Siddhi

Siddhi denotes supernatural powers, perfections, or spiritual attainments derived from advanced yoga and tantric practice. The term derives from the root sidh meaning to accomplish, to succeed, or to attain. In Indian philosophy, siddhis are both a legitimate byproduct of spiritual practice and a potential obstacle to liberation - their proper understanding and relationship to the ultimate goal is a nuanced question.

Origins and history

Siddhis are treated in detail in chapter 3 of the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, where various powers are described as arising through saṃyama (the combined practice of dhāraṇā, dhyāna, and samādhi) — for example, knowledge of past lives, mind-reading, invisibility, and extraordinary strength (YS 3.18–3.44). The Patañjali tradition does not enumerate a fixed list of “eight siddhis”; the famous aṣṭasiddhi — aṇimā (minuteness), mahimā (greatness), laghimā (weightlessness), garimā (heaviness), prāpti (attainment), prākāmya (unobstructed will), īśitva (lordship), and vaśitva (control) — is systematized in the Purāṇas and in haṭha and tantric texts.

The Śiva Saṃhitā and Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā expand the repertoire to include additional powers such as levitation, invisibility, and the ability to enter another’s body.

Core meaning

Patañjali treats siddhis with remarkable caution. The Yoga Sūtras state that these powers may arise as byproducts of practice, but they are obstacles to the ultimate goal of absorption (samādhi). YS 3.37 explicitly states: they are accomplishments in the outward-turned state (vyutthāna), but obstacles to samādhi.

The distinction is between power and freedom. A practitioner who pursues siddhis for their own sake becomes attached to them and falls back into bondage. The proper attitude is to recognize them as signs of progress but to continue toward the goal of liberation.

In tradition

In Tantra, siddhis are more integral to the practice. Many tantric texts describe specific siddhis attainable through mantra, mudrā, and nyāsa practices. The eight great siddhis (mahā-siddhis) include becoming small (anima), becoming large (mahima), becoming light (laghima), becoming heavy (garima), and others.

In Hatha Yoga, the tradition counts the aṣṭasiddhi among the fruits of practice. The Gorakṣaśataka names the eight siddhis beginning with aṇimā and associates them with mastery of breath and body.

In Buddhism, the Pāli texts describe psychic powers (iddhi/ṛddhi) as attainable through meditation, including the ability to fly, pass through walls, and multiply one’s body. However, the Buddha warns against displaying these powers, and the Vinaya (monastic rules) prohibits monks from performing miracles before laypeople.

Modern understanding

The siddhis have been interpreted in various ways by modern scholars and practitioners. Some see them as literal supernatural powers - the traditional understanding. Others interpret them metaphorically as psychological states or exceptional skills.

In contemporary yoga culture, the pursuit of siddhis has become controversial. Some teachers emphasize that siddhis are real but dangerous distractions, while others have commercialized siddhi-related practices. The traditional caution remains relevant: siddhis are byproducts of practice, not the goal.

Verification notes

• The Yoga Sūtras siddhi passages are analyzed in Bryant, The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali (2009).
• Siddhi traditions in Haṭha Yoga are documented in Mallinson and Singleton, Roots of Yoga (2017).
• Buddhist siddhi doctrine is discussed in Gethin, The Foundations of Buddhism (1998).
• The fabricated “eight siddhis” list was replaced with the actual YS 3 siddhi treatments and the Purāṇic/haṭha aṣṭasiddhi list; YS 3.37 was corrected to the canonical reading; the dubious “paṭa” term and unverified Jung attribution were removed.
• The Wikipedia ref confirms siddhi as powers from yogic sādhanā and the interchangeability of ṛddhi/iddhi in Buddhism.
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).
• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).