Durga | ✓

23. Siddha Medicine

For next two days, Rudra, Ramaiah and Durga translated the second book, Siddha Medicine. Shekar had typed the draft, which Rudra was about to read. This was even more tougher as there were procedures describing various complicated surgeries.

Durga suggested to send the draft of complicated surgeries, later, after cross checking them again. Rudra had, of course, readily agreed but Ramaiah wasn't agreeing initially. Durga and Rudra explained to him that maybe after this, not many people will take pains to translate it again. They had to be sure of correct procedure of surgeries.

Rudra coughed, to gain their attention. Ramaiah lazily said, "We are listening Sir."

Rudra ignored him and started reading. The pages had following information:

Siddha Medicine

It is believed that the foundation of Siddha medicine was laid by Lord Shiva. He explained this concept to Devi Parvati. Then she explained it to Lord Kartikeya. He explained it to Maharishi Agastya. He Agasthya taught 18 Siddhars and they spread this knowledge to human beings.

Siddha focused to Ashtamahasiddhi, the eight supernatural power. Those who attained or achieved the above said powers are known as Siddhars. There were 18 important Siddhars in olden days and they developed this system of medicine. Hence, it is called Siddha medicine.

There were 22 principal siddhars. Of these 22, Agasthya is believed to be the father of siddha medicine. Siddhars were of the concept that a healthy soul can only be developed through a healthy body. So they developed methods and medication that are believed to strengthen their physical body and thereby their souls.

The siddha medicine recognizes predominance of Vaadham, Pitham and Kabamin childhood, adulthood and old age, respectively. Various psychological and physiological functions of the body are attributed to the combination of seven elements:

first is ooneer(plasma) responsible for growth, development and nourishment;

second ischeneer (blood) responsible for nourishing muscles, imparting colour and improving intellect;

third isoon (muscle) responsible for shape of the body;

fourth iskoluppu/Kozhuppu (fatty tissue) responsible for oil balance and lubricating joints;

fifth is elumbu (bone) responsible for body structure and posture and movement;

sixth is elumbu majjai (bone marrow) responsible for formation of blood corpuscles; and

the last is sukkilam(semen) responsible for reproduction.

It is assumed that when the normal equilibrium of the three humors - Vaadham, Pittham and Kabam - is disturbed, disease is caused. The factors assumed to affect this equilibrium are environment, climatic conditions, diet, physical activities, and stress. Under normal conditions, the ratio between Vaadham, Pittham, and Kabam are 4:2:1, respectively.

According to the Siddha medicine system, diet and lifestyle play a major role in health and in curing diseases. This concept of the Siddha medicine is termed as pathiyam and apathiyam, which is essentially a list of do's and don'ts.

In diagnosis, examination of eight items is required which is commonly known as "enn vakaith thervu". These are:

Na (tongue): black in Vaatham, yellow or red in pitham, white in kabam, ulcerated in anaemia