Enlightened beings known as siddhars or mystical yogis They are a part of the yogic practices of South India. Secrets surround these practices. Even though they are still in their physical form, their union with God at the end of their journey into yoga The Sanskrit word sidh, which means “achievement” or “fulfillment,” is the root of the word. As a result, it became known as “one who had attained perfection.” Siddhars, also known as miraculous powers, reach eight distinct dimensions of perfection as they progress along the yoga path. However, the spiritual traditions of Hinduism appear to discourage the yogi from acquiring “Siddhis” because doing so would result in an exaggerated sense of self-worth and impede their spiritual development.
As a result, Siddhars must exercise extreme caution when using their Siddhis. If they choose to live in society, they are also encouraged to live alone or to act like regular housewives.
As a result of their yogic practices, the Siddhars themselves regarded their Siddhis as divine grace. They stood for the presence of God within them. Siddhar has a number of schools. There are 18 masters, according to some, and as many as 210 masters, according to others.
According to Siddha teachings, these masters and their followers undergo multiple reincarnations in various divine forms at various times and locations around the world in order to adapt to the shifting requirements of humanity and bring about change. Jesus Christ, for instance, is said to have been Siddhar Pullipani’s reincarnation, and Swami Vivekananda is said to have been Siddhar Thirumulanathar’s reincarnation. Lao Tzu, according to Siddhar Bhogar, was one of his incarnations.
It is said that the Siddhar family lives in a magical world that no one can see. It hasn’t changed much over hundreds of years. It is comparable to the existence of life at the ocean’s bottom in complete darkness, under intense high pressure, and unaffected by external forces. The world of the Siddhars in South India can best be described in this way. Even though it is far removed from human civilization, it is believed to still exist. These enlightened beings are still present in these ancient spiritual locations, which are unknown to the rest of the world.
The Tamil Siddhars have taught us a lot about yoga, medicine, philosophy, astrology, alchemy, and other subjects. However, not all of their writings have yet been translated or deciphered.
All of their works are written in a poetic style with the more difficult meters of the ancient Tamil Sangam Age. They also include references to Kundalini and Tantric imagery, as well as warnings about how to control dangerous feminine power through breathing exercises or reciting the Goddess’s secret names.
The science of the Tamil Siddha is at least 5000 years old. Some of the more well-known Tamil Siddhars include Patanjali, Bhogar, Agastya, and Thirumoolanathar.
Who is Siddhar Idaikkadar?
Idaikkadar actually worked as a goat herder for a living. He gets his name from Idaikadu, where he was born. He would merge with the divine and attain higher consciousness while working as a herder. Bhogar was astonished to see him in this state while he was traveling through space.
Bhogar gave him Nayana Deeksha’s knowledge because he saw his desire for spiritual knowledge. This indicates that he simply shared his knowledge by gazing into his own eyes. Idaikkadar quickly developed proficiency in Siddha yoga, Siddha medicine, astrology, astronomy, and gnana philosophies. Additionally, he has written numerous songs and poems.
His astrological findings are still used today. His predictions begin the annual Hindu almanac known as the Panchangam. He was also able to join the Divine and complete the final phase of Kundalini awakening.
Idaikkadar and The Navagrahas
In many temples, the arrangement of the Navagraha (9 planetary deities) idols is disordered, that is, they face in random directions. In earlier times, they were found in a neat circle around the Sun. The disorderly arrangement is the handiwork of Idaikkadar Siddhar. An interesting story lies behind this.
Once, a severe and prolonged drought ravaged the land. Idaikkadar foresaw it and prepared his goats by letting them eat plants that grow in drought conditions. So their milk slowly became toxic. Idaikkadar prepped his body by drinking this milk. The milk could make people drowsy. Due to the famine, people’s livestock perished. But the Siddhar’s goats survived.
The 9 planetary deities became curious and decided to find out the secret behind their survival. They came to his house in the guise of human beings. Idaikkadar gave them some food made using goat milk, and they fell unconscious. He immediately bound their energies and transferred them into 9 idols or Murthys. Then he made the idols face in different directions. A small Navagraha temple called the Idaikkadar Siddhar temple exists even now.
According to astrology, there will be calamities like droughts, etc., when a friendly Graha or planet loses power due to the directional influence of a malefic Graha. A rare 12-year drought occurred because all benefic planets lost their powers due to opposition from a malefic planet during those 12 years. Realizing this, Idaikkadar positioned the idols of the grahas in a random and disorderly manner. His arrangement of the idols was followed by other temples, too, later.
As per his mentor, Bhogar’s instructions, Idaikkadar spent his life in the Tiruvannamalai region, helping the local people, and eventually attained Jeeva Samadhi there.