Breathing is something we do every moment of our lives, yet most of us rarely stop to think about its deeper significance. We breathe from the time we are born until our final breath, and the ancient Siddha tradition has long considered this process to be closely connected with life energy, the mind and spiritual awareness.
GnanaOli Thavathiru Bhaskar Siddhar shares this traditional Siddha perspective through his teachings on breath, Prana, meditation, Deeksha and the journey toward self-realization.
According to traditional yogic teachings, a person takes around 21,600 breaths in a day. Ancient teachings also describe the inward and outward movement of breath using the traditional measurement of angula. One such teaching describes the inward breath as eight angulas and the outward breath as twelve angulas.
These are traditional spiritual descriptions rather than measurements used in modern medical science. Their importance lies in the idea behind them. The Siddha tradition considers every breath to be connected with the movement of Prana, the vital life energy.
The question then becomes simple but profound: can we learn to become more aware of our breath and use that awareness to understand the mind and our inner nature?
What Thirumoolar Taught About Breath
The ancient Tamil Siddha saint Thirumoolar gave great importance to the understanding of breath in the Thirumandiram.
He wrote:
“ஏற்றி இறக்கி இருகால் பூரிக்கும் காற்றை பிடிக்கும் கணக்கறி வாரில்லை
காற்றை பிடிக்கும் கணக்கறி வாளர்க்குக் கூற்றை உதைக்கும் குறியது வாமே.”
The verse speaks about understanding the calculation and movement of breath and refers to overcoming death.
In the Siddha tradition, such teachings are understood at a deeper spiritual level. “Conquering death” does not necessarily mean physically becoming immortal. It can refer to overcoming the fear of death and gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between the body, breath, mind and consciousness.
This is one reason why breath control and meditation have such an important place in Siddha and yogic practices.
The Three Nadis and the Movement of Prana
Traditional yoga speaks about three important Nadis called Ida, Pingala and Sushumna.
Ida is traditionally associated with lunar and cooling qualities. Pingala is associated with solar and activating qualities. Sushumna is described as the central channel and has an important place in advanced yogic and Kundalini traditions.
The balancing of Ida and Pingala is considered important for developing inner stability. As the practitioner becomes more aware of the breath and mind, the focus gradually moves from the external world toward inner consciousness.
This understanding of breath forms an important foundation for the spiritual teachings associated with Bhaskar Siddhar.
Bhaskar Siddhar and the Journey Within
For Bhaskar Siddhar, the spiritual journey is not limited to understanding the physical body. His teachings explore the relationship between breath, Prana, mind and the deeper nature of consciousness.
According to the spiritual teachings shared by Bhaskar Siddhar, the seeker progresses through three important Deekshas. Each Deeksha represents a different stage of inner development.
The first stage focuses on bringing the restless mind under control. The second focuses on developing a deeper connection with the Divine. The third takes the seeker toward the realization that one’s identity is not limited to the physical body.
Atma Deeksha: Bringing the Mind to One Point
The first initiation is known as Atma Deeksha, described as the One-Letter Initiation.
The word Atma refers to the soul or inner self. This stage is associated with the idea of Manathai Oru Nilai Paduthum, which means bringing the mind into one-pointed concentration.
For many people, the mind is constantly moving. One thought leads to another, worries appear, memories return and outside distractions make it difficult to remain focused.
In this teaching, a sacred single-letter sound or vibration becomes a point of concentration. The seeker repeatedly brings the attention back to that point instead of allowing the mind to wander endlessly.
The purpose is to cultivate concentration, calmness and inner awareness.
As the mind becomes quieter, the seeker begins to experience the possibility of looking within rather than constantly searching for satisfaction outside.
This is the beginning of the journey.
Inaippu Deeksha: Developing a Connection with the Divine
The second initiation is Inaippu Deeksha.
Inaippu means connection or union. At this stage, the seeker moves beyond concentration and begins to explore a deeper relationship with the Divine, or Iraivan.
There is an important difference between thinking about God and experiencing a sense of Divine presence in one’s life. The teaching of Inaippu Deeksha focuses on this inner connection.
Devotion, faith, surrender and spiritual awareness become increasingly important.
The seeker begins to feel that life is not something that has to be faced entirely through individual effort. There is a greater reality to which one can surrender and from which one can draw inner strength.
The experience is traditionally associated with qualities such as peace, devotion, courage and a deeper sense of connection with the Siddha lineage.
The second stage therefore takes the seeker from concentration toward devotion and Divine awareness.
Atma Viyoga Deeksha: Understanding the Self Beyond the Body
The third initiation is Atma Viyoga Deeksha.
Viyoga can be understood as separation or detachment. In this spiritual teaching, the focus turns toward one of the most fundamental questions of human existence:
Who am I?
The teaching encourages the seeker to understand that the physical body is not necessarily the complete definition of the self.
A central realization associated with this stage is:
“I am not this body.”
This does not mean that the body should be neglected. Instead, it encourages the seeker to examine the difference between the physical body and the deeper consciousness within.
Bhaskar Siddhar’s teachings describe this advanced stage in connection with the guidance of his Guru, Gurubanandha Yogi.
Traditional Indian spiritual systems describe the physical body as Sthula Sharira and the subtle body as Sukshma Sharira. The seeker is encouraged to explore these ideas through spiritual practice and inner awareness.
Understanding Death Through Spiritual Awareness
Death is one of the deepest fears experienced by human beings.
The Siddha tradition approaches this fear through the understanding that human identity may be deeper than the physical body.
The concept of the soul continuing beyond physical existence is found throughout Indian spiritual traditions. The idea of the Silver Cord is also discussed in various esoteric teachings in connection with the relationship between the physical and subtle bodies.
These are spiritual and metaphysical concepts, not scientifically established descriptions of consciousness.
For the spiritual seeker, however, they raise an important question. If the body changes throughout life and eventually comes to an end, what is the deeper awareness that experiences those changes?
Ātma Viyoga Deeksha is presented as an advanced path of exploring this question.
The ultimate goal is Moksha, or liberation.
From this perspective, conquering death means moving beyond the fear and ignorance surrounding death and realizing one’s deeper spiritual nature.
From Breath to Self-Realization
When the teachings on breath and the three Deekshas are viewed together, a clear spiritual progression can be seen.
The journey begins with the breath.
The breath is connected with Prana. Awareness of Prana brings attention to the mind. When the mind becomes steady, the seeker can develop deeper concentration. From concentration comes Divine connection, and from Divine connection comes the deeper inquiry into the nature of the self.
The journey can therefore be understood as:
Breath, Prana, Mind, Awareness, Divine Connection and Self-Realization.
This is the broader spiritual context in which Bhaskar Siddhar presents his teachings.
Annadhana: Making Spirituality a Way of Life
Spirituality, however, is not only about meditation and inner experiences.
Bhaskar Siddhar also places importance on Annadhana, the traditional practice of offering food to those who are hungry.
According to the information shared about his work, he has been providing free meals to hungry people and spiritual seekers in Palani and Tiruvannamalai for more than eight years.
Annadhana has a long history in Indian spiritual traditions. Feeding someone who is hungry is regarded as an act of compassion and service.
This gives another dimension to the spiritual path taught by Bhaskar Siddhar. Inner practice and service to others are not seen as separate activities.
A person who seeks the Divine within can also learn to recognize the value of that same life in others.
The Three Deekshas in Simple Terms
The teachings can be understood through three simple stages.
Atma Deeksha helps the seeker bring the restless mind toward concentration and inner stillness.
Inaippu Deeksha encourages the seeker to develop a deeper connection with the Divine through devotion, surrender and spiritual awareness.
Atma Viyoga Deeksha takes the seeker toward a deeper inquiry into the self, bodily identity, consciousness and liberation.
Together, they describe a journey from the restless mind toward spiritual realization.
The Message of Bhaskar Siddhar
The teachings associated with GnanaOli Thavathiru Bhaskar Siddhar bring together several important themes of the Siddha tradition: breath awareness, Prana, meditation, the Nadis, Divine connection, Deeksha, self-inquiry and compassionate service.
The starting point is something that is always present but often ignored: our breath.
Every breath reminds us that we are alive.
The Siddha tradition invites the seeker to go one step further and ask what lies behind that breath, what gives life to the body, how the mind can be disciplined and what the true nature of the self might be.
The journey begins with controlling the mind, moves toward connection with the Divine and ultimately leads toward the search for the eternal self.
For Bhaskar Siddhar, this spiritual path is also connected with service. Through Annadhana and other forms of spiritual guidance, the teaching extends beyond personal practice and into compassion for others.
Perhaps the deepest message is also the simplest:
Calm the mind. Become aware of the breath. Connect with the Divine. Understand the Self. Serve others.
That is the journey presented through the teachings of Bhaskar Siddhar.