Very often we come across the word Siddha-purusha. Immediately the following questions arise in our mind. Exactly what this word means? What is meant by Siddhi? What is meant by Ashta-maha-siddhi? Does it reduce the greatness of yogis when they use it for their own benefits? Are they then worthy of worship? The answers to these questions were obtained from the lectures published in a book authored by Gurumaharaj Swami Shivananda of Divine Life Society.
Siddhis are the attainments of certain powers due to Tapas and Yoga i.e. due to spiritual advancement of a person.
According to Shaiva siddhanta, siddhi is explained as the extra-ordinary power of the soul developed due to tapashcharya or yoga or meditation.
A spiritually advanced person who has obtained these powers is known as siddha or siddha-purusha.
There are primarily 8 siddhis known as Ashta-maha-siddhis.
1. Anima: By this power the Siddha can reduce himself to the smallest possible size.
2. Mahima: This power helps the siddha to expand his body to infinitely large size.
3. Garima: By inhaling air the siddha can become infinitely heavy
4. Laghima : By inhaling air (vayu) the siddha can make his body weightless
5. Prapti: By this the siddha can reach the sky. He can estimate the future. He can read other’s mind. Can converse with the dead. Can understand the conversation of birds and animals. He can cure diseases. He can be anywhere at will.
6. Prakamya: The siddha can remain underwater for any length of time. He can realize whatever one desires. His soul can enter from one body to another. There are instances stated in our scripture about these powers.
a. It is stated that Trailanga Swami stayed underwater for six months in Varanasi.
b. Adi Shankaracharya entered the body of King of Kashi
c. The great Saint of south, Tirumular entered into the body of shepherd.
7. Vashitva: By this power he could control natural forces and wild animals. He can also attract and mesmerize people easily.
8. Ishatva: By this he can get power to manifest anywhere as god or human. He can also bring back the dead to life.
There are instances where yogis have used these powers for the benefit of self. They cannot be considered as Dnyanis or Holi persons i.e. they are not worthy of worship.
But there are large number of persons who have used their powers for the welfare of human beings, have spread love, friendship, affection, good manners and habits. They are the persons worthy of worship.
The above narration can be considered as answers for above questions.
But I came across some more details while browsing through the Purans. In Bhagwat Puran I found the following Siddhis were explained.
1. Trikaal Dnyan: Knowing the past present and future.
2. Advandvam: Tolerance of cold and heat and other dualities
3. Parachitta Abhidnyata : Reading the minds of others and so on
4. Agni, arka, abu, visha, adhinam (etc) pratistambhah – controlling the influence of fire, sun, water, poison etc
5. Aparajaya – remaining unconquered
Besides these, 10 secondary siddhis were described by Lord Krishna.
1. Anurmimattvam : remaining without thirst, hunger and other body appetite.
2. Dura-shravana: Hearing things from far away
3. Duradarshanam : Citing things from far away
4. Manojavah : Moving where ever thought goes. (Astral travel or projection)
5. Kamarupana: Assuming any desired form
6. Parakaya-pravesham: Entering the bodies of others
7. Swacchanda-mrutyu: Dying when one desires
8. Yatha-sankalp-samadhi: Perfect accomplishment of one according to his determination
9. Devanam-saha-krida-anudarshanam : Witnessing and participating in the pastime of Gods
10. Adnya-prati-hat-gati: Orders or commands being impeded
In Samkhyakarika and Tattva-amsa it is stated that by gaining the following eight siddhis one becomes free from the pain of ignorance, gains knowledge and experiences bliss
1. Uuha: Based on samskars of previous births one attains knowledge of 24 tatvas by examining the determinable and indeterminable, conscious and non-conscious constituents of creation.
2. Shabda: Guru upaadesh (knowledge) obtained by the association of enlightened person (Guru)
3. Adhyayan: Knowledge obtained due to the study of Vedas, Smrutis, Upanishads and Puran
4. Shruti-prapti: Knowledge obtained from a person engaged in the spread of knowledge (Acharya)
5. Daan: Gained by attending on those persons who are in search of highest spiritual bliss
6. Adhyatmik-dukha-hanan: Obtaining freedom from pain, distress etc arising due to lack of spiritual metaphysical and mystique knowledge and experience
7. Adhibhoutik-dukha-hanan: Freedom from pain and distress arising out of possessing and being attached to materialistic gains
8. Adhidaivik-dukha-hanan: Freedom from pain and distress caused by fate.
These eight siddhis help in eliminating all kinds of physical and mental pains and help in attaining liberation.
Siddhis are the attainments of certain powers due to Tapas and Yoga i.e. due to spiritual advancement of a person.
According to Shaiva siddhanta, siddhi is explained as the extra-ordinary power of the soul developed due to tapashcharya or yoga or meditation.
A spiritually advanced person who has obtained these powers is known as siddha or siddha-purusha.
There are primarily 8 siddhis known as Ashta-maha-siddhis.
1. Anima: By this power the Siddha can reduce himself to the smallest possible size.
2. Mahima: This power helps the siddha to expand his body to infinitely large size.
3. Garima: By inhaling air the siddha can become infinitely heavy
4. Laghima : By inhaling air (vayu) the siddha can make his body weightless
5. Prapti: By this the siddha can reach the sky. He can estimate the future. He can read other’s mind. Can converse with the dead. Can understand the conversation of birds and animals. He can cure diseases. He can be anywhere at will.
6. Prakamya: The siddha can remain underwater for any length of time. He can realize whatever one desires. His soul can enter from one body to another. There are instances stated in our scripture about these powers.
a. It is stated that Trailanga Swami stayed underwater for six months in Varanasi.
b. Adi Shankaracharya entered the body of King of Kashi
c. The great Saint of south, Tirumular entered into the body of shepherd.
7. Vashitva: By this power he could control natural forces and wild animals. He can also attract and mesmerize people easily.
8. Ishatva: By this he can get power to manifest anywhere as god or human. He can also bring back the dead to life.
There are instances where yogis have used these powers for the benefit of self. They cannot be considered as Dnyanis or Holi persons i.e. they are not worthy of worship.
But there are large number of persons who have used their powers for the welfare of human beings, have spread love, friendship, affection, good manners and habits. They are the persons worthy of worship.
The above narration can be considered as answers for above questions.
But I came across some more details while browsing through the Purans. In Bhagwat Puran I found the following Siddhis were explained.
1. Trikaal Dnyan: Knowing the past present and future.
2. Advandvam: Tolerance of cold and heat and other dualities
3. Parachitta Abhidnyata : Reading the minds of others and so on
4. Agni, arka, abu, visha, adhinam (etc) pratistambhah – controlling the influence of fire, sun, water, poison etc
5. Aparajaya – remaining unconquered
Besides these, 10 secondary siddhis were described by Lord Krishna.
1. Anurmimattvam : remaining without thirst, hunger and other body appetite.
2. Dura-shravana: Hearing things from far away
3. Duradarshanam : Citing things from far away
4. Manojavah : Moving where ever thought goes. (Astral travel or projection)
5. Kamarupana: Assuming any desired form
6. Parakaya-pravesham: Entering the bodies of others
7. Swacchanda-mrutyu: Dying when one desires
8. Yatha-sankalp-samadhi: Perfect accomplishment of one according to his determination
9. Devanam-saha-krida-anudarshanam : Witnessing and participating in the pastime of Gods
10. Adnya-prati-hat-gati: Orders or commands being impeded
In Samkhyakarika and Tattva-amsa it is stated that by gaining the following eight siddhis one becomes free from the pain of ignorance, gains knowledge and experiences bliss
1. Uuha: Based on samskars of previous births one attains knowledge of 24 tatvas by examining the determinable and indeterminable, conscious and non-conscious constituents of creation.
2. Shabda: Guru upaadesh (knowledge) obtained by the association of enlightened person (Guru)
3. Adhyayan: Knowledge obtained due to the study of Vedas, Smrutis, Upanishads and Puran
4. Shruti-prapti: Knowledge obtained from a person engaged in the spread of knowledge (Acharya)
5. Daan: Gained by attending on those persons who are in search of highest spiritual bliss
6. Adhyatmik-dukha-hanan: Obtaining freedom from pain, distress etc arising due to lack of spiritual metaphysical and mystique knowledge and experience
7. Adhibhoutik-dukha-hanan: Freedom from pain and distress arising out of possessing and being attached to materialistic gains
8. Adhidaivik-dukha-hanan: Freedom from pain and distress caused by fate.
These eight siddhis help in eliminating all kinds of physical and mental pains and help in attaining liberation.
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