Rishi Agastya is one of the Saptarshis, father of the Tamil language spiritual tradition, seer of many Vedic hymns, master of Ayurveda and Siddha medicine and a yogi with extraordinary siddhis. His powers are described in the Vedas, puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharata and Tamil Siddha texts.
● Drinking the ocean: Once, during a conflict with powerful asurs, the devs sought Rishi Agastya's help.The demons were hiding in the ocean, so Rishi Agastya drank the entire ocean, revealing the asurs so the Devs could defeat them. He later released the water, convinced by Brahmaji to do so for the welfare of the world.
● Taming the Vindhya Mountains: The Vindhya Mountains grew so tall they blocked the sun's path.Rishi Agastya asked the mountain to bend down so he could travel south and instructed it not to rise until he returned. Since Rishi Agastya never returned, the mountains remain bent to this day.
● Helping Bhagwan Ram: Rishi Agastya mastered Brahmastra, Agneyastra, Vaishnavastra, Wind, water, fire and other astras. He gave Bhagwan Ram the divine weapons and Aditya Hridayam mantra before his battle with Ravan, empowering him with solar energy. Aditya Hridayam is one of the most potent solar mantras, capable of breaking confusion, destroying fear, empowering warriors and boosting life-force. Rishi Agastya is considered the seer of the Sun's vital energy.
- Slaying demons Vatapi and Ilvala: Rishi Agastya defeated the demons Vatapi and Ilvala, who had deceived and killed many Brahmins. Ilvala would cook and serve Vatapi, who was disguised as a goat, to unsuspecting guests. After the guest ate their fill, Ilvala would call out "Vatapi, come out!" and Vatapi would emerge, ripping through the guest's stomach.Rishi Agastya, however, was able to consume Vatapi whole and when Ilvala called out for him, Vatapi did not come out, leading to his death.
● Power to Balance the Northern and Southern Hemisphere: When the Devs and mountains leaned North due to a gathering of sages on Mount Meru, Bhagwan Shiv instructed Rishi Agastya to go to South. Because of his arrival in the southern lands, the earth became stable and balanced.
- Wrote Agastya Samhita: South Indian Siddha medicine is attributed to Rishi Agastya. He possessed knowledge of alchemy, kaya-kalpa (rejuvenation), plant consciousness, poisons and antidotes and rasayanas. (longevity).
He also wrote the Agastya Samhita, a foundational Ayurvedic–Siddha text. The story of Rishi Agastya reminds us that siddhis are not meant for display or self-interest but for maintaining harmony in creation and for a higher purpose.