Siddhis

By Swami Harshananda

Siddhis literally means ‘powers’.

In general, the word siddhi indicates the fulfillment of any effort. In a more technical sense, it stands for the supernatural powers gained by sādhanas.^[1]

Siddhis as per Yogasutras

The Yogasutras^[2] of Patañjali^[3] states that siddhis are attained by:

Janma - birth
Auṣadhi - drugs
Mantra - sacred word
Tapas - austerity
Samādhi - perfect concentration

Eight siddhis, called as aṣṭasiddhis, are generally mentioned by the treatises on yoga like the Yogasutras.^[4] This work mentions several other siddhis also.^[5] A warning is also administered about them being obstacles in the path before realization.^[6]

References

↑ Sādhanas means yogic exercises and spiritual practices.
↑ Yogasutras 4.1
↑ He lived in 200 B. C.
↑ Yogasutras means 3.45
↑ Yogasutras 2.35 up to 3.48
↑ Yogasutras 3.37

The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore

Explore Other Articles

AkşīShri Trailanga SwamiŚricakraDeveśţhaBhimasena

[1] Sādhanas means yogic exercises and spiritual practices.

[2] Yogasutras 4.1

[3] He lived in 200 B. C.

[4] Yogasutras means 3.45

[5] Yogasutras 2.35 up to 3.48

[6] Yogasutras 3.37

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]