The Uniqueness of Each Incarnation

As per the promise given by Paramaśiva, He continues to appear here as living incarnations from time immemorial. It is not that one person trains the other. It is not that Ramana Mahaṛṣi trained Yogi Ramsuratkumar or Seshadri Swamigal trained Ramana Mahaṛṣi. All of them were svayambhu, natural incarnations. But, the chain was never cut.

Only in the Zen tradition, enlightenment happens without training, and no two people will be alike. In all traditions, it is like they have been taken out of the same mold. In the Zen tradition, each flower is unique, but it is a fully blossomed flower. The Tiruvannamalai tradition is like the Zen tradition. Each incarnation is unique.

Over the course of history, the hub of Tiruvannamalai remained a spiritual and religious kingdom, a place that continuously generated great enlightened beings who would nurture the overall welfare of the people, and their conscious breakthroughs. Through the 21st century, the ecosystem never failed to produce the next successor, each one being capable of defending Hinduism and carrying it forward into the next era.

Unbroken Lineage

From Arunagiri Yogishwara, the lineage of Paramaśiva in Tiruvannamalai continues until today with powerful enlightened beings who are called Siddhars.

These great Siddhars are reported to be still wandering in this Hill of Light. Siddhars are enlightened masters indulging in continuous practice. They have developed the Siddha medicine system of healing herbs. The rare herbs grown in this hill are only known to the Siddhars. Contributing in nearly every field, the Siddhars have developed many arts and sciences such as the ancient healing system of checking the pulse known as Ayurveda and the art of self-defense known as Verma. The Siddhars continuously wander inside the hill performing penance and other fire rituals for world peace.

Idaikadar

Out of many Siddhars who lived on this hill, eighteen Siddhars are considered to be very important. Idaikadar is considered to be the first of these and he is also known as Tiruvannamalai Siddhar. Idaikadar was from a remote village called Idayanthittu in Tiruvannamalai. He was born to Thandha Konar and Yashodharai who earned their livelihood from dairy farming. He was the disciple of Konganavar, another renowned
disciple of Paramaśiva. A student of the renowned Bhogar Siddhar, Idaikadar learned astrology from him and prepared an Alamanac based on his own scientific calculations. Using his intelligence, he was able to counter famine and help people. He has written numerous books on Siddha medicine and cured many diseases with herbs.

His jeeva samadhi or final resting place is in Tiruvannamalai. Protected by wild animals and insects and surrounded by greenery and herbs, the part of the hill where his jeeva samadhi lies is difficult to reach. Though all the Tiruvannamalai masters have their samadhi in the
foothills, only Idaikadar’s samadhi is on the Hill itself.

After Idaikadar, many more enlightened beings lived and proliferated the great tradition of Arunachala. Over the course of multiple millennia, the ecosystem would stand the test of time through ruthless invasions and oppressive colonization.

Guhai Namashivayar

Guhai Namashivayar was a renowned saint in the Arunachala lineage and carried forth this sacred tradition. Known for his powers, He was directly initiated by Arunagiri Yogishwara and composed the Annamalaiyar Andadi, a series of verses in praise of Arunachala. He lived for more than two hundred years in Tiruvannamalai. His jeeva samadhi (final resting place) is today a temple on the Hills of Arunachala.

Seshadri Swamigal

Seshadri Swamigal was a well known enlightened being and Mahapurusha from the 18th century. He gave blessing for the birth of Kuppammal, or Mataji Vibhutananda Puri, the guru of The SPH in around 1920.

Bhagavān Ramana Mahaṛshi

Bhagavān Ramana Mahaṛṣi was a well-known guru, who paved the path of self-inquiry for the spiritual world in the modern day. As a philosophy based in Upanishad teachings, Ramana Mahaṛṣi made it as his personal experience and gifted it to the world as the path of internal seeking. The path of self inquiry was taught by Ramana Mahaṛṣi, perfected by His disciples, and now being revived again by The SPH in KAILĀSA.

Yogi Ramsuratkumar

Yogi Ramsuratkumar was another great enlightened being and guru of The SPH. He was influenced by Ramana Mahaṛṣi and initiated by Ramdass Swamigal from Karnataka. In 1960, he settled in Tiruvannamalai and began his mission to serve the people with spiritual initiations. Yogi Ramsuratkumar was known for his ability to heal, his powerful presence, and unique teachings.