Origin & Development of Siddha System of Medicine.
It is an indisputable fact that Indian civilization is an unique one which had attained its highest grandeur even prior to 4000 B.C. The modern archaeological findings have proved this fact. It is only due to the non-availability of any written records that the progress and achievements of the science and technology of our ancients have not come to light. Even though the Puranas and Itihasas throw some light on the intellectual and administrative capacities of our ancients much prior to the dawn of civilization, some of them are allegorical and symbolic in their representation.
It is needless to mention that sufficient light has not been thrown on the origin and development of medical science in India; only a vague picture about this science has been presented taking its origin from the heavenly personages, like Dhanvantri, AswiniKumars and teachings of Lord Brahma, the creator , Lord Vishnu , the propagator and Lord Siva, the destroyer.
Though elaborate explanations are being given about the Indus valley civilization it can be noted beyond doubt that Dravidian culture was the oldest and Aryans and Dravidians were the original races that existed in India during the early part of the present Kali Yuga. Exchange of knowledge seems to have existed between these two races with their distinctive language as Sanskrit and Tamil respectively.
Old Palm Leaf MS.:
During a search for different literature on our ancient medical science in India, a palm leaf manuscript in Tamil dating back to 3100 B.C. could be traced, giving a detailed account of the intensive research work done by the great Siddhas of South India. This medical science, based on the results of research, was practiced by those who had attained mastery in philosophy, yoga, astronomy, chemistry and medical science. Siddhi means attainment of perfection;Siddha is a person who has conquered disease and death by the process of yoga and medication. Thus,this medical science is known as Siddha Vaidya.
The entire narration in the Siddha text is attributed to Sage Agastya and is given in the form of a discourse between him and Pulasthya, one of his intimate disciples. Here is a summary touching only the important aspects of the origin and development of Siddha medical science.
It would not be out of place here to give a short narrative about Sage Agastya at the beginning of Kali era, since when our present civilization has its origin. Sage Agastya is stated to have been born nearly 5000 years prior to the commencement of Kali Yuga, at a place in Gujarat, as the son of Bhargava and Indumathi who followed the traditional Pasupatha cult which was widely prevalent at that time. Sage Agastya’s glory and fame are well depicted in the Puranas and the epics, Ramayana and Mahabharatha. He was an eminent scholar, a scientist and philosopher.
A Big Blast:
Sage Agastya’s text explains about a great calamity he had visualized, equivalent to a ‘Pralaya’, which took place about 1600 years before the Kali era. It is stated that there was an explosion in the planet Mars by which enormous pieces of burning boulders and earth were thrown into space. One among such fairly big pieces was attracted towards the earth and hit the Antarctic region. Due to this collusion, the Earth’s path and axis were greatly disturbed and it took a long time for earth to settle itself and resume its normal course. Besides, the sea water rose to a great height submerging a major portion of the land south of India and spreading water all over, bringing in the end of all civilization which existed at that time. This collusion and disturbance caused a drift in the position of the land, dividing it into five parts as it stands at present. Only a handful of people were saved during this calamity and were saved during this calamity and were scattered all over the world. It took nearly 1500 years for the earth to come to a form. It has been reckoned that the Kali era started from the midnight of the 18th February, 3102 B.C. and the Dravidians began to count the era from that day onwards.
Sages Meet:
Sage Agastya, with his cosmic intellect, was able to visualize that Lord Siva and his consort, Uma had willed to be born on earth in the form of Dakshina Murthy and Shenbhaga Devi and selected their abode at the PodigaiMalai of the Courtalam range, north of KanyaKumari. Eleven years after the commencement of the Kali era, great seers like Agastya, Nandeeswara, Pasupathi, Vyaghrapada and Patanjali gathered at MahadevaGiri of the Courtalamhills, along with Lord Muruga, son of Siva and Parvathi, and met Dakshina Murthy and Shenbhaga Devi seeking their guidance. In commemoration of this congregation, the year was named as EswaraSamvatsara. It is stated that Lord Dakshina Murthy instructed these Rishis to revive the ancient knowledge of philosophy and science and propagate them suitably for the wellbeing of humanity. Accordingly, each of them chose a different branch and recorded their knowledge on palm leaves, compiled in the form of texts. This great task was carried out at a place known as AlaganKulam in Ramnad District of Tamil Nadu. Agastya was particularly assigned with the task of taking necessary steps to propagate the ancient knowledge with all its branches throughout the world in a suitable manner according to the needs of circumstances. Thus, the entire recorded palm leaf texts were handed over by Lord Dakshina Murthy to Sage Agastya on Tuesday, the 21st day of Karthigai(Solar month) in Easwara Samvatsara of this Kali Yuga.
Having this great task before him, Agastya had to select eminent persons for the propagation of the knowledge. Under the guidance of Lord Muruga, an institution was formed near the main waterfalls at Courtalam adjacent to the Temple. The institution was started with the help of the great philosopher-scientist of China, the well-known Bhogar, and an eminent scholar from Malaysia by name Nandi Devar (subsequently named as Theriyar). Besides, Yugimuni, Pulappani, Pambatti Siddhar, Pulasthya and Kappiyan also joined them. With the help of these scholars, Sage Agastya conducted a conference at Courtalam and founded a hospital and research institute for the propagation of medical science. In commemoration of this conference of eminent Siddhas, the year has been named as SidhaarthiSamvatsara, the 53rd year of Kali Yuga.
At ThoranaMalai Research Institute, provision was made for teaching students from different parts of the world in five distinctive subjects in a systematic manner. Firstly, they were taught philosophy to understand the relationship of soul and matter, the process of evolution and attainment of reality. Secondly, they were trained in different branches of Yoga to attain perfection or Siddhi through the process of meditation. Thirdly, they were thoroughly taught Astronomy and Astrology, which are inter-related. Fourthly, they were trained in alchemy, i.e. physical and chemical properties of elements. (Hence the word ‘Alchemy’ should not be mistaken as the conversion of base metals into gold. Alchemy is the knowledge about the physical and chemical nature of elements which are essential to achieve mastery in compounding medicines.)The last subject to be taught was the Science of Medicine. With these they would be thorough in their diagnostic capacities through the Nadi system, i.e., pulse reading. The science of pulse reading is very subtle which would be understood only with the practice of Yoga and cannot be explained through texts.
At this institute Bhogar took up research on medicines with chemicals, minerals, gems and salts. Nandi Devar (Theriyar)was the head of the department of surgery; Yugi Muni was in charge of Ayurvedic preparations and medicines attached with herbarium; and Pulasthya and Kappiyan were in charge of recording the results of different research works conducted at the institute. Apart from treating the general public the hospital had the facility to treat wounded warriors with surgery. Replacement of limbs and organs were also taken up including brain and heart surgery.
At ParadesiKundai on Courtalam hills, an Ayurvedic institution was established with a herbarium attached to it under the able guidance of Yugi Muni. Even today, we can find an inscription in a symbolic form on a big boulder at that place. Botanical research was also taken up here, bringing about various high-breed varieties of plants, flowers, fruits, etc. Even silk cocoons with different colors were developed here by rearing the larvae with different chemicals as their food. The art of sericulture is elaborately explained in their records.
Raja Vaidya:
At MarudaMalai near Coimbatore, Pambatti Siddhar took up research work on poisonous snakes for the utilization of the venom in the treatment of various diseases. It is mentioned that the poisonous snakes were made non-poisonous by feeding them with anti-poisonous chemicals. By such feeding, even the color of the snakes was changed. This brought about a reduction in the intensity of the poisonous nature of the venom to be used as medicine in the treatment of different diseases. During the course of such a research, the administration of medicines through injections was also developed with the help of syringe and needle. Particular care was taken to design the needle. A special alloy of copper and gold was adopted in the manufacture of these needles. The mode of treatment through injections was considered as Raja Vaidya or king of treatments and it is stated that Chinese and Ethiopians widely used this art in their treatment.
Under the guidance of Bhogar an institution was established at Thiruparukundram near Madurai for research on minerals, salts, chemicals, etc., converting them to Bhasmas and Sindhuras for easy assimilation with high potency. These Bhasmas and Sindhuras have high specific activity and are very effective in the treatment of chronic and acute diseases. Further the method of liquefying the metals and minerals was also developed here making them suitable for administering as injections. In addition, to find out the nature of toxicity and efficacy of these medicines that they were first tried on animals. For this purpose, an animal house was established at Pasumalai adjacent to Thiruparukundram. Thus it could be noted that the research work of Siddhas was a broad based one and had a systematic approach.
Surgery at its best:
The surgical section attached to the hospital in ThoranaMalai was headed by Nandi Devar who was well known as Theriyar. At this place, the preliminary training in the art of surgery was given through a special species of frogs called Therai. Hence, the department head was nicknamed as Theriyar – one who rears Therai frogs.
Surgery was divided into three types :-
- Surgery of external organs
- Minor surgery
- Major surgery.
Separate units were establishes for each type with adequate instruments and accessories. Elaborate explanations are given about the method of surgery. Hygienic upkeep of the place, sterilization of instruments, different anesthetic preparations to suit the age of the patient and duration of surgery are adequately explained, besides giving various medicinal formulae for the quick healing of the surgical wound. It is mentioned that the thread taken out from the banana plant was used for the sutures in surgery. Special preparations used as local anesthesia are also explained in addition to disinfectants. Transplantations of foetus on animals were also tried at Pasumalai bringing in several varieties of animals. They had even tried plastic surgery for wounded soldiers.
Astrology in Medicine:
Astrology has been given a prominent place in Siddha medical science. This earth and each living being therein are constantly influenced by the planets. They have brought about a relationship between the macro-cosm and micro-cosm. Hence, they promulgated that the onset and development of the disease and its cure mainly depended on the movements of the planets. With this knowledge, they were able to diagnose the disease by the study of planetary positions in addition to the physical symptoms. Even the mode of treatment and the type of medication were derived based on the position of the planets and their transits. They have distinctly divided the organs of our body as belonging to different planets. Even the different parts of a single cell are classified according to planets. Further, various chemicals, minerals, salts and even herbs are classified under different planets. Based on this knowledge, the compounding of medicines was being carried on for different diseases.
Siddhas evolved a special type of medicinal compound which they used to administer for all types of diseases with varied vehicles according to the intensity of the disease. This particular compound is called ‘Kattu’. It contains refined metals and chemicals, such as Mercuric Chloride, Arsenic Trioxide, Calomel, Mercuric Sulphide, Sulphur and Mercury.
Elixir of Life:
The science of Siddha medicine is based mainly on the well-known philosophy of the eternity of soul over matter that is transistory. The main theme of Siddhas is to evolve the soul through this body to attain reality. For this, preservation of the body free from suffering and decay is important. So they evolved many medicinal preparations to conquer death, decay and disease. The special preparation being the elixir of life has been elaborately explained by each one of the Siddhas naming it as Amuriand Muppu. Amuri is a liquid that acts as a rejuvenator activating every cell and bringing it back to its normal activity. Muppu, a cosmic salt is the life giver for every cell. The combination of these two would help to win over disease, decay and death and keep the body fit for the logic practice to attain the ultimate goal of ABSOLUTE REALITY.
It is very unfortunate to note that the word ‘Amuri’ has been misinterpreted as urine giving rise to Urinotheraphy. But while going deep into the subject one can understand that ‘Amuri’ is an extract from a plant which is pre-treated with chemicals. The entire process of these two is still kept a secret known only to a few people.
As a monument of this research marvel a unique figure made out of special chemical compounds has been carved in the shape of Muruga – the chief patron of their organization – and installed on the top of the hill at Palani for the purpose of worship. This idol is developed out of the Nava PashanaKattu of the Siddhas. The offerings made to this idol through honey, rose water, sandalwood paste and sacred ash would get charged with particles of the chemical compositions of the idol. By consuming such an offering as Prasadam the devotees would get relieved of their ailments – both physical and mental.
In their pharmacopoeia, the Siddhas have given importance to metals, minerals, gems and salts, in addition to herbs. Compounds of Mercury and Sulphur have been given special consideration for their curative properties. Centuries of usage of Siddha medicines by human beings reveal their excellent curative factors. A reappraisal of these ancient remedies, in the light of the latest development of science and technology, appears to be warranted to ensure lasting relief to the suffering humanity.
-Dr. Mandayam Kumar
Siddha Medical Research Institute
BANGALORE
