The mantra begins by expressing the seed syllables of the diamond body, diamond speech, and diamond mind: OM AH HUNG.
VAJRA means diamond: it is never changed by the elaborations of dualistic characterizing thoughts. It is present as the essential nature that is the all-pervading indestructible essence, awareness-emptiness. It is, therefore, the absolute body.
GURU means teacher. From that state, infinite clouds of Buddha forms and Buddhafields are arrayed, loaded with special qualities and endowed with the seven branches of union.y This is the body of perfect enjoyment.
PADMA, or “lotus,” refers to the radiant awareness of discriminating wisdom — the diamond speech, great bliss—spontaneously appearing as a reflection or manifestation, miraculously born as the supreme lotus family. This is therefore the body of manifestation.
These three bodies being inseparable in the teacher, the great Diamond Bearer of Oddiyana, keep in mind his immense qualities as you pray from a state of yearning — the natural display, as devotion, of the basic nature of the mind free from all elaboration. Entreat him, “By the power of this prayer, may all the supreme and common accomplishments — SIDDHI — be now, at this very moment, bestowed in full on my mindstream — HUNG.”
Reflecting like this on its meaning, recite the mantra, as the Root Tantra of the Assembly of Knowledge Holders advises:
During the approach, visualize the teacher on the crown of your head,
Recite the mantra as a prayer.
This is an essential pith instruction.
As for the benefits of reciting the mantra, Guru Rinpoche himself said:
The essence, the mantra that embodies the Sugatas,
Is the practice that includes all the Buddhas.
By reciting the Siddhi mantra one can traverse
The fifteen levels and five paths and accomplish my level.
It is the same as reading all the sacred teachings
Of all the Buddhas of the past, present, and future.
and,
Because of it, the phenomenal world will quake.
Condensing the Buddhas of past, present, and future,
It is inseparable from all the teachers.
Because of it, haughty elemental spirits faint and tremble,
The dakinis and Dharma protectors will gather like clouds,
And all the hosts of dakas and dakinis
Will be helpless but to come in person
And bestow the supreme and common accomplishments.
If there are no signs of this happening,
I, Padma, have deceived beings.
Therefore, fortunate children of the future,
Keep it in your hearts. This is my pledge.
and,
The twelve-syllable quintessence of the Lotus-Born
Recited twelve hundred thousand times will render void the seed of cyclic existence;
Thirty-six hundred thousand times will place you in the ranks of the knowledge holders;
And ten million times will make you the equal of myself, Padma.
