Exploring the Mystical Beauty and Symbolism of Tara: An Insightful Journey

Tara is an important and revered deity in Tibetan Buddhism who appears as a female Bodhisattva. Buddhist monks and followers meditate on the image or deity of Tara to develop some good qualities such as compassion and kindness. Tara is known as the mother of compassion or liberation and is considered the female aspect of Avalokiteshvara (who possesses the compassion of all Buddhas). She manifests in different forms such as Green Tara and White Tara. Green Tara is associated with fearlessness and White Tara, as radiant as the moon, is associated with good health. Tara also appears in red, blue, and yellow colors.

Tara, being the ocean of compassion, descends to this material world to save fallen souls from the vicious cycle of repeated birth and death. Whoever visualizes and meditates upon the form of Tara crosses the ocean of material existence. She is often depicted as having a beautiful youthful body and sitting on a full-blown lotus resembling the form of Goddess Lakshmi.

What is Tara the goddess of?

Tara is usually associated with Tibetan Buddhism but in Chinese Buddhism, she is considered the female manifestation of Guanyin. She is given the position of the supreme mother who is full of compassion and mercy. She enlightens living beings about the nature of this material world (temporary and full of miseries) and heals their emotional and physical wounds. She encourages them to walk the path of self-realization and to uplift their consciousness in order to come of material existence.

What does the statue of Tara symbolize?

Just as a mother is very merciful towards her child; she cries when the child is in distress or pain, similarly, Tara acting as the mother of the world, is the embodiment of all compassion and mercy. She symbolizes various qualities such as peacefulness, empathy, wisdom, love, and kindness. She helps all living beings come to the real or true understanding of self. As a Buddhist practitioner concentrates on the form of Tara, he develops these qualities that help him advance in his spiritual journey.

How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?

Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.

Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.

• The best and simplest way to maintain a brass statue is to clean it at least twice a week using a soft cloth or cotton rag. This will prevent dust from accumulating on the surface. Dusting is especially important for outdoor statues since it is prone to dust accumulation much more than indoors.

• To give a natural shine and luster to the statue, you may apply coconut or olive oil using cotton on every portion. You can use a toothbrush to get to the small crevices but do not be too harsh. This will make the brass statue appear fresh and new with a polished look.

• In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth. 

Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.