Dorje Drolo

Dorje Drolo is a fierce manifestation of Padmasambhava that is associated with the Eight Main Manifestations and the life story of Guru Rinpoche. He is seen riding a tigress and holds a vajra in his right hand and a phurba ritual dagger in his left. This form of the Precious Guru is said to have first been seen when Padmasambhava taught the Dakinis in a charnel field in Khotan, and he is renowned for his ability to control negative forces. He is also used as a meditational deity in at least fourteen different Revealed Treasure (terma) traditions. He was first manifested by Padmasambhava at thirteen mountain retreats known as the Tiger's Den (tagtsang) in order to subdue demons and spirits of the Himalayan region. These locations are said to have impressions of Guru Rinpoche's feet in the rocks.