InIndian religions, Siddhis (Sanskrit: सिद्धिsiddhi; fulfillment, accomplishment) are material, paranormal, supernatural, or otherwise magical powers, abilities, and attainments that are the products of yogic advancement through sādhanās such as meditation and yoga.[1] The term ṛddhi (Pali: iddhi, "psychic powers") is often used interchangeably in Buddhism.
The Visuddhimagga is one of the texts to give explicit details about how spiritual masters were thought to actually manifest supernormal abilities.[3] It states that abilities such as flying through the air, walking through solid obstructions, diving into the ground, walking on water and so forth are achieved through changing one element, such as earth, into another element, such as air.[3] The individual must master kasina meditation before this is possible.[3]Dipa Ma, who trained via the Visuddhimagga, claimed to have these abilities, but her claim was never independently verified.[4]
In the Panchatantra, an ancient Indian collection of moral fables, siddhi may be the term for any unusual skill or faculty or capability.[citation needed]
InPatañjali's Yoga Sutras IV.1 it is stated, Janma auṣadhi mantra tapaḥ samādhijāḥ siddhayaḥ, "Accomplishments may be attained through birth, the use of herbs, incantations, self-discipline or samadhi".[5]
Eight classical siddhis
[edit]Ganesha with the personified Ashta-Siddhi The Ashtasiddhi are associated with Ganesha. – painting by Raja Ravi Varma (1848–1906)
According to different sources, below are the eight classical siddhis (Ashta Siddhi) or eight great perfections:[6][7]
Aṇimā: the ability to reduce one's body to the size of an atom.
Mahimā: the ability to expand one's body to an infinitely large size.
Laghimā: the ability to become weightless or lighter than air.
Garimā: the ability to become heavy or dense.
Prāpti: the ability to realize whatever one desires.
Prākāmya: the ability to access any place in the world.
Īśitva: the ability to control all material elements or natural forces.
Vaśitva: the ability to force influence upon anyone.
InISKCON texts, the ability to become heavy or dense (Garimā) is named Mahimā, which (the ability to expand one's body) gets replaced with Kāmāvasāyitā, the ability to take any shape or form one may even whimsically desire.
InShaivism, siddhis are defined as "Extraordinary powers of the soul, developed through consistent meditation and often uncomfortable and grueling tapas, or awakened naturally through spiritual maturity and yogic sādhanā."[8]
In the Samkhyakarika and Tattvasamasa, there are references to the attainment of eight siddhis by which "one becomes free of the pain of ignorance, one gains knowledge, and experiences bliss".
The eight siddhis hinted at by Kapila in the Tattvasamasa are, as explained in verse 51 of the Samkhyakarika:[11]
Ūha: based on the samskaras (karmic imprints) of previous births, the attainment of knowledge about the twenty-four tattvas gained by examining the determinable and indeterminable, conscious and non-conscious constituents of creation.
Śabda: knowledge gained by associating with an enlightened person (Guru – upadesh).
Adhyayana: knowledge gained through study of the Vedas and other standard ancillary texts.
Suhṛtprāpti: knowledge gained from a kind-hearted person, while engaged in the spread of knowledge.
Dānā: knowledge gained regardless of one’s own needs while attending to the requirements of those engaged in the search of the highest truth.
Ādhyātmika-duḥkhabighāta: freedom from pain, disappointment, etc. that may arise due to lack of spiritual, metaphysical, mystic knowledge and experience.
Ādhibhautika-duḥkhabighāta: freedom from pain etc. arising from possessing and being attached to various materialistic gains.
Ādhidaivika-duḥkhabighāta: freedom from pain etc. caused by fate or due to reliance on fate.
It is believed that the attainment of these eight siddhis renders one free of the pain of ignorance and gives one knowledge and bliss.
Ganesha, Hanuman, various forms of Devi, Vishnu and various other deities are popularly seen as the keepers of siddhis, with the ability to grant them to the worshipper.[12]
In Sikhism, siddhi means "insight". "Eight Siddhis" is a term used for insight of the eight qualities of Nirankar or a.k.a. Akal Purakh mentioned in the Mul Mantar in the Guru Granth Sahib. God has eight qualities: Ek Onkar, Satnam, Kartapurakh, Nirbhao, Nirvair, AkaalMurat, Ajooni and Svaibhang. The one who has insight into these qualities is called SidhorGurmukh.[citation needed]
1. Ek Onkar
There is one formless God
2. Satnam
God is True, His remembrance is true
3. Kartapurakh
God alone is creator
4. Nirbhao
God is fearless
5. Nirvair
God has no enmity with anyone
6. Akaal Murat
God is eternal, beyond time
7. Ajooni Svaibhang
God is beyond the cycle of birth and death, God is svayambhu, Self-Existent
Religion
