Siddhars are saints in India, mostly of the Saivaite denomination in Tamil Nadu, who professed and practised an unorthodox type of
SadhanaSādhanā , is a term for "a means of accomplishing something" or more specifically "spiritual practice". It includes a variety of disciplines from Hindu and Buddhist traditions that are followed in order to achieve various spiritual or ritual objectives. The word is also used in the same...
, or spiritual practice, to attain liberation. Yogic powers called
SiddhiSiddhi is a Sanskrit word that literally means "perfection", "accomplishment", "attainment", or "success". It is also used as a term for spiritual power . The term is used in that sense in Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism...
s are acquired by constant practice of certain yogic disciplines. Those who acquire these Siddhis are called Siddhas.
Siddhars are people who are believed to control and transcend the barriers of time and space by meditation (
YogaYoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. In Hinduism, it also refers to one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, and to the goal toward which that school directs...
), after the use of substances called Rasayanas that transform the body to make it potentially deathless, and a particular breathing-practice, a type of
PranayamaPranayama is a Sanskrit word meaning "restraint of the prana or breath". The word is composed of two Sanskrit words, Prāna, life force, or vital energy, particularly, the breath, and "āyāma", to suspend or restrain. It is often translated as control of the life force...
.
Siddhars are saints in India, mostly of the Saivaite denomination in Tamil Nadu, who professed and practised an unorthodox type of
SadhanaSādhanā , is a term for "a means of accomplishing something" or more specifically "spiritual practice". It includes a variety of disciplines from Hindu and Buddhist traditions that are followed in order to achieve various spiritual or ritual objectives. The word is also used in the same...
, or spiritual practice, to attain liberation. Yogic powers called
SiddhiSiddhi is a Sanskrit word that literally means "perfection", "accomplishment", "attainment", or "success". It is also used as a term for spiritual power . The term is used in that sense in Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism...
s are acquired by constant practice of certain yogic disciplines. Those who acquire these Siddhis are called Siddhas.
Siddhars are people who are believed to control and transcend the barriers of time and space by meditation (
YogaYoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India. The word is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. In Hinduism, it also refers to one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, and to the goal toward which that school directs...
), after the use of substances called Rasayanas that transform the body to make it potentially deathless, and a particular breathing-practice, a type of
PranayamaPranayama is a Sanskrit word meaning "restraint of the prana or breath". The word is composed of two Sanskrit words, Prāna, life force, or vital energy, particularly, the breath, and "āyāma", to suspend or restrain. It is often translated as control of the life force...
. 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, useful for suffering and ignorant mankind. Typically Siddhars were saints, doctors, alchemists and mysticists all at once. They wrote their findings, in the form of poems in Tamil language, on palm leaf which are collected and stored in what are known today as
Palm leaf manuscriptPalm leaf manuscripts are manuscripts made out of dried palm leaves and served as the paper of the ancient world in parts of Asia as far back as the fifteenth century BC. They were used to record actual and mythical narratives in South Asia and in South East Asia...
, today still owned by private families in Tamil Nadu and handed down through the generations, as well as public institutions such as Universities the world over (India, Germany, Great Britain, U.S.A.).
In this way Siddhars developed, among other branches of a vast knowledge-system, what is now known as
SiddhaA siddha सिद्ध in Sanskrit means "one who is accomplished" and refers to perfected masters who, according to Hindu belief, have transcended the ahamkara , have subdued their minds to be subservient to their Awareness, and have transformed their bodies into a different kind of body dominated by...
medicine, practised mainly in Tamil Nadu as Traditional native
medicineMedicine is the art and science of healing. It encompasses a range of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
. A rustic form of healing that is similar to
SiddhaA siddha सिद्ध in Sanskrit means "one who is accomplished" and refers to perfected masters who, according to Hindu belief, have transcended the ahamkara , have subdued their minds to be subservient to their Awareness, and have transformed their bodies into a different kind of body dominated by...
medicine has since been practised by experienced elderly in the villages of Tamil Nadu, and is popularly known as
Paatti Vaitthiyam, Naattu marunthu and
Mooligai marutthuvam They are also founders of Varmam - a martial art for self-defence and medical treatment at the same time. Varmams are specific points located in the human body which when pressed in different ways can give various results, such as disabling an attacker in self-defence, or balancing a physical condition as an easy first-aid medical treatment.
Siddhars have also written many religious poems. It is believed that most of them have lived for ages, in a mystic mountain called Sathuragiri, near Thanipparai village in Tamil Nadu
One of the best-known Siddhars was Agasthyar or Agasthya, who is believed to be the founding father of Siddha culture.
Abithana ChintamaniAbithana Chitamani is an encyclopedia on Tamil Literature written by A. Singaravelu Mudaliar . It is said that this is the first encyclopedia on Tamil Literature. The first edition, which contains a recommendation dated 1899 by V. Kanakasabai Pillai, appeared in 1910 and contained 1050 pages...
states Siddhars are either of the 9 or 18 persons enlisted, but sage Agastyar states that there are many who precede these and follow 9 or 18 persons. Many of the great Siddhars are regarded to have powers magical and spiritual.
All Siddhars in order
All Sitthars were among the highest disciples of God
ShivaShiva , also known as Rudra is a major Hindu god and one aspect of Trimurti. In the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism, Shiva is seen as the Supreme God...
, and are considered equal in their powers and devotion to the supreme God.
- Lord Nandi, principal disciple of God Siva
- Agastyar Maha Munivar disciple of Lord Muruga from Anantasayana, head of the monasteries at Pothigai
The Pothigai Malai , also known as the Agasthiyar Malai, is in the Ashambu hills, part of the Annamalai Hills in the Western Ghats of Southern India. Legend says that Sage Agastya created the Tamil language here....
and Kumbakonam
- Boagar of Pazhani, disciple of Agathiyar and Kalangi Nathar, 12th c. BCE
- Thaeraiyar Muni of Ten Pothigai, disciple of Agastya
Agathiyar was a Vedic Siddhar or sage. Agathiyar and his clan are also credited to have "authored" many mantras of the Rig Veda, the earliest and most revered Hindu scripture, in the sense of first having the mantras revealed in his mind by the Supreme Brahman. Agathiyar is also the author of...
, 10th c. BCE
- Kalaingai Nathar of Kalahastri monastery,10th c.BCE
- Korakkar of Paerur, from Thirukonamalai monastery, ?4th c. BCE
- Pulippaani of Pazhani
- Thadangann Siddhar
- BramhaMuni, ?3rd c. BCE
- Machamuni of Thirupparankundram, ?3rd c. BCE
- Poonaikkannanaar of Egypt, ?3rd c.BCE
- Romamunivar of Rome, ?2nd c. BCE
- Kaaraichchiththar, ?2nd c.BCE
- Kudhambai Siddhar of Mayilaaduthurai and Kumbakonam, ?2nd c. BCE
- Kabilar I of Mithila, 2nd c. BCE.
- Kaagaivanna Siddhar[i] of Kediya(South Sri Lanka), from Pothigai monastery, 2nd c. BCE
- Dhanvantri from Kasi, of Vaitheeswaran Koil, ?1st c. BCE
- Valmiki
Valmiki is celebrated as the poet harbinger in Sanskrit literature. He is the author of the epic, Ramayana, based on the attribution in the text of the epic itself. He is revered as the Adi Kavi, which means First Poet, for he discovered the first śloka i.e...
, aka Vaanmeegar of Ettukkudi, ?1st c. BCE
- Maarkkandeyanaar
- Koonkannar
- Kaalaichchittar II
- Konganar of Tirupati
Tirupati is a major pilgrimage city located in the southeastern part of Andhra Pradesh, in Chittoor district, India. It is located at the foothills of Eastern Ghats. Tirupati is famous for the 'Sri Venkateswara temple' in the hallowed Tirumala hills at an elevation of 860m...
, 1st c. BCE
- Punnaakkeesar from Naangunaeri, head of Saanganachaeri monastery, 1st c. BCE
- Karuvurar from Karuvur monastery
- Kaaduvelichchiththar
- Aenaathichchittar, 2nd c. CE
- Idaikkaadar of Oosimuri(in Thondai Nadu), from ThiruAnnaamalai monastery, ?2nd-3rd c. BCE
- Pulasthiyarfrom Maanthai, head of Aavudaiyaar Koil and Yaazhppaanam monasteries, 3rd c. CE
- KamalaMuni of Thiruvaarur, ?4th c. BCE
- Patanjali
Patañjali is the compiler of the Yoga Sutras, an important collection of aphorisms on Yoga practice, and also the author of the Mahābhāṣya, a major commentary on Panini's Ashtadhyayi...
of Rameswaram, 4th c. BCE
- Azhaganiyaar of Nagapattinam, ?4th c. CE
- Kailasanathar, 5th c. CE
- Kuranguchchittar of Pazhani, 5th c. CE
- Sattaimuni of ThiruArangam
Srirangam , also known as Thiruvarangam, is an island and a zone in the city of Tiruchirapalli , in South India. Srirangam is bounded by the Kaveri River on one side, and the Kaveri distributary Kollidam on the other side...
, ?5th c. CE
- Vaamathevar of Azhagarmalai, ?5th c. CE
- Agappaei Siddhar of Azhagarmalai, ?3rd c. CE
- Sivavaakkiyar from Kollimalai, of Thirumazhisai monastery, ?4-5th c. CE
- Sundarandandar of Madurai, ?5th c. CE
- Ramadevar of Azhagarmalai
- Thirumoolar
Tirumular was a Tamil Shaivite mystic and writer, considered one of the sixty-three Nayanars and one of the 18 Siddhars...
from ThiruAaAduthurai, of ThiruAathavoor monastery, head of Thillai Citrambalam[i] The Sangam period is the earliest historical period in the history of South India, spanning about the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE...
monastery, 8th c. BCE
- Sri Jnyaaneswar of Gujarat
- Kaagapujundar, Leader for all nathats, 8 BCE
- VaasaMuni
- KoormaMuni
- Visvamitrar
- Kumbhamuni
- Kaduveli of Irumbai
Irumbai is a village situated next to Auroville in Tamil Nadu, nearly 10km from Pondicherry. It has an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva situated there namely Magakaleswarar, MagaKalanathar and goddess MathuraSundaraNayagi,Kuil Mozhiyammai...
- Nandeeswarar
Nandeeswarar Temple is located in Adambakkam in Chennai. It is closest to St. Thomas Mount suburban railway station. It is famous and popularly referred to as Sivan kovil among the localites...
of Kasi, from Thillai monastery, 6th c. CE
- Pattinattaar of Pugaar, 7th c. CE
- Karuvoorar from Karuvoor, of Thanjai monastery, master of Rajaraja Chola, 10th c. CE
- Pambatti Siddhar
Pambatti siddhar was the latest from the 18 siddhars who lived at various time periods in India and mainly southern India. Some of his poems, roughly around 600 lines of text are available today. His poems are written in Tamil and he is famous for finishing his poems with the term 'Addu Pambe'...
from Jnaneswaram(Sarankovil), of Vilaimalai( Vriddhachalam ) monastery, 15th c.
- Vaalai Siddhar of Valangaimaan
- Edaikadar II, ?15th c. CE
- Ganapathi Siddhar
- Subrahmanya Siddhar
- Sooriyaananthar
- Lokaayuthar
- Bathragiriyaar of Badrachalam, from Thillai monastery
- Kalunni Siddhar
- Naga Siddhar (mahavatar babaji) disciple of Agathiyar and Bogar, 203th,from Himalaya
- ArunaGiri Nathar 1500th,from Thiruvanamalai
The 9 siddhars
The 9 listed as Abithana Chintamani states is as follows:
- Sathyanathar
- Sadhoganathar
- Aadhinathar
- Anadhinathar
- Vegulinathar
- Madhanganathar
- Machaendranathar
- Gadaendranathar or Gajendranathar
- Korakkanathar
The 18 siddhars
The list of 18 siddhars is:
- Agastyar
- Bogar
- Korakkar
- Kalanginathar
- SattaiMuni
- Tirumoolar
- Nandhi
- Therayar
- Konganar
- MachaMuni
- Karuvoorar
- Patanjaliyar
- Edaikaadar
- KamalaMuni
- Punnakeesar
- Sundarandandar
- Romarishi
- Pulipani
Powers of siddhars
The siddhars are believed to have had powers both major and other ‘minor’ powers. They are explained in detail in various yogic as well as religious texts;Thirumandiram 668:
- To become tiny as the atom
The atom is a basic unit of matter consisting of a dense, central nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons. The atomic nucleus contains a mix of positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons...
within the atom (Anima)
- To become big in unshakeable proportions (Mahima)
- To become as light as vapour in levitation
Levitation is the process by which an object is suspended against gravity, in a stable position, without physical contact....
(Laghima)
- To become as heavy as the mountain
A mountain is a large landform that stretches above the surrounding land in a limited area usually in the form of a peak. A mountain is generally steeper than a hill. The adjective montane is used to describe mountainous areas and things associated with them...
(Garima)
- To enter into other bodies in transmigration (Prapti)
- To be everywhere in omnipresence (Vasitvam)
- To be in all things,omni-pervasive (Prakamya)
- To be lord of all creation in omnipotence (Isatvam)
These eight are the Great Siddhis, or
Great PerfectionsThe following eight great perfections is a summary of the explanation of the Mahasiddhas from the commentary by Vyasa.# Power of becoming minute .# Power of expansion in space .# Power of becoming heavy ....
.
See also
- Siddha
A siddha सिद्ध in Sanskrit means "one who is accomplished" and refers to perfected masters who, according to Hindu belief, have transcended the ahamkara , have subdued their minds to be subservient to their Awareness, and have transformed their bodies into a different kind of body dominated by...
- Thirumoolar
Tirumular was a Tamil Shaivite mystic and writer, considered one of the sixty-three Nayanars and one of the 18 Siddhars...
- Thirumandhiram
The Tirumantiram, is a Tamil religious poetic work written in the tenth CCE by Tirumular. It consists of over three thousand verses dealing with various aspects of spirituality, ethics and praise of the Hindu God Shiva....
- Bogar
- Kumba Muni
- Avaiyar
- Abithana Chintamani
Abithana Chitamani is an encyclopedia on Tamil Literature written by A. Singaravelu Mudaliar . It is said that this is the first encyclopedia on Tamil Literature. The first edition, which contains a recommendation dated 1899 by V. Kanakasabai Pillai, appeared in 1910 and contained 1050 pages...
- Encyclopedia of Tamil Literature
- Ayyavazhi mythology
Ayyavazhi mythology is the mythology of the growing South Indian religious faith and a sect of Hinduism known as Ayyavazhi. The main source of Ayyavazhi mythology is the Ayyavazhi scripture, Akilattirattu Ammanai, and its supplement, Arul Nool. The Akilattirattu Ammanai is a recitation by Mayon to...
- Nayanmars
- Mahasiddha
Mahasiddha is a term for someone who embodies and cultivates siddhi of perfection...
- nyanasiddha
External links