Siddha Quest For Immortality

This work describes the society in South India where priests and lay people claim supernatural powers and seek physical longevity and psychic immortality, and where arcane and sexual rituals take place. This study offers a vivid picture of their religious beliefs, magical rites and alchemical practices. It also describes their complex system of medicine and their tradition of poetry. Many examples of their poetry are included, poetry which is deeply religious but not without humour.