Siddhi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Not to be confused with the African-descended Siddi people of India (though sometimes spelt identically).
Siddhi is a Sanskrit term for spiritual power (or psychic ability); it literally means "a perfection." It is known in Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism. These spiritual powers supposedly vary from relatively simple forms of clairvoyance to being able to levitate, to be present at various places at once, to become as small as an atom, to materialize objects, to have access to memories from past lives, and more. The term became known in the West through the work of H.P. Blavatsky.
There are many perspectives of attaining Siddhis. One school of thought states that they are a normal set of occurrences that should not be focused upon because they will pull one from the path. Other perspectives hold that each siddhi should be pursued because it will allow one to understand the power of the Godhead. Siddhis can occur in two ways: naturally, or as a result of extended practice of austerities. They are often mentioned in conjunction with Riddhi (pl Riddhis), which means material or worldly wealth, power, luxurious lifestyles, etc.
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[edit] Nine main Siddhis
- Parkaya Pravesh: Parkaya Pravesh means one’s soul entering into the body of some other person. Through this knowledge even a dead body can be brought to life.
- Haadi Vidya: This Vidya or knowledge has been mentioned in several ancient texts. On acquiring this Vidya, a person feels neither hunger nor thirst, and can remain without eating food or drinking water for several days at a stretch.
- Kaadi Vidya: Just as one does not feel hungry or thirsty in Haadi Vidya, similarly in Kaadi Vidya a person is not affected by change of seasons, i.e. by summer, winter, rain, etc. After accomplishing this Vidya, a person shall not feel cold even if he sits in the snow-laden mountains, and shall not feel hot even if he sits in the fire.
- Vayu Gaman Siddhi: Through this Siddhi a person can become capable of flying in the skies and traveling from one place to another in just a few seconds.
- Madalasa Vidya: On accomplishing this Vidya, a person becomes capable of increasing or decreasing the size of his body according to his wish. Lord Hanuman had miniaturized his body through this Vidya while entering the city of Lanka.
- Kanakdhara Siddhi: One can acquire immense and unlimited wealth through this Siddhi.
- Prakya Sadhana: Through this Sadhana a Yogi can direct his disciple to take birth from the womb of a woman who is childless or cannot bear children.
- Surya Vigyan: This solar science is one of the most significant sciences of ancient India. This science has been known only to the Indian Yogis; using it, one substance can be transformed into another through the medium of sun rays.
- Mrit Sanjeevani Vidya: This Vidya was created by Adi Shankaracharya. Through it, even a dead person can be brought back to life.
[edit] Eight Primary Siddhis
There is also the concept of the Ashta Siddhi (eight siddhis) in Hinduism. These are:
- Anima: reducing one's body even to the size of an atom
- Mahima: expanding one's body to an infinitely large size
- Garima: becoming infinitely heavy
- Laghima: becoming almost weightless
- Prapti: having unrestricted access to all places
- Prakamya: realizing whatever one desires
- Isitva: possessing absolute lordship;
- Vasitva: the power to subjugate all.
In Hinduism, Hanuman possesses the ability to bestow the eight siddhis and the nava nidhi (nine types of wealth).
In the Srimad Bhagavatam Lord Krishna describes the Eight Siddhis as:
- Aṇimā: reducing one's body even to the size of an atom;
- Mahima: expanding one's body to an infinitely large size;
- Laghima: becoming lighter than the lightest;
- Prapti: having unrestricted access to all places;
- Prākāmya: realising whatever one desires;
- Iśitā: controlling the subpotencies of maya;
- Vasita: the power to bring others under control;
- Kāmāvasāyitā: obtaining any desired result, to the highest possible limit.
[edit] Ten Secondary Siddhis
In the Srimad Bhagavatam Lord Krishna describes the Ten Secondary Siddhis as:
- Being undisturbed by hunger, thirst, and other bodily disturbances
- Hearing things far away
- Seeing things far away
- Moving the body wherever the mind goes (teleportation)
- Assuming any form one desires
- Entering the bodies of others
- Dying when one desires
- Witnessing and participating in the pastimes of the Apsaras
- Completely executing one's determination
- Being unimpeded by the modes of nature (gunas).
[edit] Five Siddhis of Yoga and Meditation
In the Srimad Bhagavatam the Five Siddhis of Yoga and Meditation are described as:
- Knowing the past, present and future;
- Tolerance of heat, cold and other dualities;
- Knowing the minds of others;
- Checking the influence of fire, sun, water, poison, and so on;
- Remaining unconquered by others.
[edit] Obtaining Siddhis
Siddhi powers are said to be obtainable by meditation, control of the senses, devotion, herbs, mantras, pranayama, or good birth.
Lord Krishna states that:
"Whatever mystic perfections can be achieved by good birth, herbs, austerities, and mantras can all be achieved by devotional service to Me; indeed, one cannot achieve the actual perfection of yoga by any other means." (SB 11.15.34)
Seeking siddhi powers is often discouraged and considered to be an impediment to spiritual advancement.
[edit] a Western version
Occasionally, esoteric Western sources also refer to paranormal powers obtainable through spritual development. In his book Roza Mira,[1] or The Rose of the World, Russian mystic and visionary Daniil Andreev gives this list of paranormal abilities available to human beings through the astral body:
- communication with angels, daemons, and elementals;
- spiritual sight;
- spiritual hearing;
- "spiritual smell;"
- "deep memory;"
- levitation;
- perception of cosmic perspectives and panoramas.
[edit] Note
- ^ Daniil Andreev, The Rose of the World (Hudson, NY, Lindisfarne Books, 1997) p. 134.
[edit] References
- Sri Ramakrishna Math (1985). Hanuman Chalisa. Chennai, India: Sri Ramakrishna Math. ISBN 81-7120-086-9
- Srimad Bhagavatam
