The Asht sidhhis and Nav nidhis and the bestower lord Hanumaan.

Asht sidhhis and nav nidhis.




Lord Hanuman being blessed by Sita ji on Asht sidhhis and Nav nidhis.

Asht sidhhi nav nidhi ke data.
Ais bar deen  Janaki Mata.
( from Hanumaan chalisa)

eight siddhis (ashta siddhi) that are mentioned in Patajanli’s Yoga Sutras and can be obtained by very few through countless years of practice and devotion to all eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga. Siddhi can loosely be translated as accomplishment or a special power or unusual skill. The eight siddhis Swamiji described are:

Anima: Reducing one’s physical self to the size of an atom

Mahima: Growing one’s physical self to incredibly large size

Garima: Making one’s physical self so heavy as immovable by others

Laghima: Becoming almost weightless

Prapti: Being able to go/travel wherever one wants

Prakamya: Being able to obtain whatever one wants

Istva: Possessing lordship

Vastva: Being able to control the minds of others

Hanuman not only possessed all eight siddhis, but was also blessed by Sita as “Ashta Siddhi Nau Nidhi Ke Daata,” or one who can bestow astha siddhi upon others. When Hanuman first reaches to Lanka on his mission to find Sita, he makes use of anima so as to be discrete in enemy territory. He uses it again when he approaches Sita for the first time – reducing his size to that of a schoolboy, so as not to scare her. He uses mahima to outwit and overpower demons. He uses garima to show his power when Ravana, the demon king, temporarily captures him and brings him to the main court of palace. Not even the mighty Ravana could lift Hanuman’s tail.

Anima (shrinking) - Power of becoming the size of an atom and entering the smallest beings. Mahima (illimitability) - Power of becoming mighty and co-extensive with the universe. The power of increasing one's size without limit. Lagima (lightness) - Capacity to be quite light though big in size. Garima (weight) - Capacity to weigh heavy, though seemingly small size. Prapthi (fulfillment of desires) - Capacity to enter all the worlds from Brahma Loga to the neither world. It is the power of attaining everything desired. Prakasysm (irresistable will) - Power of disembodying and entering into other bodies (metempsychosis) and going to heaven and enjoying what everyone aspires for, simply from where he stays. Isithavam (supremacy) - Have the creative power of God and control over the Sun, the moon and the elements and Vasithavam (dominion over the elements) - Power of control over all the living being. The power of changing the course of nature and assuming any form.

In the context of Hindu mythology, Nidhi, that is, a treasure, constituted of nine treasures (nawanidhi) belonging to Kubera (also spelt as Kuvera), the god of wealth. According to the tradition, each nidhi is personified as having a guardian spirit, and some tantrikas worship them. 
- mahapadma "great lotus flower" (Gaja Mukta)
- padma "lotus flower" (Nag Mani)
- shankha "conch" (Nine Gems)
- makara "dolphin or crocodile" (Paras Linga)
- kachchhapa "tortoise" (Maha Mani)
- mukunda "a particular precious stone" (Srivardhana Mani)
- kunda "jasmine" (Raja Mani)
- nila "sapphire" (Mahabandhana Mani)
- kharva "dwarf" (Billi ka Jer)

When considered as mines, minerals, earthenware and ocean resources, the nine treasures of Kubera are interpreted as:

- padma (lake in Himalaya with minerals and jewels)

- mahapadma (lake double the size of padma in Himalaya with minerals and jewels)

- makara (Synonym of Padmini, black antimony)

- nila (Antimony)

- mukunda (cinnabar, or quicksilver)

- kunda (arsenic)

- kharva (cups or vessels baked in fire)

- kachchhapa (tortoise or turtle shell)

- sankha (conch shell)

8 Siddhis (Supernatural powers) are:

1.   Aṇimā: Ability to reduce one's size

2.   Mahima: Ability to increase one's size

3.   Garima: Ability to increase one's weight infinitely

4.   Laghima: Ability to become lighter than the lightest

5.   Prāpti: Ability to Obtain anything

6.   Prākāmya: Ability to acquire anything desired

7.   Iṣiṭva: Lordship over creation

8.   Vaśitva: Having control over things

in modern context we can live better if follow the same sidhhis in a different pattern given below.

Anima: Reduce the ego and be humble in front of elders, parents, teachers, and gurus.

Mahima: Think big, and aim for large goals.

Garima: Be immovable and unshakeable in values and principles.

Laghima: Don’t take everything in life too seriously. Have some lightness and laughter in life. To that end, I should note that Swamiji provided us quite a bit of laughter with his amusing anecdotes.

Prapti: Focus mental energies on achieving the goal.

Prakamya: Always speak the truth, and don’t be afraid to express aims and goals. 

Istva and Vastva---last two siddhis  focus on the power of leadership, respect, and love – all of which go hand in hand. A true leader inspires others. And that inspiration causes people to follow and be loyal to that leader (istva). And finally, with respect to vastva.