![Pambatti siddhar sannidhi](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Pambatti_siddhar_sannidhi.jpg)
The Siddhar (Tamil: சித்தர் ''cittar'', from Sanskrit: ''
siddha
''Siddha'' (Sanskrit: '; "perfected one") is a term that is used widely in Indian religions and culture. It means "one who is accomplished." It refers to perfected masters who have achieved a high degree of physical as well as spiritual ...
'') in
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
* Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils
**Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia
* Tamil language, nativ ...
tradition is a perfected individual, who has attained spiritual powers called ''
siddhi
In Indian religions, (Sanskrit: '; fulfillment, accomplishment) are material, paranormal, supernatural, or otherwise magical powers, abilities, and attainments that are the products of yogic advancement through sādhanās such as meditation ...
''.
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. Some of their ideologies are considered to have originated during the
First Sangam
The First Sangam period () or the First Academy, also known as the Head Sangam period (), was a legendary period in the history of Ancient Tamilakam said to be the foremost of Tamil Sangams, known in the Tamil language as கூடல் (koodal) ...
period.
Practice
Siddhars were typically first scientists, saints, doctors, alchemists, and mystics all in one. They wrote their findings in the form of
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
* Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils
**Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia
* Tamil language, nativ ...
poems on
palm leaf manuscripts
Palm-leaf manuscripts are manuscripts made out of dried palm leaves. Palm leaves were used as writing materials in the Indian subcontinent and in Southeast Asia reportedly dating back to the 5th century BCE. Their use began in South Asia and sp ...
. 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.
Siddhars developed the
Siddha medicine
Siddha medicine is a form of traditional medicine originating in southern India. It is one of the oldest systems of medicine in India.
In rural India, have learned methods traditionally through master-disciple relationships to become loca ...
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
Varma Kalai (Tamil: ''varmakkalai'', Malayalam and Sanskrit: ''marma-vidya'', Sinhala: ''maru kalā'', Telugu: ''marma-vidya kaḷa'') is a Tamil traditional art of vital points. It originated in present-day Kanyakumari,Tamilnadu, the southern ...
- a martial art for
self-defense
Self-defense (self-defence primarily in Commonwealth English) is a countermeasure that involves defending the health and well-being of oneself from harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in ...
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
Agastya ( kn, ಅಗಸ್ತ್ಯ, ta, அகத்தியர், sa, अगस्त्य, te, అగస్త్యుడు, ml, അഗസ്ത്യൻ, hi, अगस्त्य) was a revered Indian sage of Hinduism. In the I ...
states that there are many who precede and follow these.
The 18 Siddhars
![Mahan Sri Karuvurar](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Mahan_Sri_Karuvurar.jpg)
There are 18 siddhars in the Tamil Siddha tradition. They are
Some ideas are on '
18 siddhars' which include 18 siddhar are a kind of designation or post where many siddhars are on time to time.
#
Nandeeswarar
#
Tirumular
Tirumular (also spelt Thirumoolar etc., originally known as Suntaranāthar) was a Tamil Shaivite mystic and writer, considered one of the sixty-three Nayanmars and one of the 18 Siddhars. His main work, the ''Tirumantiram'' (also sometimes wri ...
#
Agastya
Agastya ( kn, ಅಗಸ್ತ್ಯ, ta, அகத்தியர், sa, अगस्त्य, te, అగస్త్యుడు, ml, അഗസ്ത്യൻ, hi, अगस्त्य) was a revered Indian sage of Hinduism. In the I ...
# Kamalamuni
#
Patanjali
Patanjali ( sa, पतञ्जलि, Patañjali), also called Gonardiya or Gonikaputra, was a Hindu author, mystic and philosopher. Very little is known about him, and while no one knows exactly when he lived; from analysis of his works it i ...
#
Korakkar
Korakkar is originally a Tamil Siddhar, and one of the 18 celebrated siddhars of Tamilnadu. He is none other than Gorakhnath, the Siddha as he is venerated throughout India. He was a student of the Siddhars Agathiyar and Bogar, and is mentioned var ...
# Sundaranandar
#
Konganar
# Sattamuni
# Vanmeegar
# Ramadevar
# Dhanvanthri
#
Idaikkadar
Idaikaadar (Tamil: இடைக்காடர்) was a Tamil siddhar of the Sangam period. He authored verse 54 of the Tiruvalluva Maalai.
Biography
Unlike Idaikaadanar of the Sangam period, who was a poet by profession, Idaikaadar was a sidd ...
# Machamuni
#
Karuvoorar
#
Bogar
Bogar, Bhogar, or Boganathar was a Tamil Shaivite Siddhar who lived sometime between 550 and 300 BC. He was a disciple of Kalangi Nathar. He was born in Vaigavur near Palani Hills. He received his education from his mother and his grand father d ...
#
Pambatti Siddhar
Pambatti siddhar was one of the 18 siddhars, a lineage of monks or sages who lived at various time periods in India, mainly southern India. Some of his poems, roughly around 600 lines of text are available today. His poems are written in Tamil and ...
# Kuthambai
#
Apart from the 18 siddars listed above, there is another list of 18 siddars who represent the 9 navagrahas (two siddars represent each navagraha) all navagraha doshas /pariharams are performed to the siddars as Siddar Velvi (siddar havan). The details of the 18 siddars who represent the 9 navagrahas are as follows:
# Sri Siva Vakya Siddar - Moon
# Sri Kailaya Kambili Sattai Muni Siddar - Moon
# Sri Bhogar siddar - Mars
# Sri Kagabhujanga siddar - Jupiter
# Sri Pullipanisiddar - Mars
# Sri Sattai Muni siddar- Kethu
# Sri Agapaisiddar - Jupiter
# sri Azhugani siddar -Raghu
# Sri Kudambai siddar - Kethu
# Sri Vallalarsiddar - Mercury
# Sri Edaikaddar siddar -Mercury
# Sri Pattinathar siddar- Sun
# Sri Kaduvelli siddar- Sun
# Sri Kanjamalai siddar - Venus
# Sri Sennimalai siddar- Venus
# Sri Kapilar siddar -Saturn
# Sri Karuvoorar siddar-Saturn
# Sri Pambatti siddar -Raghu
There is a universal shrine for all the 18 Siddars at Madambakkam in Chennai called SriChakra Mahameru Sri Seshadri Swamigal 18 siddars Vrindavana Sakthi Peedam built under the instruction from Sathguru Sri Seshadri Swamigal by Guruji.
The supreme Siddhar is Lord
Shiva
Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
himself.
Powers of siddhar
The siddhars are believed to have had both major and minor powers which are described in detail in various yogic and religious texts. They also are said to have the power of converting their mass to energy and thereby traveling to different universes.
# Anima (shrinking) -- Power of becoming the size of an atom and entering the smallest beings
# Mahima (illimitability) -- Power of becoming mighty and co-extensive with the universe. The power of increasing one's size without limit
# Laghima (lightness) -- Capacity to be quite light though big in size
# Garima (weight) -- Capacity to weigh a lot, though seemingly being small in size
# Prapti (fulfillment of desires) -- Capacity to enter all the worlds from
Brahma Loga
According to Ayyavazhi mythology there are Seven Logas (Seven Upper Worlds). The Sanskrit term for Loga is "''loka''." Akilam six and Akilam seven of Akilattirattu Ammanai speaks about it. The Seven logas are;
# Deivaloka (the Sanskrit term f ...
to the nether world. It is the power of attaining everything desired
# 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
# Ishtavam (supremacy) -- Have the creative power of God and control over the Sun, Moon and the elements
# 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.
At present, Siddars are there in Tamil Nadu. Thiruvannamali may be hosting many Siddhars who may be worshiping lord Siva.
Siddhar or Sithar Verses/Songs:
One verses from Thirumandhiram.
"''உடம்பார் அழியில் உயிரார் அழிவர்''
''திடம்பட மெய்ஞ்ஞானஞ் சேரவு மாட்டார்''
''உடம்பை வளர்க்கும் உபாயம் அறிந்தே''
''உடம்பை வளர்த்தேன் உயிர்வளர்த் தேனே''"
See also
*
Abithana Chintamani
*
Avvaiyar
Avvaiyar (Tamil: ஔவையார்) was the title of more than one female poet who were active during different periods of Tamil literature. They were some of the most famous and important female poets of the Tamil canon.
Abidhana Chinta ...
*
Ayyavazhi mythology
Ayyavazhi mythology is the mythology of the South Indian Hindu denomination religious faith known as Ayyavazhi, which is officially considered a Hindu sect. The main source of Ayyavazhi mythology is the Ayyavazhi scripture, Akilathirattu Amm ...
*
Bogar
Bogar, Bhogar, or Boganathar was a Tamil Shaivite Siddhar who lived sometime between 550 and 300 BC. He was a disciple of Kalangi Nathar. He was born in Vaigavur near Palani Hills. He received his education from his mother and his grand father d ...
*
Mahasiddha
Mahasiddha (Sanskrit: ''mahāsiddha'' "great adept; ) is a term for someone who embodies and cultivates the " siddhi of perfection". A siddha is an individual who, through the practice of sādhanā, attains the realization of siddhis, psychic ...
*
Maruttuvar community
*
Nayanars
The Nayanars (or Nayanmars; ta, நாயன்மார், translit=Nāyaṉmār, translit-std=ISO, lit=hounds of Siva, and later 'teachers of Shiva ) were a group of 63 Tamil Hindu saints living during the 6th to 8th centuries CE who were de ...
*
Siddha
''Siddha'' (Sanskrit: '; "perfected one") is a term that is used widely in Indian religions and culture. It means "one who is accomplished." It refers to perfected masters who have achieved a high degree of physical as well as spiritual ...
*
Tirumandhiram
The ''Tirumantiram or Thirumantiram'' is a Tamil poetic work, written either in the 6th century CE or post 10th century CE by Tirumular and is the tenth of the twelve volumes of the ''Tirumurai'', the key texts of Saiva Siddhanta and the first k ...
* It is believed that Thirumandhiram was written by Thirumoolar siddhar.
Notes and references
{{reflist
External links
Thamizh Siddhars Info PageShaivism Home pageThe 18 Siddhars
Tamil-language literature
Tamil history
*
Tamil Hindu literature