PUZZLE IN TIN - Tara, protecting against Poisons

Tara, protecting against Poisons & Naga-related diseases This Tara, who is part of the 21 Taras, is painted in the ‘Surya Gupta’-lineage. Surya Gupta was a 9th century Kashmiri pandit (scholar) and, in this old Indian tradition, Tara is depicted with four arms. Two hands are raised above her head, in the mudra of Supreme Joy and holding two hooks. The right hand on Tara’s knee is in the gesture of Supreme Generosity, and the fourth hand holds a lotus with a Dharma book. This Tara, who is also known as ‘Tara, the Victorious One’, sits on a goose or a peahen and is said to protect from poisons and Nagas (snake-like creatures). The term ‘naga-related diseases’ refers to all forms of poisons and toxins, as well as to snakes themselves, scorpions and other animals whose venom can harm or kill. Within the mind, this Tara protects from wrong views and from dullness of mind.