Lord Shiva known as the
Father of Siddha Vaidyam, taught this valuable Vaidya Sasthram to his beloved
wife Goddess Parvathy. Sree Mahamaya devi advised this valuable knowledge to
her son Lord Murugan. Sree Murugan passed off this treasure to his disciples
Agasthiya Guru with the intention of propagating and protecting the valuable
Human Life on Earth. Likewise, Traditionally in the form of vocal hymns it is
known to the masses. As a matter of fact even now this Vaidya Sathram is hidden
in the hands of small number of Traditional Siddha Practicing families.
Factual
History
The history of Native Indian
Medical Sciences had originated back to 3000 BC. The excavations done in the
Sindhu Valley of Mohenjadaro and Harappa
reveals an advanced system of hygiene and existence of Pre-Aryan and Pre-Vedic
culture or civilization. It also points over existence of a Medical System
which can be explained on the basis of excavator’s findings such as remains of
horn of deer, bitumen etc, found from these places. These things have medicinal
importance according to Siddha system of medicine. Hence, it can be considered
that Siddha system of medicine is the most primordial one..
Last
10 posts in Fundamentals
Focus on Self – A journey
within
Kayakalpa – The Science of
Longevity & Spiritual well-being
Development of Embryo –
Siddha Medicine & Modern Science
Internal Medicines in Siddha
Medicine or Ulmarunthu
External Medicines in Siddha
Medicine or Pura Marunthu
Methods of Siddha Treatment
– Divine, Rational & Surgical
Siddha – Oldest system of
Medicine
Kayakalpa, Muppu &
Alchemy
Siddha system of Medicine –
Introduction & Brief
Treatment for Mind, Body
& Soul
ABOUT
SIDDHA MEDICINE
ORIGIN: The Siddha System of
Medicine (Traditional Tamil System of medicine), which has been prevalent in
the ancient Tamil land, is the foremost of all other medical systems in the
world. Its origin goes back to B.C 10,000 to B.C 4,000. As per the textual and
archeological evidences which indicate the remote antiquity of the Dravidian
civilization of the erstwhile submerged
land Kumarikandam, that is the Lemuria continent situated in the Indian
ocean, the Siddha System of Medicine is
contemporaneous with those of the submerged lands Egyptian,
Mesopotamian, Chinese and Grecian medicines. The uniqueness of Siddha System is evident by its continuous service to
the humanity for more than 5000 years in combating diseases and also in
maintaining its physical, mental and moral health while many of its
contemporaries had become extinct long ago.
The roots of the ancient
Siddha System are intertwined with the mythology and culture of the ancient
Tamil civilization that existed in the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula,
predating much of recorded history.
Mythically,
the origin of Siddha is attributed to Lord Siva, who is supposed to have handed
it down to his consort Parvathi (Shakthi), who in turn passed on the sacred knowledge to Nandi, from
whom it was transmitted to the first of "Siddhars". Siddha is a Tamil
word derived from "siddhi" -- attaining perfection in life or
heavenly bliss.
The
system is said to have emerged in antiquity, from the highly evolved
consciousness of the Siddhars. The clarified intellect and heightened intuition
of the Siddhars, resulting from their yogic powers, enabled them to explore the
world around them and exploit its natural resources for the sake of humanity.
Their findings on the characteristics of plants, metals, minerals and animal
products and their knowledge of the properties of drugs, its purification,
processing, fixing dosage, toxicity, antidote and clinical application, were
preserved in the form of verses for the use of the posterity.
This unique legacy was
bequeathed to select disciples or "chidas" by word of mouth. It is
believed that there was a line of 18 siddhars, with Agasthya being the foremost
and a large portion of Siddha lore is credited to him. With time, this oral
tradition was transcribed on palm leaf manuscripts that now serve as the major
repository of the knowledge.
The
contributors of Siddha system, the Siddhars, of Tamil land, were mystics,
yogis, poets, devotees, seers and medical men of various combinations and
various statures. They were super human beings who possessed supernatural
powers (like Eight types of Siddhis). They were the greatest scientists of
ancient times and were the guardians of the world and they existed, and still
exist, for the benefit of the public at large. They were men of great practical
knowledge and wisdom. They had full awareness of the nature and activities of
all the objects in this planet and of all times-past, present and future. They
were mainly responsible for the growth
and development not only of Tamil medicine that includes alchemy, medicine,
yoga, kayakalpa (rejuvenation therapy), philosophy, astronomy, astrology,
varma, muppu, thokkanam etc., but also for many other sciences of public
utility.
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES: According to the
Siddha system, the individual is a microcosm of the universe. The human body consists of the five
primordial elements-earth, water, fire,
air and space, the three humours-vatha, pitta and kapha and seven physical
constituents. Food is the basic building material of the human body and gets processed into
humours, tissues and wastes. The equilibrium of humours is considered as health
and its disturbance or imbalance leads
to a diseased state; Saint Thiruvalluvar has indicated the same view in his
Thirukural,
"மிகினும் குறையினும் நோய்செய்யும் நூலோர்
வளிமுதலா எண்ணிய மூன்று."
- குறள் 941
"Three things beginning
with wind, say experts,
In excess or lacking cause
disease" - Kural 941
Reflecting this theory of
cosmic oneness, the five senses are said to correspond with the five elements.
Ether (Veli) is responsible for hearing; air (katru) for sense of touch; fire
(thee) for sight; water (neer) for taste; and earth (mann) for the sense of
smell.
MIND
- BODY CONTINUUM:
Siddha
is a comprehensive system that places equal emphasis on the body, mind and
spirit and strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual. Treatment
is aimed at restoring balance to the mind-body system. Diet and lifestyle play
a major role not only in maintaining health but also in curing diseases. This
concept of the Siddha medicine is termed as pathiam and apathiam, which is
essentially a list of do's and don'ts.
"Food
itself is medicine and medicine itself is food"
MATERIA
MEDICA:-
Drugs used by the Siddhars
can be classified into three groups: Thaavaram (herbal product), Thaathu
(inorganic substances), and Jangamam (animal products).
UNIQUE
DIAGNOSTIC METHODOLOGY:
The diagnostic methodology
in Siddha treatment is unique as it is made purely on the basis of the clinical
acumen of the physician. The pulse, skin, tongue, complexion, speech, eye,
stools and urine are examined. This approach is collectively known as
"Eight types of examination"; and among the eight, the examination of
pulse is very important in confirming the diagnosis.
CONCEPT
OF SIDDHA TREATMENT:- Treatment consists of three distinct
categories: Deva Maruthuvam, (divine method); Maanida Maruthuvam (rational
method); and Asura Maruthuvam (surgical method). In the divine method,
medicines like parpam, chenduram, guru, kuligai prepared from mercury, sulphur
and pashanams are used. In the rational method, medicines prepared from herbs
like churanam, kudineer, vadagam are used. In surgical method, incision,
excision, heat application, bloodletting, leech application etc. are practised.
The therapeutic treatment in
Siddha could be further categorized into Purgative therapy, Emetic therapy,
Fasting therapy, Steam therapy, Oleation therapy, Physical therapy, Solar
therapy, Blood letting therapy and Yoga therapy.
There is also a branch of
the traditional science that deals with traumatology and accidental injuries
called Varma. This is based on the notion of
more than 100 vital points that are junctions of bones, tendons, ligaments,
blood vessels and nerves called Varma points. Pranic energy is found
concentrated in these points which, upon manipulation, produce curative effect.
Siddha system has enormous
pharmacopoeia containing vegetable, animal and mineral products and treatment
techniques consisting in use of 32 types of internal medicines and 32 types of
external medicines, application of heat and cold, ointments, potions and
poultice, blood letting, counter irritation, bath, suction, manipulative
processes such as thokkanam, varma, yoga and concentration on hygiene and diet
(pathiam), periodical use of purgatives and emetics, use of drugs which
include, apart from herbs, preparations from metals and minerals such as
copper, silver, gold, lead and preparations from products of animal origin such
as brain, liver, bones, blood, skull, horns of various animals, tissues of
reptiles and also Kayakalpa to prevent or postpone greying of hair, formation
of wrinkles and ageing, prevention or treatment of diseases, and postponement
of death (to any desired length of time). Some empirical treatment techniques
under the guise of magic exorcism, incantation, pilgrimage, peregrinations,
mountaineering and similar activities have also been in practice since ages.
CLASSIFICATION
OF SIDDHA MEDICINES:-
Siddha medicines may be roughly
divided into three classes--- (i) Miracle medicines, (ii) Sophisticated
medicines and (iii) Common medicines. Miracle medicines are becoming rare and should be
learnt directly from the masters who, having undergone all forms of initiation
and hazards of apprenticeship, have reached perfection in all respects.
Sophisticated medicines may be scientifically prepared and used by the well
trained physicians without much risk.
Common medicines are most simple and cheap ones which were in wide use till the
beginning of the 20th century and are still in use in remote rural areas of our
country.
KUNDALINI
YOGA:-
The Siddhars have evolved a
special technique for attaining spiritual awakening by rousing, with yoga
techniques like aasana, praanaayaama and dhyaana (meditation), the Kundalini
shakthi (Serpent power) lying dormant at the base of the spinal column in the
region of the sacral plexus. Only by caring for his mortal inheritance, man is
able to arrive at the realization of his highest potentialities. By working in
unison with theology and philosophy, Siddha medicine aids bringing to maturity
the quiescent gem of immortal divine being in his mortal body.
SIDDHA
EDUCATION:-
The Siddha system of
education in ancient India was not imparted or organized on the scale of mass
education like schools and colleges, but the ideal of education was to treat it
as a secret and sacred process, for the reason that the process of an
individual growth (especially the inner growth) can only be achieved by a close
and constant touch between the teacher and the taught in their personal
relationship from which the whole world was excluded.The teaching was imparted
in the form of verses, many of them in ambiguous language and handed down to
the posterity by the guru-sishya (teacher-disciple) tradition. The sacred
medicines and techniques were taught only to a close circle of disciples and
this trend continued to exist till recently.
Siddha education has
turned into a mass institutional
education around the middle of the 20th Century and has been catering to the
needs of the public. Developments in
academic side and also in scientific research have been coming up. A scientific
research of available Siddha literature may bring us precious truths, methods
of preparation of miracle medicines of mineral, vegetable and animal origin and
this would be a valuable contribution to the medical world today. In addition
to the literature written in palm leaf manuscripts etc., there are many
valuable medicines and treatment techniques in practice. Steps are being taken
by the government for collecting, screening, analyzing and codifying the available manuscripts, printed
books, traditional recipes, medical secrets and many other things found
scattered in disciplines and activities
seemingly unconnected with medicine.
CONTEMPORARY
RELEVANCE OF SIDDHA:
There
has been a resurgence of traditional medical systems the world over, based on
the holistic nature of their approach to healing. The efficacy of indigenous systems has been proved in various
contexts. They tend to use locally available, cost effective materials for
treatment. Hence, the Siddha system which also has strong cultural and
historical bonds with the people of Tamil Nadu is becoming increasingly relevant
