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 Acient Tamil Civilisation 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), andJangamam
(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); andAsura
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 theguru-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.
-Tamilan
