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Agasthyar, a famous Tamil/Vedic Siddhar
Pambatti siddhar sannidhi at Marudamalai Temple

Siddhars (Tamil: சித்தர், 'Chitthar', a variant English spelling) are saints in India, mostly of the Saivaite denomination in Tamil Nadu, who professed and practised an unorthodox type of Sadhana, or spiritual practice, to attain liberation. Yogic powers called Siddhis are acquired by constant practice of certain yogic disciplines. Those who acquire these Siddhis are called Siddhas.[1] These sidhars can be compared to Mystics of the western civilization.





In this way Siddhars developed, among other branches of a vast knowledge-system, what is now known as Siddha medicine, practised mainly in Tamil Nadu as Traditional native medicine. A rustic form of healing that is similar to Siddha medicine has since been practised by experienced elderly in the villages of Tamil Nadu. (This has been misunderstood as Paatti Vaitthiyam, Naattu marunthu and Mooligai marutthuvam. While paati vaitthiyam or naatu marunthu is traditional Tamil medicine and mooligai marutthuvam is ayurvedic medicine.) They are also founders of Varmam - a martial art for self-defence 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-defence, 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. This method was later copied and used in ayurvedha.[3]

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.

Some Siddhars[edit]

Abithana Chintamani 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.[citation needed]

The 9 siddhars[edit]

The 9 listed as Abithana Chintamani states is as follows:

  1. Sathyanathar
  2. Sathoganathar
  3. Aadhinathar
  4. Anadhinathar
  5. Vegulinathar
  6. Madhanganathar
  7. Machaendranathar
  8. Gadaendranathar or Gajendranathar
  9. Korakkanathar

The 18 siddhars[edit]

There are 18 siddhars in the Tamil siddha tradition. They are[4][5]

  1. Thiru Patanjali Siddhar
  2. Thiru Agastya Siddhar
  3. Thiru Kamalamuni Siddhar
  4. Thiru Thirumoolar Siddhar
  5. Thiru Kuthambai Siddhar
  6. Thiru Korakkar Siddhar
  7. Thiru Thanvandri Siddhar
  8. Thiru Konganar Siddhar
  9. Thiru Sattamuni Siddhar
  10. Thiru Vanmeegar Siddhar
  11. Thiru Ramadevar Siddhar
  12. Thiru Nandeeswarar (Nandidevar) Siddhar
  13. Thiru Edaikkadar Siddhar
  14. Thiru Machamuni Siddhar
  15. Thiru Karuvoorar Siddhar
  16. Thiru Bogar Siddhar
  17. Thiru Pambatti Siddhar
  18. Thiru Sundarandandar

All Siddhars were among the highest disciples of God Shiva, and are considered equal in their powers and devotion to the supreme God.[citation needed]

Powers of siddhars[edit]

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.[6] They also have the power converting their mass to energy and thereby travel in space in light speed to different universes.

  5. Prapthi (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 (metempsychosis) and going to heaven and enjoying what everyone aspires for, simply from where he stays
  7. Isithavam (supremacy) -- Have the creative power of god and control over the sun, the moon and the elements
  8. Vasithavam (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.[7]

See also[edit]

Subbhaiya Swamigal of Tirukalukundram, Chengal Pattu region, Kanchi puram Dt of Tamil Nadu is famous in the thirukalukunadam taluk. there is a cave temple worshipped in the thirukalukunram main temple.

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ "The Science of Pranayama" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-06-22. 
  2. ^ V. Jayaram. "Study of siddhas". Retrieved 2013-06-22. 
  3. ^ Dr. J. Raamachandran, Herbs of Siddha Mediicines/The First 3D book, pp.iii
  4. ^ "18 siddhars". Retrieved 2013-06-22. 
  5. ^ "Siddhars". Retrieved 2013-06-22. 
  6. ^ Thirumandiram 668
  7. ^ "Ashtama Siddhis". Retrieved 2013-06-22. 

External links[edit]