Changes

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

The word 'सिद्धिः।Siddhi' generally refers to those transcendental and spiritual powers which are attained through tapas and spiritual [[Sadhana (साधनम्)|sadhana]]. There are many types of siddhis described in Darshana and Tantric texts, out of which eight siddhis are more famous which are called 'Ashtasiddhi' or Ashta Aishvaryas are described in the Amarakosha as below.<ref name=":0" />   

The word 'सिद्धिः।Siddhi' generally refers to those transcendental and spiritual powers which are attained through tapas and spiritual [[Sadhana (साधनम्)|sadhana]]. In Amarakosha and Yoga darshana, siddhis are also described as  synonymous to Vibhutis, Bhuti, and Sampatti. They are Ishvara dharmas. There are many types of siddhis described in Darshana and Tantric texts, out of which eight siddhis are more famous which are called 'Ashtasiddhi' or Ashta Aishvaryas which in the Amarakosha are as below.<ref name=":0" />   

: अणिमा १ लघिमा २ प्राप्तिः ३ प्राकाम्यम् ४ महिमा ५ ईशित्वम् ६ वशित्वम् ७ कामावशायिता ८ । इत्यमरः ॥<ref name=":0">Shabdakalpadhruma - see the term [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%8F ऐश्वर्य्यं]</ref>

: अणिमा १ लघिमा २ प्राप्तिः ३ प्राकाम्यम् ४ महिमा ५ ईशित्वम् ६ वशित्वम् ७ कामावशायिता ८ । इत्यमरः ॥<ref name=":0">Shabdakalpadhruma - see the term [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%8F ऐश्वर्य्यं]</ref>

vāyustambhaṃ kṣutpipāsānidrāstambhanameva ca | kāyavyūhaṃ ca vāksiddhiṃ mṛtānayanamaupsitam || 36 ||

vāyustambhaṃ kṣutpipāsānidrāstambhanameva ca | kāyavyūhaṃ ca vāksiddhiṃ mṛtānayanamaupsitam || 36 ||

sṛṣṭīnāṃ karaṇaṃ caiva prāṇākarṣaṇameva ca |</blockquote>O! Nanda, hear from me and receive the siddhamantra. The names of the siddhis are Anima (अणिमा), Laghima (लघिमा), Prapti (प्राप्तिः), Prakamya (प्राकाम्यं), Mahima (महिमा), Isitva (ईशित्वं), Vasitva (वशित्वं), Kamavasayita (कामावसायिता), Dura-sravana (दूरश्रवणम्), Parakaya-pravesa (परकायप्रवेशनम्), Manoyayitva (मनोयायित्वम्), Sarvajnatva (सर्वज्ञत्वम्), Agnistambhana (वह्निस्तम्भं), Jalastambhana (जलस्तम्भं), Chiranjivitva (चिरंजीवित्वम्), Vayustambha (वायुस्तम्भं), controlling of hunger, thirst and sleep (क्षुत्पिपासानिद्रास्तम्भन), Kayavyuham, Vaksiddhi (वाक्सिद्धि), bringing alive the dead (मृतानयनम्), Srishti the creation (सृष्टीनां करणं), Attracting one's prana or lifeforce (प्राणाकर्षण).   

sṛṣṭīnāṃ karaṇaṃ caiva prāṇākarṣaṇameva ca |</blockquote>O! Nanda, hear from me and receive the siddhamantra. The names of the siddhis are Anima (अणिमा), Laghima (लघिमा), Prapti (प्राप्तिः), Prakamya (प्राकाम्यं), Mahima (महिमा), Isitva (ईशित्वं), Vasitva (वशित्वं), Kamavasayita (कामावसायिता), Dura-sravana (दूरश्रवणम्), Parakaya-pravesa (परकायप्रवेशनम्), Manoyayitva (मनोयायित्वम्), Sarvajnatva (सर्वज्ञत्वम्), Agnistambhana (वह्निस्तम्भं), Jalastambhana (जलस्तम्भं), Chiranjivitva (चिरंजीवित्वम्), Vayustambha (वायुस्तम्भं), controlling of hunger, thirst and sleep (क्षुत्पिपासानिद्रास्तम्भन), Kayavyuham, Vaksiddhi (वाक्सिद्धि), bringing alive the dead (मृतानयनम्), Srishti the creation (सृष्टीनां करणं), Attracting one's prana or lifeforce (प्राणाकर्षण).<ref>Nagar, Shanti Lal. ''trans. Brahmavaivarta Purana, Sanskrit Text with English Translation. Vol. 2.'' Delhi: Parimal Publications (Pages 508-509) </ref>    

According to Sri. Rajendra Nath Sen the following siddhis are present.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meaning: The masters of the yoga system have declared that there are eighteen types of mystic perfection and meditation, of which eight are primary, having their shelter in Me, and ten are secondary, appearing from the material mode of goodness.

 

Scholars<ref>Sen, Rajendra Nath. (1922) ''trans''. ''Brahma Vaivarta Puranam, Ganesa and Krisna Janma Khandas''. Allahabad: The Panini Office. (Page 391)</ref> hold that more than eight siddhis are present, but eight of them are significant. Vayupurana<ref>Vayupurana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9 Purvardha Adhyaya 13])</ref> also contains a detailed description of siddhis or aishvaryas.   

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

!S.No

!S.No

|7

|7

|Vasitva (वशित्वं)

|Vasitva (वशित्वं)

|

|Control or subjection

|-

|-

|8

|8

|Kamavasayita (कामावसायिता)

|Kamavasayita (कामावसायिता)

|

|Suppression of passions

|-

|-

|9

|9

|Dura-sravana (दूरश्रवणम्)

|Dura-sravana (दूरश्रवणम्)

|

|Listening from a distance

|-

|-

|10

|10

|Parakaya-pravesa (परकायप्रवेशनम्)

|Kaya-pravesa (कायप्रवेशम्)

|

|Entering into the body

|-

|-

|11

|11

|Manoyayitva (मनोयायित्वम्)

|Manoyayitva (मनोयायित्वम्)

|

|Going at will

|-

|-

|12

|12

|Sarvajnatva (सर्वज्ञत्वम्)

|Sarvajnatva (सर्वज्ञत्वम्)

|

|Omniscience

|-

|-

|13

|13

|Agnistambhana (वह्निस्तम्भं)

|Jalajnanatva (जलज्ञानत्वम्)

|

|Knowledge of water

|-

|-

|14

|14

|Jalastambhana (जलस्तम्भं)

|Agnistambhana (वह्निस्तम्भं)

|

|Control of fire

|-

|-

|15

|15

|Chiranjivitva (चिरंजीवित्वम्)

|Jalastambhana (जलस्तम्भं)

|

|Control of water

|-

|-

|16

|16

|Vayustambha (वायुस्तम्भं)

|Chiranjivitva (चिरंजीवित्वम्)

|

|Immortality

|-

|-

|17

|17

|Controlling of hunger, thirst and sleep (क्षुत्पिपासानिद्रास्तम्भन)

|Vayustambha (वायुस्तम्भं)

|

|Control of wind

|-

|-

|18

|18

|Kayavyuham (कायव्यूहम्)

|Kshud Stambana (क्षुद-स्तम्भन)  

|

|Controlling of hunger

|-

|-

|19

|19

|Vaksiddhi (वाक्सिद्धिः)

|Pipasa (पिपासा स्तम्भन)

|

|Control of thirst

|-

|-

|20

|20

|Bringing alive the dead (मृतानयनम्)  

|Nidra (निद्रा स्तम्भन)

|

|Control of sleep

|-

|-

|21

|21

|Srishti the creation (सृष्टीनां करणं)

|Kayavyuham (कायव्यूहम्)

|

|Wielding several bodies at once

|-

|-

|22

|22

|Attracting one's prana or lifeforce (प्राणाकर्षण)

|Vaksiddhi (वाक्सिद्धिः)

|

|Accomplishment of speech

|-

|-

|23

|23

|Dvara-pravesha (द्वारा-प्रवेशम्)

|Dvara-pravesha (द्वारा-प्रवेशम्)

|

|Entering into the threshold

|-

|-

|24

|27

|Abhipsita labha (आभीप्सित लाभ)  

|Abhipsita labha (आभीप्सित लाभ)

|

|Securing the desired object

|-

|-

|25

|28

|Prana dana (प्राण दान)

|Prana dana (प्राण दान)

|

|Restoration to life

|-

|-

|27

|29

|लोभादि शतक स्तंभन

|Lobhadi-shat Sthambhana (लोभादि शट्क स्तम्भन)

|

|Control of avarice etc., (arishadvarga)

|-

|-

|28

|30

|ईन्द्रिय स्थम्बनम् 

|Indriya Stambhana (ईन्द्रिय स्तम्भन)

|

|Control of senses

|-

|-

|29

|31

|बुद्धि स्थम्बनम्

|Buddhi Sthambhana (बुद्धि स्तम्भन)

|

|Control of intellect

|}

|}

# '''वशित्वम् ॥ vaśitvam'''- This is the power by which all the desires are fulfilled, one has control over the elements and beings; have the ability to create, rearrange or dissolve them.

# '''वशित्वम् ॥ vaśitvam'''- This is the power by which all the desires are fulfilled, one has control over the elements and beings; have the ability to create, rearrange or dissolve them.

The above mentioned eight siddhis can be used according to the wish of the Yogi. But in the Yoga philosophy the pursuance of the path of the Yoga for the attainment of these powers has been vehemently decried because that results in misleading the aspirant from the path of Yoga. The ultimate end of the Yoga is not the attainment of these powers, but the realisation of Moksa. Thus, Yoga is a combination of practical physical development and discipline with a mystical objective which is its ultimate purpose. This co-ordination of a system of thought with a program of daily life exercises is based on physiological psychology as well as religious philosophy.

The above mentioned eight siddhis can be used according to the wish of the Yogi. But in the Yoga philosophy the pursuance of the path of the Yoga for the attainment of these powers has been vehemently decried because that results in misleading the aspirant from the path of Yoga. The ultimate end of the Yoga is not the attainment of these powers, but the realisation of Moksa. Thus, Yoga is a combination of practical physical development and discipline with a mystical objective which is its ultimate purpose. This co-ordination of a system of thought with a program of daily life exercises is based on physiological psychology as well as religious philosophy.

 

[[Puranas (पुराणानि)|Puranas]], [[Itihasa (इतिहासः)|Itihasas]], and experiences of great saints depict many revelations of siddhis.

=== अणिमा ॥ Aṇimā ===

=== अणिमा ॥ Aṇimā ===

The first siddhi among the eight siddhis is Anima, which means the power to make one's body as subtle as an atom. Just as we cannot see an atom with our naked eyes, similarly, after attaining Anima siddhi, no person can see the one who has attained the siddhi. The practitioner is capable of assuming a subtle body equal to an atom whenever he wants.

The first siddhi among the eight siddhis is Anima, which means the power to make one's body as subtle as an atom. Just as we cannot see an atom with our naked eyes, similarly, after attaining Anima siddhi, no person can see the one who has attained the siddhi. The practitioner is capable of assuming a subtle body equal to an atom whenever he wants.

 

 

 

 

- Valmiki Ramayana narrates the animasiddhi of Hanuman, where he assumes a small body to hide in the trees and listen to the conversation between Sita and Ravana.

=== महिमा ॥ Mahimā ===

=== महिमा ॥ Mahimā ===

Mahima is the siddhi just opposite to Anima. The practitioner is capable of making his body unlimitedly huge whenever he wants. He can stretch his body to any extent.

Mahima is the siddhi just opposite to Anima. The practitioner is capable of making his body unlimitedly huge whenever he wants. He can stretch his body to any extent by mere thought.  

 

=== गरिमा ॥ Garimā ===

=== गरिमा ॥ Garimā ===

After attaining this siddhi, the practitioner can increase the weight of his body in an unlimited manner. The size of the practitioner remains limited, but the weight of his body increases so much that no power can move him.

After attaining this siddhi, the practitioner can increase the weight of his body in an unlimited manner. The size of the practitioner remains limited, but the weight of his body increases so much that no power can move him.

=== लघिमा ॥ Laghimā ===

=== लघिमा ॥ Laghimā ===

The practitioner's body can become so light that he can fly faster than the wind. The weight of his body becomes almost negligible. Levitation practiced by some tantric yogis is a form of this siddhi.

The practitioner's body can become so light that he can fly faster than the wind. The weight of his body becomes almost negligible. Levitation practiced by some tantric yogis is a form of this siddhi.

=== प्राप्तिः ॥ Prāptiḥ ===

=== प्राप्तिः ॥ Prāptiḥ ===

A practitioner can go anywhere, to any place without any hindrance. As per wish, by becoming invisible in front of other people, one can reach whichever place one wants without anyone seeing them.

A practitioner can go anywhere, to any place without any hindrance. As per wish, by becoming invisible in front of other people, one can reach whichever place one wants without anyone seeing them. The touch of an object situated far away by a person on earth with his hand is also 'Prapti'.

 

Example - Like SriKrishna covered the Sun situated at a distance of one crore yojanas with his Sudarshan Chakra while being on the ground at the time of killing of Jayadratha.

=== प्राकाम्यम् ॥ Prākāmyam ===

=== प्राकाम्यम् ॥ Prākāmyam ===

A practitioner can understand what is in someone's mind or thoughts very easily, whether the person in front expresses his mind or not.

A practitioner can understand what is in someone's mind or thoughts very easily, whether the person in front expresses his mind or not. Similarly, being immersed in the earth similar to being in water without being cleaned, entering a rock etc., also indicate prakamya siddhi.

 

Example - Krishna came into Dwaraka using this siddhi when he was blocked by Jarasandha's soldiers on the Raivataka mountain near Dwaraka.  

=== ईशित्वम् ॥ Iśitvam ===

=== ईशित्वम् ॥ Iśitvam ===

It is the ability to have complete authority over every object and creature.  

It is the ability to have complete authority over every object and creature thereby the siddhi is accomplished in others just as like oneself.

 

=== वशित्वम् ॥ Vaśitvam ===

=== वशित्वम् ॥ Vaśitvam ===

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Yoga]]

[[Category:Yoga]]