In Siddhar series, today I bring to u a Siddhar, who’s known across bhAratvarsh and also in Nepal.
#Thread on Siddhar Machamuni or as he’s known in Northern part of India – Yogi Matsyendranath. He’s traditionally considered to be the founder of Nath Sampradhaya.
He is also seen as founder of Hath Yoga as well as the author of some of its early texts.
Machamuni Siddhar is believed to be brought up by Siddhar Pinnakeesar, who also happened to be his first Guru. Now there are couple of stories as to origin of Machamuni, + @HelloNNewman
+ however I’m skipping them for now and focusing on the Siddhar instead.
In the 523rd song of “Karuvoorar Vadha Kaviyam“, Karuvoorar Siddhar says that Machamuni is a Sembadavar. Sembadavar’s are the traditional fisherman.
This seems to be reason why Siddhar got his name as ‘Machamuni’, since he’s fisherman (Macham mean fish in Tamil). He’s said to be disciple of Siddhar Kakapujandar, reference for this could be found in fifth Kandam in the book ‘Agasthiar 12000“.
Apart from being disciple of Siddhar Kakpujandar, Machamuni also learnt from Siddhar Nandeeswarar and Siddhar Bogar. A reference for this could be found in 97th song of his book “Machamuni Thandagam 100”, where he mentions ‘Guru Nandi’ and ‘Guru Bogar’, +
+ while offering prayer to his Gurus. Machamuni also seems to know Siddhar Patanjali, as in one of his songs, he refers to Siddhar Patanjali witnessing Shiva Thandavam in Thillai (present day Chidambaram, TN).
Machamuni Siddhar followed Vaasi Yoga and after practising it for 12 years, he attained ‘Asht Maha Siddhis’. As other Siddhars, he learnt about Siddha medicine, alchemy, gnana, Siddha philosophy and yoga. He has contributed to the Siddha Medicine system and + @Padmaavathee
+ proposed theories in space and atomic science. He mentored Siddhar Gorakkar or ‘Yogi Gorakshanath’ (another prominent Guru of Hath Yoga) and passed on his knowledge.
From a teaching perspective, let us focus on a specific aspect here, the ‘Kechari Mudra’.
Siddhar Bogar refers to ‘Kechari Mudra’ as the King of Mudras. Kechari Mudra is a vital practice from the Yogic perspective and Machamuni Siddhar instructs on its importance, practice, and benefits through his poems as below:
What becomes Aumkara, if so asked,
Are the syllables u, m and a
Standing together to become Pranava.
See! Isn’t this the nucleus said by the Master!
Merging with the a and u, unuttered,
Hasn’t the fire-residing place become the m syllable!
Inexplicable, indicating Kechari,
The silence called Sat-cit-ananda!
The Kechai mudra is a very advanced yogic practice where the tongue is stretched and elongated through various practices to roll it back and penetrate through the upper passage to the nostrils.
See! If this is realized, it leads to Siddhi of Wisdom
(A Kite) Untethered from the thread, leads to Siddhi of Body
Experience of the soul, leading to Ashtanga Yoga Siddhi
The state of empty breath is a Siddhi
Attaining the quality of no births is a Siddhi
Hope you enjoyed reading and learning about Machamuni or Matsyendranath. I really did enjoy learning something new about Siddhars and sharing with you.
Until next time, take care and see you around! Have a great rest of the day and weekend! 🙂🙏
In Siddhars series, today I bring to you interesting information about the Guru of Pambatti Siddhar and Shishya of Bogar Siddhar. Let’s get to know about Sattaimuni Siddhar – who had immense bhakti towards Shiva & Narayana and blessed by both.
Sattaimuni Siddhar is said to be born in a Tamil speaking family in Sri Lanka. His parents worked in farm and himself lived life as a mendicant in front of temple. He left his family life to be a Seeker and travelled extensively, +
Abhinavgupta is believed to have lived between 924 to 1020 CE. He was a great philosopher, mystic, aesthetic, theologian, exegete, poet and some even claim him to be an influential musician & dramatist during his time.
He’s attributed to have come up with an original thought of one can attain ‘Mukti’ even while living a life of a ‘Gruhasta’. Though, not much is known about his life, however according to information available on internet, Abhinavgupta had as many as 19 gurus.
AdiMurai is believed to be developed and introduced in Tamil Nadu by Siddhars (my main reason for interest in this topic). As mentioned in my previous thread, AdiMurai was patronized by the ‘Moovendhars’ (three great Kings) or in this case dynasties: Pandyas, Chozhas, and Cheras.
AdiMurai can be broken into three different components as below:
1)Adithadi (Unarmed Combat)
2)Aayuthamurai (Armed Combat)
3)Varma Adi (Pressure points attack – this is the principal reason, Adi Murai was hailed as Combat Science)
There are two versions of the story, but the climax is same for both. A man by name Datta renounced the world and performed intense Tapas to transcend to greater existence. However, Leela (one account refers to her as Datta’s wife, +
+ while another refers to her as daughter of Datta’s Guru) is in love with Datta and wants to start family with him. Once when Datta was in an intense meditation, Leela disturbed him. In a fit of rage, Datta cursed Leela to lose her beauty and become a buffalo headed being.
Today, am not sure how many of us have heard about Varma Kalai. Even if one were to have heard about it, they’d only know Varma Kalai as a form of Martial arts, thanks largely to the silver screen representation (Kamal Hassan’s character in Indian).
What many might not know is Varma Kalai at its core is a healing art form.
Varmam are the points where life force resides and flows in the human body. Varmam also means where breathing energy resides in the body (Vaakata Nithanam : Verse 31). @anexcommie@shreekanth2020@shri_v
Varmam are scattered over various parts of body like in nerves, nerve joints, bones, muscles, ligaments and inner organs.
Based on where varmam is located in the body, it has gathered various names like Vasi, Puravi, Kaalam, Uyir, Mayakkam, Pranan, Kalai, Suvaasam, Saram, Yogam,
It’s time of week where I bring you information on one of our Siddhars. Today, we’re gonna look at a Siddhar who was a master astrologer and believed to have hosted the ‘Nava Grahas’. Idaikkadar Siddhar, named after the place he was born ‘Idaikkadu’
I came across some interesting information about Idaikkadar Siddhar and thought of sharing them with you. Let’s begin, shall we?
Yes, the same community to which beloved our Shri Krishna belonged to. Idaikkadar was a shepherd and had daily routine, he used to take his goats for grazing on green pastures. While the goats were busy grazing, Idaikkadar used to lean on his staff and absorbed in Siva-Yoga nidra