Bogar, Bhogar, or Boganathar was a HinduTamil Shaivite Siddhar. He was a disciple of the great siddhar Kalangi Nathar. Kalangi Nathar initiated him Jnana yoga (supreme self-knowledge).

Early life, family and his profession

He was born in Vaigavur near Palani Hills more than 5000 years ago. He received his education from his mother and his grand father described in several traditions and texts. 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. The Tamraparniyan sea route was adopted by Bogar in his travels from South India to China via Sri Lanka (ancient Tamraparni).

Nava means "nine". Pashanam Means "Poisonous". Navapashanam is supposed to have cosmic energy to balance and harmonize all chakras in the body. One of the outstanding of all his works is sculpting the navapashana idol of Lord Murugan and having the wisdom and grace to choose Palanimala to host the idol.

Bhogar Siddhar was the one who created the famous navapashana idol of Lord Murugan at Palani. He created nine poisonous substances by blending over 4000 herbs. Then, he mixed the nine poisonous substances in a particular ratio to form a material that was more indestructible than the stronger iron.

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

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.

Legacy

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. Boganathar practiced Kundalini Yoga in four stages. The first three stages are described in a later chapter on "The Psychophysiology" of Kriya Kundalini Pranayama". Bhoganathar chose the Palani Malai (mountain) in what is now southwestern Tamil Nadu as the site for intensive yogic practice (tapas) for the final stage.

Notable works

  • Bogar Saptha Kaandam 7000
  • Tao Te Ching (the saint is often identified with Laozi in India)

Notable disciples

  • His first disciple is Shri Pulippani Siddhar (Pulikaisar), who’s also one among the 18 siddhars
  • Mahavatar Babaji
  • Karuvurar

See also

  • Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, Palani
  • Agastya
  • Tirumular
  • Kalanginathar

References