“Siddharkal entral sivalokam inge darsithor.” This means Siddhars are the ones who could experience and realise the ultimate wisdom or Sivalokam in this earth.
The word Siddhar is derived from the Tamil word ‘Siddh‘ meaning wise. Siddhars have ability to perceive the higher cosmic movements in universe. They are experts in all aspects including Yoga, Alchemy, Literatures, Philosophy, etc.. They have the ability to liberate their soul as well as the power to enter their soul in another body for a particular karma or act and then come back to their original body.
These scholars used to spent their life in experimenting the gifts of mother nature- the herbs, the minerals and the animals. As a result of their experiments, they could formulate so many valuable medicines which includes small herbal preparations to the potent medicines which have no expiry. They used to spend hours to days to years in formulating these medicines.
Their immense power of meditation and knowledge enabled the serpent power to generate from moolatharam and pass all chakras or atharas to finally reach sahasthratharam where they could experience the Ambrosia. They could live without food and water for years by the consuming this sacred nectar.
There are 18 Siddhars popularly known in Tamil literatures. Among them, the primordial Guru or Agasthiyar is the father of Siddha Medicine.
The 18 Siddhars are: Agasthiyar, Thirumoolar, Ramadevar, Konkanar, Kamalamuni, Sattaimuni, Karuvurar, Sundarananndar,Valmiki, Nandidevar,Pambattisiddhar, Boganathar, Macchamuni, Korakkar, Pathamchali, Dhanvanthiri, Kuthambai Siddhar and Edaikkadar.
It is said that these Siddhars attained Samadhi or attainment in different places but it is also believed that their souls are still present in this earth for guiding the true worshippers of this science.
In other words, it can be said that even this article which I have written is due to the influence of their spirits and aspirations.
Do you all have a book on the Agasthiya Guru & 18 Siddhars