Siddhis – A Boon or A Bane?
What are Siddhis, and How to Become One
What are ‘siddhis’? Siddhis are spiritual, paranormal, supernatural, or otherwise magical powers, abilities, and attainments that are the products of spiritual advancement through sadhanas, such as meditation and yoga. Usually, siddhis are attained by spiritual masters, or’ siddhas.’ Siddhas are, thus, the quintessential masters of the bhutas, or the five elements. These bhutas are earth, water, air, fire, and ether. The practices of Kriya, Tantra, and Yoga, therefore, help one to gain siddhis or psychic powers.
A classic text in Yoga, Siva-swarodaya, states:
“Creation takes place out of five elements and it also dissolves in the elements. The five elements are the supreme Brahman alone, and is beyond the elements…One who (truly) knows the five-elemental universe which is made up of water, fire, wind, earth and either, is respected and worshiped everywhere.”
The Various Types of Siddhis
Let us examine the various types of siddhis. The main categories of eight powers, or siddhis, are called ashta siddhis.
1. To become tiny as the atom within the atom (Anima)
2. To become big in unshakable proportions (Mahima)
3. To become as light as vapor in levitation (Laghima)
4. To become as heavy as the mountain (Garima)
5. To enter into other bodies in transmigration (Prapti)
6. To be in all things, Omni-pervasive (Prakamya))
7. To be lord of all creation in omnipotence (Isatvam)
8. To be everywhere in omnipresence (Vasitvam)
Reference: Thirumandarim 1780
Secondary Siddhis Offer More Description
The ten secondary siddhis as described in Bhagvata purana include the following:
1. Being undisturbed by hunger, thirst, and other bodily appetites
2. Hearing things far away
3. Seeing things far away
4. Moving the body wherever thought goes (teleportation/astral projection)
5. Assuming any form desired
6. Entering the bodies of others
7. Dying when one desires
8. Witnessing and participating in the past times of the gods
9. Perfect accomplishment of one’s determination
10. Orders or commands being unimpeded
Is attainment of siddhis useful? Experiencing the above types of siddhis is definitely an understanding one can feel happy about whilst on the path to liberation or moksha. But using siddhis for one’s personal gratification is one of the gravest spiritual mistakes.
There are many gurus and so-called spiritual masters who, for ego inflation and popularity, are displaying their siddhis to people. And the layman thinks they are god! What is important here is one should understand the principles the guru is following and preaching. If their emphasis is only on attainment of siddhis than that is not the right siddha.
The True Gem of Spiritual Masters
The true gem in the pack of spiritual masters is the one who instead of exhibiting his siddhis harps on expansion of consciousness and merging with the universal vision. Sai Baba is an example of one such siddha whose siddhi were conferred by higher masters existing in higher planes. All siddhis came to him naturally. The highest siddhas make you realize the Shiva consciousness – absolute bliss!
The great sage, Ramana Maharishi, explained that “The occult powers (siddhis) are only in the mind (and do not reside in the inmost self). They are not natural to the self. That which is not natural, but acquired, cannot be permanent, and thus is not worth striving for.”
The shivyog siddha, Avdhoot Baba Shivanandji, the only living siddha in physical form, states that the highest siddhis and powers are conferred to the disciple with utmost purity. Hence, one who is totally selfless and who is on a path of self-realization. Siddhis, then, are not the goal, but purity is.
Vedic Teachings about Spiritual Masters
The basic learning from the Vedas and from the spiritual masters should be to attain moksha from one’s vices. We should, therefore, not use various types of siddhis to attain external wealth, fame, and discipleship. This will obstruct one’s spiritual growth.
What we also need is to break the illusion attained through siddhis and reach for supreme consciousness. There are many people who are misguiding innocent souls with the bait of a siddhi. Thus, one should use the eyes of discernment to see past the temporary gratification. If one gets stuck in acquiring ‘siddhis,’ it obstructs our spiritual path. Moksha, or liberation, is the goal of every soul.
