The 18 Siddhars of South India

The Traditional Medical Science invented by Siddhars have been written in palm leaf manuscripts that explain clearly the structure, function and treatment of all human ailments.

They are credited with developing and refining various forms of yoga, meditation, and spiritual practices that are still used today.

They also made significant contributions to the fields of medicine, alchemy, and astrology. The Siddhas are believed to have discovered.

Through their practices, they reach stages of insight that enabled them to tune into the powers hidden in various material substances, using these insights to eliminate suffering of all beings.

Typically, the Siddhars congregate in areas that are hilly like the Arunachal hills, Chathuragiri Hills, Bramharishi Hills and Perambular hills of South India.

Many holy men dwell in remote caves here. Some do retreat to the Himalayas or live in complete isolation amid unforgiving elements.

There are different views on the number of Siddhars. The 18 siddhars are Agasthiyar, Nandi Devar, Thirumoolar, Bogar, Konkanavar, Machamuni, Gorakhnathar, Sattaimuni, Sundaranandar, Ramadevar, Kudambai, Karuvoorar, Idaikadar, Kamalamuni, Valmiki, Pathanjali, Dhanvanthiri, and Pambatti.

These Tamil saints are divided into two groups, the Nayanars and the Alwars. The former were the devotees of Shiva, while the latter the worshippers of Vishnu.

Their Yoga path, the Yoga of the mind, is one of the highest forms of Yoga. It leads to building a very real body of pure light in this life-time, thus gaining eternal life.

These Siddhars can be compared to Mystics of the west. Siddha Yogis were saints, doctors, alchemists and mystics all at once.

They transcended time and space by Yogic practise and using herbs that transformed the body to make it potentially deathless; and a particular breathing-practice ( Pranayama).

A Siddha believes in a Supreme Being but not a God of this or that religion. This is the yogic path of the Shaiva Siddhanta tradition.

The recurrent use by the Siddhas of the word Civam (an abstract noun meaning ‘goodness,’ ‘auspiciousness’, ‘pure intelligence’) in preference to the term Civan (meaning Siva), makes this point clear.

In other words, they believe in an abstract idea rather than a personal God. The basis of Yoga or union is love. Only through love one is merged with Sivam.

Siva- aikya .Yoga is possible only through love. Siddhars also worship the Divine Feminine as the essence to wholeness.

Historically, Siddhar also refers to the people who were early age wandering adepts that dominated ancient Tamil teaching and philosophy.

They were knowledgeable in science, technology, astronomy, literature, fine arts, music, drama, dance, and provided solutions to common people in their illness and advice for their future.