Siddhas were human beings, who by consistent and regular practice of Yoga had elevated themselves spiritually.
The Yoga Sutra mentions the procedure to be followed to practice Yoga,” to communicate’-Yoga Patanjali means in Communion with the Reality.
For more on this, please read my series on Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, under Hinduism, Indian Philosophy..
There are two levels reached by the practitioner of Yoga.
Savikalpa Samadhi ,when the practitioner becomes a master of controlling the modifications of the Mind, is elevated, yet remains amidst the world of senses.
Example, Ramana Maharishi.
These people Realized The Reality and yet stay amidst the world, with all its joys and sorrows, unaffected by them.
Nirvakapla Samadhiis a State when the Realized one remains rooted in the Reality and do not return to the world of Senses at all.
Sri Ramakrishna Parahamsa.
Yet there are some souls who are on an intermediate plane.
This is because the remnants of the sense impressions do not get dissolved..
In such cases they are born as Yogis, most of the times, do not die in the normal sense a.
They linger in their Sookshma Sarrera of Subtle Body.
They, as befits a Master of Yoga, can attain the Eight special powers, Ashtama Siddhis.
- 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.
- Lagima (lightness) – Capacity to be quite light though big in size.
- Garima (weight) – Capacity to weigh heavy, though seemingly small size.
- Prapthi (fulfillment of desires) – Capacity to enter all the worlds from Brahma Loga to the neither world. It is the power of attaining everything desired.
- Prakasysm (irresistable 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.
- Isithavam (supremacy) – Have the creative power of God and control over the Sun, the moon and the elements and
- Vasithavam (dominion over the elements) – Power of control over all the living being. The power of changing the course of nature and assuming any form.
Please read my post on Why Yogis are reborn.
They transcend Time, Space, assume any form, cure illnesses.
They are more than The Mystics and in many a case are social reformers too.
These are called The Siddhars .
Siddhi means fruition.
The Siddhas have attained Fruition.
There are Eighteen Siddhars, as the legend goes.
Sri Thirumoolar
Sri Kuthambai
Sri Korakkar
Sri Thanvandri
Sri Sundaranandar
Sri Konganar
Sri Sattamuni
Sri Kakabujandar
Sri Ramadevar
Sri Sivavaakyiar
Sri Idaikkadar
Sri Machamuni
Sri Karuvoorar
Sri Bogar
Sri Pambatti
But the Siddhars are shy of revealing themselves.
There might be innumerable Siddhars around, of whom we know not.
Lord Shiva is described as the First Siddha as Yogeeswara.
Sage Agasthya is reported to be first Human Being to be elevated to the Status of a Siddha.
Agastya is classified as the Founder of the Tamil language along with Lord Shiva and Lord Subramanya.
He is also a Doctor of a class his own.
Many of his treatises on Medicine are followed by the Indian Medicine, Siddha Medicine.
A good site below On Alchemy. Siddhas were/are Alchemists.
http://www.levity.com/alchemy/tamil_si.html
Related Articles
- Who are Siddhas? (knowledgesharing.typepad.com)
- Yoga Can Be Without God, But…. Sutra 1.24. (ramanan50.wordpress.com)