Siddha system of Indian medicine
by Siddha Vaidya P.S.Narasimha swamy
Introduction:
Siddha system of medicine is one of the oldest medical systems of India existed
separately in early times. The system has flourished well in India for many centuries.
Although this system has declined in later years, in the wake of changing mode of
life and modern medicine, it continues to sustain its influence on the masses because
of its incomparable intrinsic merits.
There are two ancient systems of medicine in India, the Siddha which flourished in
the south and the Ayurveda prevalent in north. Siddha system is called ‘saiva
sampradayam’ (tradition of Lord Shiva) and Ayurveda is called Brahma or ‘Arsha
sampradayam’ (the tradition of rishis). The inference to be drawn from these
traditions is that, there is no exact point of time to which the beginning of these
systems could be traced. They are eternal, without a beginning or end: they began
with man and may end with him.
The term ‘Siddha’ means ‘everlasting’, ‘Conquering death’, ‘holy immortals’, etc. This
system is originated by 18 Siddhars headed by Siddha ‘AGASTHYA’. Siddhars were a
AGASTHYA-FOUNDER OF ‘SIDDHA’
Class of popular writers in Tamil in all branches of knowledge and many of their
works were written in what is called High Tamil. They were men of high culture,
intellectual and spiritual faculties combined with supernatural powers and intuitive
intelligence acquired by yogic powers. The prevention and the cure of illness is the
basic aims of all systems of medicine. The Siddha system has, in addition, a
transcendental motivation, a concern for what might be called the ‘IMMORTALITY OF
THE BODY’. The ‘Siddhars’ were those who had renounced the world after
experiencing its instability and uncertainties. They practiced yoga extensively and
wrought great miracles, imbued with Devine power. They knew the past, the present
and the future, rejuvenated their body, lived for many years, ultimately attained the
state of ‘perpetual consciousness’ or ‘Samadhi’ and enjoyed eternal bliss. Big Hindu
Temples sprang up over their Samadhi and centers of devout worship even today.
They form the most important temples in south India.
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Fundamental principles of Siddha
According to siddhars ‘Nature is man and man is nature’, therefore both are
essentially one. The universe consists of two essential entities, matter and energy,
which the Siddhars call ‘Siva’ and ‘Shakthi’. The two co-exist and are inseparable.
The universe consists of five elements and these elements should not be confused
with the elements of modern chemistry. They are primordial elements. They are
Munn (solid), Neer (fluid), Thee (radiance), Vayu (gas), and Akasam (ether). All
created and evolved matter in the world, be it animal, vegetable, or mineral, falls
under these categories. The human anatomy and physiology, the causative factor of
disease, the materials for the treatment and cure of diseases, the food for the
sustenance of the body, all fall within the five elemental categories. This is the
working hypothesis.
The human being is made up of the five elements. The various tissues of the body
are the combinations of these elements. In one tissue one element may be more
predominant than the others. The physiological function in the body is mediated by
three substances- Vatham, Pitham, and Kapham. In each cell in the body these three
co-exist and function harmoniously. Vatham is formed by the basic elements Akasam
and vayu. Pitham is formed by Thee and Kaph is formed by Munn and Neer. If these
three functions normally, health is maintained. The body consists of seven ‘dhatus’:
Rasa (lymph), Kurudi (blood), Tasai (muscle), Kozhuppu (fat), Elumbu (bone), Majjai
(marrow) and Sukkilam and Artavam (male and female hormones). In these seven
tissues one or other of the three ‘doshas’ predominate. In the tissue blood, Pitham
predominates, in bone Vatham and in other tissues Kapham.
The doshas should not be pictured as separate entities staying in the body in
different places. Though they are treated separately, it is to be understood that they
combine in their action to make life go on; they may be compared to three pillars
which supports a structure. They conjointly permeate every structure in the body; so
much so there is not a single point in the body where all the three doshas are not
present. The maintenance of equilibrium of the three doshas is health; the
disturbance of the equilibrium is disease. The concept is similar to the theories of
cellular mechanism, biochemical changes, enzymes and hormones, of modern
medicine.
Siddha system of medicine was taught by Guru Shishya method earlier and at a later stage written down
on palm leave manuscripts
Both Siddha and Ayurveda are based on humoral pathological doctrine- the tridosha
theory- the three supports of human body system.
Diagnosis and basis of treatment
The words ‘noai nadal, noai mudal nadal’ in the ancient texts denotes the approach
to disease and determination of the etiology of the disease. Siddha concept for
diagnosis is to investigate the cause of the disease, the signs and symptoms,
complications if any, and pathological tissue changes. The Siddhars look at body and
disease together to arrive at a conclusion regarding the condition or diagnosis of the
case. This condition is an essential pre-requisite for treatment.
In addition, eight important factors are to be ruled out. They are pulse, touch,
tongue, colour, speech, eyes, faceus and urine.
The five elements of the body and their life factors: the five elements of the body
(pancha bhootas) and Vatham, Pitham, and Kapham (tridoshas) are widely described
by Siddhars who classified the diseases into 4448 varieties. The etiology, signs and
symptoms and treatment were explained for all the varieties by Siddhars.
Medicines should be prepared according to individual needs separately.
Traditional Siddha medicine preparation
The three ‘humors’ Vatha, Pitha and Kapha represents air, fire and water of the five
elements (pancha bhootas), which form the connecting link between microcosm or
man and macrocosm or the earth. These three humors maintain the human body
through their combined functioning. The normal order of tridosha in a healthy person
is 1: ½: ¼ or 4:2:1 respectively. If this equilibrium is disturbed disease sets in.
Medicine are prescribed to set right the imbalance in the life factors either by
addition, reduction or neutralization, since all matters (herbs, minerals and metals)
contain the five elements and hence three factors. The presence of a particular factor
in a substance is found by the taste of the latter. The five elements in different
combinations form six tastes.
Innumerable varieties of herbs are mentioned in Siddha literature. Many of these
were described in a manner very difficult to understand.
There are 64 types of medicine in Siddha pharmacopoeia, 32 for internal
administration and 32 for external applications, besides 11 metals, 64 mercurial and
non-mercurial), 120 uparasam (salts and other minerals).
Diet and Anupanam (vehicle for administration) plays a very important role in Siddha
treatment. A single herb like 'solanum trilobatum' is used in 20 different diseases
with different Anupanams.
Unique Siddha medicinal preparations
For a medicine to be effective, the inorganic substances have to be brought to their
atomic form. Siddhars developed the knowledge of bringing inorganic substances
into atomic and ionic form which is easily absorbed by the system, when ground with
herbal juices and put on the fire.
The specialized Siddha preparations are ‘parpam’, ‘chendooram’, ‘chunnam’,
‘mezhagu’. These are metallic and mineral preparations by transmutation processes
of converting the metal to ashes and waxy constituency which exerts only
therapeutic properties and devoid of any metallic traces. These are also the byproducts
noticed during Siddhars Alchemical practices.
Muppu: Muppu has a distinct place in Siddha medicine. It is the combination of
three rare salts which enhances the efficacy of any Siddha medicine. The preparation
and ingredients are a closely guarded secret. It is also believed that ‘muppu’ also
engender yogic concentration, a part of Siddha tradition.
Kaya kalpa: This is similar to ‘Rasayana chikitsa’ of Ayurveda and ‘gerontology’
of modern medicine. The word ‘kalpa’ means ‘able, competent’. When it is connected
with ‘kaya’ or body, the term means competency or ability of the body. While in
Ayurveda, rasayana is different from ‘vajeekarana’, kaya kalpa does not treat
vajeekarana or the science of aphrodisiacs separately. When kayakalpa treatment is
undertaken, the vigor of body and mind are restored and so there is no need for
separate attention to vajeekarana. Siddhars were more concerned about the ultimate
goal of living and less with worldly pursuit of sex. However, kayakalpa is very much
capable of achieving the ends of both rasayana and vajeekarana. The details of
kayakalpa treatment are-
1. Preservation of vital energy of the body by diverting the internal secretions to the
circulation of blood by control of breathing through yoga
2. Conservation of sperm by using it for regeneration.
3. Use of universal salt ‘muppu’ for rejuvenation.
4. Use of calcined powder prepared from metal and minerals such as mercury, gold,
sulphur, mica, copper etc.
5. Use of drugs prepared by certain rare Indian herbs.
Transmutation of metals into medicinal ‘parpam’ and ‘chendooram’ (ashes) by ‘puta’ and ‘burning’ process
Present status and scope:
There are 6 Siddha medical colleges in Tamil nadu and one in Kerala catering to the
needs of those who are interested in leaning siddha medicine course for 5 and half
years and post-graduate specialization courses for two years.
Due to the popularity of ‘Siddha’ in India and abroad, the government of India has
decided that Allopathic and Indian system of medicine should together contribute
towards the development of the National Health Services. In addition, Indian system
of medicine has also been recognized for the purpose of reimbursement of medical
treatment under the central services.
The central council is executing its research programme in Siddha through Central
research institute, regional research institute, mobile clinical research units, medicobotanical
survey unit etc.
For the research in Siddha system, many research units were started at New Delhi,
Bengalooru, Chennai, Pondycherry, Palayamkottai and Trivandrum.
Exciting possibilities ahead:
In conclusion, it must be said that Siddha medicine offers exciting avenues for
investigations in the light of modern science and technology. Such investigations can
lead to significant breakthroughs not just in herbal pharmaceuticals, but in
conceptual and practical knowledge as well, with far-reaching benefits for the
existing system of healthcare as a whole. But such investigative studies must
necessarily be multidisciplinary, with full involvement of scholars in ancient Tamil
scriptures, veteran Siddha Vaidyas, and tribal folks with knowledge of field work,
historians and several other members of Siddha medical community at the local
level. Exploration of the goldmine of Siddha knowledge and wisdom is certainly worth
substantial investments of human and financial resources.
(paper presented at the National Symposium on ‘SCIENCE IN INDIA PAST AND
PRESENT’- some historical aspects--- organized by NATIONAL CENTRE FOR
HISTORY OF SCIENCE,ORIENTAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, MYSORE, INDIA (21st April
2008 to 24th April2008)
References: PRESENTED BY
1. Dr.K.M.Nadakarni’s Indian Meteria Medica (1954)
2. Siddhar padalgal (collection)
3. Nam nattu siddhargal by Dr.Manickavasagam
5. Vadavaidyathukku adi by Sri. Balaramaiah
6. Medicinal plants of India by ICMR
7. Siddha Medicine an overview by Prof.B.V.Subbarayappa E-MAIL:
8. Tolkappiyam (collection)
9. Padinen Siddhargal Vaidya Sara sangraham (collection)
10. Herbal Heritage, Vol.4, 5, and 8 by Dr. P.S. Narasimhaswamy
11. Photos: personal album of the author
And courtesy of .The Hindu’ folio dt.22nd oct.2000
12. Bhogar aarayiram -
13. Tiruvaymalarndaruliya moolikai vaidyam
14. Dr.R.Kannan, Siddha-a unique system
15. Dr.V.Narayana swamy-Siddha system of medicine.
contact address: p.s. narasimha swamy
director, agasthya siddha literature research centre,
#1495, k.m.puram,
Mysore-570004.
India
Cell:09845167119
E-mail:swamy_siddha@yahoo.com
