SATTAIMUNI SIDHAR

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SATTAIMUNI SIDHAR

Andathil ullathe pindam, pindathil ullathe andam

Andavum pindavum onne arindh thaanpaarkum pothe…

These are lines from Sattaimuni jananam. Seekers can see the universal depth of these lines. That’s how Siddhar songs are. The energy that fills this universe or andam is the same energy that fills the human body or pindam. The energy in this body fills the universe as well. Thus we are the same as this universe.

The five elements or panchabhoothas that pervade the universe, also fill our bodies.

Among the 18 Sidhars, the one who travelled with a sack of knowledge and a woolen sweater with Saivite philosophy is known as Kambilichatta Paani or Kailaya Kambili Chattamuni. Kailaya is Kailasa.

The 12th-century work, Abhidana Chintamani by Hemachandra, which talks about the Sidhars, has several mentions of the Sri Lankan-born Sattaimuni who travelled all the way to Kailasa. He produced 96 sutras and was adept in Rasavathavidya or alchemy. Like Agasthyar and Nandithevar, Sattaimuni also taught the unity of the Universe and the Body. It is believed that he lived for 880 years. His Samadhi was at Sri rangam. Having studied under Nandithevar in Kailasa and Dakshinamurthi himself, he composed 46 works. Better to say that we know only about 46. Among his disciples are the prominent Siddhars Sundaranar and Pambatti. His fundamental works in Anthropology sets him apart from other Sidhars.

Let’s look at the legends about him. He was born among Tamil people in Sri Lanka to a farmer couple. At a young age, he lived near temples and met a sanyasi who advised him to take the spiritual journey seeking truth. On his path, he met a glorious Sidhar who was none other than Sidha Peruman Bhoganathar. Converting to the Sidhar path, he met Agasthya, Karuvoorar, and Konkana Sidhar before travelling to the Himalayas. At Kailasa,he met the Adi Sidhayogi Sivaperumal. It is believed that the eponymous woolen sweater was Siva’s gift to him. He encrypted his writings using the Sankhya system so that only the deserving can decipher.

There is a story about Sattaimuni at Srirangam where his Samadhi is. Srirangam used to be called Thiruvarangam. Sattaimuni came to the temple where Vishnu’s darshan was considered possible. He saw that the door to the temple of Aranganathar or Vishnu was closed. In his fervent devotion, he called out Aranga thrice to the lord. The Temple door opened and bells sounded. Sattaimuni entered the temple and sat down. The next day devotees saw Sattaimuni sitting there with the idol’s ornaments on him. They were furious. They took him to the kind branding him as a thief. Without worry, Sattaimuni told the king that these were gifts from Arangar. The king didn’t believe and took him to the temple. Once again Sattaimuni called out to the lord and the doors miraculously opened. As the king watched, Sattaimuni merged with the idol and disappeared. 

Practitioners still follow Sattaimuni Karpam 100 in Sidha treatment for physical transformation. Universal essence (Prapanchika rasam) or Mappukayakarpam treatment is considered vital rejuvenation therapy.

Among his major works are Sattaimuni Nikhandu 1200, Sattaimuni Hatha Kavyam 1000, Sattaimuni sarakkvayppu 500, Sattaimuni Navaratna Vayppu 500, Sattaimuni Vakatam 200, Sattaimuni Munpinjnanam 200, Sattaimuni Karpam 100 and Sattaimuni Unmaivilakkam 51.

Sundaranar who installed the Sundara Mahalingam at Chaturagiri is one of the main disciplines of Sattaimuni. 

Sattaimuni sang about the vital chakras, the essence of life, yoga, and Maya. To benefit the common folks, he popularised many of the Siddha secrets. It is said that the worried Sidha group under the leadership of Thirumular hid these works in a cave. 

Sidhars discovered superhuman capacities through their exploration of the possibilities of the mind. They were scientists, alchemists, and doctors who saved generations from diseases. They pioneered medical treatment, chemistry, astronomy, yoga, magic, and pathways of wisdom. 

We can picture in our minds the arduous journey of Sattaimuni through the snow-clad Himalayan rocky paths, with his walking stick and woolen sweater, long hair and sense of purpose, and deep sacrifice to gain more knowledge to benefit humanity.