmor,whosesplendorcanavert
criticismandthebaddreamscausedbytheimbalanceofthewinds,channelsand
seminalessence51[51].Theinnermeaningisthatbyhavingthekarmicwind52[52]flow
into the uma, the central channel, the experience of the armor of emptiness is
actualized,avertingthedelusionsthatcauseconflictandbaddreams.
Homagetoyou,whosetwoeyes,thesunandthemoon
Radiatesublimeluminouslight.
UtteringHARAtwiceandTUTTARA
Youdispelallhorrifyingepidemics.
ThetwentiethhomageistoLhamoRithrodma,TibtheMendicantTara,who
avertsalldiseases.Sheisorangeandherhandholdsavaseofnectaronabluelotus.
Herlefteyeislikethefullmoonandherrighteyeislikethesun. Herrighteye
emitsblazingraysthatburnallthelordsofdiseases,(thosewhocommandtheevil
spiritsthatbringdisease)likehaystacks.Clearnectarflowsfromthemoon,(herleft
eye)curingthecausesandeffectsofdiseasesandepidemics.Hermantra,OMTARE
TUTTARE TURE NAMATARENAMO HARA HUNGHARA SVA HAhas two
HARAsoundsandaTUTTARA. Themantracancureeventhemostdangerous
incurable epidemics. The ultimate meaning is that if the mothersphere of
transcendentwisdomisrealized,themostdangerousepidemicsofafflictions,their
causesandfruitions,canbecured.
Homagetoyou,whoisadornedbythreeSuchnesses.
Perfectlyendowedwiththepowerofserenity.
Destroyerofdemons,zombiesandyakshas.
OTURE!Sublimeexcellentlady.
The twentyfirst praise is the homage to Lhamo Odser Chenma,Tib the
GoddesswithBrilliance,whocanrestorethelifeforce.Sheiswhite,herlefthand
is in the boongiving mudra, and her right hand is in the refugegiving mudra,
holdingabluelotusonwhichsittheauspiciousgoldenfishes.Atherthreeplaces:
crown,throat,andheart,areOM,AH,andHUNG,respectively,whichformthe
sublimeprotectionagainstallobstacles.Thelightraysfromtheselettersprotectthe
threedoorsofbeingsfromtheharmofallouterobstaclescausedbyevilforces,both
formandformless.Theyalsoprotectbeingsfromtheinnerobstaclesofillhealth,
andthesecretobstaclesofdualisticaffliction. Therayshavethepowertopacify

themwithoutatrace.Particularly,theraysfromthethreeletterscanrestorethelife
forcestolenbyspirits,zombies,andyakshas,andeliminatetheirharmfulintentions
andactions.ThehomageistoTURE,thegreatcompassionateladywhoactsswiftly
forthebenefitofsentientbeings. ThetruemeaningisthatTarahasthepowerto
guide the minds of beings to be tamed in the three approaches to liberation.
Theseare:emptiness,attributelessnessandaspirationlessness,or,thesuchnessofan
entity,itsnatureandcompassion,andtheclearingofallitsobscurations.Ultimately
thevajrabody,speechandmindaretheprimordiallypurenatureofallphenomena.
Bymeditatingonthesphereoftheindivisibilityofthethreevajras,thedemons,
sufferings,zombies,andyakshasaretransformedbythegreatblissofprimordial
wisdom.
ThisisthepraisetoHerrootmantra,
AndtheTwentyOneHomages.

TheBenefitsofRecitingthePraise
Thewiseoneendowedwithpurerespectforthegoddess,
Whorecitesthesepraiseswithperfectdevotion
Rememberingherintheeveninganduponwakingatdawn,
Willbeendowedwithcompletefreedomfromfear.
Apractitionerwhorecitesthepraiseintheeveningandatdawn,recalling
Tarasqualitieswithpuredevotion,andhasthewisdomtodiscriminatebetween
goodandbadwillbeprotectedfromthesixteenfears.Otherswillbeendowedwith
complete freedom from all fears. It is also said that we must meditate on her
wrathful form in the evening to pacify the harms of this life, and visualize her
peacefulformatdawnandrecitethepraisestosaveourselvesfromrebirthinthe
lowerrealms.
Alltheirsinswillbepacified,
Causingdestructiontoalllowerrealms.
AndthesevenmillionVictoriousOnes

Willquicklygrantthemempowerment.
Thus,theywillattaingreatness,andprogress
TothestageofBuddhahood.
ThedailypracticeoftheTwentyOnePraisestoTarawillcauseallofthe
practitionerssinstobepacifiedandpurified.Thosewhorecitethepraisewillnot
experiencethesufferingsofthelowerrealms. ThesevenmillionVictoriousOnes
whoabidewiththeNobleLadywillswiftlyblessandempowerthepractitioners.In
thislife,thepractitionersofthispraisewillachievethegreatblissofplace,body,
retinue, and the qualities of the dharma of transmitted precepts and realization.
They will swiftly attain the paths and bhumis, and reach the ultimate state of
enlightenment.
ByrememberingHer,themostviolentpoisons
Abidingintheearthorinbeings
Whethereatenordrunk
Willbecompletelyremoved.
Attheconventionallevel,practitionerswillbeprotectedfromterriblediseases,
andthepaincausedbyaconiteandotherinanimatepoisons.Theywillbeprotected
fromthepoisonousfangs,horns,stingsandbitesofanimals.Thepracticewillalso
provide protection from the poisonous effect of the evil intentions of malignant
spirits,protectionfromtheirtouch,andtheevileye.Byrememberingthegoddess
and her mantra, the harmful effect of poisons whether they have been eaten or
drunkwillbenullified.
Thiscaneliminatevarioussufferings
Inflictedbythespirits,epidemics,andpoisons
Evenifdoneforthesakeofotherbeings.
Thepracticecaneasilyeliminatethesufferinginflictedbyouterandinner
poisons,bydangerousepidemicsandpossessionbyevilspirits. Thesamebenefit
canbeachievedifthepraiseisrecitedforthesakeotherbeings.
Onsincerelyrecitingtwice,threetimes,andseventimes
Thewishtohavechildwillbefulfilled
Andthedesireforwealthcanbeachieved.

Allthewisheswillbefulfilled
Everyhindrancedestroyedinitsturn
Wemustrecitethepraisetwice,threeandseventimesinonesession.Wecan
dothepracticeeithertwosessionsaday:onceduringtheday,andonceduringthe
night, or three sessions during the day and three sessions at night. The Vajra
holdersofIndiaandTibetteachthatifonepracticesthesadhanaofTheFour
MandalaOfferings53[53]inthisway,thedesiretohavechildrentocontinueones
familyline,ortoprovidestudentstoupholdthedharmalineagewillbefulfilled.
Inthesameway,ifonewishestohavewealthforthehappinessofthislifeandthe
next, excellentprosperitycan easilybeachieved. Likewise,anyotheractivities:
siddhis54[54], temporal desires and ultimate wishes will be fulfilled. By the
compassionoftheVenerableMother,unfavorableobstaclesinthefuturewillnot
manifest,andharmwillnotarisefromobstaclesthathavealreadyoccurred.Since
all purposes can be fully achieved, the wise must practice this sadhana with
enthusiasm.
ByexplainingtheTwentyOnePraiseswithdevotion,
Mayallaccesstheoceanofsiddhis,clearallobstacles
Andhavetheauspiciousnessofcompleteenlightenment,
ByswiftlyhavingavisionofHerface,embraced
Bytheunchangingbliss,endowedwithallsupremeattributes.
Tosummarizethetext,the meaningoftherootmantraisshownintheformof
praise.Thetwentyoneversesofhomageshowthetwentyonemanifestationsofthe
goddess.
ThuptenShedrubGyatso,whowasaTulku55[55]inoneofthePalyulMonasteries,wrotethis
commentary.Hiscurrentincarnation,RagoChogtrullivesinTibet.
TranslationbyKhenpoTenzinNorgey~Spring,2004,NYPalyulRetreatCenter

1[1]

threekayasskt~Dharmakaya,sambhogakayaandnirmanakaya,thedifferingdimensions(bodies)in
whichtheembodimentoffullyenlightenedattributesoccurs.
2[2]
dharmakayaskt~Buddhabodyofreality.
3[3]
sambhogakayaskt~Buddhabodyofenjoyment.
4[4]
nirmanakayaskt~Buddhabodyofemanation.
5[5]
dakini kt (khandro)~Literally,skygoer.Ayoginiwhohasattainedmundaneorsupramundane
accomplishments,specifically,enlightenment.
6[6]
twopurposes~Tobenefitself,andother.
7[7]
tantra skt ~ Buddhist texts that outline the practices of the Vajra vehicle
8[8]
mindtreasure~Aninspiredteaching(terma)revealeddirectlyfromtheBuddhamind,byatreasure
revealer,(terton).
9[9]
samsaraskt~Cyclicexistence,theendlesscycleofbirth,deathandrebirthcharacterizedbysuffering
anddominatedbythethreepoisons:ignorance,desireandhatred.
10[10]
compassion ~ Sensitivity to the sufferings experienced by sentient beings, coupled with a desire to
help them overcome suffering and its causes.
11[11]
Avalokiteshvaraskt(Chenrezig)~TheBuddhaofcompassion.
12[12]
naga ~ A snake-like being living in the depths of water or underground. Although they have
miraculous powers, they are classified as belonging to the lower realm.
13[13]
mudra skt ~ A gesture that has specific meaning used in Tantric practice as a support.
14[14]
two truths ~ The absolute and relative truth.
15[15]
bodhicittaskt~Themindofenlightenment.Thealtruisticintentiontobecomeenlightenedinorder
tobenefitothers
16[16]
god realm ~ One of the six realms of cyclic existence, characterized by seemingly unending
pleasure and leisure.
17[17]
HRIsyllable~SeedsyllableofAvalokiteshvara.
18[18]
dharma skt ~ It is an ambiguous Sanskrit term, here we can take it as spiritual path.
19[19]
merit ~ Good karma, the energy generated by positive actions of body, speech and mind.
20[20]
mind-stream ~ The continuation of consciousness, Buddhist way of expressing our mind.
21[21]
Bodhisattva skt ~Onewhohasgeneratedbodhicittaandseeksenlightenmentforthebenefitof
others.
22[22]
Tathagatasskt~ThusGoneOne,anepithetofBuddhas.
23[23]
tenbhumis skt ~Theprogressivelevelsof realizationthroughwhichpractitionerspass as they
journeytowardcompleteenlightenment.
24[24]
nirvanaskt~Thestateofliberationfromthesufferingsofcyclicexistence.
25[25]
atiyogaskt~Thehighestofthethreeinneryogas,thesummitoftheninevehicles(yanas),according
totheclassificationoftheNyingmapa.
26[26]
nineyanas skt ~TheninevehiclesorlevelsofaccomplishmentoftheNyingmapatraditionthat
representprogressivestagesofattainment.
27[27]
magnetizing ~ One of the four powers used by a practitioner to remove obscurations and obstacles
to practice.
28[28]
mantraskt~AritualformulausedinTantricpractice,literallymeansprotectionofthemind.
29[29]
emptiness ~ The absence of true existence of all phenomena.
s

30[30]

Vidyadhara skt ~Anawarenessholder,onewhohasrealizedthroughprofoundskillfulmeans

awarenessoftheBuddhabody,speechandmind.
31[31]
alaya-vijnana skt ~ The foundational consciousness, one of the eight types of consciousnesses.
32[32]
dharmadatu skt ~ The sphere of reality, the ultimate truth.
33[33]
phurbaskt(kilaya)~Aritualdagger,usuallyhavingthreesides,usedinwrathfuldietypractices.
34[34]
gandharva skt ~ A smell eater, a category of beings who sustain themselves on smell like the odor of
the smoke of burnt eatables.
35[35]
fiveelements~Earth,water,fire,air,andspace.
36[36]
five aggregates ~ The components of the psychophysical personality, on the basis of which beings
commonly impute the false notion of self. They five aggregates are form, feeling, perception,
compositional factors and consciousness.
37[37]
Buddhaskt~Onewhohasperfectedcompassionandwisdomthoughfollowingthebodhisattvapath.
Characterized bythe developmentof omniscience,andactualizationof the threebodies: complete
enjoymentbody,truthbodyandemanationbodies
38[38]
vajra skt (dorje) ~ A Tantric symbol that represents the indestructible union of method and wisdom
that is the goal of the Tantric practitioner.
39[39]
maraskt~Ademonembodyingterrifyingormalevolentenergies.
40[40]
TripleGem ~Buddha,DharmaandSangha. Buddhaastheteacherofrefuge,thedoctrineas
actualrefuge,andthespiritualcommunityassupportforpractice.
41[41]
empowerment ~ A ritual transfer of power, an initiation. The authorization to hear, study and
practice the teachings of the Vajrayana. This takes place in a ceremony that may be extremely
elaborate or utterly simple, conducted by a Vajra master.
42[42]
skillful means ~ The Mahayana practice of adapting the doctrine to the capacities of ones
audience.
43[43]
twoobscurations~Therearetwotypesofobscurations:thosepreventingliberationfromthecycle
of samsaric suffering, called afflictive obscurations, and those preventing omniscience, called the
obscurationstotheobjectsofknowledge.
44[44]
primordialwisdom~Thewisdomthathasrealizedtheprimordialnatureofallphenomena.
45[45]
samaya skt~Avoworwordofhonor,apromise,commitment,usuallyinthecontextofaTantric
voworempowerment.
46[46]
dharmata skt ~ The void nature the emptiness aspect of Buddhahood. It can be translated as the true
nature of reality.
47[47]
karmaskt~Thedoctrineofactionsandtherecausalconsequences,thelawofcauseandeffect.
48[48]
sadhanaskt~TranslatedasmeansofaccomplishmentUsuallyisacompletesetoftantricliturgies
onthepracticeofadeity,startingfromthelineageprayerstodedicationofthemerittoallthesentient
beings.
49[49]
five heinous negative karmas ~ Patricide, matricide, killing an arhat, drawing blood from the body
of a Buddha with evil intent, and causing a schism in the sangha.
50[50]
stupaskt~Buddhistsacredmonumentandreliquary,builttorepresenttheenlightenedmind.
51[51]
winds,channelsandseminalessence~Ourvitalenergyorwind,movestheessentialfluidof
consciousnessorseminalessence,alsocalledtigleordrop,throughthechannels,orinSanskrit,nadis.
52[52]
karmicwind~Thevitalenergygeneratedbyourkarma.
53[53]
mandala skt offering ~ A Tantric practice in which all precious things are offered to the deities,
Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in order to develop generosity, the first of the six perfections.

54[54]

siddhi skt ~Spiritualaccomplishmentswhichmaybemundaneorsupramundane.Buddhahoodis

theultimatesiddhi,mundanesiddhisincludeclairvoyance,clairaudience,flying,etc.
55[55]
tulku Tib ~ A reincarnate lama. The Tibetan translation of the Sanskrit nirmanakaya, used as an
honorific term for recognized incarnations of lamas, who are found, usually in childhood, and are
brought up to inherit the lineage and often the monastic foundations of their predecessors.