Siddhi

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In [[Indian religions]], '''{{IAST|Siddhis}}''' ([[Sanskrit]]: {{lang|sa|सिद्धि}} ''{{IAST|siddhi}}''; fulfillment, accomplishment) are material, paranormal, supernatural, or otherwise magical powers, abilities, and attainments that are the products of [[Yoga|yogic]] advancement through [[sādhanā]]s such as [[meditation]] and yoga.<ref>{{cite book|last=White|first=David Gordon |author-link=David Gordon White |title=Yoga In Practice |year=2012 |publisher=Princeton University Press |page=34 |author2=Dominik Wujastyk}}</ref> The term [[ṛddhi]] (Pali: ''iddhi'', "psychic powers") is often used interchangeably in [[Buddhism]].

==Etymology==
''Siddhi'' is a [[Sanskrit]] noun which can be translated as "knowledge", "accomplishment", "attainment", or "success".{{sfn|Apte|n.d.|p=986}}

==Method==
The ''[[Visuddhimagga]]'' is one of the texts to give explicit details about how spiritual masters were thought to actually manifest supernormal abilities.<ref name="Jacobsen 2011"/> It states that abilities such as flying through the air, walking through solid obstructions, diving into the ground, walking on water and so forth are achieved through changing one [[Mahābhūta|element]], such as earth, into another element, such as air.<ref name="Jacobsen 2011">{{cite book |editor=Jacobsen, Knut A. |title=Yoga Powers |date=2011 |publisher=Brill |location=Leiden |isbn=978-9004212145 |pages=83–86, 93}}</ref> The individual must master ''[[kasina]]'' meditation before this is possible.<ref name="Jacobsen 2011"/> [[Dipa Ma]], who trained via the Visuddhimagga, was said to demonstrate these abilities.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schmidt |first1=Amy |title=Dipa Ma |date=2005 |publisher=Windhorse Publications |page=Chapter 9 At Home in Strange Realms}}</ref>

==Usage in Hinduism ==
In the ''[[Panchatantra]]'', an ancient Indian collection of moral fables, ''siddhi'' may be the term for any unusual skill or faculty or capability.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

===Patanjali's ''Yoga Sutras''===
In [[Yoga Sutras of Patanjali|Patañjali's ''Yoga Sutras'']] IV.1 it is stated, ''Janma auṣadhi mantra tapaḥ samādhijāḥ siddhayaḥ'', "Accomplishments may be attained through birth, the use of herbs, incantations, self-discipline or samadhi".{{sfn|Iyengar|2002|p=246}}

===Eight classical siddhis ===
According to different sources, below are the eight classical siddhis (''Ashta Siddhi'') or eight great perfections are:<ref name="Subramuniyaswami">{{Cite book |url= https://archive.org/details/dancingwithsivah00subr_0 |title= Glossary - Siddhi |last= Subramuniyaswami |first= Sivaya |publisher= Himalayan Academy |year= 1997 |isbn= 978-0945497974 |location= USA |id= Search: Siddhi }}</ref><ref name="Danielou">[[Alain Danielou|Danielou, Alain]] (1987). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=6pRe5Ta1W1YC While the Gods Play: Shaiva Oracles and Predictions on the Cycles of History and the Destiny of Mankind]''; Inner Traditions International.</ref>
* ''Aṇimā'': the ability to become smaller than the smallest, reducing one's body to the size of an atom or even become invisible.
* ''Mahimā'': the ability to become infinitely large, expanding one's body to an infinitely large size.
* ''Laghimā'': the ability to become weightless or lighter than air.
* “Garimā”: the ability to become heavy or dense
* ''Prāpti'': the ability to instantaneously summon any item the user is aware of at any given moment.
* ''Prākāmya'': the ability to achieve or realize whatever one desires.
* ''Īśiṭva'': the ability to control nature, individuals, organisms, etc. Supremacy over nature and ability to force influence upon anyone.
* ''Vaśiṭva'': the ability to control all material elements or natural forces.

The eighth is given as either:
* ''Kāma-avasayitva'' (per [[Kṣemarāja]] and [[Vyasa]]): satisfaction,<ref name="Subramuniyaswami" /> suppression of desire, or (as ''Yatrakāmāvasāyitva'') wishes coming true.<ref>{{cite book |editor=Jacobsen, Knut A. |title=Yoga Powers |date=2011 |publisher=Brill |location=Leiden |isbn=978-9004212145 |pages=165, 204, 285}}</ref>
* ''Garimā'' (per the [[Rāmānanda Sampradāya]]): the ability to become infinitely heavy and be immovable by anyone or anything.<ref name="Danielou" /><ref>{{cite book |editor=Jacobsen, Knut A. |title=Yoga Powers |date=2011 |publisher=Brill |location=Leiden |isbn=978-9004212145 |pages=449}}</ref>

===Shaivism===
In [[Shaivism]], siddhis are defined as "Extraordinary powers of the soul, developed through consistent meditation and often uncomfortable and grueling [[Tapas (Sanskrit)|tapas]], or awakened naturally through spiritual maturity and yogic [[sādhanā]]."<ref>{{Cite book |url= https://archive.org/details/dancingwithsivah00subr_0 |title= glossary - Siddhi |last= Subramuniyaswami |first= Sivaya |publisher= Himalayan Academy |year= 1997 |isbn= 978-0945497974 |location= USA |id= Search: Siddhi }}</ref>

===Vaishnavism===
In [[Vaishnavism]], the term ''siddhi'' is used in the ''Sarva-darśana-saṃgraha'' of [[Madhvacharya]] (1238–1317), the founder of [[Dvaita]] (dualist) philosophy.

====Five siddhis, according to Vaishnava doctrine====
In the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'', the five siddhis brought on by yoga and meditation are:
# ''trikālajñatvam'': knowing the past, present and future
# ''advandvam'': tolerance of heat, cold and other dualities
# ''para citta ādi abhijñatā'': knowing the minds of others, etc.
# ''agni arka ambu viṣa ādīnām pratiṣṭambhaḥ'': checking the influence of fire, sun, water, poison, etc.
# ''aparājayah'': remaining unconquered by others<ref>The Concise Srimad Bhagavatam, trans. Swami Venkatesananda, SUNY Press 1989, {{ISBN|0-7914-0149-9}}</ref>

====Ten secondary siddhis, according to Vaishnava doctrine====
In the ''Bhagavata Purana'', [[Krishna]] describes the ten secondary siddhis:{{cn|date=July 2020}}
* ''anūrmimattvam'': Being undisturbed by hunger, thirst, and other bodily appetites
* ''dūraśravaṇa'': Hearing things far away
* ''dūradarśanam'': Seeing things far away
* ''manojavah'': Moving the body wherever thought goes ([[teleportation]]/[[astral projection]])
* ''kāmarūpam'': Assuming any form desired
* ''parakāya praveśanam'': Entering the bodies of others
* ''svachanda mṛtyuh'': Dying when one desires
* ''devānām saha krīḍā anudarśanam'': Witnessing and participating in the pastimes of the gods
* ''yathā saṅkalpa saṁsiddhiḥ'': Perfect accomplishment of one's determination
* ''ājñāpratihatā gatiḥ'': Orders or commands being unimpeded<ref>''The Concise Srimad Bhagavatam'', trans. Swami Venkatesananda, SUNY Press 1989, {{ISBN|0-7914-0149-9}}</ref>

===Samkhya philosophy===
In the ''[[Samkhyakarika]]'' and ''Tattvasamasa'', there are references to the attainment of eight siddhis by which "one becomes free of the pain of ignorance, one gains knowledge, and experiences bliss".
The eight siddhis hinted at by [[Kapila]] in the ''Tattvasamasa'' are, as explained in verse 51 of the ''Samkhyakarika'':<ref>[http://www.easterntradition.org/samkhya%20karika.html The Samkhya Karika, with commentary of Gaudapada. Published in 1933 by The Oriental Book Agency, Poona] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201182130/http://www.easterntradition.org/samkhya%20karika.html |date=1 February 2013 }}</ref>
# ''Uuha'': based on the [[Samskara (Indian philosophy)|samskaras]] (karmic imprints) of previous births, the attainment of knowledge about the twenty-four [[tattvas]] gained by examining the determinable and indeterminable, conscious and non-conscious constituents of creation.
# ''Shabda'': knowledge gained by associating with an enlightened person (Guru – upadesh).
# ''Addhyyan'': knowledge gained through study of the Vedas and other standard ancillary texts.
# ''Suhritprapti'': knowledge gained from a kind-hearted person, while engaged in the spread of knowledge.
# ''Daan'': knowledge gained regardless of one’s own needs while attending to the requirements of those engaged in the search of the highest truth.
# ''Aadhyaatmik dukkh-haan'': freedom from pain, disappointment, etc. that may arise due to lack of spiritual, metaphysical, mystic knowledge and experience.
# ''Aadhibhautik dukkh-haan'': freedom from pain etc. arising from possessing and being attached to various materialistic gains.
# ''Aadhidaivik dukkh-haan'': freedom from pain etc. caused by fate or due to reliance on fate.

It is believed that the attainment of these eight siddhis renders one free of the pain of ignorance, and gives one knowledge and bliss.

===Hindu deities associated with gaining siddhi===
[[Ganesha]], [[Hanuman]], various forms of [[Shaktism|Devi]], [[Vishnu]] and various other deities are popularly seen as the keepers of siddhis, with the ability to grant them to the worshipper.<ref>[http://www.hindujagruti.org/hinduism/knowledge/article/what-is-the-significance-of-various-forms-of-lord-hanuman.html Lord Hanuman & Siddhis]</ref>

==Usage in Sikhism==
In Sikhism, siddhi means "insight". "Eight Siddhis" is used for insight of the eight qualities of [[Nirankar]] or a.k.a. [[Akal Purakh]] mentioned in the ''[[Mul Mantar]]'' in the [[Guru Granth Sahib]]. God has eight qualities: EkOnkar, Satnam, Kartapurakh, Nirbhao, Nirvair, AkaalMurat, Ajooni and Svaibhang. The one who has insight of these qualities is called ''Sidh'' or ''Gurmukh''.

1. EkOnkar: There is one formless GOD.
2. Satnam: GOD is true. His remembrance is true.
3. Kartapurakh: GOD alone is creator.
4. Nirbhao: GOD is fearless.
5. Nirvair: GOD has enmity with none.
6. AkaalMurat: Beyond the life and death.
7. Ajooni Svaibhang: GOD is beyond the cycle of birth and death.

Sidh means the one who has mastered his self.

==Usage in Vajrayana Buddhism==
In [[vajrayana|Tantric Buddhism]], siddhi specifically refers to the acquisition of supernatural powers by psychic or magical means or the supposed faculty so acquired. These powers include items such as [[clairvoyance]], [[Levitation (paranormal)|levitation]], [[bilocation]] and [[astral projection]], [[materialization (parapsychology)|materialization]], and [[Reincarnation#Claims of remembering past life|having access to memories]] from [[Rebirth (Buddhism)|past lives]].

==See also==
*[[Karamat]]
*[[Pranahuti (Yogic Transmission)|Pranahuti]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note|2}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Sources==

{{refbegin}}
* {{Citation | last =Apte | first =A | year =n.d. | title =A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary}}
* {{Citation | last =Davidson | first =Ronald M. | year =2004 | title =Indian Esoteric Buddhism: Social History of the Tantric Movement | publisher =Motilal Banarsidass Publ.}}
* {{Citation | last =Iyengar | first =B.K.S. | year =2002 | title =Light on the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali | place =Hammersmith, London, UK | publisher =Thorsons}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070101214259/http://vedabase.net/sb/ Bhagavata Purana]

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Siddhi