Aṇimā-siddhi - The Mystic Power to Become the Smallest
The ancient Vedic texts describe various supernatural abilities that can be acquired through severe meditation and yoga practice. Chief among these is aṇimā-siddhi, the power to become microscopically small. While such feats seem impossible to the modern mind, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the mechanics of these mystic perfections, while simultaneously revealing why pure devotees consider them entirely insignificant compared to the supreme magic of love of Godhead.
The Definition of Aṇimā-siddhi
The material body of a perfected yogī is not bound by the ordinary laws of physics. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that by achieving aṇimā-siddhi, one can shrink their magnitude to a size smaller than an atom. This perfection allows the mystic to penetrate any barrier, including solid rock or the physical bodies of others.
- Anima-siddhi refers to the power by which one can become so small that he can enter into a stone.
- Yoga-siddhi means you can become smaller than the smallest. Our actually magnitude is very, very small. So by yoga-siddi, in spite of having this material body, one yogi can come to the smallest size, and anywhere you keep him packed, he will come out.
- A perfectly successful yogi is expert in eight kinds of perfection. By the anima-siddhi, he can become smaller than an atom, and in that state he can enter anywhere. With this yogic power, Indra entered the womb of Diti while she was pregnant.
- Indra, who has all the mystic powers (the yoga-siddhis such as anima and laghima), entered Diti's womb while she was unconscious, being fast asleep.
The Ambitions of Yogīs and Demons
Because mystic powers offer extraordinary control over the material environment, they are highly sought after by those with a dominating mentality. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that atheistic demons and materialistic yogīs undergo severe austerities specifically to acquire aṇimā-siddhi and other perfections, hoping to become the supreme controllers of the universe.
- By practicing mystic yoga, asuras generally attain some perfection in the eight siddhis, or perfections, namely anima, laghima, mahima, prapti, prakamya, isitva, vasitva and kamavasayita.
- Hiranyakasipu wanted to gain all the yogic perfections like anima and laghima, to be deathless, and to be the only king of the entire universe, including Brahmaloka.
- Such are the goals (gain all the yogic perfections like anima and laghima, to be deathless, and to be the only king of the entire universe, including Brahmaloka) of the austerities performed by demons.
- Kartaviryarjuna became undefeatable by enemies and received unobstructed sensory power, beauty, influence, strength, fame and the mystic power by which to achieve all the perfections of yoga, such as anima and laghima.
The Supreme Controller of Mystic Powers
While mortal yogīs must practice for lifetimes to achieve a fraction of these powers, the Supreme Lord possesses them eternally and effortlessly. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Lord Viṣṇu is the master of all mysticism, and His expansions are naturally accompanied by aṇimā-siddhi and all other spiritual opulences.
- The Lord is full in six opulences. The yoga-siddhis, the perfections of yoga, such as the ability to become smaller than the smallest (anima-siddhi) or bigger than the biggest (mahima-siddhi), are present in Lord Visnu.
- He (Krsna) has all the opulences or facilities of mystic powers, such as anima-siddhi, the power to become smaller than the smallest.
- Brahma realized that all those Visnu forms were complete in mystic power, from the anima perfection of becoming small like an atom up to becoming infinite like the cosmic manifestation.
- All the visnu-murtis were surrounded by the opulences, headed by anima-siddhi; by the mystic potencies, headed by Aja; and by the twenty-four elements for the creation of the material world, headed by the mahat-tattva - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.52.
The Devotee's Rejection of Material Magic
For a pure devotee, the ability to become smaller than an atom is seen as a cheap, temporary trick of the material energy. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that because a devotee relies entirely on the supreme power of Kṛṣṇa, they have absolutely no interest in acquiring aṇimā-siddhi or any other material perfection, viewing them as dangerous distractions from pure loving service.
- Yogis are aspiring after many siddhis (powers) - anima, laghima, prapti, etc. However, a devotee is not at all interested in these things because he is fully dependent on the mercy of Krsna.
- The happiness derived from merging in the impersonal Brahman and the happiness derived from the eight perfections of mystic yoga (anima, laghima, prapti and so on) do not give any pleasure to the devotee.
- After attainment of one or two of the above perfections (anima, laghima, etc.), many mystics fall into the trap of mental oscillation. In such a state, the mystic fails to attain to the highest perfection, namely, pure devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The yoga-siddhis - anima, laghima, mahima, prapti, prakamya, isitva, vasitva and kamavasayita - are temporary. The ultimate siddhi is to achieve the favor of Lord Visnu.
Conclusion
In conclusion, aṇimā-siddhi represents the pinnacle of material, mechanistic control over the physical body and environment. Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully contextualizes this power, acknowledging its reality while simultaneously exposing its ultimate uselessness in the pursuit of eternal happiness. By rejecting the superficial allure of aṇimā-siddhi and choosing instead to depend fully on the Supreme Lord, a sincere practitioner avoids the trap of material ambition and securely positions themselves on the path of pure, unalloyed devotional service.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Anima-siddhi. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.