Alchemical Metaphors and their Yogic Interpretations in Selected Passages of the Tamil Siddha Literature
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1558/rosa.25165Keywords:
siddha, Tamil literature, alchemy, yoga, metaphor, matterAbstract
In the Tamil siddha texts, the passages on yoga frequently interlace with teachings on alchemy. The texts on these domains of the traditional siddha knowledge are often composed in a deliberately ambiguous and obscure manner, which results from the use of various strategies, such as wordplay riddles, metaphors, ellipses and vague technical vocabulary. In this article, I examine ambiguous passages in the alchemical literature of the Siddhars which, apart from their literal, alchemical meaning, can be also interpreted as metaphorical allusions to yogic practices and concepts. I concentrate mostly on the literature ascribed to Siddhar Yakopu, tentatively dated to the seventeenth century. I analyse several instances of equivocal verses and consider the possible role of the obscure passages. I study the intertwined alchemical and yogic discourse and I reflect on the siddha understanding of matter.
References
Anand, Geetha and T. N. Ganapathy. 2014. ‘Sivavakkiyam- Songs of a Spiritual Rebel.’ https://archive.org/details/SivavakkiyamSongsOfSpiritualRebel (accessed 27 December 2022).
Beck, Guy L. 1995. Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.
Ganapathy, T. N. (ed., trans.). 2003a. The Yoga of Siddha Bhoganathar. Vol 1. Quebec: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(ed., trans.). 2003b. ‘Astanga Yogam—24 (The Eight Fold Yoga—24).’ In The Yoga of Siddha Bhoganathar: 209–64. Vol 1. Quebec: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(ed.). 2004a. The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——2004b. ‘Appendix A: The Kundalini-Yoga.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the 18 Siddhas: An Anthology: 517–522. Quebec: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——2004c. ‘Appendix C: The Siddha Concept of Body’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.). The Yoga of the 18 Siddhas: An Anthology: 525–528. Quebec: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(trans.). 2004d. ‘Danvantiri. Jñanam—12.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 459–474. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(trans.). 2004e. The Yoga of Siddha Bhoganathar. Vol. 2. Quebec: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(trans.). 2004f. ‘Sundaranandar. Meyñanaccurukkam—16.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 287–306. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——2004g. ‘Glossary.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the 18 Siddhas: An Anthology: 563–85. Quebec: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(trans.). 2004h. ‘Upadeca Jñanam—156.’ In The Yoga of Siddha Bhoganathar. Vol. 2: 19–346. Quebec: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(trans.). 2004i. ‘Jñana-Caramcam—100.’ In The Yoga of Siddha Bhoganathar. Vol. 2: 347–448. Quebec: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(ed.). 2010. The Tirumandiram. Vols. 1–10. St Etienne de Bolton, Quebec: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
Goodall, Dominic. 1998. Bhatta Ramakanttha’s Commentary on the Kiranatantra. Vol. 1. Pondicherry: Institut Français de Pondichéry, École française d’Extrême-Orient.
——2000. ‘Problems of Name and Lineage: Relationships between South Indian Authors of the Saiva Siddhanta.’ Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 10 (2): 205–16. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1356186300012463.
Jappar, A. Aptul. 2014. Muppu Enum Karpa Maruntu. Cennai: Tamarai Nulakam.
Kedzia, Ilona. 2016. ‘Global Trajectories of a Local Lore: Some Remarks about Medico-Alchemical Literature of the Two Tamil Siddha Cosmopolites.’ Cracow Indological Studies 18: 93–118. https://doi.org/10.12797/CIS.18.2016.18.05.
——2020. ‘The Transforming Science: Some Remarks on the Medico-Alchemical Teachings in Selected Works of Siddha Yakopu, with Special Reference to the Kuru Nul Aimpattaintu.’ Cracow Indological Studies, 22 (1), 155–85. https://doi.org/10.12797/CIS.22.2020.01.07.
——2022. ‘The triggers of transformation. On Cavukkaram Preparations in the Teachings of Siddhar Yakopu alias Iramatevar.’ Asian Medicine, 17 (1): 60–84. https://doi.org/10.1163/15734218–12341507.
Kurucamikkonar Can, I. Rama. (ed.). 1937. Vaittiyarkal yavarum pukalperra Vaittiya kallatam srilasri Iramatevarenra Yakopu avarkal tiruvaymalarntaruliya castirankal patinelukkum ceypakankalum arumpatavuraiyum cerntatu. Maturai: Sri Ramaccantira vilasam piras.
Little, Layne. 2003. ‘An Introduction to the Tamil Siddhas: Tantra, Alchemy, Poetics and Heresy within the Context of Wider Tamil Shaiva World.’ Indian Folklife 4 (13): 14–19.
——2006. Bowl Full of Sky: Story-making and the Many Lives of the Siddha Bhogar. PhD dissertation. University of California, Berkeley.
——2022. ‘Nine Poisons and a Broken Promise: Changing Narrative, Cultural Loss & the Commodification of the ‘Navapasanam’ Icon at Palani.’ Asian Medicine 17 (1): 186–212. https://doi.org/10.1163/15734218–12341511.
Mallinson, James. 2007. The Khecarividya of Adinatha. A critical edition and annotated translation of an early text of hathayoga. New York: Routledge.
Mallinson, James and Mark Singleton. 2017. Roots of Yoga. London: Penguin.
Meenakshisundaran, T. P. 1965. A History of Tamil Literature. Annamalainagar: Annamalai University.
Mokan, Ar. Ci. (ed.). 2014. Yakopu cunnak kantam 600 (mulamum uraiyum). Cennai: Tamarai nulakam.
——(ed.). 2015. ‘Kurunul 55.’ In Ar. Ci. Mokan (ed.), Yakopu vaittiyacintamani—700 uraiyutan. Cennai: Tamarai nulakam.
Monier-Williams, Monier. 1899. ‘A Sanskrit-English dictionary: Etymologically and philologically arranged with special reference to Cognate indo-european languages.’ Oxford: Clarendon Press. www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/ (accessed 27 December 2022).
Nandakumar, Prema (trans.). 2004a. ‘Tirumular. Dhyanam—20.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 75–94. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——2004b. ‘Cattaimuni. Samadhi—12.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 235–246. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——2004c. ‘Gorakkar. Karpa Custiram—31.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 195–216. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——2004d. ‘Tirumular. Samadhi—14.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 95–106. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——2004e. ‘Konganar. Cutta Jñanam—16’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 137–154. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——2004f. ‘Nandidevar. Puja vidhi—12.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 49–62. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
Natarajan, B. (trans.), N. Mahalingam (ed.). 2016 [1991]. Tirumantiram. A Tamil Scriptural Classic by Tirumular. Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Math.
Natarajan, Kanchana. 2004. ‘“Divine Semen” and the Alchemical Conversion of Iramatevar.’ The Medieval History Journal 7 (2): 255–78. https://doi.org/10.1177/097194580400700206
——2009. ‘‘Entering the Universe of Fire and Light.’ The Life and Philosophy of Pokar from Pokar Elayiram.’ Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences 12 (1–2): 147–64.
Nirmala, V. 2012. ‘The concept of nada and bindu in Tirumantiram.’ International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 2 (5). www.ijsrp.org/research_paper_may2012/ijsrp-may-2012-96.pdf (accessed 27 December 2022).
Padoux, André. 1992. Vac: The Concept of the Word in Selected Hindu Tantras. Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications.
Ramaccantiran, Es. Pi. (ed.). 2017a. ‘Vaittiya kallatam.’ In Es. Pi. Ramaccantiran (ed.), Iramatevar ennum Yakopu 1. Pañcamittiram 300. 2. Tantakam 110. 3. Kallatam. 4. Vakara kantam. 5. Ñana kantam. Uraik kurippukal. Cennai: Tamarai nulakam.
——2017b. ‘Tantakam 110.’ In Es. Pi. Ramaccantiran (ed.), Iramatevar ennum Yakopu 1. Pañcamittiram 300. 2. Tantakam 110. 3. Kallatam. 4. Vakara kantam. 5. Ñana Kantam. Uraik kurippukal. Cennai: Tamarai nulakam.
——2017c. ‘Pañcamittiram 300.’ In Es. Pi. Ramaccantiran (ed.), Iramatevar ennum Yakopu 1. Pañcamittiram 300. 2. Tantakam 110. 3. Kallatam. 4. Vakara kantam. 5. Ñana Kantam. Uraik kurippukal. Cennai: Tamarai nulakam.
Sabharathnam, S.P. (trans.). 2004. ‘Agastya. Selections from Agastya’s Poems.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 63–74. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
Sambasivam Pillai, T. V. 1994. Tamil-English Dictionary of Medicine, Chemistry, Botany and Allied Sciences (Based on Indian Medical Science). Vol. 5. Madras: Government Central Press.
——1998. Tamil-English Dictionary of Medicine, Chemistry, Botany and Allied Sciences. Vol. 4, part 1. Chennai: Dept. of Indian Medicine & Homeopathy.
——2006 [1936]. Siddha Medical Dictionary (Tamil–English). Vol. 2, part 2. Chennai: Dept. of Indian Medicine & Homeopathy.
——2011 [1931]. Siddha Medical Dictionary (Tamil–English). Vol. 1, part 1. Chennai: Dept. of Indian Medicine & Homeopathy.
Siddhalingaiah, T. B. (trans.). 2004a. ‘Selections from Idaikkattuccittar’s Poems.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 363–92. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(trans.). 2004b. ‘Pambatticcittar. Selections from Dance, Oh! Snake! Dance.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 485–513. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
Sieler, Roman. 2015. Lethal Spots, Vital Secrets. Medicine and Martial Arts in South India. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190243852.001.0001
——2022. ‘Religion, Alchemy, and Medicine in South India: Tamil Siddha Traditions and Siddha Medicine.’ Asian Medicine 17 (1): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1163/15734218-12341504
Silburn, Lilian. 1988. Kundalini. The Energy of the Depths. A Comprehensive Study Based on the Scriptures of Nondualistic Kasmir Saivism. Albany: State University of New York Press.
Sivaraja Pillai. 1930. Agastya in the Tamil Land. Madras: University of Madras.
Somasundaram, P. S. (trans.). 2004a. ‘Maccamuni. Karana Jñanam—10.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 155–68. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(trans.). 2004b. ‘Sundaranandar. Selections from Siva Yoga Jñanam—32.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 247–70. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(trans.). 2004c. ‘Kamalamuni. Jñana Caitanyam—18.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 393–418. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
——(trans.). 2004d. ‘Sundaranandar. Jñana Cuttiram—14.’ In T. N. Ganapathy (ed.), The Yoga of the Eighteen Siddhas: An Anthology: 271–86. St Etienne de Bolton, Canada: Babaji’s Kriya Yoga and Publications.
Subbarayappa, B. V. 1997. ‘Siddha Medicine: An Overview.’ The Lancet, 350 (9094), 1841–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140–6736(97)04223–2.
Tamil Lexicon. 1924–36. University of Madras. http://dsal.uchicago.edu/dictionaries/tamil-lex/ (accessed 22 December 2022).
Varatarajan, Ji. (ed.). 2016. Tirumantiram. Virivurai. Vol. 1–3. Cennai: Palaniyappa Piratars.
Venkatraman, R. 1990. A History of the Tamil Siddha Cult. Madurai: Ennes Publications.
Weiss, Richard S. 2009. Recipes for Immortality: Medicine, Religion and Community in South India. New York: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195335231.001.0001
White, David Gordon. 1996. The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226149349.001.0001
Zvelebil, Kamil V. 1973. The Smile of Murukan: On Tamil Literature of South India. Leiden: E. J. Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004642829
——1974. Tamil Literature. Wiesbaden: Otto Harasowitz.
——1993 [1973]. The Poets of the Powers: Freedom, Magic, and Renewal. Lower Lake: Integral Publishing.
