In Sanatana dharma Siddhis are paranormal, supernatural abilities that a person possess. These ate the gifts of Universe or from the Divine to the Sadhaka. It is mentioned in Bhagavat Purana, Hanuman Chalisa, Yoga Sutra, Siva Samhita.
In Shrimad Bhagavatam, it is mentioned that when a Yogi is connected to the absolute truth, has conquered his senses and breathing and has fixed his attention on Supreme, the mystical perfections or Siddhis are at his disposal (Chapter 15).
In Yoga Sutra by Maharshi Patanjali, Chapter 4 Kaivalya Pada, sutra 4.1, it is mentioned
जन्मौषधिमन्त्रतपः समाधिजाः सिद्धयः ॥१॥
janma-oṣadhi-mantra-tapaḥ samādhi-jāḥ siddhayaḥ ||1||
Accomplishments arise from
birth, blessed herbs, sacred formulae, self-discipline and integration.
These perfections proceeds from birth, drug, Mantras , fortitude or Samadhi. Some people are born with these powers and this is the result of previous birth Sadhana. Some exhibit powers of thought reading / clairvoyance, Clairaudience- hearing from Universe, knowing past present and future (trikalajnatvam) etc.
It is said that Sage Kapila , the father of Samkhya Philosophy, is a born Siddha.
Some Siddhis are attained by ausadhi i.e. herbs or drugs . In Veda, these are called Soma. These induce supernormal powers. But , drugs do not have the capability to burn away Karma.
There are certain powerful /sacred words called Mantras, which have the capability when repeated under proper condition gives extraordinary powers.
Tapa, provides one with unusual capabilities. In every religion it is being practiced.
The state of Samadhi (intense concentration) can only be attained when someone has purified the mind by going through the seven steps (prior to Samadhi) as mentioned by sage Patanjali or by doing three steps for Madhyama adhikari (Tapa , Swadhyay, Ishwar Pranidhana); two steps by Uttama adhikari ( Abhyasa and Vairagya); eight steps for beginner (Yama, Niyama, asana , pranayama, pratyahara, dharana , Dhyana, Samadhi) ; four steps as mentioned in Hatha Yoga Pradipika; seven steps as mentioned in Geranda Samhita, one attains Siddhi.
As per Samkhya Karika 51,
ऊहः शब्दोऽध्ययनं दुःखविघातास्त्रयः सुहृत्प्राप्तिः ।
दानं च सिद्धयोऽष्टौ सिद्धेः पूर्वोऽङ्कुशस्त्रिविधः ॥ ५१ ॥
ūhaḥ śabdo’dhyayanaṁ duḥkhavighātāstrayaḥ suhṛtprāptiḥ ।
dānaṁ ca siddhayo’ṣṭau siddheḥ pūrvo’ṅkuśastrividhaḥ ॥ 51 ॥
Reflective reasoning, Oral instruction, Study, the three-fold suppression of pain (ignorance, disability and contentment), Acquisition of well-wishers and Charity are the EIGHT forms of Siddhi.
The preceding three (Viparyaya, Ashakti and Tusti) are the restrainers of Siddhi.
- Oahah (reasoning skills): Ability to reason out truth
- Sabda (words): Ability to tune in right words
- Ashyayana (study): Self- learning , analysis ; e.g. Ekalavya
- Suhritpraptin : Ability to get right guidance / advice or good and like minded company.
- Daanam: Charity, Purity
6,7,8: Ability to overcome three types of pains.
Siddhis mentioned in Hatha Yoga Pradipika , verse 18 Chapter 2
युक्तं युक्तं तयजेद्वायुं युक्तं युक्तं छ पूरयेत |
युक्तं युक्तं छ बध्नीयादेवं सिद्धिमवाप्नुयात || १८ ||
The Vayu should skilfully be inhaled, exhaled and retained so that perfection or siddhi is attained. Means by practicing Pranayama Sidhhis can be attained.
In chapter 3, verse 8 of Hatha Yoga Pradipika further it is mentioned that,
Adinath said they are the bestowers of the eight divine powers. They are held in high esteem by all the siddhas and are difficult for even the gods to attain.
Perfection of asana and pranayama results in ‘minor’ siddhis or perfections, i.e. vitality, good health, mental/emotional equilibrium, clairaudience, etc. However, perfection of mudras and bandhas results in attainment of ‘major’ siddhis such as anima, mahima, garima, prapti, prakamya, vasitva, ishatva.
In Chapter 1, verse 5-9, the eight Mahasiddhis are mentioned
As far as siddhis go, there are eight major ones which a sadhaka has to master before he is called a siddha:
1 Anima – the ability to become as small as an atom
2 Laghima – the ability to become weightless
3 Mahima – the ability to become as large as the universe
4 Garima – the ability to become heavy
5 Prapti – the ability to reach any place
6 Prakamya – the ability to stay under water and to maintain the bodyand youth
7 Vashitva – control over all objects, organic and inorganic
8 Ishatva – the capacity to create and destroy at will.
At some point of your life , you will be disapointed, be it your partner, parents, spouse, siblings or children, whether they wish it or not. But it is not the case with Universe. It follows you everywhere and every moment.
The inner satisfaction you will be getting is unmatched. And it is not that after progressing in this Yoga journey you will be left alone physically; no. Whether everyone is around you or not, it will not matter much. One thing you will certainly attract better connections in your life. This time it’s only pure and you also have the clarity. This is what the path of YOGA will lead to. Here, Siddhis come to the perview. Without realising you will change physically, mentally, Spiritually and psychologically.
In Yoga Sutra by Maharshi Patanjali, it was emphasized that Siddhis should not be sought and if they develop, they should virtually be ignored and definitely not exhibited. According to him, these are obstacles on the path of Samadhi. These can completely hinder one’s spiritual evolution.
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