This is an ongoing series on the Siddhar Paramabarai of India. Siddha refers to perfected masters who have achieved a high degree of physical as well as spiritual perfection or enlightenment. We look at various Siddhas who have graced upon this earth with their Presence — their life and the wisdom they shared in the form of poems, couplets that are referred to as Siddhar Padalgal. To begin with, we are looking at Siddhas from the tradition of “Pathinen Siddhargal”. In the previous issues, we saw about Kudhambai Siddhar, Pambatti Siddhar, Idaikkaattu Siddhar, Sattaimuni Siddhar, Sundaraanandar Siddhar, Karuvoorar Siddhar, Goraknatha Siddhar, Matsyendranatha Siddhar, Ramadevar Siddhar, Dhanvantari Siddhar, Patanjali Siddhar, Siddha Thirumoolar, Siddha Konganar and Siddha Vanmikar. In the Guru Poornima special edition of series we were blessed to also write about the great Siddha Avvai.We also saw how the Siddhargal poetry is presented in Sandhya Bhasha. In this article, we will see the glory of Siddha Kamalamuni.
Kamalamuni Siddhar
Siddha Kamalamuni’s birth star is Poosam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (mid May to mid June). And as we publish this article, it is the special occasion of Poosam or Pushya nakshatra in the Tamil month Thai (mid January to mid February). Thai Poosam is a highly venerated day in the Siddha tradition. As we write this article sitting some 15 kilo meters from Palani (established by Siddha Bogar), we witness thousands of devout seekers undertaking kavadi (a heavy offering carried on the shoulders for Lord Muruga) and padayatra. Every year women, men and children from various regions of Tamil Nadu, offer this padayatra where they walk hundreds of miles, barefoot, energetically chanting the name of Lord Skanda. It is a sight that extols the beauty of our tradition and brings deep devotion even to the bystander. Thai Poosam is considered an auspicious day in the Siddha tradition chosen by advance Siddhas to leave the bhuloka (realm of Mother Earth) for a divine gathi (beyond life on Earth).
There is not much known about the history of Siddhar Kamalamuni. Siddhar Kamalamuni and Siddhar Kalanginathar are considered as one and the same. Siddhar Kalanginathar is the venerated guru of Siddha Boganathar. Siddha Kalanginathar is also referred to as the Kanja Malai Siddhar. Kanja Malai is a series of hillocks near the city of Salem in Tamil Nadu. We had the good fortune of having darshan at the ancient temple of Lord Shiva and Parvati at the foothills of Kanjamalai. There Lord Shiva is in the form of Siddheshwarar (Lord of Siddhas). Kanjamalai Subramanya temple is on an adjacent hill nearby. Siddha Kalanginathar is referred by Siddha Bogar in his works as “Maamuni” (the Great Sage) and “Kamalamuni”(the Lotus Sage). Kamalamuni Siddhar is said to have attained samadhi in the Tiruvarur temple. His peetam is found near the Amman shrine.
Now let us study a few verses from Kamalamuni Siddhar’s Tamil poems from “Jnana Chaitanyam”. Very uniquely Kamalamuni Siddhar’s prayer is a worship of the paramporul (fundamental and all encompassing principle) as mouna (silence).
மூலமுத லாகிநின்ற ஆயி பாதம் முச்சுடராய் நின்றதொரு சோதி பாதம் தாலமதிற் றென்மலைவா ழாசான் பாதம் தவறாமற் போற்றயிந்த நூலைச் சொல்வேன் கோலமணி பூரகமே சேர்ந்து வாழும் குறித்துநின்ற சித்தருட பாதம் போற்றி மாலயனுந் தேவர்களுங் காணொ ணாத மவுனமென்ற பூரணமே காப்புத் தானே
As the primary Moolathaara, stands Mother’s feet As three sacred flames, stands the radiant feet Dwelling in the southern hills is the Master’s feet Unfailingly I pray to them and present this literature Dwelling in the wonderful Manipuraka Praise the feet of Siddha who stands rooted Incomprehensible even to the Devas The Absolute that is Silence is the revered protector
Kamalamuni Siddhar also bestows on the sadhakas direct guidance on how to recite the Mahamantra and how to also meditate on the susumna nadi. The great Siddhar advocates one year of intense practice to achieve great Siddhi through this instruction.
தானென்ற நாட்டத்தில் அவ்வும் உவ்வும் சாதகமாய் மவ்வோடே சிவ்வும் வைத்துத் தேனென்ற மனமதிலே இவரி ருந்து தெளிவாக அஞ்செழுத்தைச் சிறக்கப் போடு கானென்ற முச்சுடரும் லிங்கந் தோன்றும் கருதிப்பார் சுழிமுனையிற் கனிந்து நித்தம் தானென்ற பூசையிலே மதுவை யுண்டு சாதகமா யாண்டொன்றி லுடனே சித்தி
In the I‑consciousness the syllables a and u In practice syllables m and ci to be forged In the honey-filled mind Sivam shall dwell Clearly recite the five-syllable mantra Three sparkling flames and the lingam shall manifest Meditate on the susumna, mellowing everyday In the I‑consciousness, worship and drink the ambrosia And in due practice, one can attain this siddhi in one year
Siddha Kamalamuni also carefully guides how to blend bhakthi in this kriya yoga process. HE instructs a specific order of prayer and pranayama. Soak in!
செய்யயிலே முந்திமுந்தி கணேசன் பூசை திறமான மனோன்மணித்தாய் மயேசன் பூசை தொய்யயிலே சுப்ரமணியன் வடுகன் பூசை சுகமாகச் சித்தருட பூசை செய்து சய்யயிலே நவகோண மேரு பூசை சதாசிவமாம் சிதம்பரத்தின் பூசை பண்ணு பய்யயிலே இவ்வளவும் பூசை பண்ணி பரமான பிராணாயஞ் செய்து நோக்கே
While practising, first worship Lord Ganesha Worship intensely Mother Manonmani and Mahesha Following is the worship of Lord Subramania and Lord Vatukar (Bhairava) With joy, perform the worship of Siddha While lying perform the Navakona-Meru worship Perform the worship of Sadashivam as Chidambaram While steadily performing all these worships Do the supreme pranayama and closely observe (the effect)
The elixirs offered by Siddha Kamalamuni are so many. We invite you to contemplate more on these lines and share with us your insights. We also invite you to share with us lines from Siddhar Padalgal that have deeply touched you. You could write to us at anaadifoundation@gmail.com.