The Incredible Powers of the Ancient Siddhars
Siddhars are a type of saint in India who are said to have had many powers and achieved a ‘god-like’ state through specific secret practices that were known only to them. These powers spanned from controlling time and space, to transforming the body, manipulating matter at the molecular level and achieving immortality.
The Siddhars were followers of the God Shiva and according to different texts there were 18 of them. Their teachings and findings were written in the form of poems in the Tamil language, a language spoken mainly by people in South India and parts of Sri Lanka. The poems were very difficult to interpret and were written in an encoded way so that only a few could understand them.
There is a debate as to who was the first Siddhar. Some legends talk about Sri Pathanjali, who was considered to be an incarnation of Adiseshan, the celestial five-headed snake associated with God Vishnu. But the prevailing tradition refers to Agasthya (or Agasthyar) as the first Siddhar, one of the seven sages (or Saptarshis) as mentioned in the Vedic texts, and he was the son of the god Brahma of the Hindu creation story. Agathiyar is considered to be the author of a lot of the first Siddhar literature and he was supposed to have lived in the 7th century BC. About 96 books are attributed to him and that includes writings in alchemy, medicine and spirituality. Apart from the legends that exist, the beginnings of the Siddhars’ are lost in time.
The powers that the Siddhars possessed were separated in categories. The main category included 8 powers called ashta siddhis:
1. To become tiny as the atom within the atom (Anima)
2. To become big in unshakeable proportions (Mahima)
3. To become as light as vapour in levitation (Laghima)
4. To become as heavy as the mountain (Garima)
5. To enter into other bodies in transmigration (Prapti)
6. To be in all things, omni-pervasive (Prakamya))
7. To be lord of all creation in omnipotence (Isatvam)
8. To be everywhere in omnipresence (Vasitvam)
Thirumandiram 1780
But if this is not enough, there are ten secondary siddhis as described in Bhagavata Purana that include the following:
1. Being undisturbed by hunger, thirst, and other bodily appetites
2. Hearing things far away
3. Seeing things far away
4. Moving the body wherever thought goes (teleportation/astral projection)
5. Assuming any form desired
6. Entering the bodies of others
7. Dying when one desires
8. Witnessing and participating in the past times of the gods
9. Perfect accomplishment of one's determination
10. Orders or commands being unimpeded
Siddhar StatuesAmazing as they sound, these abilities could allegedly be achieved with the help of simple tools like controlling breath, concentrating the mind and raising the power of the ‘Kundalini’, which is related to the sexual energy.
Furthermore, the system of healing that the Siddhars possessed was allegedly given to them by the god Murugan, son of the Hindu god Shiva.
Another famous Siddhar was Tirumular, who was a Tamil mystic and writer of 6th century AD and was also one of the 18 Siddhars according to the Tamil Siddha tradition. His main work is named “Tirumantiram”, a 3,000 verse text, which is the foundation of the Southern Shaiva Siddharta School of philosophy.
Another Siddhar, Bhogar (Bhoganathar), who lived between the 3rd and 5th century AD is said to have discovered the elixir of immortality – one his main works is the Pharmacognosy.
Palm Leaf ManuscriptsMany of the oldest Siddhar texts are palm leaf manuscripts and not all of them are translated in English. From generation to generation, copying from one text to another, many of the original texts have probably been altered and their meaning changed. Therefore what today we know as Siddhar texts may have nothing to do with the original texts, which may account for why the Tamil tradition does not accept the Siddha poems in its body of traditions.
Of course in the last few centuries, especially after the 15th century, more and more “Siddhars” have appeared, composing poems, performing ‘acts’ to entertain people with interesting stories, acting as ‘Masters’ and gathering followers around them, all of which has nothing to do with the original tradition of the Siddhars. Unfortunately, the original Siddhar tradition today is ‘polluted’ by many interpretations, by modern Siddhars, and the imagination of people. Some old Siddhar writings are preserved in Museums and private families in Tamil Nadhu.
Due to the closely-guarded nature of the Siddhar records, the original knowledge of this enigmatic group of saints has remained shrouded in secrecy. The question remains whether their powers were real and, if so, how they managed to attain them. Manipulating space, time and matter would require knowledge far beyond what we have today.
By John Black
Siddhar contributions
Siddhars are known for some hidden powers that led to them attaining ‘God like’ state. They used such powers to control time and space, body transformation and achieving immortality. These siddhars yogis contributed a lot for the betterment and welfare of the society. Their approach was holistic and believed on “Food is Medicine, Medicine is Food”. They had also said “Sound mind makes the sound body”. Siddha medicine reached at zenith during Tamil siddhars. All the 18 South Indian Siddhars gave solid platform to ancient system of siddha medicine. Their contributions are well known in the field of Vaithiyam (medicine), Vatham (alchemy), Jothidam (astrology), Manthirigam (tantric practices), Yogam (meditation and yogic practices) and Gnanam (knowledge and almighty). They have written many important books on medicine, alchemy, spirituality, etc.
18 Siddhars of South India
Agathiyar-father of Tamil literature
Agathiyar is the most renowned siddhar in the history of Tamil.
He was the father of Tamil literature.
The compiling of first Tamil grammar Agathiym went to him.
He had the mastery over language, medicine, alchemy and spirituality.
He authored as many as 96 books and some of his famous books are Vaidiya Sigamani, Chendhooram-300, Mani-400, Sivajalam and Sakthijalam.
It is considered that he was the direct disciple of Lord Siva.
2. Thirumoolar-the Prince of Mystics
Thirumoolar is known as the prince of mystics.
Nandhidevar was his Guru.
The compiling of the magnum opus ‘Thirumanthiram’ went to him that deals with body and soul.
The book ‘Thirumanthiram’ is regarded as the Bible of Tantrik Yoga.
His famous literary works are ‘Thirumanthiram’ and Saiva ‘Siddhantham’ which contributed a lot in the field of Siddha system of medicine.
He was the great philosopher of atomic theory or nanotechnology.
His physiological principles are of great importance.
He gave much more thrust upon ‘sound mind in a sound body’.
3. Bogar-the propagator of spirituality
He spread the message of spirituality and propagated the same in China.
He is known for his contributions in the field of alchemy, medicine and yoga.
His works for the synthesis of mercury and arsenic compounds was praiseworthy.
He authored more than 42 books on Siddha medicine.
The statue of Lord Muruga which he created contains Nava Pasana (nine arsenic compounds).
4. Konganar- the son of Bogar
Konganar is the son of Bogar.
He is credited with more than 40 books based upon alchemy and elixir.
He had also expertise on philosophy, medicine and spirituality.
Kongunado is his birth place.
5. Therayar-master of astrology
He had mastery over astrology, mysticism, alchemy, medicine and language.
His scholarly aptitude and command over language were exceptional.
He had command over many languages such as Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Sanskrit.
His works on diseases and disorders are praiseworthy.
He was the disciple of Dharmasowmiyar.
6. Korakkar
Korakkar’s known works are Korakkar brahma gnanam 1, Korakkar brahma gnana soothiram and Korakkar karpa choothiram.
Korakkar mooli used by him in the preparations of poorna lehyam.
7. Karuvurar
The masterpiece of Karuvurar is Karuvurar vadha kaviyam, Karuvurar sive gnana bodhakam and Thiruisaippa.
Karuvurar had given great contributions in the construction of Tanjore Temple.
Owing to this, a special shrine has been made in the Tanjore temple itself.
8. Edaikkadar
His major contributions are rasavatham and kayakarpam
9. Chattamuni
Chattamuni is known for his contributions in the field of alchemy and 96 thathuvas.
Sattamuni pini gnanam100, Sattamuni vadha kaviyam 1000, Sattamuni vatha soothiram 200, Sattamuni gnana vailakkam 51 are his main masterpiece works.
10. Sundaranar
Sundaranar is known for his contributions in Sundaranar siva gnana yogam 32 and Sundaranar vakkya sutram 64.
He made surprised everyone by making of chunnam.
11. Ramadevar
Ramadevar’s major work is Ramadevar1000.
He was the disciple of Pulathiyar.
He has made major contributions in the development of Kayakalpa.
12. Pambatti
Attama siddhis (eight unique powers) of siddhars are enumerated in his works.
His major contributions are gnana siddhi that is having Aadu pambe means dancing snake.
13. Machamuni
His major contribution is Machendhra nadhar endra nondi siddhar padal
14. Kudambai
He is known for his works that are related with spiritual bliss and gnana yoga.
His major contribution is Kudambai siddhar padalgal.
15. Azhuganni Siddhar
His major work is Siddhar gnanakovai.
16. Agapai siddhar
His major work is Gnana siddhi
His place of Samadhi is considered to be Thiruvalankadu.
He was the disciple of Korakkar.
17. Nandhidevar
He is considered as the direct disciple of Lord Siva.
His major contribution is Nandhi kalai gnanam 1000.
He is regarded as the guru of gurus.
18. Kakapusundar
He was the disciple Agathiyar.
His major contributions are Pusundar mei gnana vilakkam-80, and pusundar gnanam-19.
Replies
The Siddha Lineage is the first and most primitive lineage of Ancient India flourishing from the Pre Vedic Era. To try and date the origin of the Siddhars is as difficult as finding chronological dates for Lord Siva. Yes, Lord Siva is taken to be the Adi Siddha – the Primal Siddha.
The beginning of this lineage travels back to when Lord Siva bequeathed the Divine Knowledge to His consort Goddess Parvathi. Goddess Parvathi then shared these sacred teachings to Nandhi Deva, who after receiving them graciously imparted it to Siddha Saint Thirumoolar, thereby granting him the blessing of the divine knowledge. From Siddha Thirumoolar the lineage, continues spreading throughout all the realms of Existence.
Although there are, hundreds of known and unknown Siddhas belonging to the Siddha Lineage, eighteen are declared as the prominent ones – ever living since the very ancient times. Some of the names of the Ancient Siddha Saints are mentioned at the end of this article.
The central stem of the Siddha Tradition branches out into three mainstreams lineages and are known by the names of their Founders –
Bala Varga Lineage- The Founder is Lord Murugan, who bestowed the sacred teachings to Guru Sage Agasthiyar.
Moola Varga – The Founder is Siddha Thirumoolar who imparted the teachings to Siddha Kaalanginathar, who in turn passed it to Siddha Boganath. Siddha Boganath and his successors spread the lineage far and wide across the planet.
Kailaya Varga – The founder is Siddha Kailaya Kampali Sattaimuni. From Him, Siddha Konganavar and other successors continue the lineage.
Overall, the Ancients followed varying approaches to spread their blessings and teachings; by various feats, through ascertaining Wandering Cults, Oral lineages, Guardian lineages etc. Teachings, written and recorded in cryptic verses have been handed down over the generations through palm leaf manuscripts.
This tradition is actually considered as the Mother Tradition of all present day spiritual sects and healing methods. The Siddhas worship Nature as the Mother. And they reveal to us many of her mysterious aspects for the well being of Humanity. As the worshippers of Nature, They love and adore Lord Siva, as the only Being animating all aspects of Nature.
Siddhars are people who are believed to control and transcend the barriers of time and space by meditation (Yoga), the use of substances called Rasayanas that transform the body to make it potentially deathless, and a particular type of Pranayama (breathing-practice). Through their practices they are believed to have reached stages of insight which enabled them to tune into the powers hidden in various material substances and practices.
To read the full article please download our Asana Journal App