Siddha facts for kids

The mahasiddha Virūpa, 16th century

Siddha is a Sanskrit word that means "perfected one". It is a term used in Indian religions and culture to describe a master who has achieved a high level of success. This usually refers to spiritual perfection or enlightenment.

In religions like Jainism and Hinduism, a Siddha is someone who has reached moksha, which means liberation. It can also refer to a person who has gained special abilities, known as siddhi, through their practice.

Siddhas are often respected as great teachers, ascetics, or yogis because they have dedicated their lives to spiritual practice.

Siddhas in Jainism

A depiction of a Siddha in a Jain temple.

In Jainism, a Siddha is a soul that has been liberated. These souls have removed all their karma and achieved moksha. This means they are free from the cycle of birth and rebirth. They are considered to be very pure and are ranked higher than other holy beings.

Jains believe that Siddhas do not have a physical body anymore. They exist as a soul in its purest form. They reside in a place called Siddhashila, which is located at the very top of the universe. Because they are formless, they do not have feelings like anger or desire. They are free from all temptations and do not create any new karma.

Qualities of a Liberated Soul

According to Jain teachings, a Siddha has eight special qualities. These qualities show their perfection:

• Infinite Knowledge: They know everything about the universe.
• Infinite Vision: They can see everything clearly.
• Infinite Power: They have unlimited spiritual strength.
• Infinite Bliss: They experience perfect happiness that never ends.
• Formlessness: They do not have a physical shape or size.
• Equality: They are not part of any social class or group.
• Eternity: They live forever without aging.
• Unchanging: Their state of peace does not change.

Once a soul becomes a Siddha, it goes to the top of the universe and stays there for eternity in a state of peace.

Siddhas in Hinduism

In Hinduism, the word Siddha is used to describe great yogis and sages. The first mention of the term is found in ancient texts called the Upanishads.

The Secret Land of Siddhashrama

There is a belief in a secret land called Siddhashrama. It is said to be hidden deep in the Himalayas. Stories say that great yogis and Siddhas live there to practice meditation without being disturbed. This idea is similar to the legendary land of Shambhala.

Siddhashrama is mentioned in famous Indian epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. In these stories, it is a place where holy people perform religious sacrifices and spiritual practices.

The Nath Tradition

In Hindu tradition, there is a group of teachers known as the Naths. They are often called Siddhas. Tradition speaks of 84 famous Siddhas and 9 Naths. These masters are respected for their knowledge of yoga.

Ancient texts list the names of these eighty-four masters. Some of the most famous names include:

• Matsyendra
• Gorakshanath
• Virupa
• Nagarjuna

These teachers are known for developing practices that help people keep their bodies healthy and strong for meditation.

The Tamil Siddhar Tradition

In Tamil Nadu, a state in South India, there is a tradition of the siddhars (or cittars). A Siddhar is a person who has achieved a high degree of physical and spiritual perfection.

People believe that Siddhars could do amazing things. They are said to have attained a type of physical immortality, meaning they could live for a very long time. They achieved this through special secret preparations called rasayanas and breathing exercises known as pranayama.

Siddhars are also famous for their contributions to science and art. They developed a system of medicine known as Siddha medicine. They also wrote poetry and had deep knowledge of nature. It is said they possessed eight special powers, such as the ability to become very small or very large, or to travel through the air.

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