Meaning & Translation
Sanskrit
ॐ आः हूँ वज्र गुरु पद्म सिद्धि हूँ
Transliteration
Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum
Pronunciation
ohm ah hoong VAJ-rah GOO-roo PAHD-mah SID-dhee hoong
Deity / Quality Invoked
Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava)
Full Translation
The Vajra Guru Mantra is the heart mantra of Padmasambhava — Guru Rinpoche, the 'Precious Teacher' who brought Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century. Om Ah Hum purify body, speech, and mind; Vajra Guru names the indestructible, diamond-like teacher; Padma recalls his lotus birth; Siddhi Hum invokes his blessing of spiritual accomplishment.
Spiritual Significance
Chanting this mantra is considered equivalent to invoking Guru Rinpoche himself — his wisdom, compassion, and power to remove obstacles on the path. In the Nyingma tradition it is recited to receive the master's blessing, transform obstacles, and awaken the enlightened qualities already present within.
Cultural Context & History
Padmasambhava is revered across the Himalayas as the 'second Buddha' who established Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. His mantra is carved on stones, spun in prayer wheels, and chanted especially on Guru Rinpoche Day each lunar month. Deva Premal's meditative rendition on 'Dakshina' (2005) carried it into the Western mantra-music world.
For Leaders
Chords and structure for leading this chant on harmonium or guitar — transcribed from the linked recording. New to leading? Read our guide to leading kirtan →
Original key
Am
Tempo & feel
Meditative walking pulse (~76 bpm); soft, continuous cycles
Chord Chart
Strumming & rhythm (4/4)
D = downstrum, U = upstrum, · = let it ring. soft walking pulse: even boom-chick, continuous cycles; nothing to prove.
One cycle, repeated meditatively
Call & Response Structure
Padmasambhava's mantra rides one long Am phrase: Dm rises under 'Vajra Guru', G and Em step down through 'Padma Siddhi', and the final Hum lands back on Am. The passing chords are gentle shadings, not big changes — a drone-centered cycle that repeats without pause, mala-style.
Terms in the Glossary
Words from this page, explained in our A–Z reference.