Understaning Hinduism : Who are Siddhas?

 Understaning Hinduism - Who are Siddhas?

Siddhars (Tamil: சித்தர், 'Chitthar', a variant English spelling) are saints in India, mostly of the Saivaite denomination in Tamil Nadu, who professed and practised an unorthodox type of Sadhana, or spiritual practice, to attain liberation.

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.

Siddhas are great saints who lived and continue to live, during various times. They are beyond the mundane things. They seek only the attainment of salvation through persistent prayer to Lord Siva. They are alchemists, who also gained various powers due to their penance. They can turn any metal into gold; walk on water; fly through air; enter into a dead body and bring life to it; can bury themselves underground or submerge under water for years together. Like this the list can go on. But more importantly, they invented great medicines that ordinary humans cannot even fathom to understand other than realizing the benefits of it. They know the perfect combination to make life-saving medicines that could have been made from highly poisonous plants.

Firstly, all the Siddhas are great. They have achieved the status of Siddha by doing things that ordinary people could not do.

What is so special about the number 18 ?

Though the exact reason is unknown. But the number 18 has a special place in the Hinduism. There are 18 puranas; 18 steps to Sabarimala; 18 days of Mahabharat war like this 18 has found a special place in Hindu way of life. This might have lead to coming up with a number that is not too low, for identfying the most common of Siddhas.

Why are there 18 great Siddhas?

Though the exact reason for secluding 18 Siddhas among the hundreds of other Siddhas is unknown, one can assume that these 18 Siddhas must have achieved something more than other Siddhas. One of the theory is that only these 18 Siddhas attained the Asthama Siddhis, where as others achinved some, but not all. Some other theory suggests that, the 18 find a place because of their popularity among people. Regardless of the reason, there is a list of 18 and this list varies from author to author.

The "Great 18"

Lord Siva is the Siddhas's Siddha. He is the paramaguru for all the Siddhas, directly or indirectly. His first and primary disciple is Nandi, the bull. So, Nandi is considered as the first Siddha. Nandi's disciples are Pathanjali and Agastya. 

Who are the great 18 Siddhas?

1. Sri Pathanjali

2. Sri Agasthiar

3. Sri Kamalamuni

4. Sri Thirumoolar 

5. Sri Kuthambai 

6. Sri Korakkar 

7. Sri Thanvandri 

8.  Sri Sundaranandar

9. Sri Konganar 

10. Sri Sattamuni 

11. Sri Kakabujandar

12. Sri Ramadevar 

13. Sri Sivavaakyiar

14. Sri Idaikkadar 

15.  Sri Machamuni

16. Sri Karuvoorar 

17. Sri Bogar 

18. Sri Pambatti

Source: Siddhas