Naropa: Meaning, Mantra, Symbolism & Benefits in Tibetan Buddhism

Naropa is the great Indian mahasiddha and lineage holder of the Kagyu tradition — the embodiment of unwavering devotion, scholarly mastery, and the direct realisation of Mahamudra through the Six Yogas. Practitioners invoke Naropa for the blessings of the unbroken Kagyu lineage, mastery of the Six Yogas (tummo, illusory body, dream yoga, clear light, bardo, and phowa), and the realisation of the nature of mind. The main mantra associated with Naropa is Om Ah Guru Naropa Siddhi Hum (often recited within the Kagyu lineage prayers), and his heart mantra is Om Vajra Naro Svaha.

 

Quick Facts About Naropa

• Category: Indian Mahasiddha / Lineage Guru / Scholar / Yogi

• Meaning: “Naropa” — possibly from “Naro” (his birthplace) or “the supreme man”

• Mantra: OM AH GURU NAROPA SIDDHI HUM (or the shorter heart mantra: OM VAJRA NARO SVAHA)

• Main Benefits: Receiving the complete Kagyu lineage blessings, mastering the Six Yogas of Naropa, developing unwavering guru devotion, realising Mahamudra, overcoming scholarly pride, purifying karmic obstacles

Who Is Naropa?

Naropa (Sanskrit: Nāropā; Tibetan: ནཱ་རོ་པ།, 956–1041) is one of the most celebrated Indian mahasiddhas and a central lineage holder of the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He was a renowned scholar at the monastic university of Nalanda, later becoming the disciple of the mahasiddha Tilopa. He systematised the Six Yogas of Naropa (tummo, illusory body, dream yoga, clear light, bardo, and phowa), which became the core completion‑stage practices of the Kagyu lineage. He is also the guru of the Tibetan translator Marpa Lotsawa, who brought his lineage to Tibet.

Naropa was born into a Brahmin family in Bengal (modern‑day Bangladesh/India). From a young age, he showed great intelligence and renunciation. He became a monk and scholar at Nalanda, eventually becoming the abbot of the northern gate, a position of great honour. He mastered the sutras and tantras, but a dakini appeared to him and said, “You understand the words but not the meaning.” She instructed him to seek the mahasiddha Tilopa.

Naropa left Nalanda and underwent twelve major and twelve minor hardships (totalling twenty‑four) in search of Tilopa. He was tested repeatedly — jumping from cliffs, walking through fire, being beaten, and more — each time demonstrating his unwavering devotion. Finally, Tilopa accepted him and gave him the complete transmission of the Four Lineages (the “four rivers of transmission”), which include Mahamudra, the Six Yogas, and other tantric teachings.

Naropa spent twelve years in the service of Tilopa, during which he attained the highest realisation of Mahamudra. He then became a wandering yogi, teaching and transmitting the lineage. His most famous Tibetan disciple was Marpa Lotsawa, who travelled to India three times to receive the teachings. Naropa entrusted Marpa with the entire transmission, which became the foundation of the Kagyu tradition.

Naropa is revered as a Buddha — a fully realised being who attained enlightenment in one lifetime. His life story demonstrates that scholarly pride is the greatest obstacle and that genuine realisation comes through devotion, hardship, and the guru‘s blessings. His Six Yogas are still practised today in all Kagyu and related traditions.

Meaning and Symbolism of Naropa

Spiritual Meaning

The name “Naropa” is thought to derive either from his birthplace (Naro) or from an honorific meaning “supreme man.” He is also known as “Naropa of the Twenty‑Four Hardships” because of the famous twelve major and twelve minor tests he endured to please his guru Tilopa.

Naropa symbolises the transformation from intellectual scholar to realised yogi. He was the greatest scholar of his age at Nalanda, able to defeat any opponent in debate. Yet he recognised that intellectual understanding alone does not liberate. Through his hardships and his guru’s blessings, he transformed his pride into devotion and his conceptual knowledge into direct realisation.

His life also embodies the principle of unwavering guru devotion. The story of the twenty‑four hardships — jumping from a cliff, allowing his body to be pierced by thorns, carrying a leper on his back — is not about masochism but about the complete abandonment of ego. Each test was designed by Tilopa to break a specific attachment. Naropa passed every test without hesitation, showing that the disciple’s faith in the guru must be absolute.

Naropa’s Six Yogas are the practical embodiment of his realisation. Each yoga addresses a specific aspect of the path:

• Tummo (inner heat): Generates bliss and realises the nature of the subtle body.

• Illusory body: Realises that the physical body is a magical apparition, lacking inherent existence.

• Dream yoga: Realises that dreams and waking life are equally illusory.

• Clear light: Realises the fundamental, luminous nature of mind.

• Bardo (intermediate state): Prepares for death and the states between lives.

• Phowa (transference of consciousness): Enables the practitioner to transfer consciousness to a pure land at the time of death.

Iconography: How to Identify Naropa

Naropa is typically depicted as an Indian mahasiddha — a semi‑wrathful, yogic figure, often holding a curved knife and a skull cup, or making the gesture of teaching.

• Color: Dark red, brown, or sometimes white — representing the transformation of attachment into wisdom (red is the colour of the lotus family, associated with magnetising and compassion).

• Faces: One face, with a semi‑wrathful, intense expression — wide eyes, sometimes bared fangs, a slight smile.

• Arms: Two arms (in most depictions), though some forms show four arms.

• Attributes (two‑armed form):

  • Right hand holds a curved knife (kartika) raised — cutting the root of ignorance and ego.

  • Left hand holds a skull cup (kapala) filled with blood or nectar — representing the transformation of the afflictions into wisdom.

  • In some depictions, his right hand is raised in the gesture of teaching (vitarka mudra) , and his left hand holds a book (the Prajnaparamita sutra) — reflecting his scholarly past.

• Posture: Seated in royal ease (lalitasana) — right leg extended, left leg folded — on a lotus and moon disc, often on a deer skin or tiger skin. Sometimes he stands in a dancing posture.

• Attire: He wears the six bone ornaments of a mahasiddha (skull crown, garland of fresh heads, bone bracelets, anklets, necklace, and apron). He wears a loincloth or a tiger‑skin skirt. His hair is long, often tied in a topknot, sometimes with a flower garland. He may wear a meditation belt (yogic strap).

• Expression: Intense, with wide‑open, bulging eyes, sometimes with a slight frown or smile. Despite the intensity, there is no anger — only the fierce clarity of realisation.

• Halo: Often a simple rainbow nimbus or a multi‑coloured aureole.

• Background: Often depicted in a charnel ground or in a cave, with dakinis flying above. Sometimes he is shown standing on a sun disc and lotus.

In Kagyu refuge field thangkas, Naropa is seated in the lineage row between Tilopa (above) and Marpa (below). In thangkas of the Mahasiddhas (the “84 Mahasiddhas”), Naropa appears prominently.

A unique feature: Naropa is sometimes depicted with a fish in his right hand (like Tilopa) or holding a vajra and bell (as a tantric master). The most distinctive Naropa iconography shows him with a skull cup and curved knife, reflecting his identity as a yogi who has completely transcended all dualistic limitations.

Mantra of Naropa

There is no single universally accepted “secret mantra” of Naropa as a yidam deity. However, within the Kagyu tradition, Naropa is invoked through the Kagyu lineage supplications (Tib. Bka’ brgyud bla ma’i rnal ‘byor). The following mantra is sometimes used as a heart mantra for Naropa:

OM AH GURU NAROPA SIDDHI HUM

• OM — blessing of body, speech, and mind.

• AH — the seed of enlightened speech.

• GURU — the spiritual teacher.

• NAROPA — his name.

• SIDDHI — accomplishments.

• HUM — the seed of enlightened mind.

A shorter, more specialised mantra (sometimes called the “heart mantra of Naropa”) is:

OM VAJRA NARO SVAHA

• VAJRA — indestructible wisdom.

• NARO — his name.

• SVAHA — “so be it.”

Alternative (within the Kagyu lineage prayer):
The famous verse invoking Naropa from the Kagyu lineage prayer:

Naropa La Sölwa Deb Söl
(“To Naropa, I pray…”)

Important note: Naropa is a historical mahasiddha and lineage guru, not a secret yidam deity. His mantra and lineage prayers are considered open — anyone can recite them with devotion. No empowerment is required, although receiving the oral transmission (lung) from a Kagyu lama is traditional and beneficial. The advanced practices of the Six Yogas of Naropa, however, require full empowerment and pith instructions.

Benefits of Naropa Practice

• Receives the complete Kagyu lineage blessings — connecting to the realisation of Tilopa, Naropa, Marpa, Milarepa, Gampopa, and all the Karmapas.

• Master the Six Yogas of Naropa — the comprehensive system for attaining enlightenment within one lifetime.

• Develops unwavering guru devotion — Naropa’s twenty‑four hardships inspire the disciple to trust the guru completely.

• Transforms intellectual pride into genuine realisation — his story is an antidote to scholarly arrogance.

• Realises Mahamudra (the nature of mind) — the ultimate goal of the Naropa lineage.

• Prepares for death and the bardo — through the bardo and phowa yogas.

• Purifies karmic obstacles — the Six Yogas work directly on the subtle body to clear blockages.

• Overcomes attachment to conceptual knowledge — realisation is beyond words.

How to Practice Naropa

Simple Daily Practice (Open to All)

A simple daily practice suitable for everyone (no empowerment required):

1. Preparation: Find a quiet place. Place an image of Naropa at eye level — preferably as a dark‑red mahasiddha holding a curved knife and a skull cup.

2. Refuge and Bodhichitta: “I take refuge in the Three Jewels. For the benefit of all sentient beings, I will practice the path to enlightenment.”

3. Visualisation (front): In the space before you, Naropa sits on a deer skin on a lotus and moon disc. His body is dark red. His right hand holds a curved knife; his left hand holds a skull cup. From his heart, a red light radiates, entering your own heart and blessing you with the realisation of the Six Yogas and Mahamudra.

4. Mantra recitation: Recite OM AH GURU NAROPA SIDDHI HUM (or the shorter OM VAJRA NARO SVAHA) 21, 108, or more times. Feel that each recitation brings the blessings of Naropa’s complete realisation.

5. Dissolution: Naropa melts into red light and dissolves into you. Your body, speech, and mind become inseparable from his enlightened wisdom.

6. Dedication: “May all beings realise the Six Yogas of Naropa, attain Mahamudra, and quickly reach enlightenment.”

Study of the Six Yogas

The advanced practices of the Six Yogas (tummo, illusory body, dream yoga, clear light, bardo, phowa) require full empowerment, transmission, and pith instructions from a qualified Kagyu lama. However, one can study the texts (such as the Six Yogas of Naropa by Khedrup Je) and develop a theoretical understanding. The foundational practices of refuge, bodhichitta, and guru yoga should be completed first.

Offerings

Traditional offerings to Naropa include:

• Red offerings: red flowers, red candles, red silk, red fruit (pomegranates, apples).

• Curved knife or skull cup symbols — small representations of his attributes.

• Six offerings — representing the Six Yogas (e.g., six bowls of water, six candles).

• Water offerings — seven bowls as standard.

• Butter lamps or candles — representing the inner heat (tummo) of wisdom.

• Incense — especially juniper, sandalwood, or benzoin.

• Food offerings — rice, sweets, fruit.

Do You Need Initiation (Wang) to Practice Naropa?

For simple mantra recitation and front visualisation — no empowerment is required. Naropa is a historical mahasiddha and lineage guru, not a secret yidam deity. Anyone can recite his mantra and visualise him in front.

For the advanced practices of the Six Yogas of Naropa — YES, empowerment, oral transmission (lung), and pith instructions (tri) from a qualified Kagyu lama are absolutely required. These are advanced completion‑stage practices of Highest Yoga Tantra and cannot be self‑taught. If you are drawn to the Six Yogas, first complete the preliminary practices (ngöndro), then receive the appropriate empowerments from a Kagyu lineage holder.

Naropa in Tibetan Art

Naropa is depicted in Kagyu thangkas as an Indian mahasiddha with a dark red body, often seated in royal ease on a deer skin. He holds a curved knife in his right hand and a skull cup in his left. He wears the bone ornaments of a yogi and a tiger‑skin loincloth. His hair is often tied in a topknot, and his eyes are wide and piercing.

In Kagyu refuge field thangkas, Naropa appears in the lineage row between Tilopa (above) and Marpa (below). In some thangkas, the lineage from Vajradhara to Tilopa to Naropa to Marpa to Milarepa to Gampopa is depicted as a chain of figures stacked vertically.

In thangkas of the Mahasiddhas (the “84 Mahasiddhas of India”), Naropa is included among them, often near the top. Some thangkas depict specific episodes from his life — receiving teachings from Tilopa, the twenty‑four hardships, or transmitting the lineage to Marpa.

Statues of Naropa are common in Kagyu monasteries and centres. They usually show him seated in royal ease, holding a curved knife and a skull cup. The statue often has a semi‑wrathful expression, with wide‑open eyes and a slight smile.

A unique artistic motif: Naropa receiving the Six Yogas from Tilopa — thangkas showing Tilopa (dark blue, holding a fish) in the sky above Naropa, with rays of light connecting their hearts. The Six Yogas are sometimes symbolised by six coloured lights or six deities.

FAQ About Naropa

Who was Naropa?

Naropa (956–1041) was an Indian mahasiddha, scholar, and lineage holder of the Kagyu tradition. He was a renowned abbot of Nalanda who became the disciple of Tilopa and systematised the Six Yogas of Naropa. He was the guru of Marpa Lotsawa.

What is Naropa best known for?

He is best known for the Six Yogas of Naropa (tummo, illusory body, dream yoga, clear light, bardo, and phowa) and for his twenty‑four hardships endured to please his guru Tilopa. He is a central figure in the Kagyu lineage.

What is the mantra of Naropa?

The most common mantra is OM AH GURU NAROPA SIDDHI HUM. A shorter heart mantra is OM VAJRA NARO SVAHA.

Can I practice Naropa without empowerment?

For mantra recitation and front visualisation, yes — no empowerment is required. For the advanced practices of the Six Yogas, full empowerment, transmission, and pith instructions from a qualified Kagyu lama are absolutely required.

What are the Six Yogas of Naropa?

The Six Yogas are: tummo (inner heat), illusory body, dream yoga, clear light, bardo (intermediate state), and phowa (transference of consciousness). They are the core completion‑stage practices of the Kagyu lineage.

Why did Naropa undergo twenty‑four hardships?

Tilopa tested Naropa with twelve major and twelve minor hardships (such as jumping from a cliff, walking through fire, being beaten) to break his attachment to his scholar’s pride, purify his karma, and prepare him for the direct transmission of Mahamudra. Each test destroyed a specific obscuration.

Conclusion: Naropa — The Scholar Who Became a Yogi

Naropa‘s journey from the greatest scholar of Nalanda to a naked, begging yogi is the ultimate teaching on the limitations of intellectual understanding. He had mastered the words. But the meaning — the direct, non‑conceptual realisation of Mahamudra — required him to throw away his books, humble himself before a mad yogi, and endure unimaginable hardships. He did so without hesitation, proving that the guru’s blessings are worth more than all the knowledge in the world.

Naropa’s legacy is the living transmission of the Six Yogas — a practical, embodied path to enlightenment that uses the body’s energies, the dream state, and even death itself as the path. If you are drawn to his teachings, recite his mantra, read his life story, and seek out a qualified Kagyu lama to receive the instructions of the Six Yogas. May all beings, like Naropa, overcome the pride of knowledge and realise the nature of their own mind.