SUNDARANANDAR SIDDHA 

 

 

The jeeva samadhi of Sundaranandar Siddha is present inside the Sri Meenakshi Amman temple, Madurai, near the Durga shrine.

 

Sri Sundaranandar is the disciple of siddhar Sattamuni. It is believed that he got the Siva Linga of siddhar Agastiar, established it in Saduragiri and worshipped it.

 

Saduragiri Sundara Mahalingam temple comes under the Thaniparai area of Saptur reserve forests in Tamil Nadu. It is located in Watrap, Viruthunagar district. Srivilliputtur is the big city located near Saduragiri. For thousands of years, realized sages and siddhars lived there worshipping the Siva Linga called " Sundara Mahalingam ". " Sundaram " means, the handsome One, "Maha " means great and lingam means " Siva, the Supreme Self ". This mountain shrine is a considered as a dwelling place of siddhars. This can also be attributed to the numerous medicinal plants available in the Saduragiri Mountains . There is also a cave called " Thavasi Parai " in Saduragiri. Sundaranandar and his Guru Sattamuni lived there.

 

Siddhar Bogar sings about Sundaranandar in songs 5828 and 5829 in his book " Bogar 7000 ". He says that Sundaranandar was an expert in space travel and samadhi yoga. In songs 5920 and 5921, Bogar gives the following information. Sundaranandar was born on the Tamil month of Aavani (August - September) on the star Revathi (3 rd part). 

 

He is the grand son of Navakanda Rishi living in the Kishkinta hills and that he belonged to Agamudayar (Thevar) class.

 

However, siddhar Karuvoorar in his song 582, says that Sundaranandar belongs to Reddy class. Siddhar Agasthiar in his book " Amudha Kalai Gyanam " also says that Sundaranandar is a Reddy in song 218. 

 

Sundaranandar attained his samadhi at Madurai .

 

Sundaranandar  Siddhar is one of the celebrated Siddhar among the 18 Siddhas.

 

He is the one behind the popularity of Sathuragiri hills in the Western Tamil nadu.

 

He also disciplined under SiddharAgathiyar and got a Shiva linga from him, which he installed in Sathuragiri hill as "Sundara Mahalingam" and worshipped it for long.

 

Sattaimuni is his preceptor and he learnt Siddha medicine, Siddha yoga, Siddha gnana, astrology from him.

 

He along with his guru SriSattaimuniSiddhar lived in Sathuragiri hills for some time and compiled his works on Siddha medicine and astrology.

 

Exploiting his deftness in the field of astrology, he has given appropriate general predictions on the day of birth, day of attaining puberty etc.

 

In his another work, he has depicted auspicious days for cultivating mango, coconut, banana, sugarcane, lentils etc. for the maximum yield.

Manaiyadi Saasthiram put forward by him gives appropriate ways to construct house to lead a hale and hearty life.

His works on poison treatment and preparation of universal salt muppu are valuable to Siddha medicine system.

SiddharBogar in his work Bogar 7000 says, Siddhar Sundaranandar is an expert in space travel and deep meditation i.e... samathi yoga.

Sri Sundaranandar had two disciples Sri Paramanadar and vaalai Siddhar.

 

During the rule of Abhisheka Pandian, Lord Soma Sundara-Meenakshisundara was going round the parts of Madurai doing miracles in the guise of a Siddha.  He made the aged a youth, man the woman, iron to gold, lame to run, dumb to sing, dancing on a needle by the toe and many such bone chilling acts.  Informed of the miracles happening in the city, Abishek Pandian summoned Siddha to his court.  As those who went to Siddha did not return, the king sent his minister.  The Siddha told the minister that he had no use of the king and said that the king may come to see him if he so desires.

 

The shocked king spoke to Siddha and offered his wishes if any.  Siddha opened his eyes and said that He was all in the universe and that he was the origin and end of the world moving everywhere.  “I give my people the boon they wish.  I am a siddha of supreme capabilities.”  The king asked the siddha if he could make the stone elephant eat the sugar cane in his hand.  Siddha just cast his look on the stone.  In fraction of a second, the statue got life, picked not only the sugar cane and ate it but also snatched the jewel on the chest of the king.  The king fell at the feet of the Siddha-Shiva, sought his pardon and child boon.  The king was blessed with a son.  The Siddha was known as Sundaranandar. Knowing that the king was coming to see him, the Siddha entered Meenakshi Temple and went into deep meditation facing northwest.  (The place where the Siddha went in is in front of the Durga shrine on the Meenakshisundareswarar shrine prakara).  The king’s men could not disturb the meditation of the Siddha and their raised hands simply stood up as it were. Expressing their gratitude to the Lord, devotees build flower tents and worship the Siddha.

 

The following are the books of Sundaranandar.

Sundaranandar Vaithiya Thirattu 1500

Sundaranandar Vaithya Kaviyam 1000

Sundaranandar Merpadi Suthiram 500

Sundaranandar Vagaram 200

Sundaranandar Aathetha Suthiram 104

Sundaranandar Vatha Suthiram 100

Sundaranandar Visha Nivarani 100

Sundaranandar Vakiya Suthiram 66

Sundaranandar Kesari 55

Sundaranandar Suttha Gyanam 51

Sundaranandar Thitchavithi 50

Sundaranandar Thandagam 47

Sundaranandar Kesari Poojavithi 37

Sundaranandar Athisaya Karanam 36

Sundaranandar Sivayoga Gyanam 32

Sundaranandar Muppu 25

Sundaranandar Sivagyana Botham 16

 

Name of the Siddhar : Sri Sundaranandar Siddhar @ Vallabar

Tamil Month Of Birth : Aavani

Tamil Birth Star : Revathi

Duration Of Life : 800 Years, 28 Days

Place Of Samathi : Madurai (Near Durgai Amman at Meenakshi Amman Temple)

Caste : Agamudaiyar

Guru : Sattaimuni ; Konkanavar.

Contributions : 24 known works, Medicine, Philosophy.

 

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