Siddhi
See also
Bhaagvat Puraan, 11/12
Asht Siddhi and Nava Nidhi
(1) Accomplishing Moksh.
(2) Accomplishing prosperity.
(3) Attaining the goal. Or fulfillment of Disciple's desire
(4) Attaining power.
(5) Siddhi means success. It includes accomplishment, achievement, success and
fruition of all kinds. A person may thus gain Siddhi in speech, Siddhi in
Mantra etc.
In our Religion,
there are 33 crore Devtaa and all of them have a separate Mantra for them.
Vishwaamitra Jee did Upadesh of all these Mantra to Raam. Vishwaamitra Jee
had done Lakhs of Jap of all these Mantra, performed "Purascharan",
relevant Hom, "Sandarpanai" and then saw each of these Devtaa directly.
After the performance of thousands of years of Jap, Vishwaamitra Jee saw each
of these Dev. So what is the "Siddhi" of a Mantra? "Siddhi"
means to directly see the Devtaa of the Mantra.
When Vishwaamitra Jee
taught all these Mantra to Raam. Before Raam could utter them even once, the
relevant Devataa rushed up to His Presence. One by one all Devtaa rushed to his
side. None desired to leave the presence of Raam. So, Raam absorbed each one of
them in His own "Shareer" (body). In the same way while chanting the
Gayatri Mantra we do its "Aavaahan" (installation or invocation) within
ourselves. We do "Aavaahan" in water or fire. When Ganapati Hom is performed,
the god is installed in the fire lit for the Hom. It is into this that Fire that
we offer 'Kozhukattai' (a sweet dish that is the favorite of Lord Ganesh), sugarcane,
etc. When the "Aavahaan" is done into water, we pour the holy water on
to our head after the completion of worship.
There is yet another type
of "Aavaahan". This is to do "Aavaahan" on ourselves. This is done
while doing "Sandhyaa Vandan". Thus, where did all the 33 crore Devtaa go
to? They are verily within Raam's "Shareer". Thus, one who chants Raam Mantra
receives the "Phal" of chanting Mantra of all gods and one who worships Raam
receives the "Phal" of worshipping all Dev. For whom does the above apply? It
is for one who wishes to know the "Tattwa" of Raam. But, if one acquires
"Ruchi" (taste) for "Shree Raam Jaya Raam Jaya Jaya Raam", we would
not wonder, why should we chant this? Which god's Naam is this? What is the "Phal"
for chanting this? This is because mere chanting the Naam itself gives us joy.
We should develop a taste for the Naam of Bhagavaan. We should feel sad if questions arise
in us because it goes to show that we have not developed Bhagavaan Naam Ruchi.
Why question, "Whose
name is this? How many times should I do this Jap? What is its glory? What is its
"Tattwa" (philosophy)?" All such details are needed only by one who
has no taste for Naam. Bhagavaan will not speak to one who has no "Ruchi"
in His name; such a person will not attain "Naam Siddhi" too. "Ruchi"
usually comes through Guru Kripaa or Daiv Kripaa (Grace). Once we get the taste of the
Naam and do Jap of it, it can do wonders. We see that
Raamdaas Jee had performed Jap of "Shree Raam Jaya Raam Jaya Jaya Raam".
Understanding Siddhi
There are 2 main things when it comes to Mantra Tantra Saadhanaa - one is Siddhi of
that Mantra or Devee / Devtaa / Isht where the concerned Devee or Devtaa or Deity
shows up itself in front of you, this is called Pratyaksheekaran. This is the Siddhi
level which is a high level and is a long process depending on what Saadhanaa you are
doing. Once this is accomplished you are called a Siddh Purush. For any Siddhi you will
need to take many Charan of Shaktipat Deekshaa related to that Saadhanaa. The other
aspect is small or big Mantra Saadhanaa Prayog that we do for solving our temporary
problems or issues for the present time being. Saadhanaa Prayog are also done for
specific wish-fulfillment. Now one needs to understand that you may or may not get
results from your Saadhanaa Prayog the 1st time, if you do not get the desired results
then you may have to repeat the Saadhana Prayog again & again until you get the
desired result. Again Shaktipat Deekshaa is needed for everything after discussing
with Guru. For some simple Mantra Prayog you may not need any Shaktipat Deekshaa.
Always do 4 Maalaa of Guru Mantra Jap before doing any Saadhanaa. Now if you get
the desired results from your Saadhanaa Prayog it does not mean you have got some
Siddhi, what you have done now only solved your temporary problem or issue or fulfilled
your wish for the time being. Riddhi Siddhi is a totally different level. These are
two different things that one needs to understand.
Types of Siddhi (Powers)
In Bhaagvat Puraan, 11/12,
Krishn says - There are 18 types of Siddhi, among them eight types of Siddhi are the
top most powers and they are with Bhagavaan Himself. They are -
(1) Animaa - Ability to shrink one's material to atomic size as desired, Through
this Siddhi one may enter into stone or change the density in one's body,
enabling one to pass through solid matter.
(2) Mahimaa - To expand one's material body to a gigantic size, ultimately
enveloping the universe.
(3) Laghimaa - To become light and invisible as air, and fly at will. The perfection of
this Siddhi enables one to travel on the Sun's rays and enter into the Sun planet.
(4) Praapti - Ability to manifest any thing in one's hand. This Siddhi removes the
limitations of space which separate two objects from each other. It is said one
will even be able to touch the Moon with one's finger [ie the limitation of distance
is removed]. In fact this sequence is the natural sequence of manifestation of gross
matter. The Praapti Siddhi enables one, through Mantra, to reverse the process and
transform gross physical objects into ethereal objects by merging the respective
elements into their source element. Thus one takes an object located in a particular
location, and by utilizing Mantra Siddhi, one merges the Earth element into the Water
element, the Water element into the Fire element, the Fire element into the Air element,
and finally the Air element into the Ether element. As you merge each element into the
previous, element, the corresponding quality disappears (being merged back into the source
element). In this way, a physical object is transformed into an Ethereal object with no
quality other than sound - because Ether is the first element and its subtle quality is
only sound. Thus this ethereal object can be transferred over space by mind, and then the
entire process is reversed to re-manifest the original object in one's hand.
(5) Praakaamya - To witness or enjoy all pleasures in the Three-worlds,
(6) Eeshitaa - The power to gain control over the sub-potencies of the laws of nature. This
enables one to control various energies and seemingly defy the laws of nature. On the
lowest level, one may make fire come from one's mouth, etc.
(7) Vashitaa - Non-attachment to enjoyments, or to gain control over others.
(8) Kaamaavasaayitaa - To attain freedom from all desires. The ability to attain anything anywhere.
This is the highest of the eight Siddhi and contains most of the abilities of the other
perfections.
The other 10 Siddhi (secondary
perfections) can be developed by following Sato Gunee behavior. And the rest of the
Siddhi can be achieved only by Yog.
Among these eight Siddhi, which
are with Bhagavaan Himself, the first three belong to the body. The 4th one, Praapti belongs
to Indriyaan. Praakaamya Siddhi can make one experience worldly and Divine materials according
to one's desire. To manage Maayaa and its functions according to one's wish is Eeshitaa. Not
to be attached with pleasures, in spite of living amidst pleasures, is called Vashitaa. One
desires whatever pleasure, attaining it completely is called Kaamvasaayitaa Siddhi. These eight
Siddhi are with Bhagavaan naturally, and to whomever He gives them, He gives them only partly.
Those other 10 Siddhi are, for example,
(1) control over hunger and thirst; With this perfection one no longer depends on food
and water for maintenance of one's body. One will be able to sustain himself simply
on Praan, the life air.
(2) seeing the things at a very far distance; With this perfection one develops a mystic
vision, by which one can see any person or place. Sanjaya, the charioteer of
Dhritraashtra, used this Siddhi to see and hear the conversation between Krishn
and Arjun (known as Bhagvad Geetaa) which took place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra,
though he was situated far away.
(3) hearing something from a very far distance; With this perfection one can hear any
conversation spoken anywhere in the world.
(4) appearing at some place with mind and body; With this perfection one can travel great
distances in a moment simply by thinking of the destination.
(5) assuming any form according to one's desire;
(6) entering in other's body; This perfection enables one to enter into the bodies of
others and enjoy through their senses. Since ghosts do not have physical senses,
they often resort to this to satisfy their desires through other's bodies.
(7) leaving the body whenever one wishes. The ability to control the time of one's death.
With this perfection one may choose the time of leaving his body.
(8) to see Devtaa's play with Apsaraa;
(9) Siddhi of Sankalp or Satya Sankalp - Perfect accomplishment of one's determination.
Whatever one desires to happen will happen; and
(10) making all obey to himself without any hesitation.
These 10 Siddhi can be attained by developing Sat Gun.
And the following five Siddhi can be
attained by a Yogee. They are called five inferior
Siddhi --
(1) To know the events of past, present and future;
(2) victory over heat and cold, pleasure and sorrow, and love and jealousy;
(3) to read other's mind;
(4) to control the power of fire, Sun, water, poison etc; and
(5) not to be defeated by anybody.
And the following 19 Siddhi are the minor Siddhi ---
(1)The ability to know all languages including those of animals.
(2) Knowledge of one's past lives.
(3) Knowledge of the nature of other peoples minds.
(4) The ability to make one's body invisible.
(5) The ability to make the sounds of one's body unhearable.
(6) The ability to make everyone happy and joyful.
(7) The ability to possess great strength.
(8) The ability to locate hidden things.
(9) The knowledge of the fourteen planetary systems.
(10) The knowledge of the arrangements of stars.
(11) The knowledge of the movement of stars.
(12) The knowledge of bodily anatomy.
(13) The ability to remain motionless.
(14) The ability to perceive the celestial beings known as Siddh.
(15) The understanding of consciousness.
(16) The knowledge of the soul.
(17) The ability to walk on water, thorns and similar objects.
(18) .The ability to surround oneself with a blaze of light.
(19) The ability to be omnipotent and omniscient. Amar Kosh gives the following
Shlok about Asht Siddhi--
Animaa mahimaa chaiv, Laghimaa garimaa tathaa.
Eeshitwam cha vasheetwam cha, Praapti prakshya mev cha"
[From
http://skyboom1.tripod.com/index27.html]
There are 23 types of Siddhi,
The followings 5 Siddhi are called as Warrior Siddhi Powers -
(1) Trikaal-gyaanatwa - Knowledge of the past, present and future.
(2) Sheetoshnaadi Dwandwa - Ability to tolerate all kinds of Dwandwa (non-dualities -
pleasure-pain, cold-heat, soft-hard etc)
(3) Par-Chittaadi-Abhigyaan - Knowledge of others' minds.
(4) Pratistambh - Control of effects of fire, wind, water, poison, weapon and the Sun.
(5) A-Paraajaya - Always victorious, not to be able to be defeated.
The following 10 Siddhi are when one's heart begins to become purify and flower -
(1) Anur-meematwa - Hunger, thirst, grief, sorrow, infatuation, delusion and the confusion
of the mind, old age and death do not harm the body.
(2) Door-Shravan - To hear, sitting at one place, speech from however distant place.
(3) Door-Darshan - Seeing simultaneously events and things in all the realms.
(4) Manojav - The body can travel at the speed of thought to any place.
(5) Kaam-Roop - To assume any form at will. Shape shifting.
(6) Par-Kaayaa Pravesh - Ability to enter another's body, whether he is dead or alive.
(7) Swachchhand Mrityu - To die at one's own will. Death having no control over one.
(8) Sahakridaanu Darshan - To see the sports of gods in Heaven and have capacity and prowess
to participate in it.
(9) Sankalpiaa Padaarth Sansiddhi - To attain whatever is desired.
(10) Aagyaa Pratihataagati - Whereby one's command and movement have no obstruction.
The following 8 Siddhi are considered to be the highest Siddhi Powers -
These eight types of Siddhi are the top most powers and they are with Bhagavaan Himself.
(1) Animaa - The reduction of one's form up to an atom - invisibility.
(2) Mahimaa/Garimaa - One can make his body very heavy
(3) Laghimaa - One can make his body very light.
(4) Praapti - Ability to acquire objects of sense related to the respective organs.
(5) Praakaashya - To see invisible things in other realms.
(6) Eeshitaa - To stimulate bodies and creatures, control of forces of nature.
(7) Vashitaa - To have control over the senses. Not to be attached with pleasures, in spite
of living amidst pleasures
(8) Yat Kaamamastadaa Vashyati - To obtain joy by willing it so. The
cessation of mystery or desire - this is considered to be the highest state of bliss.
Vaidik texts describe 400,000 species of human beings throughout the Universe, such
as, Yaksh, Raakshas, Vaanar, Kinnar, Gandharv etc. In many of the species, they are
born with automatic powers. This is the Siddhhi attained by birth. By reciting certain
Mantra and performing austerities, one's consciousness is expanded and one developes
supernatural abilities. Finally, by attaining the state of complete absorption in
meditation, samadhi, one attains powers depending on the object of one's meditation.
For example, one who meditates on the Sun gains complete knowledge of the planetary
systems; one who meditates on the relationship between the ear and the ether attains
the ability to hear anything.
After listing all of these
apparently wonderful powers, Patanjali provides a warning in Yoga Sutras 3.51:
tad vairaagyaadapi dosha beej kshaye kaivalyam.
By giving up even these powers comes the destruction of
the very seed of evil, which leads to Kaivalya.
He attains aloneness, independence, and becomes free. When one gives up
even the ideas of omnipotence and omniscience, there comes entire
rejection of enjoyment, of the temptations from celestial beings. When
the Yogee has seen all these wonderful powers, and rejected them, he
reaches the goal. What are all these powers? Simply manifestations. They
are no better than dreams. Even omnipotence is a dream. It depends on
the mind. So long as there is a mind it can be understood, but the goal
is beyond even the mind.