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Difference between revisions of "Siddhi"

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'''[[Siddhi]]''' ({{Wiki|Devanagari}} [[सिद्धि]]; IAST: [[siddhi]]; [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[དངོས་གྲུབ]]}}, [[Wylie]]: [[dngos grub]]) is a [[Sanskrit]] {{Wiki|noun}} that can be translated as "[[perfection]]", "[[accomplishment]]", "[[attainment]]", or "[[success]]". The term is first attested in the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}. In the [[Pancatantra]], a [[siddhi]] may be any unusual skill or {{Wiki|faculty}} or capability. As a term in the Manusmriti, it refers to the settlement of a debt.
 
  
[[Siddhi]] is produced by [[sadhana]]. The former term, which literally means "[[success]]," includes [[accomplishment]], [[achievement]], [[success]], and [[fruition]] of all kinds. A [[person]] may thus gain [[siddhi]] in [[speech]], [[siddhi]] in [[Mantra]], etc. A [[person]] is [[Siddha]] also who has perfected his [[spiritual]] development. The various [[powers]] attainable – namely, [[anima]], [[mahima]], [[laghima]], [[garima]], [[prapti]], [[prakamya]], [[ishitva]], [[vashitva]], the [[powers]] of becoming small, great, [[Light]], heavy, [[attaining]] what one wills, and the like – are known as the eight [[siddhi]].
 
  
The thirty-ninth chapter of the [[Brahmavaivarta]] {{Wiki|Purana}} mentions eighteen kinds, but there are many others, including such minor accomplishments as [[nakhadarpana]] [[siddhi]] or "[[nail-gazing]]." The great [[siddhi]] is [[spiritual]] [[perfection]]. Even the mighty [[powers]] of the "eight [[siddhi]]" are known as the "lesser [[siddhi]]," since the greatest of all [[siddhi]] is full [[Liberation]] ([[mahanirvana]]) from the bonds of [[phenomenal]] [[Life]] and union with the [[Paramatma]], which is the supreme [[object]] ([[paramartha]]) to be [[attained]] through [[human]] [[birth]].
 
  
[[File:Siddhielix.jpg|thumb|250px|Magical accomplishment siddhi nectar elixir transmission. The Dalai Lama's Secret Temple, Tantric Wall Paintings from Tibet, Ian Baker, Thomas Laird.]]
 
In the {{Wiki|Samkhya}} [[Karika]] and [[Tattva Samasa]], it refers to the [[attainment]] of eight [[Siddhis]] that make one become rid of pain-causing [[Ignorance]], to gain [[Knowledge]], and [[experience]] [[bliss]]. In [[Tantric Buddhism]], it specifically refers to the acquisition of [[supernatural powers]] by [[psychic]] or [[magical]] means or the supposed {{Wiki|faculty}} so acquired. These [[powers]] include items such as {{Wiki|clairvoyance}}, [[levitation]], bilocation, becoming as small as an {{Wiki|atom}}, materialization, having access to {{Wiki|memories}} from {{Wiki|past}} [[lives]], etc. The term is also used in this [[sense]] in the [[Sarva-darśana-saṃgraha]] of [[Madhvacharya]] (1238–1317).
 
  
In [[Patanjali's]] [[Yoga]] [[Sutras]] IV.1 it is stated (rendered in IAST):
+
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''[[Siddhi]]''' ({{Wiki|Devanagari}} [[सिद्धि]]; IAST: [[siddhi]]; [[Tibetan]]: {{BigTibetan|[[དངོས་གྲུབ]]}}, [[Wylie]]: [[dngos grub]]) is a [[Sanskrit]] {{Wiki|noun}} that can be translated as "[[perfection]]", "[[accomplishment]]", "[[attainment]]", or "[[success]]".
 +
 
 +
The term is first attested in the {{Wiki|Mahabharata}}.
 +
 
 +
In the [[Pancatantra]], a [[siddhi]] may be any unusual skill or {{Wiki|faculty}} or capability.
 +
 
 +
As a term in the [[Manusmriti]], it refers to the settlement of a debt.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
[[Siddhi]] is produced by [[sadhana]].
 +
 
 +
The former term, which literally means "[[success]]," includes [[accomplishment]], [[achievement]], [[success]], and [[fruition]] of all kinds.
 +
 
 +
A [[person]] may thus gain [[siddhi]] in [[speech]], [[siddhi]] in [[Mantra]], etc.
 +
 
 +
A [[person]] is [[Siddha]] also who has perfected his [[spiritual]] [[development]].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
The various [[powers]] attainable – namely,
 +
 
 +
<poem>
 +
[[anima]],
 +
[[mahima]],
 +
[[laghima]],
 +
[[garima]],
 +
[[prapti]],
 +
[[prakamya]],
 +
[[ishitva]],
 +
[[vashitva]],
 +
</poem>
 +
 
 +
the [[powers]] of becoming small, great, [[Light]], heavy, [[attaining]] what one wills, and the like – are known as the [[eight siddhi]].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
The thirty-ninth [[chapter]] of the [[Brahmavaivarta Purana]] mentions eighteen kinds, but there are many others, including such [[minor accomplishments]] as [[nakhadarpana siddhi]] or "[[nail-gazing]]."
 +
 
 +
The great [[siddhi]] is [[spiritual perfection]].
 +
 
 +
Even the mighty [[powers]] of the "[[eight siddhi]]" are known as the "lesser [[siddhi]]," since the greatest of all [[siddhi]] is full [[Liberation]] ([[mahanirvana]]) from the bonds of [[phenomenal]] [[Life]] and union with the [[Paramatma]], which is the supreme [[object]] ([[paramartha]]) to be [[attained]] through [[human]] [[birth]].
 +
 
 +
[[File:Siddhielix.jpg|thumb|250px|Magical accomplishment siddhi nectar elixir transmission.
 +
 
 +
The [[Dalai Lama's Secret Temple]], [[Tantric]] Wall Paintings from [[Tibet]], [[Ian Baker]], Thomas Laird.
 +
 
 +
In the [[Samkhya Karika]] and [[Tattva Samasa]], it refers to the [[attainment]] of eight [[Siddhis]] that make one become rid of pain-causing [[Ignorance]], to gain [[Knowledge]], and [[experience]] [[bliss]].
 +
 
 +
In [[Tantric Buddhism]], it specifically refers to the acquisition of [[supernatural powers]] by [[psychic]] or [[magical]] means or the supposed {{Wiki|faculty}} so acquired.
 +
 
 +
These [[powers]] include items such as {{Wiki|clairvoyance}}, [[levitation]], bilocation, becoming as small as an {{Wiki|atom}}, materialization, having access to {{Wiki|memories}} from {{Wiki|past}} [[lives]], etc.
 +
 
 +
The term is also used in this [[sense]] in the [[Sarva-darśana-saṃgraha]] of [[Madhvacharya]] (1238–1317).
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
In [[Patanjali's]] [[Yoga Sutras]] IV.1 it is stated (rendered in IAST):
 +
 
  
 
:    [[janma]] [[auṣadhi]] [[Mantra]] [[tapaḥ]] samādhijāḥ [[siddhayaḥ]]
 
:    [[janma]] [[auṣadhi]] [[Mantra]] [[tapaḥ]] samādhijāḥ [[siddhayaḥ]]
  
where [[janma]] ("[[birth]]"), [[auṣadhi]] ("[[medicinal plant]], herb, {{Wiki|drug}}, [[Incense]], elixir"), [[Mantra]] ("incantation, charm, spell"), [[tapaḥ]] ("heat, burning, shining, as [[ascetic]] devotional practice, burning [[desire]] to reach [[perfection]], that which burns all [[impurities]]"), [[Samādhi]] ("profound [[Meditation]], total [[absorption]]"), jāḥ ("born") and [[siddhayaḥ]] ("[[perfections]], accomplishments, fulfillments, [[attainments]]") are rendered in English by Iyengar (1966, 2002: p. 246) thus:
 
  
:  Accomplishments may be [[attained]] through [[birth]], the use of herbs, incantations, self-discipline or [[Samadhi]].
+
where [[janma]] ("[[birth]]"), [[auṣadhi]] ("[[medicinal plant]], herb, {{Wiki|drug}}, [[Incense]], [[elixir]]"), [[Mantra]] ("incantation, charm, spell"), [[tapaḥ]] ("heat, burning, shining, as [[ascetic]] devotional [[practice]],
 +
 
 +
burning [[desire]] to reach [[perfection]], that which burns all [[impurities]]"), [[Samādhi]] ("profound [[Meditation]], total [[absorption]]"), [[jāḥ]] ("born") and [[siddhayaḥ]] ("[[perfections]],
 +
 
 +
accomplishments, fulfillment's, [[attainments]]") are rendered in English by Iyengar (1966, 2002: p. 246) thus:
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
:  Accomplishments may be [[attained]] through [[birth]], the use of herbs, incantations, [[self-discipline]] or [[Samadhi]].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===[[Five Siddhis of Yoga and Meditation]]===
 +
 
 +
 
 +
<poem>
 +
In the {{Wiki|Bhagavata purana}}, the [[five Siddhis]] of [[Yoga]] and [[Meditation]] are described as below:
  
== Five [[Siddhis]] of [[Yoga]] and [[Meditation]] ==
 
  
In the {{Wiki|Bhagavata purana}}, the five [[Siddhis]] of [[Yoga]] and [[Meditation]] are described as below:
 
  
 
*    [[tri-kāla-jñatvam]]:              [[knowing the past, present and future]]
 
*    [[tri-kāla-jñatvam]]:              [[knowing the past, present and future]]
 
*    [[advandvam]]:                    [[tolerance of heat, cold and other dualities]]
 
*    [[advandvam]]:                    [[tolerance of heat, cold and other dualities]]
*    [[para Citta ādi abhijñatā]]: [[knowing the minds of others and so on]]
+
*    [[para Citta ādi abhijñatā]]:     [[knowing the minds of others and so on]]
 
*    [[agni arka ambu viṣa ādīnām pratiṣṭambhaḥ]]: [[checking the influence of Fire, sun, water, poison, and so on]]
 
*    [[agni arka ambu viṣa ādīnām pratiṣṭambhaḥ]]: [[checking the influence of Fire, sun, water, poison, and so on]]
 
*    [[aparājayah]]:                    [[remaining unconquered by others]]
 
*    [[aparājayah]]:                    [[remaining unconquered by others]]
  
== Eight [[primary]] [[Siddhis]] ==
 
[[File:AshtaSiddhi.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Ganesha]] with the ashta (eight) [[siddhis]]. The [[Ashtasiddhi]] are shown as attendants of [[Ganesha]]. Painting by [[Raja]] [[Ravi]] [[Varma]] (1848-1906).]]
 
There is the {{Wiki|concept}} of the [[Ashta Siddhi]] (eight [[Siddhis]]) in [[Hinduism]]. These are:
 
  
*    [[Aṇimā]]:      [[reducing one's [[Body]] even to the size of an {{Wiki|atom}}]]
+
 
 +
== [[Eight primary Siddhis]] ==
 +
[[File:AshtaSiddhi.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Ganesha]] with the [[ashta]] (eight) [[siddhis]].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
The [[Ashtasiddhi]] are shown as attendants of [[Ganesha]]. Painting by [[Raja Ravi Varma]] (1848-1906).]]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
There is the {{Wiki|concept}} of the [[Ashta Siddhi]] ([[eight Siddhis]]) in [[Hinduism]].
 +
 
 +
These are:
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
*    [[Aṇimā]]:      [[reducing one's Body even to the size of an atom]]
 
*    [[Mahima]]:      [[expanding one's Body to an infinitely large size]]
 
*    [[Mahima]]:      [[expanding one's Body to an infinitely large size]]
 
*    [[Garima]]:      [[becoming infinitely heavy]]
 
*    [[Garima]]:      [[becoming infinitely heavy]]
Line 40: Line 119:
 
*    [[Vaśtva]]:      the [[Power to subjugate all]]
 
*    [[Vaśtva]]:      the [[Power to subjugate all]]
  
The eight [[Siddhis]] hinted at by [[Kapila]] in his [[Sutra]] - अष्टधा सिद्धिः ||१५|| - are as explained in Verse 51 of Samkhyakarika :-
 
  
*    [[Uuha]]: based on the [[samskaras]] of previous [[births]] the [[attainment]] of [[Knowledge]] about the twenty-four Tatwas gained by examining the determinable and the indeterminable [[conscious]] and the non-conscious constituents of creation,
+
The [[eight Siddhis]] hinted at by [[Kapila]] in his [[Sutra]] - [[अष्टधा सिद्धिः]] ||१५|| - are as explained in Verse 51 of [[Samkhyakarika]] :-
 +
 
 +
 
 +
*    [[Uuha]]: based on the [[samskaras]] of previous [[births]] the [[attainment]] of [[Knowledge]] about the [[twenty-four Tatwas]] gained by examining the determinable and the indeterminable [[conscious]] and the non-conscious constituents of creation,
 +
 
 +
 
 
*    [[Shabad]]:                [[Knowledge gained by associating with an enlightened person]] ([[Guru]] – [[upadesh]]),
 
*    [[Shabad]]:                [[Knowledge gained by associating with an enlightened person]] ([[Guru]] – [[upadesh]]),
 
*    [[Addhyyan]]:              [[Knowledge gained through study of the Vedas and other standard ancillary texts]],
 
*    [[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]]
 
*    [[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]],
+
*    [[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; [[arising]] due to lack of [[spiritual]], metaphysical,mystic}} [[Knowledge]] and [[experience]],
+
*    [[Aadhyaatmik dukkh-haan]]:  [[freedom from pain, disappointment, etc; arising due to lack of spiritual, metaphysical,mystic Knowledge and experience]],
 
*    [[Aadhibhautik dukkh-haan]]: [[freedom from pain etc; arising by possessing and being attached to various materialistic gains]],
 
*    [[Aadhibhautik dukkh-haan]]: [[freedom from pain etc; arising by possessing and being attached to various materialistic gains]],
*    [[Aadhidaivik dukkh-haan]]:  [[freedom from pain etc; [[caused]] by [[fate]] or due to reliance on [[fate]]]],
+
*    [[Aadhidaivik dukkh-haan]]:  [[freedom from pain etc; caused by fate or due to reliance on fate]],
 +
</poem>
 +
the [[attainment]] of which [[eight Siddhis]] makes one become rid of pain-causing [[Ignorance]] through gain of [[Knowledge]], and [[experience]] [[bliss]].
 +
 
 +
The [[aim]] of {{Wiki|Samkhya}} is to eliminate all kinds of [[physical]] and [[Mental]] [[pains]] and to receive [[Liberation]].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===[[Ten secondary Siddhis]]===
  
the [[attainment]] of which eight [[Siddhis]] makes one become rid of pain-causing [[Ignorance]] through gain of [[Knowledge]], and [[experience]] [[bliss]]. The [[aim]] of {{Wiki|Samkhya}} is to eliminate all kinds of [[physical]] and [[Mental]] [[pains]] and to receive [[Liberation]].
 
== Ten secondary [[Siddhis]] ==
 
  
 
In the {{Wiki|Bhagavata purana}}, [[Lord]] {{Wiki|Krishna}} describes the ten secondary [[Siddhis]] as:
 
In the {{Wiki|Bhagavata purana}}, [[Lord]] {{Wiki|Krishna}} describes the ten secondary [[Siddhis]] as:
  
*    [[anūrmi-mattvam]]: [[Being undisturbed by hunger, thirst, and other [[bodily disturbances]]
+
<poem>
 +
*    [[anūrmi-mattvam]]: [[Being undisturbed by hunger, thirst, and other bodily disturbances]]
 
*    [[dūra-śravaṇa]]: [[Hearing things far away]]
 
*    [[dūra-śravaṇa]]: [[Hearing things far away]]
 
*    [[dūra-darśanam]]: [[Seeing things far away]]
 
*    [[dūra-darśanam]]: [[Seeing things far away]]
*    [[manaḥ-javah]]: [[Moving the Body wherever Thought goes ([[teleportation]]/[[astral projection]])
+
*    [[manaḥ-javah]]: [[Moving the Body wherever Thought goes]] ([[teleportation]]/[[astral projection]])
 
*    [[Kāma-rūpam]]: [[Assuming any Form desired]]
 
*    [[Kāma-rūpam]]: [[Assuming any Form desired]]
*    [[para-Kāya praveśanam]]: [[Entering the[bodies of others]]
+
*    [[para-Kāya praveśanam]]: [[Entering the bodies of others]]
 
*    [[sva-Chanda mṛtyuh]]: [[Dying when one desires]]
 
*    [[sva-Chanda mṛtyuh]]: [[Dying when one desires]]
 
*    [[devānām saha krīḍā anudarśanam]]: [[Witnessing and participating in the pastimes of the gods]]
 
*    [[devānām saha krīḍā anudarśanam]]: [[Witnessing and participating in the pastimes of the gods]]
 
*    [[yathā sańkalpa saḿsiddhiḥ]]: [[Perfect accomplishment of one's determination]]
 
*    [[yathā sańkalpa saḿsiddhiḥ]]: [[Perfect accomplishment of one's determination]]
 
*    [[ājñā apratihatā gatiḥ]]: [[Orders or commands being unimpeded]]  
 
*    [[ājñā apratihatā gatiḥ]]: [[Orders or commands being unimpeded]]  
== [[Hindu]] [[gods]] associated with gaining [[siddhi]] ==
+
</poem>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===[[Hindu gods associated with gaining siddhi]]===
 +
 
 +
 
  
 
In [[Hinduism]], both [[Ganesha]] and [[Hanuman]] possess the eight [[supernatural powers]] ([[ashtamahasiddhis]]) and can give one access to [[Ashta Siddhis]].
 
In [[Hinduism]], both [[Ganesha]] and [[Hanuman]] possess the eight [[supernatural powers]] ([[ashtamahasiddhis]]) and can give one access to [[Ashta Siddhis]].
 +
 +
  
 
Skt., [[siddhi]]: [[accomplishment]], [[a skill perfected]]
 
Skt., [[siddhi]]: [[accomplishment]], [[a skill perfected]]
 
Tib., [[dngos-grub]]: [[accomplishment]], [[ability of perfection]]
 
Tib., [[dngos-grub]]: [[accomplishment]], [[ability of perfection]]
  
Term for a type of [[spiritual]] and/or [[mental]] [[accomplishment]] that we can best approximate with {{Wiki|modern}} {{Wiki|expressions}} such as ESP (Extra {{Wiki|Sensory}} [[Perception]]) and/or with Colin Wilson's (b. 1931) Faculty X. Phrases such as [[mystical]] [[power]], paranormal potential and [[magical]] skill are also often used to cover these [[phenomena]].
 
  
[[Vajrayana]] texts speak of eight types of [[siddhi]] only, but one can find a much more detailed {{Wiki|classification}} in the [[Hindu]] [[Tantras]], where 84 are [[recognized]]. Among these, several [[phenomena]] can be found which correspond to those charted by contemporary para-psychology, for example psychokinesis, telekinesis and the {{Wiki|astral}} 'double'. All of these, of course, we also find when studying {{Wiki|shamanism}} - and there is little [[doubt]] that [[Tibetan Buddhism]] has been very much influenced by that {{Wiki|ancient}}, ‘[[magic]]’ oriented [[religion]].
+
Term for a type of [[spiritual]] and/or [[mental]] [[accomplishment]] that we can best approximate with {{Wiki|modern}} {{Wiki|expressions}} such as ESP (Extra {{Wiki|Sensory}} [[Perception]]) and/or with Colin Wilson's (b. 1931) Faculty X. Phrases such as [[mystical]] [[power]], {{Wiki|paranormal}} potential and [[magical]] skill are also often used to cover these [[phenomena]].
 +
 
 +
 
 +
[[Vajrayana]] texts speak of eight types of [[siddhi]] only, but one can find a much more detailed {{Wiki|classification}} in the [[Hindu]] [[Tantras]], where 84 are [[recognized]]. Among these, several [[phenomena]] can be found which correspond to those charted by contemporary para-psychology, for example psychokinesis, telekinesis and the {{Wiki|astral}} 'double'.  
 +
 
 +
All of these, of course, we also find when studying {{Wiki|shamanism}} - and there is little [[doubt]] that [[Tibetan Buddhism]] has been very much influenced by that {{Wiki|ancient}}, ‘[[magic]]’ oriented [[religion]].
 
The following list shows the [[Sanskrit]] names for some of the better known [[siddhis]].
 
The following list shows the [[Sanskrit]] names for some of the better known [[siddhis]].
  
:    [[anima]]:           [[decreasing one's size at will]]
+
<poem>
 +
:    [[anima]]:             [[decreasing one's size at will]]
 
:    [[antardhana]]:        [[making oneself invisible]]
 
:    [[antardhana]]:        [[making oneself invisible]]
 
:    [[kamarupitva]]:      [[assuming forms at will]]
 
:    [[kamarupitva]]:      [[assuming forms at will]]
Line 94: Line 195:
 
:    [[vasitva]]:          [[control over others]]
 
:    [[vasitva]]:          [[control over others]]
 
:    [[vikaranadharmitva]]: [[infinite mental powers]]
 
:    [[vikaranadharmitva]]: [[infinite mental powers]]
 +
</poem>
 +
 +
The term [[siddhi]] is also at the [[root]] of the title for the [[84 Greatly Accomplished Ones]] (Skt., [[Mahasiddhas]]), each of whom had achieved one of more of these '[[perfections]]'.
  
The term [[siddhi]] is also at the [[root]] of the title for the 84 Greatly [[Accomplished Ones]] (Skt., [[Mahasiddhas]]), each of whom had achieved one of more of these '[[perfections]]'.
 
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 +
 
* [[Yogic Potentials and Capacities, or siddhis, in Hindu-Buddhist Psychology]]
 
* [[Yogic Potentials and Capacities, or siddhis, in Hindu-Buddhist Psychology]]
  

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Siddhi (Devanagari सिद्धि; IAST: siddhi; Tibetan: དངོས་གྲུབ, Wylie: dngos grub) is a Sanskrit noun that can be translated as "perfection", "accomplishment", "attainment", or "success".

The term is first attested in the Mahabharata.

In the Pancatantra, a siddhi may be any unusual skill or faculty or capability.

As a term in the Manusmriti, it refers to the settlement of a debt.


Siddhi is produced by sadhana.

The former term, which literally means "success," includes accomplishment, achievement, success, and fruition of all kinds.

A person may thus gain siddhi in speech, siddhi in Mantra, etc.

A person is Siddha also who has perfected his spiritual development.


The various powers attainable – namely,

the powers of becoming small, great, Light, heavy, attaining what one wills, and the like – are known as the eight siddhi.


The thirty-ninth chapter of the Brahmavaivarta Purana mentions eighteen kinds, but there are many others, including such minor accomplishments as nakhadarpana siddhi or "nail-gazing."

The great siddhi is spiritual perfection.

Even the mighty powers of the "eight siddhi" are known as the "lesser siddhi," since the greatest of all siddhi is full Liberation (mahanirvana) from the bonds of phenomenal Life and union with the Paramatma, which is the supreme object (paramartha) to be attained through human birth.

[[File:Siddhielix.jpg|thumb|250px|Magical accomplishment siddhi nectar elixir transmission.

The Dalai Lama's Secret Temple, Tantric Wall Paintings from Tibet, Ian Baker, Thomas Laird.

In the Samkhya Karika and Tattva Samasa, it refers to the attainment of eight Siddhis that make one become rid of pain-causing Ignorance, to gain Knowledge, and experience bliss.

In Tantric Buddhism, it specifically refers to the acquisition of supernatural powers by psychic or magical means or the supposed faculty so acquired.

These powers include items such as clairvoyance, levitation, bilocation, becoming as small as an atom, materialization, having access to memories from past lives, etc.

The term is also used in this sense in the Sarva-darśana-saṃgraha of Madhvacharya (1238–1317).


In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras IV.1 it is stated (rendered in IAST):


janma auṣadhi Mantra tapaḥ samādhijāḥ siddhayaḥ


where janma ("birth"), auṣadhi ("medicinal plant, herb, drug, Incense, elixir"), Mantra ("incantation, charm, spell"), tapaḥ ("heat, burning, shining, as ascetic devotional practice,

burning desire to reach perfection, that which burns all impurities"), Samādhi ("profound Meditation, total absorption"), jāḥ ("born") and siddhayaḥ ("perfections,

accomplishments, fulfillment's, attainments") are rendered in English by Iyengar (1966, 2002: p. 246) thus:


Accomplishments may be attained through birth, the use of herbs, incantations, self-discipline or Samadhi.


Five Siddhis of Yoga and Meditation

In the Bhagavata purana, the five Siddhis of Yoga and Meditation are described as below:






== Eight primary Siddhis ==

Ganesha with the ashta (eight) siddhis.


The Ashtasiddhi are shown as attendants of Ganesha. Painting by Raja Ravi Varma (1848-1906).



There is the concept of the Ashta Siddhi (eight Siddhis) in Hinduism.

These are:





The eight Siddhis hinted at by Kapila in his Sutra - अष्टधा सिद्धिः ||१५|| - are as explained in Verse 51 of Samkhyakarika :-




the attainment of which eight Siddhis makes one become rid of pain-causing Ignorance through gain of Knowledge, and experience bliss.

The aim of Samkhya is to eliminate all kinds of physical and Mental pains and to receive Liberation.


Ten secondary Siddhis

In the Bhagavata purana, Lord Krishna describes the ten secondary Siddhis as:


Hindu gods associated with gaining siddhi

In Hinduism, both Ganesha and Hanuman possess the eight supernatural powers (ashtamahasiddhis) and can give one access to Ashta Siddhis.


Skt., siddhi: accomplishment, a skill perfected Tib., dngos-grub: accomplishment, ability of perfection


Term for a type of spiritual and/or mental accomplishment that we can best approximate with modern expressions such as ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) and/or with Colin Wilson's (b. 1931) Faculty X. Phrases such as mystical power, paranormal potential and magical skill are also often used to cover these phenomena.


Vajrayana texts speak of eight types of siddhi only, but one can find a much more detailed classification in the Hindu Tantras, where 84 are recognized. Among these, several phenomena can be found which correspond to those charted by contemporary para-psychology, for example psychokinesis, telekinesis and the astral 'double'.

All of these, of course, we also find when studying shamanism - and there is little doubt that Tibetan Buddhism has been very much influenced by that ancient, ‘magic’ oriented religion. The following list shows the Sanskrit names for some of the better known siddhis.

The term siddhi is also at the root of the title for the 84 Greatly Accomplished Ones (Skt., Mahasiddhas), each of whom had achieved one of more of these 'perfections'.


See also

Source

Wikipedia:Siddhi