1.SUNDARANDAR
Sri Sundaranandar is the disciple of siddhar Sattamuni. It is believed that he got the Siva Linga of siddhar Agastiar, established it in Saduragiri and worshipped it.
Saduragiri Sundara Mahalingam temple comes under the Thaniparai area of Saptur reserve forests in Tamil Nadu. It is located in Watrap, Viruthunagar district. Srivilliputtur is the big city located near Saduragiri. For thousands of years, realized sages and siddhars lived there worshipping the Siva Linga called " Sundara Mahalingam ". " Sundaram " means, the handsome One, " Maha " means great and lingam means " Siva, the Supreme Self ". This mountain shrine is a considered as a dwelling place of siddhars. This can also be attributed to the numerous medicinal plants available in the Saduragiri Mountains . There is also a cave called " Thavasi Parai " in Saduragiri. Sundaranandar and his Guru Sattamuni lived there.
Siddhar Bogar sings about Sundaranandar in songs 5828 and 5829 in his book " Bogar 7000 ". He says that Sundarandar was an expert in space travel and samadhi yoga. In songs 5920 and 5921, Bogar gives the following information. Sundaranandar was born on the Tamil month of Aavani (August - September) on the star Revathi (3 rd part). He is the grand son of Navakanda Rishi living in the Kishkinta hills and that he belonged to Agamudayar (Thevar) class.
However, siddhar Karuvoorar in his song 582, says that Sundaranandar belongs to Reddy class. Siddhar Agasthiar in his book " Amudha Kalai Gyanam " also says that Sundaranandar is a Reddy in song 218. Sundaranandar attained his samadhi at Madurai .
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2. MACHAMUNI
Saduragiri Sundara Mahalingam temple comes under the Thaniparai area of Saptur reserve forests in Tamil Nadu. It is located in Watrap, Viruthunagar district. Srivilliputtur is the big city located near Saduragiri. For thousands of years, realized sages and siddhars lived there worshipping the Siva Linga called " Sundara Mahalingam ". " Sundaram " means, the handsome One, " Maha " means great and lingam means " Siva, the Supreme Self ". This mountain shrine is a considered as a dwelling place of siddhars. This can also be attributed to the numerous medicinal plants available in the Saduragiri Mountains . There is also a cave called " Thavasi Parai " in Saduragiri. Sundaranandar and his Guru Sattamuni lived there.
Siddhar Bogar sings about Sundaranandar in songs 5828 and 5829 in his book " Bogar 7000 ". He says that Sundarandar was an expert in space travel and samadhi yoga. In songs 5920 and 5921, Bogar gives the following information. Sundaranandar was born on the Tamil month of Aavani (August - September) on the star Revathi (3 rd part). He is the grand son of Navakanda Rishi living in the Kishkinta hills and that he belonged to Agamudayar (Thevar) class.
However, siddhar Karuvoorar in his song 582, says that Sundaranandar belongs to Reddy class. Siddhar Agasthiar in his book " Amudha Kalai Gyanam " also says that Sundaranandar is a Reddy in song 218. Sundaranandar attained his samadhi at Madurai .
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2. MACHAMUNI
In the Encyclopedic dictionary authored by T.V. Sambasivam Pillai (Reference 1), a strange story is told.
" Machamuni is a siddhar. He was the child brought up by Pinnakeesar. He is also Pinakeesar's disciple. There is a story that once Lord Siva was preaching Uma Devi. Uma Devi had slept when Lord Siva was preaching her. However, a fish was listening to the lecture. Later on that fish was transformed into Siddhar Machamuni by Lord Siva."
Although it is a story, it is very interesting indeed.
In the 523rd song of " Karuvoorar Vadha Kaviyam ", Karuvoorar says that Machamuni is a Sembadavar (Presently categorized under backward classes by Government of Tamil Nadu in Government Order 36, 1996). Sembadavar's are traditional fisherman. From the name Machamuni, it is easy to say that he is a fisherman (Macham mean fish in Tamil). Siddhar Agasthiar in the 218th song of his book " Amudha Kalai Ganam " says that Machamuni belongs to Sembadavar social group.
However, siddhar Bogar in the 5700th song of " Bogar 7000 ", says that he belongs to " Kalludayar " social group (The author of this article is unable to understand the exact meaning of this song). Also in song 5873, he says that Machamuni was born on the Rohini star in the Tamil month of Adi (July-August).
Machamuni in his 97th song of his book " Machamuni Thandagam 100 ", mentions the words "Guru Nandhi" and "Guru Bogar", while offering prayers to his guru. Hence, it can be said that Siddhar Bogar and Siddhar Nandeeswarar were his gurus.
Machamuni also mentions about the Siva Thandava witnessed by siddhar Pathanjali in one of his songs. Hence, it can be said that he had lived in the period when siddhar Pathanjali and Sri Viyakrabathar witnessed the Siva Thandava in Thillai (for details about this event, please refer to the information on siddhar Pathanjai in this web site). Thillai is the other name of Chidambaram and is one of the 5 dance halls of Lord Siva.
In the book " Agasthiar 12000 ", in the fifth Kandam, siddhar Agasthiar says that Machamuni had taken lessons from Kaga Bugandar. He also says that he donated all his wealth to poor people on attaining spiritual salvation. Machamuni attained samadhi at Thiruparankundram.
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3. GORAKKAR
Kakabusundi)has innumerable disciples to His credit. Among the
disciples, Sre Gorakkar occupies a prime position and He is also a
favorite disciple of the first Preceptor of the Universe. Sre
Gorakkar rules Kollimalai. (Kollimalai placed in Namakkal district of
Tamilnadu) He holds an outstanding place among the Sidhas. He
prepared live medicines having longevity of several thousands of
years to His credit. He possessed eight mystic powers in full shape.
With opium (GAanja) as the basic herb, He was able to prepare
medicines capable of curing diseases. Thus, the herb opium (ganja)
specially called as Gorakkar herb (mooli). He used His medicines for
four kinds of human need namely Vaithyam (curing diseases), Vaatham
(alchemistry), yogam (Divine physical practice) and gnaanam
(spiritual knowledge) and imparted its full secrets to the world.
Sage Agasthiya, (Agathiyar) the head of the Siddhas came to
understand that Siddhas had written many Divine secrets on palm
leaves in open status. So, He convened an assembly of Siddhas,
gathered all the palm leaves on which they had written Divine secrets
and instructed Sre Gorakkar to preserve them in an earthen pot. He
also instructed Him to preserve the pot inside a rock. Sre Gorakkar
did as He was instructed and He kept the Divine key of the pot with
Him. That's why very few treatises written by Siddhas are in
circulation in the present world. Sre Gorakkar has advised the secret
of Divine key to Siddhas in order to enable them to see and read the
Brahma Divine secrets of Siddhas. (Key here means the specific Divine
mantras to be chanted to make the pot open by itself) Therefore, if a
person seeks guidance and advice of the Preceptor must worship Sre
Gorakkar to understand the true nature of the secrets.
Sre Gorakkar who has been living in sacred abode at Kollimalai (Kolli
hills) skillfully prepared several thousands of live medicines,
Siddhar kuligais (Solidified Divine mercury) and palm leaves
containing the Divine secrets. He then made seven separate boxes and
kept the Divine materials with them. Ultimately, He buried the boxes
in a secret place called Sre Gorakkar Gundam.
Sre Gorakkar has written many treatises. Many of His treatises are
about four subjects namely Vaithyam (curing diseases), Vaatham
(alchemistry), yogam (Divine physical practice) and gnaanam
(spiritual knowledge). So far only five books have been printed out
of the number of treatises offered by Sre Gorakkar. They are:
(1) Gorakkar Chandra regai
(2) Gorakkar Ravimegalai
(3) Gorakkar Muththaaram
(4) Gorakkar Malaivaagadam
SRE GORAKKAR'S KARMA SIDDHI MOOLA MANTRA
"Ohm Kleem Sreem Sre Gorakkadevaaya Sarvasiddha Anugrahaaya Devaaya
Namaha"
SRE GORAKKAR'S GNAANA SIDDHI MOOLA MANTRA
"Gnaana Brahma Roopa Mayam
Aananda Siddhi Karma Mayam
Amirthasanjeevi Avudatha Mayam
Gorakkam Upaasmahe"
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4.SRI KAGA BUJANDAR SIDDHAR
Born in Truchi in Tamil Nadu Sri Kaga Bujandara is said to have seen the truth in everything around him. This great saint is said to have witnessed in the form of a crow several cycles of creation and destruction Famous works include Kaaga Bujanda Gnyanam, Kaaka Kaiveeyam 33.
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5.SRI PULIPANI SIDDHAR
Born in China, Sri Pulipani Siddhar is said to have been the disciple of Maha Bogar Swamigal. When Maha Bogar crafted the idol of Lord Muruga at Palani is Sri pulipani Siddhar who collected the required herbs. His famous works include putlipani Jaalam 325, putlipani Vaidyam 500.
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6.SRI SATTAIMUNI SIDDHAR
Sri Sattaimuni Siddhar was bom in Sri Lanka and came to Tamil Nadu. Seeing Maha Bogar in a temple and captivated by his radiance he abandons his family and becomes his disciple. His works in simple language appeal greatly to the common man his works include Sri Sattaimuni Karpam 100 and Sri Sattaimuni Nigandu 1200.
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7.SRI AGAPEY SIDDHAR
Nayanaar a weaver by birth was displeased with mere materialistic success. Visualing Sage Vyasa as his Guru he sits in meditation in a Jyoti tree. Agapay Siddhar as he came to be known wanted people to control the negative feelings within them and to realize God. His writings include Agappay Siddhar paadal 90 and Agappay Poorna Gnyanam 15.
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8.SRI KUDUMBAI SIDDHAR
Born into the Yadava clan Sir Kudumbai Siddhar was said to have been an attractive child. His mother used to adorn his ears with kudumbai an ornament and hence his name. At the age of 16 a saint is said to have blessed him with the knowledge of the Self. There after he retired from the materialistic world and wrote of God and self in simple language. His works include Kudumbai Gnyana Soostram 18, Kudumbai Siddhar Paadalgal.
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9.SRI VALLALAR SIDDHAR
Ramalinga Swami also called Vallalar was a sage of infinite realization. From a young age he showed greater interest in the worship of God rather than in studies Once he is said of have placed a mirror on the wall, garlanded it and offered worship only to find not his image but that of Lord Muruga. Sri Vallalar preached the equality of all man kind. His penance was so great that lamps burned with water rather than oil. Ramalinga Adigalar attained Maha sammadhi at Vadalur where he transformed his physical body into light to merge with the Divine. His famous works include Maha Deyva Malai and Deyva MaDni Maalai.
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10.SRI IDAIKADAR SIDDHAR
Sri Idaikadar is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is said that once while out grazing goats he was blessed by a Siddhar with immense divine powers. It is said that he and his goats survived famine when foreseeing the difficult times ahead he built a house with walls of grain and fed his goats plants that survived without water. The planets visit him when feed on grain and goats milk they fall asleep. Changing their positions the siddhar assures that rain commences saving the land from famine. His famous works include Idaikadar gnyana soothram 70 and Idaikadar Kanida Nool.
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11.SRI PATTINATHAR
Once a wealthy merchant, an observation by his son that having wealth and not distributing it to the needy was like being like a needle with no eye, made him renounce the world. He visits many spiritual places seeking union with the Lord. The Lord gives him sugar cane saying that when the bitter came becomes sweet he would attain mukthi. At Tiruvotriyur the cane becomes sweet and playing with the children on the beach he asks them to burry him in the sand. They do so only to find a lingam in his place. His famous works include Thiruvedai marudur Mumani Kovai, Thiru Ekamba Mudayar Thiuvan daadi.
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12.SRI KARUVOORAR SIDDHAR
Karuvoorar belonged to a family of Viswakarmas. He is said to have sculpted in gold the dancing Nataraja as seen by the Chola king Hiranayavarman. It was under his guidance that the Brihardeeswarar temple was built by Raja Raja Chola at Tanjavur. His famous works are Karuvoorar Vaidya Kaviyam 700, Karuvoorar Pala Thirattu.
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13.Kamala Muni
Kamalamuni is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He has attained samadhi at Aarur (Tiruvarum). His contributions include two known works on medicine and philosophy. You can find lots of information about this siddha and his works in the following books :
Babaji and 18 Siddhas
The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology
The following information is available about Sri Kamalamuni in the book " Bogar 7000 " written by siddhar Bogar.
Song 5729: Kamalamuni was born on the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June), his birth star being 2nd part of Poosam.
Song 5725: The siddhar named Kamalamuni belongs to Kuravar social group. He lived for six-eight generations.
Song 5841: Kamalamuni is 4000 years and some 300 odd (days) old. He lived in China for a long time.
However, siddhar Karuvoorar in his book " Vadha Kaviyam " (Song 584) says "Maamuni" belongs to " Kannar " social group. He does not explicitly say "Kamalamuni", but mentions "Maamuni". The author of this article does not understand whether Karuvoorar refers to Kamalamuni or not.
Sri Kalangi Nadhar belongs to Kannar social group. Many people believe that Sri Kalangi Nathar is siddhar Kamalamuni. In the 63 rd song of " Kamalamuni Suthiram 76 ", a line says that " Kamalamuni alias Kalangi ". Hence it can me true that Sri Kalangi Nathar is siddhar Kamalamuni himself.
In " Bogar Janana Sasthra ", it is mentioned that Kamalamuni attained samadhi at Madurai . However as per the table of 18 siddhars, it is belived that siddhar Kamalamuni attained samadhi at Thiruvavur.
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14.Idai Kadar
Idai Kadar is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He was initiated by both Boganathar and Karuvoorar. His contributions include two known works: Kaya kalpa. He attained samadhi at Thiruvannamalai. Some of his disciples are Kudambai and Alukkani.
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15. VANMEEGAR SIDDHAR alias VALMIKI
Sri Vaanmeegar's birth star is Anusham in the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October). There is an argument that the Valmiki who wrote Valmiki Ramayana is different from the siddhar Vaanmeegar of the south. However, siddhar Bogar in his script "Bogar 7000" proclaims that they are one and the same. He says that Vaanmeegar is the name of the siddhar who wrote Valmiki Ramayana in song (verse) number 5834. He makes a clear distinction between the names Vaanmeegar and Valmiki.
Further, in his next song (verse number 5835), Bogar says that Vaanmeegar's age is 700 and some odd days. He also says that he is a learned scholar in Tamil language. He also makes a reference about his samadhi. This author is not able to understand the exact meaning of the second part of that song.
It is also said that Sri Vaanmeegar alias Valmiki wrote the epic Ramaya on getting the spiritual knowledge from Narada. Sri Vaanmeegar's samadhi is located at Ettukudi in Tamil Nadu.
source: http://yogascience.angelfire.com/others.htm
