Painting of Siddhar Bhogar, blessing his devotees.
High above the verdant landscape of Tamil Nadu, atop the sacred Palani Hills, the echoes of devotion resound through the ages. The Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple—one of the six revered abodes of Lord Muruga—stands as both a beacon of spiritual transformation and a repository of ancient wisdom.
It was here that a young Ramaswamy, the future Swami Satchidananda, deepened his sadhana, absorbed in the presence of saints, sages, and Siddhars. Among these, one figure loomed large, not in the flesh but in spirit—Bhogar, the legendary Tamil Siddhar (Siddha in Sanskrit) whose alchemy, yogic mastery, and devotion infused the very air of Palani.
For those who have followed this series, we left off with Ramaswamy’s life as a sadhu in Palani, immersed in meditation, service, and the austere path of renunciation. Now, we step into the realm of mysticism that surrounded him, exploring the influence of Siddhar Bhogar—the enigmatic sage whose presence was palpable even centuries after his physical departure.
The very heart of Palani’s temple beats with a mystery that has captivated seekers for centuries. The murti (sacred statute) of Lord Murugan enshrined within is no ordinary statue—it is believed to be an alchemical masterpiece, created by Siddhar Bhogar from an amalgam of nine poisonous substances, navapashanam. Bhogar, a master of Siddha medicine and divine chemistry, labored intensively on the statue, perfecting its features with a sculptor’s devotion. It is said that he spent the most time on the face, giving it an ethereal grace, while the rest of the body remained simple and unembellished. The result was a murti not merely carved but manifested—a consecrated presence that radiates energy to those who seek it with faith.
Ancient traditions speak of this alchemical blend, where poisons, when combined in a precise formula, transmute into a powerful elixir, exuding divine energy and with extraordinary healing properties. This is why, to this day, the abhishekam—the ritual bathing of the deity with honey, ghee, jaggery, a sweet mixture of fruits, milk, and other natural substances—at Palani is revered for its curative potency. Devotees receive the sanctified abhishekam infused with the essence of the deity, as charanamrita—a blessing that is said to restore health and vitality and to purify the soul. As Ramaswamy immersed himself in his daily worship in the temple, he would have witnessed the endless stream of devotees receiving the sacred charanamrita—and, in time, he would come to understand the deeper mysteries behind Bhogar’s spiritual and scientific genius.
Depiction of Siddhar Bhogar creating the Palani temple murti from 9 poisonous substances.
Bhogar was no ordinary saint. A master of alchemy, Yoga, and esoteric wisdom, he was said to have been a spiritual scientist who seamlessly blended mysticism with tangible transformation. While many Siddhars sought liberation through asceticism, Bhogar’s path embraced the world—his was a path of transmutation, turning the material into the spiritual, the poison into the panacea. His example would begin to shape Ramaswamy’s later path as Swami Satchidananda.
The Samadhi Shrine of Bhogar: The Mystical Seat of Worship
Nestled within the southwestern corridor of the Palani temple complex is a shrine dedicated to Siddhar Bhogar, an entryway into the depths of his spiritual legacy. To the uninitiated, Bhogar’s legacy might seem confined to the navapashanam murti. But hidden within the temple’s corridors lies another layer of his mystical work—a shrine dedicated to his worship of Shiva and Shakti. In a sanctified chamber, accessible through a winding passageway, rests the Maragatha Lingam—an emerald Shiva Lingam, pulsating with the energy of Divine Consciousness. Unlike ordinary lingams carved from stone, this one is said to contain the vibrations of lifetimes of intense sadhana, infused by Bhogar’s tapasya (austerities) and devotion.
Ancient lore whispers that beneath this shrine lies a network of subterranean tunnels, one of which leads to a hidden cave deep within the hill—where Bhogar is said to still be in samadhi, eternally meditating in communion with the divine. For the young sadhu Ramaswamy, the presence of this shrine was more than a historical relic—it was a living source of spiritual power and he spent many hours meditating at this shrine, drawn by the energy that seemed to flow directly from Bhogar’s presence into the hearts of those receptive to it.
One day, as Ramaswamy sat near Bhogar’s samadhi, repeating his mantra, something extraordinary happened. His consciousness became absorbed in deep meditation, the temple and its surroundings fading from his awareness. In that moment, he felt a presence—Bhogar himself. The ancient Siddhar appeared before him, luminous, his eyes radiating the timeless wisdom of one who had traversed the realms of existence.
Bhogar reached out and placed his palm on Ramaswamy’s head. A surge of energy coursed through his being, dissolving his sense of self. He felt as if his body had melted into light, the boundaries between form and formlessness vanishing. Time stood still. There was only peace—vast, unshakable, beyond words. When he returned to normal consciousness, Bhogar’s form had disappeared, but the experience remained. It was not merely a vision; it was more than a moment of spiritual revelation—it was a transmission of energy, a silent yet potent initiation that would subtly shape the future course of Ramaswamy’s path. Whenever Swami Satchidananda traveled to India from America, he always visited the temple at Palani, had darshan of the deity, and then spent time in silent meditation at the samadhi shrine of Siddhar Bhogar.
The Real “Emerald City”
Photo: Exterior of the Samadhi Shrine of Siddhar Bhogar at Palani Temple.
Within the samadhi shrine of Bhogar lies something extraordinary—an emerald lingam, known as the Maragatha Shiva-Shakti Lingam. Unlike traditional lingams carved from stone, this one is said to contain the vibrations of lifetimes of intense sadhana, infused by Bhogar’s tapasya (austerities) and devotion. This lingam embodies both the Shiva and Shakti principles, pulsating with the union of cosmic masculine and feminine energies. This sacred lingam was central to Bhogar’s worship, accompanied by the yantra of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, another powerful representation of Goddess Shakti.
Bhuvaneshvari (a form of Sri Lalita Tripurasundari, also known as Raja Rajesvari) the Queen of the Universe, was Bhogar’s chosen deity. She is the embodiment of primordial energy, the force that breathes life into existence itself. To worship her is to embrace the Infinite, to dissolve all boundaries and limitations. The presence of her yantra—a geometric representation of divine energies—at Bhogar’s shrine speaks to his deep understanding of the subtle, vibrational forces that govern all. By invoking both the masculine and feminine aspects of divinity, Bhogar exemplified the non-dual realization that is at the heart of the Siddhar tradition: that all existence is but a dance of Shiva and Shakti, matter and Consciousness, intertwined in eternal unity. His worship was not merely ritualistic; it was an act of alignment with cosmic forces, an invitation for the seeker to transcend the ordinary and merge with the Infinite.
The Eternal Call of Palani
We have spent the last few parts of this series exploring Palani and its temple, a main abode of Lord Muruga. Hopefully, we now understand that the temple itself is not merely a temple; it is a force, a portal into the transcendental. Those who step onto its sacred grounds find themselves immersed in an atmosphere charged with Shakti, the divine power that permeates everything. The rituals, the mantras, the very air seems to pulse with an unseen current, drawing the sincere seeker into its transformative embrace.
For those attuned to its frequency, Palani does more than inspire devotion—it initiates inner alchemy. Just as Siddhar Bhogar turned poison into medicine, the energies of this holy place transmute the restless mind into one of peace, the scattered heart into one of unwavering faith. Those who come with sincerity receive diksha, a spiritual ignition that accelerates their evolution. The mind stills, the emotions settle, and a profound integration takes place within.
This is the blessing of Bhogar, the hidden current beneath the visible form of Muruga’s temple. It is the unseen force that awakened something deep within Ramaswamy, planting the seeds that would later blossom into a life dedicated to guiding others on the path of Yoga and Self-realization. The energy of Bhogar, the living presence of Lord Muruga, and the mystical sciences of the Siddhars all played a role in shaping the young sadhu’s spiritual path. This deep connection to Bhogar would continue to influence his journey, rippling through his later teachings and the tradition of Integral Yoga itself.
In our next installment, we will go still deeper into how the the vibration of Bhogar’s presence, the power of the Maragatha Lingam, the resonance of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari—Her mantra and yantra, all wove themselves into the tapestry of Ramaswamy’s unfolding destiny.
About the Author:
Swami Premananda, Ph.D. is a senior disciple of Sri Gurudev Swami Satchidananda and served as his personal and traveling assistant for 24 years. Her interest in the study of the spiritual roots of the Integral Yoga tradition and lineage was inspired over many years of traveling with Sri Gurudev to the various sacred sites throughout India that are a part of this tradition. She also undertook a 2-year immersion into the nondual Saiva Yoga Siddhar tradition that is at the heart of Sri Gurudev’s spiritual roots. She further studied the history, sacred texts, and teachings of Advaita Vedanta and Tamil Saivism including the Siddhars, bhakti poet saints, as well as the spiritual luminaries who lived in the 19th – 20th centuries and who inspired Sri Gurudev, such as Sri Ramana Maharshi, Swami Ramdas, and Swami Vivekananda. She serves as editor of Integral Yoga Magazine, Integral Yoga Publications; senior archivist for Integral Yoga Archives; and director of the Office of Sri Gurudev and His Legacy.
