SIDDHARS

About Siddhar's (Siddha's)

Who is a siddha ? A siddha is one who has attained siddhi, i.e. "power, prowess, strength, ability", then a special kind of psychic and supernatural, miraculous, occult power. There are eight kinds of super natural powers called as "Ashtama Siddhis":

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. Lagima (lightness) -- Capacity to be quite light though big in size.
4. Garima (weight) -- Capacity to weigh heavy, though seemingly small size.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Isithavam (supremacy) -- Have the creative power of God and control over the Sun, the moon and the elements and
8. Vasithavam (dominion over the elements) -- Power of control over King and Gods. The power of changing the course of nature and assuming any form.

A classical definition of siddhas is given by Siddhar Thirumoolar: "Those who live in yoga and see the divine light and power through yoga are the siddhars (Tamil Chittar)".
According to Kamil Zvelebil, there are some features which are typical for all or almost all siddhars as a body of thinkers.

• First, in sharp opposition to the bhakti tradition, they refuse to allow themselves be carried away by idol worship in particular temples.
• Second, in contrast to bhakti which emphasizes passionate devotion to God, the siddhar emphasize knowledge, yoga practice, and character, moral behavior, right conduct. Anger, lust and egoism are the worst sins.
• Third, almost all siddhar's raise a protest against caste and casteism.

The whole atmosphere of siddha thinking is empirical and experimental. Their writings are not in the nature of clear cut formalized statements of any well defined doctrine. Hence, it is difficult to extricate a philosophical system out of their writings, at least at the present state of our knowledge of their works. However, it is possible to point out a few essential features, and one day, when their writings are better known, it should be possible to state their philosophy more explicitly.
This web site is devoted to publishing the works of siddhars for the internet community. Most of the works are available only in Tamil and it is possible that the author of document interprets things in his own way while translating the original text. An attempt is made to present information about siddhars here.
References

1. Chapter Eighteen (Pages 364 & 365) of book entitled "Eighteen Siddhars in History of Siddha Medicine" by Mr. N. Kandasamy Pillai, Former Member, Siddha Science Development Committee and Published by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1979.
2. Chapter Fourteen (Pages 224 & 225) of book entitled "The Smile of Murugan of Tamil Literature of South India" by Kamil Zvelebil and Published by E.J. Brill, Leiden, Netherlands in 1973 (ISBN 90 04 03591 5).
3. Song 1490 of "Thirumandiram Moovayiram" by Siddhar Thirumoolar.

The 18 Siddhars

There are 18 siddhars in the tamil siddha tradition. Each of the siddhars had lived in varied places under different names. The following are most common names of the 18 siddhars. They are listed in the order of their time period.

1. Sri Pathanjali Siddhar
2. Sri Agasthiar Siddhar
3. Sri Kamalamuni Siddhar
4. Sri Thirumoolar Siddhar
5. Sri Kuthambai Siddhar
6. Sri Korakkar Siddhar
7. Sri Thanvandri Siddhar
8. Sri Sundaranandar Siddhar
9. Sri Konganar Siddhar
10. Sri Sattamuni Siddhar
11. Sri Vanmeegar Siddhar
12. Sri Ramadevar Siddhar
13. Sri Nandeeswarar Siddhar
14. Sri Edaikkadar Siddhar
15. Sri Machamuni Siddhar
16. Sri Karuvoorar Siddhar
17. Sri Bogar Siddhar
18. Sri Pambatti Siddhar

The Other Siddhars

Apart from the 18 siddhars given above, there are also other siddhars. It is possible that the siddhars given below are the same siddhars (the 18 siddhars), but under different name. They might also be the disciples of the siddhars, who by the process 'Transmigration of Souls' became the one and same as the Guru himself. Only a true Siddha Yogi shall do any classification with full confidence.

1. Sivavakkiyar
2. Pattinattar
3. (List to be expanded later)

Table of 18 Siddhars

Sl. No	Name of the Siddhar	Tamil month of Birth	Tamil Birth Star	Duration of Life	Place of Samadhi
1	Sri Pathanjali	Panguni	Moolam	5 Yugas 7 Days	Rameswaram
2	Sri Agasthiar	Markazhi	Aayilyam	4 Yugas 48 Days	Thiruvananthapuram
3	Sri Kamalamuni	Vaikasi	Poosam	4000 Years 48 Days	Thiruvarur
4	Sri Thirumoolar	Purattathi	Avittam	3000 Years 13 Days	Chidambaram
5	Sri Kuthambai	Aadi	Visagam	1800 Years 16 Days	Mayavaram
6	Sri Korakkar	Karthigai	Aayilyam	880 Years 11 Days	Perur
7	Sri Thanvandri	Iyppasi	Punarpoosam	800 Years 32 Days	Vaideeswarankoil
8	Sri Sundaranandar	Aavani	Revathi	800 Years 28 Days	Madurai
9	Sri Konganar	Chitthirai	Utthiradam	800 Years 16 Days	Titupathi
10	Sri Sattamuni	Aavani	Mrigasirisham	800 Years 14 Days	Thiruvarangam
11	Sri Vaanmeegar / Valmiki	Purattasi	Anusham	700 Years 32 Days	Ettukudi
12	Sri Ramadevar	Masi	Pooram	700 Years 06 Days	Azhagarmalai
13	Sri Nandeeswarar	Vaikasi	Visagam	700 Years 03 Days	Kasi
14	Sri Edaikkadar	Purattasi	Thiruvadirai	600 Years 18 Days	Tiruvannamalai
15	Sri Machamuni	Aadi	Rohini	300 Years 62 Days	Thiruparankundram
16	Sri Karuvoorar	Chitthirai	Hastham	300 Years 42 Days	Karuvur
17	Sri Bogar	Vaikasi	Bharani	300 Years 18 Days	Pazhani
18	Sri Pambatti	Karthigai	Mrigasirisham	123 Years 14 Days	Sankarankoil

18 Siddhars Jeeva Samadhi

Siddhars of Tamil Nadu attained Jeeva Samadhi at the following places.

Siddhar	Age	Place of Samadhi
Sri Pathanjali	5 Yugas 7 Days	Rameswaram
Sri Agastyar	4 Yugas 48 Days	Thiruvananthapuram
Sri Kamalamuni	4000 Years 48 Days	Thiruvarur
Sri Thirumoolar	3000 Years 13 Days	Chidambaram
Sri Kuthambai	1800 Years 16 Days	Mayavaram
Sri Korakkar	880 Years 11 Days	Perur
Sri Thanvandri	800 Years 32 Days	Vaideeswarankoil
Sri Sundaranandar	800 Years 28 Days	Madurai
Sri Konganar	800 Years 16 Days	Tirupathi
Sri Sattamuni	800 Years 14 Days	Thiruvarangam
Sri Vaanmeegar/Valmiki	700 Years 32 Days	Ettukudi
Sri Ramadevar	700 Years 06 Days	Azhagarmalai
Sri Nandeeswarar	700 Years 03 Days	Kasi
Sri Edaikkadar	600 Years 18 Days	Tiruvannamalai
Sri Machamuni	300 Years 62 Days	Thiruparankundram
Sri Karuvoorar	300 Years 42 Days	Karuvur
Sri Bogar	300 Years 18 Days	Pazhani
Sri Pambatti	123 Years 14 Days	Sankarankoil

LIFE AND HISTORY OF SIDDHARS IN INDIA

Siddhars are saints in India, mostly of the Saivaite denomination in Tamil Nadu, who professed and practised an unorthodox type of Sadhana, or spiritual practiBC, to attain liberation. Yogic powers called Siddhis are acquired by constant practiBC of BCrtain yogic disciplines. Those who acquire these Siddhis are called Siddhas.

Siddhars are people who are believed to control and transBCnd the barriers of time and spaBC by meditation (Yoga), after the use of substanBCs called Rasayanas that transform the body to make it potentially deathless, and a particular breathing-practiBC, a type of Pranayama. Through their practiBCs they are believed to have reached stages of insight which enabled them to tune into the powers hidden in various material substanBCs and practiBCs, useful for suffering and ignorant mankind. Typically Siddhars were saints, doctors, alchemists and mysticists all at onBC.

SIDDHA MEDICINE

They wrote their findings, in the form of poems in Tamil language, on palm leaf which are collected and stored in what are known today as Palm leaf manuscript. 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.

VARMAM – A martial art for self-defenBC and medical treatment

They are also founders of Varmam. Varmams 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-defenBC, or balancing a physical condition as an easy first-aid medical treatment.

NAADI  JODHIDAM (pulse reading)

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. 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.

All Siddhars in order

One of the best-known Siddhars was Agasthyar or Agasthya, who is believed to be the founding father of Siddha culture. Many of the great Siddhars are regarded to have powers magical and spiritual.

All Sitthars were among the highest disciples of God Shiva, and are considered equal in their powers and devotion to the supreme God.

1. Lord Nandi, principal disciple of God Siva
2. Agastyar Maha Munivar disciple of Lord Muruga from Anantasayana, head of the monasteries at Pothigai and Kumbakonam
3. Boagar of Pazhani, disciple of Agathiyar and Kalangi Nathar, 12th c. BC
4. Thaeraiyar Muni of Ten Pothigai, disciple of Agastya, 10th c. BC
5. Kalaingai Nathar of Kalahastri monastery,10th c.BC
6. Korakkar of Paerur, from Thirukonamalai monastery, 4th c. BC
7. Pulippaani of Pazhani
8. Thadangann Siddhar
9. BramhaMuni, 3rd c. BC
10. Machamuni of Thirupparankundram, 3rd c. BC
11. Poonaikkannanaar of Egypt, 3rd c.BC
12. Romamunivar of Rome, 2nd c. BC
13. Kaaraichchiththar, 2nd c.BC
14. Kudhambai Siddhar of Mayilaaduthurai and Kumbakonam, 2nd c. BC
15. Kabilar I of Mithila, 2nd c. BC.
16. Kaagaivanna Siddhar[i] of Kediya(South Sri Lanka), from Pothigai monastery, 2nd c. BC
17. Dhanvantri from Kasi, of Vaitheeswaran Koil, 1st c. BC
18. Valmiki, aka Vaanmeegar of Ettukkudi, 1st c. BC
19. Maarkkandeyanaar
20. Koonkannar
21. Kaalaichchittar II
22. Konganar of Tirupati, 1st c. BC
23. Punnaakkeesar from Naangunaeri, head of Saanganachaeri monastery, 1st c. BC
24. Karuvurar from Karuvur monastery
25. Kaaduvelichchiththar
26. Aenaathichchittar, 2nd c. BC
27. Idaikkaadar of Oosimuri(in Thondai Nadu), from ThiruAnnaamalai monastery, 2nd-3rd c. BC
28. Pulasthiyarfrom Maanthai, head of Aavudaiyaar Koil and Yaazhppaanam monasteries, 3rd c. BC
29. KamalaMuni of Thiruvaarur, 4th c. BC
30. Patanjali of Rameswaram, 4th c. BC
31. Azhaganiyaar of Nagapattinam, 4th c. BC
32. Kailasanathar, 5th c. BC
33. Kuranguchchittar of Pazhani, 5th c. BC
34. Sattaimuni of ThiruArangam, 5th c. BC
35. Vaamathevar of Azhagarmalai, 5th c. BC
36. Agappaei Siddhar of Azhagarmalai, 3rd c. BC
37. Sivavaakkiyar from Kollimalai, of Thirumazhisai monastery, 4-5th c. BC
38. Sundarandandar of Madurai, 5th c. BC
39. Ramadevar of Azhagarmalai
40. Thirumoolar from ThiruAaAduthurai, of ThiruAathavoor monastery, head of Thillai Citrambalam monastery, 8th c. BC
41. Sri Jnyaaneswar of Gujarat
42. Kaagapujundar, Leader for all nathats, 8 BC
43. VaasaMuni
44. KoormaMuni
45. Visvamitrar
46. Kumbhamuni
47. Kaduveli of Irumbai
48. Nandeeswarar of Kasi, from Thillai monastery, 6th c. BC
49. Pattinattaar of Pugaar, 7th c. BC
50. Karuvoorar from Karuvoor, of Thanjai monastery, master of Rajaraja Chola, 10th c. BC
51. Pambatti Siddhar from Jnaneswaram(Sarankovil), of Vilaimalai( Vriddhachalam ) monastery, 15th c.
52. Vaalai Siddhar of Valangaimaan
53. Edaikadar II, 15th c. BC
54. Ganapathi Siddhar
55. Subrahmanya Siddhar
56. Sooriyaananthar
57. Lokaayuthar
58. Bathragiriyaar of Badrachalam, from Thillai monastery
59. Kalunni Siddhar
60. Naga Siddhar (mahavatar babaji) disciple of Agathiyar and Bogar, from Himalaya
61. ArunaGiri Nathar 1500th,from Thiruvanamalai

18 SIDDHARS :

1.Thirumoolar            
He has been initiated by Nandi Devar and his contributions include Yoga, philosophy. His 'Thirumandiram' work is very popular among his works. He has attained samadhi in Chidambaram.

2.Ramadevar
He was initiated by Pulastiyar and Karuvoorar. He is also known as the mandira siddhar. Some of his works include 24 known works: mantra shastra, medicine etc. He has attained samadhi at Alagar Malai.

3.kumbamuni
He was initiated directly by Lord Shiva himself and his works include medicine, kaya kalpa, Tamil grammar and yoga. Some of his disciples are Boganathar, Babaji, Thiruvalluvar, Macchamuni. He has attained samadhi at Ananthasayana.

4.Konganavar
He was initiated by Boganathar. His contributions include 25 known works in medicine, yoga, philosophy, religion etc. He has over 557 disciples. He has attained samadhi at Tirupati.

5.Kamlamuni
He has attained samadhi at Aarur (Tiruvarum). His contributions include two known works on medicine and philosophy.

6.Sattamuni
  He was initiated by Nandi Devar & Dakshinamoorthy. His contributions include 46 known works, medicine, alchemy & etc. His disciples include Sundaranandar, Paambatti. He has attained samadhi at Srirangam.

7.Karuvooraar
He was one of the eminient disciples of Boganathar after being initiated by him. He is popular for his contribution in constructing the Tanjore temple and other medicinal works. Idai Kadar is one of his eminent disciples. He has attained samadhi at Karuvai (karur).

8.Suntharaananthar
He was initiated by Sattamuni & Konkanavar. Some of his contributions include 24 known works: medicine, philosophy etc. He has attained samadhi at Kudal (Madurai).

9.Vaalmeegar
He was initiated by the great sage Narada. He is very much known for recording the epic work 'The Ramayana'. He has attained samadhi at Ettikudi.

10.Nanthidevar
He has been directly initiated by Lord Shiva himself and some of his contributions include medicine, kaya kalpa & Alchemy. Some of his eminent disciples are Thirumoolar, Patanjali, Dakshinamoorthy, Romarishi & Sattamuni.

11.Paambatti 
He was initiated by Sattamuni. His contributions include siddha philosophy. He has attained samadhi at Harisankaran kovil. He was originally a snake charmer before he met his guru Sattamuni. Later after being initiated by his guru, due to his intense sadhana he has became a siddha.

12.Boganaathar
He was initiated by Kalanginathar and Agastyar. He is a great alchemist of all times. His contributions include yoga, kaya kalpa, medicine, alchemy, natural sciences, philosophy etc. He is the one who has created and installed the idol of Lord Muruga in Palani malai temple. Till now even after ages, the composition of the idol has been a mystery to all scientists around the world. His disciples include Babaji, Konkanavar, Karuvoorar and Idai Kadar.

13.Matchamuni
He has been initiated by Agastyar, Punnakeesar and Pasundar. Some of his contributions include 10 known works on Hatha yoga, Tantric yoga practices etc. Goraknath is one of his eminent disciples. He has attained samadhi at Thiruparrunkundram.

14.Korakkar
He was initiated by Dattatreya (Vishnu), Macchamuni, Allama Prabu. Some of his contributions include "Avadhuta Gita" and 13 other works, order of ascetics, medicine, alchemy, Hatha yoga pradipika classic etc. He has attained samadhi at Poyur (Girnar).

15.Pathanjali
He was initiated by Nandi Devar. He is known for his works on yoga sutras classic. He has attained samadhi at Rameswaram. He is also known as father of yoga.

16.Thanvanthiri
He is known for his contributions on medicine, alchemy, kaya kalpa, 22 known works. He has attained samadhi at Vaideeswaran Kovil.

17.Kuthambai siddhar
He was initiated by Alukkani Siddha (disciple of Idai Kadar). Kudamabi siddhar's contributions included siddha philosophy. His place of samadhi has been Mayavaram.

18.Edaikkadar
He was initiated by both Boganathar and Karuvoorar. His contributions include two known works: Kaya kalpa. He attained samadhi at Thiruvannamalai. Some of his disciples are Kudambai and Alukkani.

MATERIA MEDICA:

               Siddhars , with their clarified and inituitive intellect resulting from their yogic powers explored the nature and exploited the natural resources for the sake of humanity. They documented their findings  about  the characteristics of  plants , metals,  minerals and animal products. They documented all their findings in the form of poems for the use of  posterity. Knowledge was transmitted from Guru to disciples. Their boundless knowledge on the properties of  drugs, purification, processing, heat application, fixing dosage , toxicity , antidote and clinical application is astonishing  the modern scientific world.