Siddhar

The Siddhar (Tamil (romanized) cittar, from Sanskrit siddha)^[1] in Tamil tradition is a perfected individual who has attained spiritual powers called siddhi.

Agastya, the first Siddhar

Pambatti Siddhar Sannidhi at Marudamalai Temple

Historically, Siddhar also refers to the people who were early-age wandering adepts that dominated ancient Tamil teaching and philosophy. They were knowledgeable in science, technology, astronomy, literature, fine arts, music, drama, dance, and provided solutions to common people in their illness and advice for their future.^[2] Some of their ideologies are considered to have originated during the First Sangam period.^[3][4][5]

Practice

Siddhars were typically first scientists, saints, doctors, alchemists, and mystics all in one. They wrote their findings in the form of Tamil poems on palm leaf manuscripts. These are still owned by some families in Tamil Nadu and handed down through the generations, as well as being kept in universities in India, Germany, Great Britain, and the United States.^[6]

In this way, Siddhars developed the native Siddha medicine system. A rustic form of healing that is similar to Siddha medicine has since been practiced by experienced elders in the villages of Tamil Nadu. This is referred to as Paatti Vaitthiyam (grandmother's medicine) Naattu marunthu (folk medicine) and Mooligai marutthuvam (herbal medicine).

Siddhars are also believed to be the founders of Varma kalai - a martial art for self-defense and medical treatment at the same time. Varmam 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-defense, or balancing a physical condition as an easy first-aid medical treatment.

Tamil Siddhars were the first to develop pulse-reading (naadi paarththal in Tamil) to identify the origin of diseases.

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.

Siddhars

The Abithana Chintamani encyclopedia states that the Siddhars are of the 18 persons listed below, but sage Agastya states that there are many who precede and follow these.

The 18 Siddhars

 

Karuvoorar.

There are 18 siddhars in the Tamil Siddha tradition. They are^[7][8]

1. Nandeeswarar
2. Tirumular
3. Agastya
4. Kamalamuni (identified with Kalangi Nathar and/or Confucius)
5. Patanjali
6. Korakkar
7. Sundaranandar [ta]
8. Konganar [ta]
9. Sattaimuni [ta]
10. Vanmeegar (Valmiki)
11. Ramadevar [ta]
12. Dhanvantari
13. Idaikaadar
14. Machamuni (identified with Matsyendranatha)
15. Karuvurar
16. Bogar (identified with Laozi^[9])
17. Pambatti Siddhar
18. Kuthambai [ta]

Apart from the 18 Siddhars listed above, there is another list of 18 Siddhars who represent the 9 Navagrahas (with two Siddhars representing each Navagraha). All navagraha doshas and pariharams are performed to the Siddhars as Siddhar Velvi (Siddhar havan). The details of the 18 Siddhars who represent the 9 Navagrahas are as follows:

1. Sri Siva Vakya Siddhar - Moon
2. Sri Kailaya Kambili Sattai Muni Siddhar - Moon
3. Sri Bhogar Siddhar - Mars
4. Sri Kagabhujanga Siddhar - Jupiter
5. Sri Pullipani Siddhar - Mars
6. Sri Sattai Muni Siddhar - Kethu
7. Sri Agapai Siddhar - Jupiter
8. Sri Azhugani Siddhar - Rahu
9. Sri Kudambai Siddhar - Kethu
10. Sri Vallalar Siddhar - Mercury
11. Sri Edaikaddar Siddhar - Mercury
12. Sri Pattinathar Siddhar - Sun
13. Sri Kaduvelli Siddhar - Sun
14. Sri Kanjamalai Siddhar - Venus
15. Sri Sennimalai Siddhar - Venus
16. Sri Kapilar Siddhar - Saturn
17. Sri Karuvoorar Siddhar - Saturn
18. Sri Pambatti Siddhar - Rahu

There is a universal shrine for all the 18 Siddhars at Madambakkam in Chennai called Sri Chakra Mahameru Sri Seshadri Swamigal 18 Siddars Vrindavana Sakthi Peedam, built under the instruction from Sathguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal by Guruji.^{[citation needed]}

The supreme Siddhar is Lord Shiva himself.^{[citation needed]}

Powers of Siddhars

Siddhars are believed to have had both major and minor powers that are described in detail in various yogic and religious texts.^[10] They also are said to have the power of converting their mass to energy and thereby traveling to different universes.

1. Anima (shrinking) -- Power of becoming the size of an atom and entering the smallest beings
2. Mahima (illimitability) -- Power of becoming mighty and co-extensive with the universe. The power of increasing one's size without limit
3. Laghima (lightness) -- Capacity to be quite light though big in size
4. Garima (weight) -- Capacity to weigh a lot, though seemingly being small in size
5. Prapti (fulfillment of desires) -- Capacity to enter all the worlds from Brahma Loga to the nether world. It is the power of attaining everything desired
6. Prakasysm (irresistible will) -- Power of disembodying and entering into other bodies and going to heaven and enjoying what everyone aspires for, simply from where he stays
7. Ishtavam (supremacy) -- Have the creative power of God and control over the Sun, Moon and the elements
8. Vashitavam (dominion over the elements) -- Power of control over kings and gods. The power of changing the course of nature and assuming any form

These eight are the Great Siddhis (Ashtama siddhis), or Great Perfections.^[11]

See also

• Abithana Chintamani
• Avvaiyar
• Ayyavazhi mythology
• Bogar
• Mahasiddha
• Maruttuvar community
• Nayanars
• Siddha
• Tirumandhiram

Notes and references

1. Tamil Lexicon. University of Madras. p. 1410.
2. Meditation Revolution: A History and Theology of the Siddha Yoga Lineage. Motilal Banarsidass. 2000. ISBN 9788120816480.
3. S. Cunjithapatham, M. Arunachalam (1989). Musical tradition of Tamilnadu. International Society for the Investigation of Ancient Civilizations. p. 11.
4. Journal of Indian history, Volume 38. Dept. of History, University of Kerala. 1960.
5. Weiss, Richard (2009). Recipes for Immortality : Healing, Religion, and Community in South India: Healing, Religion, and Community in South India. Oxford University Press. p. 80. ISBN 9780199715008.
6. V. Jayaram. "Study of siddhas". Hinduwebsite.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
7. "18 siddhars". Palanitemples.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
8. "Siddhars". Sathuragiri.org. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
9. "Siddha Bhoganāthar: An Oceanic Life Story". palani.org.
10. Thirumandiram 668
11. "Ashtama Siddhis". Siddhars.com. Retrieved 22 June 2013.