Paul Zweig in the introduction to Swami Muktananda’s the PERFECT RELATIONSHIP, published by Syda Foundation, 1985, (Muktananda, The Perfect Relationship, 1985) writes,
“Siddha Yoga is an ancient path, as old as human nature itself. .... Siddha Yoga comes to us from Siddhas, perfect beings, beings who are so completely rooted in their own selfhood, in their inner God, that they see that God everywhere and can transmit their own experience to other people.”
An author on the net, (Source not identified) refers to the Upanishads,
“As defined in the Upanishads, a Siddha is one who has progressed from the exalted ‘state of freed while living’ (Jivanmukta) to ‘supremely free with full power over death’ (Para Mukta).”
B K S’s Iyengar statement in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika of Svatmarama, (Rieker, Hatha Yoga Pradipika of Svatmarama, 1992),
“….the real goal of a yogi is to become a Siddha. A Siddha, a person in possession of Siddhis, has developed powers that can readily be called supernatural. There are eight Siddhis, the highest of which is Nirvana, the great liberation. The Siddhis are signposts on his way to the final goal, liberation.”
M. Govindan in BABAJI AND THE 18 SIDDHA KRIYA YOGA TRADITION, KriyaYoga Publications, Quebec, Canada, 1991, (Govindan, 1991) wrote,
“After experiencing union or Yoga with God or ultimate reality in the spiritual plane, the Tamil Yoga Siddhas experienced a progressive transformation of their intellectual, mental, vital and ultimately, physical bodies. In attaining such an integral realization they have manifested a divine transformation of their entire human nature.”
M. Govindan adds that their attainment is a result of the techniques used to prepare their bodies for the descent of divinity.
M. Govindan says it is important to know the Siddhas and their path,
“Their story is important to modern man because it speaks of a means of self transformation which is accessible to everyone, in all walks of life using a series of techniques known as KriyaYoga.”
Although the Siddhas have been around for ages, only certain quarters speak about them. The subject of Siddhas is shrouded in mystery. Although works of Siddhas are now available in print, it is not fully possible to decipher these works.
Agathiyar has mentioned Siddhas who made it to his stature. They are Karuvurar, Konganar, Bhogar, Sattamuni, Kamalamuni, Machamuni, Tirumoolar, Nandisar, Sundaranandhar, Korakar and Purushamiruga Yogi.
In another Siddha song, Agathiyar mentions the following names of Siddhas: Manikavachagar, Avvai, Nalyugi, Tirumoolar, Gnanasambandhar, Karuvurar, Tiruvalluvar, Kausigar, Vasistha, Pambatti, Appar, Sundarar, Sugabrahmar, Karkaipujandhar, Thanvanthari, and Shivayoga Mamunivar.
Siddha Romarishi mentions in one of his writings the names of some of these Siddhas. They are Karuvurar, Bhogar, Agathiyar, Sathainathar, Konganar, Brahma Siddha, Machamuni, Nandhithevar, Korakar, Pathanjali, Edaikadar, Chandikesar, Vasamuni, and Kamalamuni.
Korakar goes on to mention sixty-four Siddhas who started missions or Madams and headed them. The list is as follows. (Information sourced from SIDDHARGAL KANDA AHVIGALAI VIRATHUM MULIGAI RAGASIYANGAL by Jegatha). (Jegatha)
They are:
Sixty-Four Siddhas Who Started Madams And Headed
Them
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Agathiyar
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Karuvanandhar
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Sandigamamunivar
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Siddharishi
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Yathithamunivar
|
Viswamunimaindhar
|
Aghoramunivar
|
Kalanandhar
|
SadhaShivamamunivar
|
Siddhanandhar
|
Yegarishi
|
Viswarishi
|
Amuthavanandhar
|
Kuruvanandhar
|
Sadhanandhar
|
Shivamunivar
|
Yogarishi
|
Viswanandhar
|
Athimunivar
|
Kurmanandhar
|
Sathiyanandhar
|
Shivanandhar
|
Rudrarishi
|
Vishnumunivar
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Anandhamunivar
|
Kauthamunivar
|
Samaiyavanandhar
|
Sinmaiyanandhar
|
Logava
nandhar
|
Vidhanandhar
|
Rasamunivar
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Korakar
|
Saruganandhar
|
Sugarishi
|
Vasamuni
|
Viyasarishi
|
Kamalanandhar
|
Sachuthanandhar
|
Saruvanandhar
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Sukiramunivar
|
Thuruvanandharmurthi
|
Brahmandhar
|
Karunaiyanandhar
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Sattaimunivar
|
Sisuvanandhar
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Suthanandhar
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Nandiyanandhar
|
Pulastyar
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Sundaranandhar
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Brahmamunivar
|
Muthanandhar
|
Valaiyanandhar
|
Pathanjalimamunivar
|
Puranavanandhar
|
Suriyanandhar
|
Brahmarishi
|
Mularishi
|
Vanendramahamuni
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Paramanandhar
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Purananandhar
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Saithanyamunivar
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Shiruvanandhar
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Maunamunivar
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Machamunivar
|
||
Elsewhere there is mention of Athimula Navanadha Siddhas: Anathinadhar, Athinadhar @ Vethanda Siddhar, Gajendranadhar @ Vilaiyathu Siddhar, Korakar, Sathoganadhar @ Yoga Siddhar, Sathiyanadhar @ Gnana Siddhar, Mathanganadhar, Machendranadhar @ Nondhi Siddhar, and Vegulinadhar @ Mauna Siddhar.
There is mention of Saptarishis too: Agathiyar, Angirasar, Kasipar, Gauthamar, Pulastyar, Markandar and Vasisthar.
Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of the Sri Agathiyar Sri Thava Murugar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil has compiled and given an extensive list of names of Siddhas. He tells me the names listed by him are those of authentic Siddhas and have had references in other Siddha works and writings. He tells me it was sufficient to recite these names and when done diligently and without fail one shall have their (Siddhas) grace immediately.
They are as follows:
List of Names of Siddhas Compiled by Tavayogi
Thangarasan Adigal
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Agathiyar
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Katyamagarishi
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Sundaramurthi
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Pampatisiddhar
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Agapaisiddhar
|
Kabalamagarishi
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Sutamunivar
|
Bagadevamagarishi
|
Asuvinitdevar
|
Kakeyamagarishi
|
Suriyananthar
|
Parvathamagarishi
|
Athirimagarishi
|
Kartikeyamagarishi
|
Sulamunivar
|
Bhaskaramagarishi
|
Ambigananthar
|
Kalavamagarishi
|
Saykilar
|
Pingalamunivar
|
Arunagirinathar
|
Kalinganathamagarishi
|
Sethumunivar
|
Pidinakisar
|
Arulnanthishivachariyar
|
Kalamagarishi
|
Sorubananthar
|
Bhirugumagarishi
|
Allamapirabu
|
Kanbamagarishi
|
Somagamagarishi
|
Brahmamunivar
|
Alukannisiddhar
|
Kinthamagarishi
|
Saunagamagarishi
|
Pirunjakamunivar
|
Asidevamagarishi
|
Kiruthumagarishi
|
Jambumagarishi
|
Pirungumagarishi
|
Alagananthar
|
Kusarishi
|
Janagar
|
Pipalamagarishi
|
Arithamagarishi
|
Kutsagarishi
|
Janantanar
|
Punnakeesar
|
Anjanadeva
|
Kugainamashivayar
|
Janatanar
|
Pulatisar
|
Atchayadevarishi
|
Kurunamashivayar
|
Janakumarar
|
Pulippanisiddhar
|
Atithamagarishi
|
Kutambaisiddhar
|
Jabalimagarishi
|
Pundarigamagarishi
|
Aritsamagarishi
|
Kumaragurubarar
|
Jeganathar
|
Purukothamagarishi
|
Atreyamagarishi
|
Gurudhaksanamurthy
|
Jeyamunivar
|
Punaikannar
|
Asavalayanamagarishi
|
Gururajar
|
Gnanasiddhar
|
Bhogamagarishi
|
Ananthasiddhar
|
Kurumbaisiddhar
|
Damarananthar
|
Machamunivar
|
Edaikadar
|
Kurmananthar
|
Danvanthiri
|
Mayuraysa
|
Ramalingaadigal
|
Konganamagarishi
|
Tayumanar
|
Manikavasaga
|
Ramadevar
|
Korakar
|
Tananthar
|
Markandayar
|
Ramananthar
|
Kausigar
|
Tatisimagarishi
|
Malangan
|
Umabathishivachariyar
|
Kautamar
|
Tambamagarishi
|
Matangamagarishi
|
Ubamanyumagarishi
|
Sangarshanamagarishi
|
Talapiyamagarishi
|
Manurishi
|
Usanamagarishi
|
Satumugamagarishi
|
TathuvaGnanasiddhar
|
Marisamagarishi
|
Uthayagirisiddhar
|
Satananthamagarishi
|
Trikonasiddhar
|
Mandavyamagarishi
|
Avvaiyar
|
Sangumagarishi
|
ThiruGnanasambanthar
|
Mukthananthar
|
Kanjamalaisiddhar
|
Sanatanamagarishi
|
Thirunavukarasar
|
Mutkalamagarishi
|
Kadaipillaisiddhar
|
Chandirakulamagarishi
|
Thirumaligaidevar
|
Meikandadevar
|
Kaduvelisiddhar
|
Savitiramagarishi
|
Thiruvaluvar
|
Maunachsiddhar
|
Kannananthar
|
Sangiyayanamagarishi
|
Tirunabindhumagarishi
|
Megasanchararishi
|
Kannisiddhar
|
Sandilyamagarishi
|
Dhurvasamunivar
|
Maitrayemagarishi
|
Kanabathidasar
|
Santirayanamagarishi
|
Teraiyar
|
Mrityunjaya
|
Kananathar
|
Saratvanthumagarishi
|
Tevatattamagarishi
|
Yakgnadevamagarishi
|
Katambamagarishi
|
Salihotramagarishi
|
Tevalamagarishi
|
Yuhgimunivar
|
Kabilar
|
Satvikadevamagarishi
|
Tevaratamagarishi
|
Yogasiddhar
|
Kamalamunivar
|
Sangamunisiddhar
|
Nanthanar
|
Yogananthar
|
Karuvurdevar
|
Sangaramagarishi
|
Nanthisvarar
|
Rohmarishi
|
Kallulisiddhar
|
Sangilisiddhar
|
Nathanthasiddhar
|
Raipriyamagarishi
|
Kalaicoathumunivar
|
Satchithananthar
|
Narathar
|
Vasudevamagarishi
|
Kaubalasiddhar
|
Sattanathar
|
Nagaradevamagarishi
|
Vamadevar
|
Kanaramar
|
Sandikehsar
|
Nondisiddhar
|
Valakilyamagarishi
|
Kagabujandar
|
Sathyananthar
|
Pandrimalaisiddhar
|
Vasisthamagarishi
|
Kasibar
|
Chitramuktar
|
Pattinathar
|
Varatarishi
|
Kalanginathar
|
Shivayogamamunivar
|
Pathragiriyar
|
Vararishi
|
Kanvamagarishi
|
Shivananthar
|
Patanjaliyar
|
Varagimigi
|
Karkamagarishi
|
Sirungimagarishi
|
Paratuvasar
|
Valmigi
|
Kausamagarishi
|
Shivayambuvamanumagarishi
|
Paramananthar
|
Vedamagarishi
|
Kanagamagarishi
|
Sugabrahmar
|
Parasarishi
|
Vyakramar
|
Thavathiru Rengaraja Desiga Swamigal of Sri Agathiar Sanmaarga Charitable Trust Ongarakudil, Turaiyur lists out 131 names of Siddhas in his SIDDHARGAL POTRI THOGUPPU available at http://agathiar.org/tamil/pdf/Sitthar%27s%20Pottri%20Thokuppu.pdf
Veeramanidhasan [1] has compiled 773 lists of names in his GURU PUJAI - SRI SIDDHARGAL POTRI MANTHIRA MALAI (Swamigal V., 2005).
Rajkumar Swamigal [2] of Brammarishi Hills lists 210 names.
[1] Veeramani Dasan is an Indian singer of devotional songs. Earlier Dasan had a light music troupe, Sruti Laya. But now it is devotional singing most of the way. He has sung for a couple of films too. Having sung more than 3,500 songs this singer who travels extensively for concerts is at home in Kannada and Telugu devotionals too. (Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)