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 powerto 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.