Bogar, Bhogar, or Boganathar was a Tamil Shaivite Siddhar. He was a disciple of Kalangi Nathar.[1] He was born in Vaigavur near Palani Hills. He received his education from his mother and his grand father described in several traditions and texts.[2] Bogar himself describes his native roots in his book "Bogar 7000". Bogar went from Tamil Nadu to China and taught about enlightenment, this is also mentioned in his book Bogar 7000. Bogar is said to be in "nirvikalpa samadhi" below the sanctorum of Palani Murugan hill temple. The Tamraparniyan sea route was adopted by Bogar in his travels from South India to China via Sri Lanka (ancient Tamraparni).[1]

Legacy

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A disciple of Agastya's teachings, Bogar himself taught meditation, alchemy, yantric designs and Kriya yoga at the Kataragama Murugan shrine, inscribing a yantric geometric design etched onto a metallic plate and installing it at the sanctum sanctorum of the Kataragama temple complex.[3][4] Bogar is one of the earliest pilgrims to have traversed the Murugan Tiruppadai of Sri Lanka. According to legends and the temple scriptures of Palani temple, Bogar crafted the murti of Murugan at the hill temple in Palani by mixing nine poisonous herbs (Navapashanam) using a unique procedure. He also established the temple for Murugan in Poombarai Kuzhanthai Velappar temple Kodaikanal Tamil Nadu, India.

There is an extant statue of lord Murugan in Navapashanam. The milk that was poured on this statue has been said to have mixed with some of the herbs thereby proving to be an effective cure for the diseases during the time[5][6][7]

According to Siddhar medicine documents, Bogar was the discoverer of an elixir of immortality. The Pharmacognosy is the best known of his treatises. His other works are on yoga and archery, and a glossary of medicine.[8]

Notable works

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  • Bogar Saptha Kaandam 7000[1]
  • Bogar Jananasaagaram 550
  • Bogar Nigandu 1200
  • Bogar Nigandu karukidai
  • Bogar Nigandu kaiyedu
  • Bogar Vaithiya kaaviyam 1000
  • Bogar 700
  • Bogar Panchapatchi Sathiram
  • Bogar Karpam 300
  • Bogar Varma Soothiram 100
  • Bogar Malai Vaagadam
  • Bogar 12000
  • Bogar Nigandu 1700
  • Bogar Vaithiyam 1000
  • Bogar Sarakku Vaippu 800
  • Bogar Updesam 150
  • Bogar Rana Vaagadam 100
  • Bogar Gnanasaaraamsam 100
  • Bogar Karppa Soothiram 54
  • Bogar Vaithiya Soothiram 77
  • Bogar Muppu Soothiram 51
  • Bogar Gnana Soothiram 37
  • Bogar Attanga Yogam 24
  • Bogar Poojavithi 20[9]
  • Tao Te Ching (the saint is often identified with Laozi in India)[1]

Notable disciples

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Siddha Bhoganathar Oceanic Life story". palani.org.
  2. ^ PANDIAN, M. SENDUR (1993). "Bohar (1550-1625) : Record of His Visit to China (Summary)". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 54: 757. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44143069.
  3. ^ "Kriya Babaji and Kataragama". kataragama.org. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  4. ^ White, David Gordon (2012). The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India. University of Chicago Press. p. 61. ISBN 9780226149349. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  5. ^ White, David Gordon (2012). The Alchemical Body: Siddha Traditions in Medieval India. University of Chicago Press. p. 376. ISBN 9780226149349.
  6. ^ Palani temple | Official Link |url=http://palani.org/bhogar-life.htm?
  7. ^ Clothey, Fred W.; A.K. Ramanujan (1978). The many faces of Murugan̲: the history and meaning of a South Indian god. Walter de Gruyter. pp. 228–229. ISBN 978-90-279-7632-1. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  8. ^ Indian Psychiatric Society (2002). Indian Journal of Psychiatry, Volume 44. Indian Psychiatric Society. p. 167.
  9. ^ "Reference Book.Pdf" (PDF). Siddhacouncil.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  10. ^ Govindan, Marshall (1 January 2001). Babaji and the 18 Siddha Kriya Yoga tradition. Babaji's Kriya Yoga Publications. Kriya Yoga Publication. ISBN 978-1-895383-00-3.