Homage to her, the great enemy of the maras!
Marici, the "Ray of Light" Bodhisattva Goddess and an aspect of glorious Mother Tara, is a great enemy of the maras and a protective Bodhisattva for turbulent times.
In Vajrayana Buddhism, the concept of the "21 Taras" refers to twenty-one distinct manifestations of the Bodhisattva Tara, each with her own unique color, attributes, and specific powers to help sentient beings overcome various obstacles and achieve enlightenment.
Marichi is indeed considered to be one of these 21 Taras. While the exact numbering can vary slightly depending on the specific lineage and tradition, Marichi is often identified as the 21st Tara.
Here's a description of Marichi as the 21st Tara:Name: She is typically known as Tara Who Completely Perfects All Enlightened Activities or similar variations emphasizing her power to bring all endeavors to perfect fruition. Her Sanskrit name, Marichi, literally means "ray of light." In Tibetan, she is often called Özer Chenma, meaning "Goddess of Great Light."
Color and Appearance: As the 21st Tara, Marichi is often depicted with a golden or orange hue, reminiscent of the rising sun. This radiant color symbolizes her ability to dispel darkness, both literal and metaphorical – the darkness of ignorance, obstacles, and negative forces.
While her general form aligns with Tara, she often has distinctive features that connect her to her independent iconography:
* Multiple Faces and Arms: She can be depicted with multiple faces (often three) and multiple arms (ranging from six to eight or more), each holding various symbolic implements.* Riding a Boar or in a Chariot Pulled by Boars/Horses: A key characteristic of Marichi is her association with boars. She may be shown riding a single boar or in a chariot drawn by seven fierce boars or horses. These boars symbolize her powerful ability to overcome obstacles and enemies.
* Emblems: Her hands may hold implements such as a needle and thread (symbolizing the sewing up of negativity), a bow and arrow (representing piercing through obstacles), a vajra (representing indestructible power), a mirror (symbolizing emptiness and clear awareness), or a branch of an Ashoka tree (representing freedom from sorrow).
Qualities and Functions as the 21st Tara:
As the 21st Tara, embodying Marichi, her primary functions include:
* Perfecting Enlightened Activities: She is invoked to ensure the successful completion of spiritual practices, virtuous actions, and all endeavors that lead towards enlightenment.
* Protection: Like her independent form, the 21st Tara Marichi offers powerful protection against dangers, obstacles, negative influences, and enemies, both internal and external. Her radiant light dispels darkness and fear.
* Overcoming Obstacles: She is particularly effective in clearing away hindrances to spiritual progress and worldly affairs.
* Granting Siddhis: She is believed to bestow both ordinary and supreme attainments (siddhis) to practitioners.
* Association with Dawn: Her connection to the dawn symbolizes the arising of wisdom and the dispelling of ignorance.
Connection to Marichi as an Independent Deity:
It's important to remember that Marichi is also worshipped as an independent deity in Vajrayana Buddhism, with her own extensive iconography, mantras, and practices.
When she manifests as the 21st Tara, she brings her specific qualities and powers into the broader framework of the 21 Taras.
In essence, the 21st Tara, who is Marichi, is a radiant and powerful manifestation of Tara who helps practitioners to perfectly accomplish their enlightened intentions, overcome obstacles with her fierce protective energy, and dispel the darkness of ignorance with the light of wisdom.
Her unique iconography, particularly her association with boars and her golden light, distinguishes her within the pantheon of the 21 Tara's.
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Footnote:
Vajrayana offers countless skillful and powerful methods that, when practiced correctly, can significantly accelerate the processes of accumulation and purification. It is crucial to have pure motivation and understand that Vajrayana practice is not intended to increase one's ego, power, or self-interest.
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