Thread by @smrithirekha

Thread: Unfortunately in the Tamil Vs Hindi/Sanskrit debate the work of the 18 Siddhas hasn’t received much attention! The Siddhas were experts in Jnana, Aushadha, Alchemy, Astrology, Tantra and Yoga. They worked tirelessly and mystically to benefit humanity. Here is about them+

#Agasthiyar is the pradhana Siddha. Credited with first Tamil grammar compilation: Agathiyam. Deep yogic practices and medicinal system given by him. Directly initiated by Shiva Peruman. He initiated Mahavatar Babaji in Kutralam

#Thirumoolar wrote the Thirumandiram which is an unparalleled work on Yoga with 3000 verss. Did Parakaya pravesha on a cow-herd named moolan and meditated. Blessed by Shiva Peruman to carry fwd his teachings. Samadhi in Chidambaram

#NandiDevar: Initiated by Shiva Peruman. His contributions include on medicine, kayakalpa and alchemy. Some of his eminent disciples are Dhanvantri, Thirumular, Patanjali, Romarishi and Chattamuni. His samadhi is in Kasi. Nandeesar 300, Nandi nigandu 300 etc are credited to him

#Bogar: Also known as Bhoganath in Nath Sampradaya. Samadhi @ Palani. Navapashana vigraham @ Palani credited to him. Disciple of Kalanginathar. He visited China several times & trained Chinese in medicine and arts.Bogar Saptakanda is an amazing work. Known as Jnanaguru of Babaji

#Konkanaar: Initiated by Bogar. Born in a poor family but excelled in alchemy and Jnana. He had 557 disciples. He lived for long and performed astounding miracles and discoveries in the field of Siddha science for the benefit of humanity. He entered Jeeva samadhi at Tirupati.

#Machamuni: Known as Matsyendranath. Probably belonged to the fisherman community. He followed vaasiyogam and awakened his kundalini energy to understand his inner self and attain siddhis. He got astamasiddhis and pronounced his major works. Samadhi in Tirupurankundram

#Gorakkar: Also known as Gorakhnath. Avadhuta Gita, Gorakar Muligai and Gorakar Vaippu are revered texts in given by him. Gorkha, a historical district of Nepal, is named after him. There is a cave with his paduka (footwear) and an idol of him there.Samadhi in Girnar

#Sattaimuni: Was born in Srilanka and lived in poverty. Shiva himself is said to have given him a garment. An expert in medicine, did extensive research on ailments and solns. Siddhar Sattaimuni wrote in a direct language which anyone could easily understand. Samadhi :Srirangam

#Sundaranandar: Eminent in Madurai and initiated by Sattaimuni. Expert in medicine & astrology. He lived with his guru in the Thavasi Parai caves in the Saduragiri hills. He later established the Sundaramahalingam in the Thaniparai area of Saptur. Samadhi in Madurai

#Ramadevar: AKA Yacob Siddha. Ramadevar Siddhar lived in the Nagapattinam. Samadhi in Alagar malai. He was gifted with a Linga by grace of Lord Kasi Vishwanath. He consecrated it in Nagapattinam. Arab merchants took him to Arabia when in meditation. Had many Arab followers.

#Kudambai: Named after an ornament worn in ear. Brought up like a girl by his parents and born in Yadava family. Very famous for 3 lined verses and compiled his songs with the word Kuthambai in every stanza. Samadhi in Mayavaram

#Karuvoorar: He is popular for his contribution in constructing the Tanjore temple and other medicinal works. Idai Kadar is one of his eminent disciples. Siddhar Bogar accepted Karuvoorar and initiated him into the worship of Ambal.Samadhi in Karur.

#idaikadar: Initiated by both Karuvoorar & Bogar. Born in the kula of idaiyar or konar (shepherds).e would take his goats to graze. As his goats grazed, he leaned on his herding staff, stood with his eyes closed absorbed in Siva-Yoga Nidra.Samadhi at Tiruvannamalai

#Kamalamuni: Kamalamuni Siddhar is said to have attained samadhi in the Tiruvarur temple. His peetam is found near the Amman shrine. Siddha Kalanginathar is also referred to as the Kanja Malai Siddhar. Kanja Malai is a series of hillocks near the city of Salem in Tamil Nadu.

#Valmiki: Siddha Vanmikar’s samadhi is located at Ettukudi in Tamil Nadu. Legend has it that Vanmikar established a temple at Thiruvanmayur with the Lord’s name Marundhisvarar, Lord of medicines. It is held that Siddha Vanmikar used this temple premises to treat his patients.

#Patanjali: Patanjali Siddhar is considered to be well versed in both Sanskrit and Tamil. Patanjali Yoga Sutra is well known. Patanjali Siddhar was considered to be an avatar of Adi Shesha the Cosmic Serpent upon whom Lord Vishnu rests.

#Dhanavantari: Place of Samadhi is Vaitheeswaram. Considered the God of Ayurveda. His disciples are Susruta, Pauskalavata, Aurabha, Vaitarana, and others. Agastya says “iddhar dhanvantari belongs to the ancestry of Lord MahaVishnu and was born to a family of musical tradition.”

#PambattiSiddhar: Initiated by Sattaimuni Siddhar on Kundalini awakening. Some of the Pambatti Siddhar poems are addressed to a snake. Not to any snake outside but to the snake that is coiled within us, the Kundalini. There is a cave in Marudamalai where he lived.

Most Siddhas are covered in @anaadifdn blogs at anaadifoundation.org/blog/category/…. The tradition is very much alive in several parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Many are initiated into Vaasi Yoga, follow natural diet and experts in herbs, metals and minerals.