Taraka — 108 Names of Shiva

The name Taraka comes from the root 'tri,' meaning to cross over. Shiva as Taraka is the pilot who steers the soul across the turbulent ocean of Samsara (existence). This name carries a deep esoteric meaning in the city of Kashi (Varanasi), where it is believed that Shiva whispers the 'Taraka Mantra' into the ears of the dying to ensure their immediate liberation. Symbolically, the ocean of Samsara is filled with the waves of desire, the sharks of anger, and the storms of delusion. Shiva, the Taraka, provides the boat of wisdom and the steady hand of grace to navigate these dangers. To contemplate Taraka is to recognize one's own inability to save oneself through mere egoic effort and to rely instead on divine intervention. It is also linked to the 'third eye' (Taraka being another word for the pupil of the eye or a star), signifying the light of intuition that guides a seeker through the darkness of ignorance. In yoga, the Taraka sense refers to the internal light or sound (Nada) that leads the practitioner to higher states of Samadhi. By focusing on Shiva as Taraka, the devotee develops 'Shraddha' (faith), believing that no matter how difficult the life situation, there is a saving power that can ferry them to the shore of peace.