Siddha System of Medicine is as old as mankind and dominated  the civilisation of the southern peninsula of India. This civilisation dates  back to 12,000 years Before Christ. The findings of historians and the Tamil  literary works such as "Tholkapiam," "Thiruvasagam" etc.,  reveal that there were three Tamil Academies for the growth of 64 Arts of  Tamilians. The first Academy was in the old city of Madurai from 1990 BC to 5550  BC in the Tamilian continent called Lamuria, which comprised forty-nine  districts to the south of cape comorin (India). There were 549 members in the  Academy. Their code book was 'Agathiyam'. The Second Academy was held in the  city of Kavadapuram 5550 BC to 1850 BC. During the King Mudu Thirumaran the  Tamil Land was submerged in the sea. The king escaped from the sea deluge in a  big ship and established the Third Academy in the modern city Madurai and lasted  for about 1850 years. A number of Siddhars had representation in these three  Tamil Academies. Among them were 18 Siddhars Viz., "Agasthiar, Bohar,  Korakkar, Sivaya Siddar, Sattai Muni, Thirumoolar, Nandhi, Koonakannar,  Konganar, Manchamuni, Kalanginathar, Pathanjali, Kamalamuni, Idaikkadar,  Punakeesar, Sundaranandar, Chandikesar, and Therayar" who contributed  thousands of volumes on Siddha Medicine and imparted their knowledge through  Guru-Sishya principle.

The Siddhas were those who had renounced the world after  experiencing its instability and uncertainty. They practised the eight kinds of  yogas and wrought great miracles, imbued with divine power. They were super or  god-like men who were one with God, realised the kingdom of God here, knew the  past, the present and the future, rejuvenated their body, lived for thousands of  years and ultimately attained the stage of perpetual consciousness or Samathi  and enjoyed eternal bliss. They kept their body unpolluted and unwrecked and  lived subterranean lives in samathi for years.

Big Hindu temples sprang up over their samathis and are centres  of devout worship even today. They form the most important temples in South  India. The plot of underground where the Siddhas remained in Samathi, forms the  sanctum of each temple. The Siddha named Sundarananthar and others are said to  remain in samathi in the temple of Madurai. Agasthiar is embalmed in Kumbakonam,  Karuvurar in kalasthi, Korakkar in Tirukalukuntram, kaduvali Siddar in  Kancheepuram, Machamuni in Tiruparankuntram, Bohar in Palni, Thirumular in  Chidambaram, Aluganni siddhar in Nagapatanam, Sattamuni in Shyali etc. These  facts found in stanzas 306 - 313 in the work named Bohamunivar's "Jnana  Saharam, 557".

The contribution of Siddhas to Siddha literature with its  boundless therapeutics and wonderful pharmaceutical preparation of medicine is  acclaimed par excellence (pre-eminent) even in this 20th century and worthy of  its remarkable results. The Siddha treatment deals not only as a curative but  also as a preservative, taking care of the external body with its internal being  - soul.

The Siddha physician is a hereditary physician who has  knowledge of chemistry, astronomy and alchemy besides being an expert in yogas,  manthras, hypnotism and other occult sciences.

The Siddha medicines meant for the human body are prepared,  based on the theory of Panchabuthas (metals of gold, lead, copper, iron and  zinc). Gold and lead are used for the maintenance of the body. Iron, the only  metal attracted by the electric power of the magnet, and zinc, used for  generating electricity, are employed in the medicines which are administered for  the extension of life. And copper is used for the preservation of heat in the  body. The learned modern scientists of today have yet to know the rejuvenation  theories followed by Siddhars of Tamil Nadu in ancient times.

The universe consists of two essential entities, matter and  energy, which the Siddhars call Siva and Sakti. Matter cannot exist without  energy inherent in it and energy cannot exist with out matter. They two co-exist  and are inseparable. The universe consists of five elements. These elements  should not be confused with the elements of modern chemistry. They are  primordial elements - Bhutas. Their names are Munn(Solid), Neer(fluid),  Thee(radiance), Vaya(gas) and Aakasam(ether). All created or 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.

Tha thuvams and Thrithoshas

The functioning of the human body is governed by 96 specific  faculties or thathuvams.

The human body is conditioned by Thrithoshas (three humours)  consisting of Vatha, Pittha and kapha (Wind, Bile and Phlegm). They rule over  the human body like three monarchs. Vatha or wind resides in the fiery region,  pittha or Bile in the solar region and kapha or phlegm in the lunar region.  These three regions are called three mandalas viz: Agnimandala, Suryamandala and  Chandramandala. The Vatha pulse dwells in anus or the seat of excreta near  rectum and intestines. The Pittha pulse is found in the seat of water embracing  the liver in the Solar Plexus. The Kapha pulse is located in the semen in the  cold lunar region, below the top of the head, embracing the pineal gland. When  there is any imbalance in any of these three humours due to food, habit, impact  and other environmental factors, the individual is indisposed.

Varmam and its importance

Tamil Nadu happened to be the bedrock of very rare fine arts  which no other country in the world could boast of. Though these exist, whether  veiled or forgotten a few have a life-throb still amongst us. One such is the  Art of Thanuology (Varman).

Life is propelled by Prana Vayu (Oxygen). It gives life energy  to the 72,000 nerves found in the human body. When the flow of Prana Vayu  (Oxygen) is obstructed, life is at stake. The affectations of the human body due  to various reasons cause hundreds of diseases including AIDS. The quantum of  measurement on the impact differs from one life (nerve) centre to another in the  physical body. This causes several diseases besides leading to death  occasionally. These features are dealt with, in 'Thanuology' (Varmam) which is a  branch of Siddha System of Medicine. This element which is unknown to other  systems of Medicine is followed in Siddha System of Medicine from time immemorial.

One fourth of population all over the world today are suffering  from diseases of sorts on account of Varma impacts. With the advancement of  scientific knowledge and increased mechanisation, diseases arising out of Varman  impacts are also on the increase. The treatment of impact ailments which is  unknown to other system of medicine is followed in Siddha System of Medicine  from the hoary past.

Pulse and its reading:

Among the eight kinds of examinations used for the purpose of  diagnosis of diseases, Naadi (Pulse) is considered to be best and the most  reliable factor, and that Siddha physicians were experts in this art, and could  predict the complaints perfectly, without any interrogations or further  examinations.

The unique feature of determining the ailments of a patient in  Siddha System of Medicine is pulse reading. The pulse is felt in the right  forearm for males, and left arm for females, just one inch below the wrist. The  beating of the three pulses can be felt while they are pressed lightly by three  fingers.

The first is called the 'Vatha', the second the 'Pittha', and  the third the 'Kapha' respectively one after another downwards. These pulses  beat in the proportion of 4:2:1 in a healthy body. The diseases of the body are  classified under these three fundamental principles.

Ten Naadis or Pulses

In the human body there are ten kinds of pulses which have  their own origins and functions and are controlled by Thrithoshas, Vatha, Pitha  and Kapha. Again these three pulses are contained in Vatha. That is why Vatha is  considered king Pulse. If Pittha pulse fails to beat in any dangerous illness,  the patient will die slowly. If Vatha Pulse stands up, medicines may cure. It is  said that he who controls pulses, controls death. Here I add a few words about  the Raja Yoga (Psychic control). The natural age of a healthy man who breathes  15 times a minute is 120 years, according to Siddha Medical Science. When the  breath comes out, it loses 1/3 of its force, and only 2/3 returns inside. Thus  stock of the life force which has to lost for 120 years will be exhausted  earlier and premature death will occur. In order to prevent this kind of  wastage, Raja yoga is practised.

The study and practice of feeling of pulses must be learnt in  the presence of the Master. Experience must be gained by examining thousands of  patients and after many years.

For example, in the abdomen which is the fiery region where the  wind or Vatha resides, indigestion's and dyspepsis are caused by inflammations  and by insufficient power of digestion. Close observation will reveal that in  the fiery region, the moon pulse beats which causes cold. So also in the solar  region, the sun pulse which is hot resides in water, which is cold. The Rudhra  naadi or fire pulse which destroys life in the end, lives in the lunar region,  which is cold. Therefore in all the Mandalas there are cold and heat maintaining  equilibrium. Diseases are diagnosed by closely observing the above principles.  The above intricate and delicate facts are eternal scientific truths. When  enlightened properly, its accuracy will bewilder anyone profoundly.

Pulse reading has specific significance in the treatment of  Varmam. The Vatha Naadi runs speedly if the region below the wrist is affected  by impact; If impact forms on the region between neck and wrist the Pitta naadi  runs speedily, and finally if the head region is inflicted the kapha naadi runs  speedily. There are many key nerve centres which can be activated to make an  unconscious person to conscious, to stop bleeding, hiccups, fever, fits, to open  jaw in rigidity, for retention of Urine and Motion, Receding of Pennis due to  impact and many other remedies which are in Varmam are lacking in other systems  of Medicine.

The Siddha medicines are comprehensive in as much as they are  of different grades, shades, types and kinds, produced from Vegetable products  (1008), poisong (64) Salts (28), Metals(9) Organic products(12), and other  matters.

The Siddha medicines are very rare preparations and are beyond  in pale of ordinary physicians, being high class secret tonics.

There are medicines claimed to have been found by them. They  could arrest the degeneration of the cells.

There is a separate pharmacopia in Varmam (Thanuology) which is  unknown to other systems of medicine.

Saint Bhogar had contributed a number of medical works. He  described the medial properties, sources, description and action of 473 plants  and organic and inorganic materials i.e. Pharmacognos. Varmam is the apt Sports Medical Science. Thanuology (Varmam) is the apt sports medicine, containing a  big reservoir of techniques to cure all ailments including bone fracture, joint  dislocation and inner ailments. There are numerous wonderful Siddha Medical preparations for  the rejuvenation of the human body and for the prolongation of life.

A Panacea for all diseases

Goldlog is an Elixir of life, scientifically prepared according  to the Indian Siddha System of Medicine from rare herbs, gold, magnetic, iron,  musk and other costly and harmless drugs that contain electric energy and carry  oxygen to the blood. Goldlog charges the liver of the human body with electric  power and thereby rejuvenises the whole body and prolongs life. Goldlog is  blessing to the aged, transforms old age into youth, ill-health into glowing  good-health, and waning life into a strong and active one. Goldlog gives new  life to all the endocrine glands, increases the secretions of Hormones or  chemical messengers of life and supplies nectar to every limb and prevents  premature decay. Goldlog is a renovator and body-builder, and a real panacea for  the cure of all chronic diseases. One could become younger and stronger again in  old age and enjoy a happy life by taking this divine tonic for longevity.  Goldlog bestows virility, stregthens the will-power, enhances beauty, increases  the power of the brain and nerves, heightens the power of retention, and in  various other ways energies and stregthens the human frame, and makes one look  younger again.

In the preparation of the Goldlog, more than one hundred  difficult processes of purifying, melting, fuing, grinding, calcining, burning  and drying etc., are involved. It is a speciality of Siddha System of  Medicine.

    Kaya Kalpa

Our ancient Siddhars have developed a discipline called Kaya  Kalpa designed for longevity with complete freedom from ailments.

The prevention and the cure of illness are the basic aims of  all system of Medicine. The Siddha system of medicine has in addition, a  transcendental motivation, a concern for what might be called the immortality of  the body.

Navabashana, an idol of Palani Andavar, made by Saint Bogar at Palani, has the power to cure all ailments.

Rasamani

The significant achievement of Siddhars is that they have made  Rasamani from Mercury. That is mercury is made solid matter. By keeping Rasamani  in the mouth with its power, one can go to a distant place within a short time.

The wonders of the Tamil Siddha Medical System will really  revolutionise the medial world if a Siddha Medical Institute is founded in all  nations of the world.