Question

With regard to Tamil Siddhas which of the following is not correct?
1. Tirumular was the greatest of the Tamil Siddhas
2. Tamil Siddhism shows features of anti-Brahmanism and anti-ritualism
3. Tamil Siddhas laid emphasis on the importance of Siva and Murukan, the Tamil deity
4. The chief centres of Tamil Siddhas were Tondinadu and Pandinadu

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 4 : The chief centres of Tamil Siddhas were Tondinadu and Pandinadu

• The term siddha is generated from the verbal Sanskrit- root sadh/sidh, which means ´to realize, succeed,`or ´perfection`.
• Tamil siddhars are remarkable for one another thing. They are basically anti- Brahmanism in their religious, social thinking. From Caldwell to professor R. Chamapakalakshmi including M. Srinivasa iyengar stated: Tamil siddhism shows features such as anti-Brahmanism and even anti-ritualism. Tamils have to follow siddhars tradition in their way of life. Hence, statement 2nd is correct.
• There are 18 siddhars who are considered as the pillars of siddha medicine according to Tamil tradition. There is no consensus on their exact time era. Their names, contributions, popular beliefs about them and probable place where they attained Samadhi (eternal consciousness).
• Almost all the Siddhas believed in the oneness of all creation i.e monotheism and they preached a philosophy of love and service and condemned idolatry.
• ​Almost all of the 'Siddhas’ songs were composed in the twilight language.
• The mammoth work of the Tamil Siddha yogi Tirumūla whose work Tirumantiram is part of the Shaiva Canon ‘Panniru Tirumurai’ and is at the core of the 12th-century philosophy of Shaiva Siddhanta in Tamilnadu.
• The Tirumantiram (tiru+mantram) is a collection of about 3000 verses in Tamil written by this Shaiva Saint.
• Tirumular is regarded as one of the 18  siddhas in the mystic Tamil siddha tradition; he also ranks as one of the 63 Shaiva Nāyanmār Saints of the Tamil Shaiva Bhakti movement of the 1st millennium CE. Hence, statement 1st  and 3rd are correct.

The list of 18 siddhars who are considered as the pillars of siddha medicine according to Tamil tradition is listed below-

Agathiyar

• He is considered the Father of Tamil Literature.  He compiled first Tamil grammar called Agathiyam. 
• He is believed to be a direct disciple of Lord Siva.

Thirumoolar                       

• He is also called the Prince of Mystics. He is said to be the disciple of Nandhidevar.
• His masterpiece Thirumanthiram, deals with the body and soul.
• Thirumanthiram is considered as a Bible of Thanthrik Yoga.

Bogar

• Bogar is considered as the descendant of Thirumoolar
• It is believed that Bogar travelled up to China and propagated the spiritual philosophy in China.

Konganar

• Konganar is considered the son of Bogar. His period is said to be around 4th and 5th centuries B.C.
• He wrote more than 40 books that deal with alchemy and the elixir (muppu) of life. 

Therayar

• Therayar is considered to be the master of many fields like astrology, mysticism, alchemy, medicine and language.
• His scholarship and style of the language are considered to be unique.

Korakkar

• He is also called as Korakkanathar
• He used kanja - Korakkar mooli  (Indian hemp) in his preparations like poorna lehyam/choornam and so the herb is named after him.

Karuvurar

• He is also known as Karuvur thevar
• He made a significant contribution to the construction of Tanjore Temple . In his memory aspecial shrine has been created( siddhar sannidhi ) in the Tanjore big temple.

Edaikkadar

• He is also known as Edaikkadu siddhar.
• His contribution towards rasavatham and kayakarpam is remarkable.

Chattamuni               

• He is also known as Kamblichattamuni,Kailasa chattamuni and Sattanadar
• His major works are Sattamuni pini gnanam 100, Sattamuni vadha kaviyam 1000,Sattamuni vatha soothiram 200, Sattamuni gnana vilakkam 51 

Sundaranar   

• Sundaranar is also known as Sorupamendra siddhu
• His contributions are Sundaranar siva gnana yogam 32, Sundaranar vakkya sutram 64

Ramadevar

• He is also known as Yakob
• He also contributed to the development of kayakalpa 

Pambatti

• Chattamuni is considered to be Pambatti guru
• Eight unique powers (Attama siddhis) of Siddhars are mentioned in his works.

Machamuni

• He is also known as Nondi siddhar
• His place of birth is believed to be Machai desam in Pandya Kingdom

Kudambai

• His place of birth and Samadhi is Mayavaram
• His major contribution is Kudambai siddhar padalgal.

Azhuganni Siddhar

• He is also known as Azhugai siddhar
• His major contribution is Siddhar gnanakovai

Agapai siddhar

• Korakkar is considered to be his guru
• His contribution is mainly about Gnana siddhi

Nandhidevar

• Nandhidevar  is also considered to be the direct disciple of Lord Siva
• His contribution is Nandhi kalai gnanam 1000

Kakapusundar

• He is also known as Pusundar
• His major contributions are Pusundar mei gnana vilakkam-80 and pusundar gnanam-19