In
Indian 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.
Etymology
Siddhi is a
Sanskrit noun which can be translated as "knowledge", "accomplishment", "attainment", or "success".[2]
Method
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]
Usage in Hinduism
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]
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
In
Patañjali'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
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.
Īśiṭva: the ability to control all material elements or natural forces.
Vaśiṭva: the ability to force influence upon anyone.
Shaivism
In
Shaivism, 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]
Vaishnavism
In
Vaishnavism, the term siddhi is used in the Sarva-darśana-saṃgraha of
Madhvacharya (1238–1317), the founder of
Dvaita (dualist) philosophy.
Five siddhis, according to Vaishnava doctrine
In the Bhagavata Purana, the five siddhis brought on by yoga and meditation are:
trikālajñatvam: knowing the past, present and future.
advandvam: tolerance of heat, cold and other dualities.
para citta ādi abhijñatā: knowing the minds of others, etc.
agni arka ambu viṣa ādīnām pratiṣṭambhaḥ: checking the influence of fire, sun, water, poison, etc.
parakāya praveśanam: Entering the bodies of others.
svachanda mṛtyuh: Dying when one desires.
devānām saha krīḍā anudarśanam: Witnessing and participating in the pastimes of the gods.
yathā saṅkalpa saṁsiddhiḥ: Perfect accomplishment of one's determination.
ājñāpratihatā gatiḥ: Orders or commands being unimpeded.[10]
Samkhya philosophy
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]
Uuha: 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.
Shabda: knowledge gained by associating with an enlightened person (Guru – upadesh).
Addhyyan: knowledge gained through study of the Vedas and other standard ancillary texts.
Suhritprapti: knowledge gained from a kind-hearted person, while engaged in the spread of knowledge.
Daan: knowledge gained regardless of one’s own needs while attending to the requirements of those engaged in the search of the highest truth.
Aadhyaatmik dukkh-haan: freedom from pain, disappointment, etc. that may arise due to lack of spiritual, metaphysical, mystic knowledge and experience.
Aadhibhautik dukkh-haan: freedom from pain etc. arising from possessing and being attached to various materialistic gains.
Aadhidaivik dukkh-haan: 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.
Hindu deities associated with gaining siddhi
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]
Usage in Sikhism
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 Sidh or Gurmukh.[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