DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Siddhas. Who were they? What did they practice and teach? --I

**HarryMet** · 02-27-2011, 05:17 AM

Thank you, H.H,

There is a problem when writing about religious practices. It is especially true of the Nath/Siddha/Avadhuta Sampradhaya.

It is strictly a Guru/Shishya Parampara. The Deity, Mantra and the rituals are chosen by the Guru after assessing the Shishya. These are kept secret.

The disciples do not know what the Guru practices. The Guru knows and instructs the Shishya. Even other shishyas do not know about the practice of a shishya.

This is how the Sampradhya/Tradition functions and will continue to function.

So while writing about Siddhars we can only make generalizations. Though I have been regularly posting about the Upasana of different Deities in other forums, it is always of a general nature because these can not be learnt from books or others.

Agamas and Tantras are synonyms and represent the same scriptures. Sir. John Woodroofe (Arthur Avlon) was a Justice in the High Court In Kolkata. His books on Tantra are based on Tantras available in Bengal. Taking a lead from him all those who have followed have categorized only the Tantras from Bengal as Tantras. And also Tibetan tantras. These people were not exposed to the Agamas and other Tantrik literature of South India.

For example in Thirumandiram, the different chapters are called Tantras. Again in Thirumandiram, the seventh Tantra deals with Saktha worship. Verses 1923 to 1974 deals with what is called by some people as Vamachara. There are books in Tamil in the Connemara Library which represent research work about Sakthism in Thirumandiram. One of the Books raises a question whether Thirumandirm is Sakthism.

For my discussions I will be treating Agamas as Tantras. The difference between these are not a part of these discussions about Siddhars.

Please do remember that the Nath/Siddha/Avadhuta tradition has hundreds of branches now. It had always been so. Ever so many variations depending on the regional and other factors.

You will be hard put to find anything in common between the KanPhata (torn ears) Nath Yogi tending the Dhuni (Homa) in the Jwalamukhi temple, The Avadhuta followers in Girnar, Gujarat and the Brahmin Sri Vidya followers of Tamil Nadu. But if you trace the roots you will find the common origin and ideas.

We are tracing the roots of the Siddhar tradition. The regional variances are many. But the root and basic philosophy remain the same.

This would help us understand the philosophy and belief system of the Tamil Siddhars. And also answer many of the questions asked at the beginning of this discussion.

02-27-2011, 05:17 AM	#19
HarryMet Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 380 Senior Member	Thank you, H.H, There is a problem when writing about religious practices. It is especially true of the Nath/Siddha/Avadhuta Sampradhaya. It is strictly a Guru/Shishya Parampara. The Deity, Mantra and the rituals are chosen by the Guru after assessing the Shishya. These are kept secret. The disciples do not know what the Guru practices. The Guru knows and instructs the Shishya. Even other shishyas do not know about the practice of a shishya. This is how the Sampradhya/Tradition functions and will continue to function. So while writing about Siddhars we can only make generalizations. Though I have been regularly posting about the Upasana of different Deities in other forums, it is always of a general nature because these can not be learnt from books or others. Agamas and Tantras are synonyms and represent the same scriptures. Sir. John Woodroofe (Arthur Avlon) was a Justice in the High Court In Kolkata. His books on Tantra are based on Tantras available in Bengal. Taking a lead from him all those who have followed have categorized only the Tantras from Bengal as Tantras. And also Tibetan tantras. These people were not exposed to the Agamas and other Tantrik literature of South India. For example in Thirumandiram, the different chapters are called Tantras. Again in Thirumandiram, the seventh Tantra deals with Saktha worship. Verses 1923 to 1974 deals with what is called by some people as Vamachara. There are books in Tamil in the Connemara Library which represent research work about Sakthism in Thirumandiram. One of the Books raises a question whether Thirumandirm is Sakthism. For my discussions I will be treating Agamas as Tantras. The difference between these are not a part of these discussions about Siddhars. Please do remember that the Nath/Siddha/Avadhuta tradition has hundreds of branches now. It had always been so. Ever so many variations depending on the regional and other factors. You will be hard put to find anything in common between the KanPhata (torn ears) Nath Yogi tending the Dhuni (Homa) in the Jwalamukhi temple, The Avadhuta followers in Girnar, Gujarat and the Brahmin Sri Vidya followers of Tamil Nadu. But if you trace the roots you will find the common origin and ideas. We are tracing the roots of the Siddhar tradition. The regional variances are many. But the root and basic philosophy remain the same. This would help us understand the philosophy and belief system of the Tamil Siddhars. And also answer many of the questions asked at the beginning of this discussion.
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