An Introduction
Siddha system of medicine, popular among the Dravidian population that prevails in South India and is practiced from time immemorial especially in Tamil populated region.
“Siddhars”, Saints and Sages of Tamils developed this exceptional system. They were many in numbers, but 18 siddhars(Nandi devar, Agasthiyar, Thirumular, Punnakkeesar, Pulasthiyar, Poonaikannar, Idaikkadar, Bogar, Pulippani, Karuvurar, Konkanavar, Kalangi, Sattainathar, Azhuganni, Agappai, Pumbatti, Theraiyar and Kudhambai) are generally highlighted in old literatures in Tamil and they have given in different period of history not only their knowledge of medicine but also their philosophy to their successors. Instead of giving the name of any one of the siddhar as the founder of the system, our ancestors wisely endorsed its origin to divine being Lord Shiva, who was considered as the Prime Siddhar. It was the grounds to consider Siddha system as Shiva sampradayam (Tradition of Shiva). According to the tradition, a strong belief that Lord Shiva only conveyed the knowledge of medicine to his wife Parvati. The knowledge was passed then from her to Nandi and finally it was given to the other Siddhars through Agasthiyar, the originator of Siddha medicine.
The word “Siddha” was derived from “Siddhi”. The word “Siddhar” denotes one who has achieved some extraordinary powers (siddhi). Perfection/ heavenly bliss/ an object to be attained or complete knowledge are the other meanings for the term Siddhi. This achievement of siddhi was related to the discipline of mind and its superiority over body, and was accomplished through both yoga and 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. They practiced intense yogic practices, including years of fasting and meditation and believed to have achieved super natural powers and gained the supreme wisdom and overall immortality. Through this spiritually attained supreme knowledge, they wrote scriptures on all aspects of life, from arts to science and truth of life to miracle cure for diseases. Thus siddhars (practitioners of Siddha) became the symbols of psychosomatic perfection and so the Siddha medicine became a combination of medicine and ashtangayoga. Siddhars aimed at Jeevan mukthi; hence the ultimate aim is to have a perfect and immortal body maintained by Kayakalpam procedures. Achievement of Jeevan mukthi was possible according to them, by employing ashtangayoga process. Among all the medical systems existing in the world, Siddha is only system having a very strong spiritual base.
As per the obtainable literatures, it is learnt that, Siddha was developed somewhat 7000 years ago. In fact, Siddha was the earliest medical system of the world, older than Greek, Romanian, Mesapadomian, Chinese, Ayurvedic, Allopathic, Homeopathy etc and it is absolutely of no value that Siddha is being considered as a branch of Ayurveda by Keralites. The knowledge of the Siddha medicine and its philosophy were transferred to next generations through Guru- Sishya parambara. The Siddhars and their followers wrote their knowledge in palm leaf manuscripts, which were found in different parts of South India. From these manuscripts, the Siddha System of medicine had been developed as a separate system and also as a key part of Indian systems of medicine(ISM). At present, there are eight recognized Siddha Medical Colleges, are functioning all over India, where Siddha medicine is taught. These institutions are regulated by Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), New Delhi and run under Tamil Nadu Dr.M.G.R.Medical University and Kerala University. Santhigiri Siddha Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, is the first Siddha Medical College in our state, teaching Siddha through English medium, established in 2003 with the sacred blessings of Gurusthani Sishya Poojitha Janani Amritha Jnana Thapaswini of Santhigiri Ashramam, founded by Guru Navajyothishree Karunakara Guru. Providing the knowledge of this divine medical sytem to Siddha learning medical students in a spiritual atmosphere is the speciality of Santhigiri’s college.
Other colleges in India are:
- National Institute of Siddha, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Govt.Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Govt.Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, Thirunelveli ,Tamil Nadu
- Sairam Siddha medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Velumayilu Siddha Medical College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- RVS Siddha Medical College, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- ATSVS Siddha Medical College, Munchirai, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
- Sivaraj Siddha Medical College, Salem, Tamil Nadu
See you in the next post, Bye
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