Standing Tara
  See it in the Museum
India and Nepal
Orientation 3
Display 4

ABS 379

 Code: ABS 379

  Country: India (north-east)

  Style: Early Pala Style

  Date: 750 - 850

  Dimensions in cm WxHxD: 6.5 x 16 x 4.9

  Materials: Brass

Standing Tara

The smiling Tara stands in a gracefully inclined attitude on a circular double lotus pedestal. Her right hand is extended in the gesture of generosity and her left holds the stalk of a water lily (utpala) winding up from the pedestal and blossoming beside her left shoulder. A cloth is tied around her hips with a prominent knot in front, and the upper body appears to be naked.

Tara appears young and beautiful, adorned with the royal attire of the divine manifestations: a delicate lower garment and numerous jewelry. The goddess is encircled by an aureole decorated with a beaded border and leaves. Flowers are blooming into the open spaces. It is the water lily that identifies her as the Buddhist goddess.

Tara (Drölma en Tibetan), “the Liberator” or “Saviouress” is one of the most famous goddesses of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. As a bodhisattva, she pledged to continuously take birth as a woman until she reaches complete Buddhahood. She appears under multiple aspects among which the Green Tara, the White Tara, and the 21 manifestations are the most popular in Tibet.