Who was Saint Agastya?

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Known as the first Siddhar of the world, his abode was Mount Podhigai, the home of the great Lord Muruga. Here, the Lord is said to have blessed him with powers to heal others and also to be known as a great Siddhar who has attained “ashta siddhis”.

He is said to have existed around 500 BCE and also to have played critical parts in Ramayan and Mahabharat. Born from Urvashi form both Mitra and Varun, his teachings, books and medicines pform a vital part of Tamil culture and Tamil heritage.

There are many Tamil temples dedicated to saint Agastya all across Tamil Nadu. He is also known as Kumbamuni or the saint of Kumbam, based on whose literature and books, several rare medicines are being developed, till date. There are many medicine practitioners across Tamil Nadu who closely work on his system of medicine and provide health benefits to people at nominal costs.

“Siddhars were spiritual adepts who possessed the ashta siddhis, or the eight supernatural powers. Sage Agathiyar is considered the guru of all Siddhars, and the Siddha Medicine system is believed to have been handed over to him by Lord Muruga, son of the Hindu God Lord Shiva and goddess Parvathi.”- Wikipedia

Other than Saint Agastya or Agathiyar as they call in Tamil, there are 18 siddhars in the Tamil Siddha tradition. They are:

Thiru Patanjali Siddhar
Thiru Agastya Siddhar
Thiru Kamalamuni Siddhar
Thiru Thirumoolar Siddhar
Thiru Kuthambai Siddhar
Thiru Korakkar Siddhar
Thiru Thanvandri Siddhar
Thiru Konganar Siddhar
Thiru Sattamuni Siddhar
Thiru Vanmeegar Siddhar
Thiru Ramadevar Siddhar
Thiru Nandeeswarar (Nandidevar) Siddhar
Thiru Edaikkadar Siddhar
Thiru Machamuni Siddhar
Thiru Karuvoorar Siddhar
Thiru Bogar Siddhar
Thiru Pambatti Siddhar
Thiru Sundarandandar

Siddhars are people who have mastered the art of Music, Drama, Medicine, Art, Literature, Astronomy and Philosophy besides all others. They are people who transcend the human existence and constraints of time and space with the help of Yoga.

Indeed, Saint Agathiyar and Tamil Siddha system is unique in itself and is a priceless part of Indian and specifically Tamil tradition.

 

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