॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
"Among the eight primary Siddhis, the three by which one transforms one’s own body are Anima (अणिमा), becoming smaller than the smallest; Mahima (महिमा), becoming greater than the greatest; Laghima (लघिमा), becoming lighter than the lightest. Through the perfection of Prapti (प्राप्ति) one acquires whatever one desires, and through Prakamya-siddhi (प्राकम्य), one experiences any enjoyable object, either in this world or the next. Through Ishita-siddhi (इषिता), one can manipulate the factors of Maya, and through the controlling potency called Vashita-siddhi (वषिता), one is unimpeded by the three Gunas. One who has acquired Kamavasayita-siddhi (कामावषयिता) can obtain anything from anywhere, to the highest possible limit. My dear gentle Uddhava, these eight Siddhis are considered to be naturally existing and unexcelled within this world."
"The ten secondary Siddhis arising from the modes of nature (Gunas) are the powers of freeing oneself from hunger and thirst and other bodily disturbances, hearing and seeing things far away, moving the body at the speed of the mind, assuming any form one desires, entering the bodies of others, dying when one desires, witnessing the pastimes between the gods and the celestial damsels called Apsaras, thoroughly executing one’s determination and giving orders whose fulfilment is unimpeded. The power to know past, present and future; tolerance of heat, cold and other dualities; knowing the minds of others; checking the influence of fire, sun, water, poison, and so on; and remaining unconquered by others — these constitute five perfections of the mystic process of Yoga and meditation. I am simply listing these here according to their names and characteristics."
The Lord now describes how each Siddhi can be acquired. I am skipping this as it merely whets one's curiosity. We have heard of Yogis who live on air, eat fire, live for 300 years, live healthy without food, are alive even when buried underground for long, and so on, many times. Some of these stories have even been verified. Many Tantriks offer to secure for one anything desired, even fulfilling desires of capturing or destroying the lives of others. It is more germane to know what Bhagavan says after giving these details.
"A learned devotee who worships me through Yoga meditation certainly obtains in all respects the Siddhis that I have described. For a sage who has conquered his senses, breathing and mind, who is self-controlled and always absorbed in meditation on me, what Siddhi could possibly be difficult to achieve?"
"Learned experts in Bhakti state that the Siddhis of Yoga that I have mentioned are actually impediments and are a waste of time for one who is practising the supreme Yoga, Bhakti, by which one achieves all perfection in life directly from me."
"Whatever Siddhis can be achieved by good birth, herbs, austerities and mantras can all be achieved by Bhakti to me; indeed, one cannot achieve the actual perfection of Yoga by any other means. "
सर्वासामपि सिद्धीनां हेतुः पतिरहं प्रभुः । अहं योगस्य साङ्ख्यस्य धर्मस्य ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ॥
अहमात्मान्तरो बाह्योऽनावृतः सर्वदेहिनाम् ।यथा भूतानि भूतेषु बहिरन्तः स्वयं तथा ॥
T:
"My dear Uddhava, I am the cause, the protector and the Lord of all Siddhis, of the Raja Yoga system, of analytic knowledge (Jnana), of pure activity (Karma Yoga) and of the community of learned Vedic teachers (Scriptural knowledge)."
"Just as the same material elements exist within and outside of all material bodies, similarly, I cannot be covered by anything else. I exist within everything as the Paramatma and outside of everything in my all-pervading feature."
This point is covered in great detail in Srimad Bhagavadgita Ch. IX. He concludes this narrative there by saying that for the one surrendered in unwavering Bhakti, Bhagavan takes care of the here and hereafter, therefore there is no need to run after Siddhis!
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
