........ SIDDHAS ---- SONGS OF THE SIDDHAS

The Ancients developed several kinds of arts to remember and celebrate the occasions of Life and their philosophy helped one to develop a keener sense, a fine turning into the Nature of Life through the messages that were spread in the Songs of the Siddhas and they even helped to fine tune the body through the training in the Martial Arts.

FOLKLORE SONGS
The Siddhas Songs are extremely esoteric in nature, which is why very few interpreters have tried deciphering it. For those who attempted, found that the cryptic poems were quite offbeat for their time. They were hard to interpret mainly because of their esoteric quality. Often scholars assumed the poems represented Mysticism and Occult. Known to be 'against all human conditioning', these bold poems contained imagery that offended the conventional readers of poetry. Most found the Siddhas Songs resembled puzzles to be unscrambled.

MYSTICISM OF SOUND

Sound is the origin of all things in this universe, it all started with the Sound. This whole Universe is held together by the power of this Sound. The ancient and primitive human societies were very well aware of the power of Sound vibrations and its effect upon the human consciousness. They recognised the effect of sound vibrations for several purposes. In fact, sound energy was utilized for healing, curing, transforming, transmitting, uplifting, creating, destroying, nurturing and for many other purposes. The great system of Nada Yoga (the Yoga of Sound Energy), once popular in India, works on the premise that the entire universe around us is Nadha Prana (Sound Energy). Even today, we know the effect of heartfelt music on ourselves.
Sound forms the foundation blocks of our entire Universe. It is Sound and not matter, particle or a quark as physics tell us, which is responsible for the creation of this Universe. The realization of this sacred knowledge in India ushered in the concept of Nada being worshipped as Brahman.

This was the birth of the great system of Nada Yoga, which divides sound/ music into two aspects:

AHATA - the Outer Music/ Sound

ANAHATA - the Inner Music/ Sound

AHATA - It is the music, which is heard through our sense organs, such as the ears, eardrums etc. We can also call it as music, which is heard from without, externally.

ANAHATA - It is the music, which is heard from the very core of our Being, from within, internally. Anahata is, knowing ones own sound vibration. It is the sound of Anahata, (the subtle heart chakra), also known as Anahatam Chakra - which is not a sensory organ. Anahata is a very unique inner sound. It is the root sound of every person. Each one has their unique sound. The sound of Anahata cannot be shared as each one resonates with the sound of their Anahata. One can tune into one's Anahata and make use of it, provided one develops certain basic interest, commitment, will and patience. The system of Nada Yoga not only assures to the practitioner of the inner music the resultant harmony, relaxation and joie de vivre, but also promises self-realization, which is often, the singular goal for those who meditate.

The Indian musical tradition is age-old. It has derived its base from the pre-Aryan or pre-Vedic sources consisting of Nature Worshippers. The pre-Aryan deity Shiva, the destroyer, is associated with powerful nada (sound) of damru, a hand-held, hourglass shaped instrument, with both sides containing membranes on which a hanging cotton thread is made to strike. The noise produced by this insignificant instrument is very intimidating and is considered inauspicious. The tantric yogis (followers of the secret path) and those associated with the cult of Shiva however consider this instrument as auspicious.

Similar primordial sound also emanates from the Shankh (conch-shell), which is associated with Vishnu, the Preserver. The vibrations that emanate from this instrument are considered quite healthy, auspicious and positive; hence, the Shankh is used as an accompaniment to puja (worship). The tremendous vibrations that emanate from this instrument are said to keep those who practice meditation from falling asleep. Among the Hindu trinity, Brahma is the creator. His consort, Saraswati is associated with veena (a stringed instrument). This powerful chordophone produces vibrations that affect the subtle chakras in the human body. In fact, the very shape of veena is designed as the vertebral column, which is considered as a musical octave. In indigenous Indian Music the initial training, for a person is to recognize the Anahata (the root sound) starting from this root swara (note) together there are seven swaras to be recognised. Seven swaras (musical notes) represent the seven Chakras _ situated here. By playing or singing, these notes in a certain manner and simultaneously observing, a sadhaka (practitioner) visualises their impact on the chakras. An effortless experience unfolds within oneself, according to the nature of sound and its effect upon the corresponding Chakras. As the sound ascends and descends, the aroha (ascending sound) and avoraha (descending sound) so does its effect upon the chakras. In short, the seven swaras represent the spine of human being and consciousness and the musical octave corresponds to the inner sounds of the seven Chakras, one practices not only music, but also yoga with the help of veena.

SONGS OF THE SIDDHAS

"Seven are the Swaras Seven are the Chakras
A string is enough. Hear the music of this Universe".

Siddhas Music is not an ordinary form of Music. It is the musical manifestation of one's life situation. A distance philosophy of life is deeply embedded within the Siddhas Music. In this form of music the singers, lend their voices to an ecstatic call to God or reflect over the vicissitudes of the human life. The Siddhas developed a stylised language, which they rendered in their songs in the mode of folk music. They never sang for anything else other than spreading the message of divine love, invoking a great sense of purpose and awareness within humanity to reflect upon the nature and meaning of its existence. The central themes of the Siddhas songs expressed, the spiritual goals to be attained or it spoke about the difficulties in the spiritual quest and offered guidance to overcoming the difficulties that lay in the path. Their quest ultimately was directed towards the Anthar Manush (the inner being). The Siddhas Music was filled with a sense of wonder about life and metaphysics. The language of the songs was less refined but filled with cryptic metaphors. Through their music, the Siddhas continually refilled the psychic reservoir of human consciousness that got depleted by chores of daily life. The Siddhas always kept human beings and humanity above any other consideration be it caste, creed, colour or religion. Their songs permeated and touched the inner core of the human heart where the minds met irrespective of their differences.

But, only some of the Siddhas songs are available in print and most of the songs carry on till date by the oral lineage, little known of their composers. The songs impart precious insights and wisdom related with both the body as well as mind that the composer has gained from his own lifestyle and from the specific nature of his own personal spiritual quest.

Their precise metaphysical discoveries are known to spring from their faith, deep introspection, bold intuition and the sacred teachings of their Guru. This valuable knowledge is communicated and spread through verses typical of the rebellious spirit of the Siddhas.

These personalised verses tell the journey of the composer, his social backdrop and his system of belief. And without understanding it, one could never gather the message so subtly sung by him in metaphors. It skilfully brings together the intellectual subtlety of trained logicians and the intimate language of love and life, all propelled by his state of divine madness.

For Them the only enjoyment of human life is spreading divine love, and they do so, 'against all conditioning', living the spirit of their truth. Covering all the dimensions revealed under this vast tradition, we can find songs about alchemy, medicine, yoga, cosmos and the nature of Reality etc. Even though the songs declare visions related to all dimensions of life, mundane as well as spiritual, the divine composers themselves remain indifferent to the materialism of the world around them. Pattinathar sings in His Gnanam - 80 as,

'Now that I've found my Guru I don't need the world'.

Catchy lines from the songs of the Siddhas sung by beggars can still be heard in the village streets of Tamil Nadu; many quote snatches of some quite unaware of the source and a handful of them are even simplified and used as lyrics of Tamil film songs. These mystical songs have reached all areas of life by surpassing all boundaries. Just as they have found popularity amongst the common folk, these meaningful verses have reached even aspirants seeking answers to the basics of meditation, yogic breathing etc. Then again, some search the knowledge of methods conquering the five senses and still others make a deep study to unravel formulae to concoct native healing medicine. The list is endless the valuable songs of the Siddhas travel all known dimensions of life in a depth unseen before. Their accuracy and illustrative guidance reaches all of humanity, 'against all conditioning'. Some Ancient Songs of the Siddhas.

"When words of sweetness exist, uttering the harsh ones Is like snatching the half-ripe ones rejecting ripe fruits". [Thirukurral]

"As the bird flies away from the egg shell Should be the friendship of the body to being" [Thirukkural: Section on impermanence]

"What use is it when you enjoy the women of this world? It is the destiny inscribed in the body They are like sugarcane juice outside it It remains like massive neem tree in the mind". [Thirumular]

"Never think of this body as a filthy carcass Never consider is as a salt-laden vessel For the Seers it is not filthy See for yourself inside your body". [Kongana Nayanar (Verse-24)]