Sidha Vedham and 96 Componenys of Body

Sidha vedham by swami sivananda paramahamsa

Swami Sivananda Saraswati SIDDHA SAMAJ HEAD OFFICE 1.Badagara,Kozhikode Dt .Kerala Badagara Siddhasramam,Siddha Samaj P.O. Badagara,Kozhikode Dt.Kerala-673 104 Tell.00914962528551. 2.Kayanna Siddhasramam,Cherukkadu P.O. Perambra,Kozhikode Dt,Kerala-673 527 3.Iyyoor Siddhasramam,Kurumathur P.O. Taliparamba,Cannore Dt.Kerala-670 142 4.Mannurkara Siddhasramam, Mannurkara P.O. Trivandrum Dt.Kerala-695 574 5.Ammampalayam Siddhasramam, AmmampalayamP.O. Athur,Salem Dt.Tamilnadu-636 121 Tell.00914282235127.

Siddhars or Siddhas the spiritual scientists of Tamil Nadu (ancient South India) are the pioneers of this scientific system. Siddhas fundamental principles never differentiated man from the universe. According to them, “Nature is man and man is nature and therefore both are essentially one. Man is said to the microcosm and the Universe is Macrocosm, because what exists in the Universe exists in man.” Siddha system trusts that all objects in the universe including human body are combined of five basic primordial elements, namely earth, water, fire, air and space. Siddhas defined 96 principles as the constituents of Human Being. They comprise Physical, Physiological, Mental and Intellectual mechanisms of a person. They are nothing but the materialization of the “Five Basic Elements “. The human body is composed of 96 Tattvas (Thathuvam) or basic principles. They are… Elements – 5 1. Earth 2. Water

3. Fire 4. Air 5. Space Sense Organs – 5 1. Eye 2. Ear 3. Nose 4. Tongue 5. Skin Functions Of Sense Organs – 5 1. Vision 2. Hearing 3. Smell 4. Taste 5. Touch Motor Organs – 5 1. Hands 2. Legs 3. Mouth 4. Rectum 5. Sex Organs Perception Of Senses – 5 1. Smell 2. Taste 3. Sight 4. Touch 5. Hearing Intellectual Faculties – 4 1. Mind 2. Intellect 3. Subconscious mind 4. Ego Arivu – 1 (Wisdom Of Self Realization)

Vital Nerve Force – 10 1. Idakalai 2. Pinkalai 3. Sulumunai 4. Siguvai 5. Purudan 6. Kanthari 7. Atthi 8. Allampudai 9. Sanguni 10. Gugu Vital Life Force – 10 1. Pranan 2. Abanan 3. Uthanan 4. Samanan 5. Vyanan 6. Nagan 7. Koorman 8. Kirukaran 9. Devadhathan 10. Dhanenjeyan Visceral Cavities– 5 1. Stomach 2. Small Intestine 3. Large Intestine Especially Rectum 4. Urinary Bladder 5. Seminal Vesicle States Of The Human Body Or Sheath – 5 1. Physical Sheath 2. Mental Sheath 3. Respiratory Sheath 4. Intellectual Sheath 5. Blissful Sheath Stations Of Soul – 6 1. Moolatharam 2. Swathistanam

3. Manipooragam 4. Anakatham 5. Visuthi 6. Aakinai Regions – 3 1. Fire Region 2. Solar Region 3. Lunar Region Impurities Of The Soul – 3 1. Egoism 2. Karma 3. Maya (Delusion) Three Humors – 3 1. Vatham = Air + Space 2. Pitham = Fire 3. Kapham = Earth + Water Physical Bindings– 3 1. Material Bindings 2. Offspring Bindings 3. Worldly Bindings Cosmic Qualities – 3 1. Sattva (Pure) 2. Rajas (Passion) 3. Tamas (Ignorance) Acts – 2 1. Good Acts 2. Bad Acts Passions – 8 1. Desire 2. Hatred 3. Stingy 4. Lust 5. Pride 6. Internal Conflict

7. Mockery 8. Ego States Of Consciousness – 5 1. Wakefulness 2. Dream 3. Sleep 4. Repose (Tranquil Or Peaceful State) 5. Insensibility To Surroundings Next to the Tattvas the human body exists of 72000 blood vessels, 13000 nerves and ten main arteries. 4448 diseases can be caused by the imbalance of the three humors. Hope we learned something about our body! :) Reference http://www.siddhaquest.com/concepts.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Body_ %E2%80%93_96_Constituent_principles_or_Tatwas_of_Siddha_Medicine http://www.squidoo.com/siddha-medical-system Nadis, the Channels of Life force Energy Source - Ascending Star Seed A couple of years ago I use to visit a homeopath to treat a recurring hair fall problem, she would diagnose the cause by checking my pulse also known as Nadi Pariksha (pulse examination). Surprisingly, she would point out the right causes, simply by examining the energy flow in the nadis. In ancient Indian medicine, Nadis are the channels or energy pathways that carry Prana or life force throughout the body and they connect at special energy points called chakras. The Sanskrit term ‘Nadi’ comes from the root ‘Nad,’ which means motion, flow, or vibration. Just how veins and arteries are important for the healthy functioning of our physical body, Nadis weave through our physical nerves as well as the subtle circuitry (yoga nadis) of the mind, of the self, of the consciousness matrix that supports our physical presence from invisible dimensions of existence.

Illustration showing the nadis and major and minor chakras Prana needs to flow freely through the system to be healthy; when it becomes weak or congested, it leads to poor mental and physical health. Often painful life experiences lead to blockages and ultimately health woes, so opening up these channels is important for our overall well-being. The body is filled with innumerable Nadis that cannot be counted. Tantric wisdom state that there are 72,000 Nadis in the human body, 14 are principal nadis out which Sushumna, Ida and Pingala are considered to be most important.

Nadis are energy channels that carry prana throughout our body The video below will give you a better understanding of nadis and its functioning in our body.

Ida nadi Ida, associated with the energy of the moon, represents the feminine aspect of our personality and is often shown as white. It is also the Yin element in Chinese philosophy. Ida controls the function of parasympathetic nervous system which calms the mind and body, because it is related to emotions, feelings and memories. When Ida becomes too strong or dominant, tiredness, depression, introversion, and an inability to see things with a clear perspective can take over.

The Ida is channeled via the left nostril and Pingala nadi through the right nostril

Pingala nadi While Pingala, associated with energy of the sun, represents the masculine aspect of our personality and is often shown as red. It controls the sympathetic nervous system, and stimulates activities and planning of body and mind. Pingala nadi is responsible for the logical, rational and analytical intellect. Pingala is also the Yang element in Chinese philosophy. When Pingala is overused, due to the hustle and bustle of city life, we can have difficulty sleeping, concentrating or we can become anxious, irritable, and impulsive. Ida and Pingala start and end to the left and to the right of the Sushumna respectively, moving in spirals like the DNA helix, crossing at each chakra or energy portal. Anahata Menon, shamanic healer and mystic at Anahata Foundation, explained, “It is the interaction between these two distinct yet complementary energy channels that controls our mental processes, intuition and the activity that takes place between the left and right hemisphere of our brain. The sacred union between the male (solar or day) and female (lunar or night) aspects of our spiritual nature forms the basis of most evolutionary esoteric paths.”

Sushumna Sushumna is the central channel of energy in the human body that runs from the base of the spine to the crown of the head and carries Kundalini energy, the primal evolutionary force within, upwards as it is awakened through the practice of Yoga and meditation. Sushumna nadi only opens and flows freely when Ida and Pingala nadis are balanced and clear, thus the purification of all three nadis are important for the overall health, wellness of the body and mind, and one can also experience spiritual growth. Anahata said, “However, as a spiritualist, even though I personally enjoy all the technicalities of ancient wisdom and esoteric arts, I don’t obsess over them. If our spiritual urge or intent is aligned to infinite expansion of awareness, potentials and consciousness, to love, to higher principles of freedom and balance for the highest good of all, then any sincere spiritual practice, be it yoga or plant spirit medicine, drum medicine or reiki, should support this process effectively. As humanity makes a big shift of consciousness from the Collective Mind to the Collective Heart, I believe that the subtle technologies of our physical and etheric bodies will unlock or reveal themselves to us and spontaneously restore or repair themselves to a state of optimum balance and health.”

in traditional Chinese medicine, meridien is a path through which the life-energy or qi flows To determine the flow of current at any particular time note the flow of breath in the nostrils. It the left nostril has a greater flow of air, then ida nadi is predominant. When the flow is greater in the right nostril, then pingala is predominant. If the flow is equal, then sushumna is ruling. Hatha Yoga is a yoga technique that focuses on bringing this balance. Meditation, Pranayam, breath work and sound (nada or swara yoga) healing are different paths that one can explore to achieve this balance as well.

Surya namaskara is a common sequence of Hatha yoga asanas Even traditional Chinese medicine recognise the importance of nadis or better known as,meridians, and work with a similar system of subtle energy meridians like in acupuncture, acupressure and body works. Ancient wisdom, be it Indian Ayurveda, Yoga or Chinese meridians, the purpose is of self-realization and this knowledge provides deeper understanding of the inner landscapes that can be used to transform our lives!

Siddha medicine is practised in Southern India. The origin of the Tamil language is attributed to the sage Agasthya and the origin of Siddha medicine is also attributed to him. Before the Aryan occupation of the Sind region and the Gangetic plain there existed in the southern India, on the banks of the river Kavery, and Tamirapani, a civilization which was highly organised (1) This civilization has a system of medicine to deal with problems of sanitation and treatment of diseases. This is the Siddha system of medicine. It is possible that in the course of time this system and the one prevalent in the north supplemented and enriched each other. The therapeutics of Siddha medicines consists mainly of the use of metals and minerals whereas in the earlier Ayurveda texts there is no mention of metals and minerals (2). From earliest times in Siddha text, there is mention of mercury, sulphur, copper, arsenic and gold used as therapeutic agents. The analogy : if there are one hundred herbal /mineral combination in Ayurveda to cure a disease , Siddha just uses ten herbs/mineral to elicit a similar cure. The Tridosha theory , sapta dhatu physiology and nomenclature of the diseases in the two systems may seem similar. According to Siddha medicine AIDS has been written by the Tamil Siddhars as far back as few thousand years during the ancient prehistoric civilisation of Southern India. Traditionally, it is said there were 18 Siddhas. They left their imprint not only in medicine, but in yoga and philosophy. The Siddhas were essentially Yogis and secondarily physicians. Fundamental Principles of Siddha medicine The universe consists of two essential entities, matter and energy. The Siddhas call them Siva (male) and Shakti (female, creation). Matter cannot exist without energy inherent in it and vice versa. The two co-exist and are inseparable. They are the primordial elements Bhutas, not to be confused with modern chemistry. Their names are Munn(solid), Neer (fluid), Thee (radiance), Vayu (gas) and Aakasam (ether). These five elements (Bhutas) are present in every substance, but in different proportions. Earth, water , fire , air and ether are manifestations of these 5 elements . The human anatomy and physiology, causative factor of diseases, the materials for the treatment and cure of the diseases, the foods for the sustenance of the body, all fall within the five elemental categories (3) . The human being is made up of these five elements, in different combinations. The physiological function in the body is mediated by three substances (dravayas), which are made up of the five elements. They are Vatham, Pitham, and Karpam. In each and every cell of the body these three doshas co-exist and function harmoniously. The tissues are called dhatus. Vatham is formed by Akasa and Vayu. Vatham controls the nervous actions such as movement, sensation ,etc. Pitham is formed by Thee and controls the metabolic activity of the body, digestion, assimilation, warmth, etc. Kapam is formed by Munn and Neer and controls stability. When their equilibrium is upsets disease sets in. The chart below may help to visualize the different properties. In addition to the influence of the Tridoshas the seasons also affects body constituents as evident in northern and southern India.

The five elements Munn , Neer, Thee, Vayu, and Aakasam

Tridoshas according to Siddha Medicine The three doshas may be compared to three pillars that support a structure. From the charts below it can be seen the Tridoshas are involved in all functions of the body, physical, emotional and mental. The bodily activities, voluntary and involuntary are linked to Vatham. Pitham is linked to bodily changes involving destruction/metabolism. All constructive processes are performed by Karpam. They function dependent on each other. They permeate every single structure in the body. The maintenance of the equilibrium is health, disturbance is disease. Vatham

Pitham

characteristic is dryness, lightness, coldness & motility

smoothness, heat, mover of the nervous firmness, viscidity, force of the body heaviness

Formed by Aakasam and Vayu, controls the nervous action that constitute movement, activity, sensation,etc. Vatham predominates in the bone.

Formed by Thee, controls the metabolic activity of the body, digestion,warmth, lustre, intellect,assimilation,etc. Pitham predominates in the tissue blood.

Formed by munn and Neer,controls the stability of the body such as strength, potency, smooth working of joints. Karpam predominates in other tissues

Pitham predominates in the second one third of life

Karpam predominates in the last one third of life. Diminishing activity of various organs and limbs

Location-in alimentary canal from cardiac end of stomach to end of small intestine

Location-in chest ,throat, head and joints -acts as

Vatham predominates in first one third of life when activity, growth ,sharpness of functionof sense,are greater Location-pervades the body (refer to Vayu chart)

Karpam

thermostat to the body The seven tissues (dhatus) one of the three doshas predominate as shown in chart above in third column. The seven dhatus are: Rasa (lymph), Kurudhi(blood), Tasai(muscle), Kozhuppu (adipose tissue), Elumbu(bone), Majjai (marrow) and Sukkilam and Artavam (male and female hormones) (4). The theory of predominance of the Tridoshas according to age and season varies from that of Ayurveda (see chart). Plus in Ayurveda the experts argue that Vatham predominates in old age as in last one third of life contributing to emaciation, dryness, etc.( as opposed to Karpam in Siddha) but as anyone who has been to north and south India will attest to -the extreme weather in the opposite ends of the country will affects individuals differently. Hence both theories could very well be correct. Method of Treatment - The treatment for the imbalance of the Tridoshas are made up of the five elements. The drugs are made up of the five elements. By substituting a drug of the same constituents (guna) the equilibrium is restored. The correction of the imbalance is made by substituting the drug which is predominately of the opposite nature. An example is of Vatham imbalance is cold, dry thus the treatment will be oily and warmth. For inactivity of limbs, massage and activity, are prescribed. If Pitham dosha is increased, warmth is produced; to decrease Pitham , sandalwood is administered, internally or externally because of its cold characteristics (5). Five types of Vayu Vatham is considered to be the primary dosha because it activates the other two doshas. Vatham is the outcome of the Akasa and Vayu of the Panchamaha Bhutas. The location and functions of the Vayu is not much different from that of Ayurveda. Prana

Apana

Samana

Vyana

Udana

located in mouth and nostrils (inhaled) - aids ingestion

located at anal extremity (expelled) -elimination, expulsion

equalizer, aids digestion

functions in circulation upper of blood and respiratory nutrients passages

UP BACK To Main Page Siddha Pharmacy Alchemical ideas dominate Siddha medicine. Although alchemy was not the primary aim of Siddha medicine, they wanted to evolve drugs that could arrest the decay of the body. But this could not be achieved by drugs that which them selves are subject to decay such as

drugs of vegetable origin. Thus the preparation of medicines of metal and mineral origin that do not lose their potency with the lapse of time. These medicines can be adminstered in small doses. They are available in all seasons and can be preserved. The Siddhars knew of the occurrence of the metallic compounds, ores, and their knowledge was so advanced that they could prepare them from simpler materials(6). Agasthiyar , Thirumular and Bogar are three of the Siddhars in the lineage of the 18 Siddhars. They have contributed to the preparation to these medicines. As the universe is composed of the five Bhutas so are the medicines. Some of the methods used by the Siddhas still survive under a veil of secrecy. Certain mercury and arsenic compounds are manufactured only in certain families and the methods are a closely guarded secret. Mercury In North America ,mercury based medicines are banned although the dental field still nonchalantly performs mercury amalgam fillings. Most practitioners would caution patients against using some Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Tibetan medicine due to the mercury and lead. This is largely due to ignorance, as the mercury used in these medicines are completely transformed into inert compound or ores (bhasma) through a 18 step process before being prescribed as medicine. (On the other hand it has been proven via X-ray that every time a person with mercury amalgam fillings chew their food they swallow a little of the mercury in their fillings. However the Dental Association keeps on stating it is such minute amounts to warrant health concerns. You be the judge of that). Mercury occupies a very high place in Siddha medicine. It is used as a catalytic agent in many of its medicines. When mercury is used it is used in combination with sulphur. The addition of sulphur is to control the fluidity of mercury-this converts to mercuric sulphite which is insoluble in mineral acids. Siddhas used 5 forms of mercury. (1) mercury metalrasam (2) red sulphide of mercury-lingam (3)mercury chloride- veeram (4) mercury subchloride (mercury chloride)-pooram (5) red oxide of mercury-rasa chenduram. Ordinary rasa chenduram (red oxide of mercury) is a poison but when it is processed as Poorna chandrodayam according to Siddha practice, it becomes an ambrosia. Research is necessary to solve such apparent riddles of the transformation of these admittedly poisonous compounds. Here is a brief summary of the classifications of Siddha medicine (7). 1. Uppu (Lavanam): drugs that dissolve in water and decrepitate when put into fire giving off vapours. (water soluble inorganic compounds). There are 25 varieties and are called kara-charam, salts and alkalis. 2. Pashanam: drugs that do not dissolve in water but give off vapours when put into fire(water insoluble inorganic compounds) 3. Uparasam: drugs that do not dissolve in water (chemicals similar to Pashanam but differing in their actions) such as mica, magnetic iron, antimony, zinc sulphate, iron pyrites, ferrous sulphate. 4. Loham: metals and minerals alloys (water insoluble, melt in fire, solidify on cooling)such as gold, silver copper, iron, tin and lead 5. Rasam: drugs which are soluble, sublime when put in fire, changing into small crystals -mercury amalgams and compounds of mercury, arsenic.

6. Gandhakam:sulphur insoluble in water , burns off when put into fire 7. Ratnas and uparatnas: thirteen varieties are described-coral, lapis-lazli, pearls, diamonds, jade, emerald, ruby, sapphire, opal, vaikrantham, rajavantham, spatikam harin mani. It is important to know the compatibility of the drugs that produce synergistic effects or antagonistic effects-hence do not self prescribe Siddha medicines. In Siddha materia medica, metals are divided according to the Bhutas. The Siddha have also given the following proportions of the Bhutas (see second table). Anatomical division legs-Prithvi

abdomen -Appu

chest- Theyu

neck- Vayu

head-Akayam

Physiological division faceces-Prithvi

urine-Appu

blood-Theyu

saliva- Vayu

sex hormonesAkayam

UP BACK To Main Page Table of Bhutas ( proportion) and metals Prithvi (1 ½)

Appu (1 1/4)

Theyu (1)

Vayu (3/4)

Akayam (½)

gold

lead

copper

iron

zinc

It is advised that all pharmaceutical preparation follow these proportion of the Bhutas. The common preparations of Siddha medicines are, Bhasma (caclined metals and minerals ), churna (powders), Kashaya( decoctions), Lehya (confections ) Ghrita (ghee preparations) and Taila (oil preparations). Siddha have specialized in Chunna (metallic preparations which become alkaline), mezhugu (waxy preparations) and Kattu (preparation that are impervious to water and flames). Diagnosis The eight methods of diagnosis (sthanas) are nadi (pulse), kan (eyes), swara(voice), sparisam(touch), varna (color), na(tongue), mala (faeces) and neer (urine). Nadi Vignanam- diagnosis and prognosis by reading of the pulse. Nadi in Siddha means two things -one is the pulse and the other is the nerves. In Yoga philosophy there are 72,000 nadis or meridians. They take root from the main sushuma , intertwined by the ida and the pingala. These are three most important nerves in the body along the spinal cord. The sushuma resides inside the spinal cord, and ida and pingala cross at the chakra points along spine. Science has yet to locate these three nerves. They are part of the sympathetic nervous system. The pulse is influenced in health or in a disturbed state by the nerves mentioned above and their minute branches all over the body (8).

The following pre-conditions are necessary before taking pulse. The patients should not have oil on his/her head and the body should not be wet. The pulse should not be taken after a meal, running, any physical exercise, emotional disturbances (anger, joy). The general rule is for males , the right hand pulse is taken , female -left hand pulse. But owing to anatomical variations other places for pulse taking can be used, such as ankle, ear lobes . The pulse should also be read at different parts of the day according to the season. ( NB: Most of these temperature changes are based on Indian weather . This could vary in other countries.) April to May, the pulse read at sunrise. June to July. October, and November the pulse should be felt at noon. December , January and February the pulse is read while the sun sets. In March , August and September the pulse is read in the right hand. Due to the disturbance of the doshas by the temperature changes, the normalcy of the pulse is affected. This is due to the increase and decrease of the doshas in the day (warmth, cold), seasons and atmospheric changes. This increases and decrease will affects the life stream or Jeeva dhatu. At noon the heat of the noon sun increase pitha dosha thus normal pitha pulse will not be felt. In the cold season karpa pulse is increased. In the hot season because of the dryness, the vatha increases and in autumn pitha increase. So these natural seasonal changes will be reflected in the pulse. This is the reason in the hot months (April to May) the pulse should be felt before sunrise. As pulse reading is subjective, evaluation, concentration and experience is valuable. Vatha increases in morning for 4 hours after sunrise. Pitha for the next 4 hours and karpa in the evening. In earlier part of night vatham increases, pitham during middle of night and karpam at end of night The place for feeling of this pulse is on the lateral aspect of the right forearm, two centimetres up from the wrist -joint. The index, middle and ring fingers are used to feel the vatham, pitha and karpa nadi in this respective order. An experienced Siddha practioner can read the threedoshas by placing his/her finger on the radial artery. In feling the pulse, the pressure should be on on efinger after another. The pressure alternates, on alternate fingers. The pulse is felt in the order of vatha nadi, pitha nadi and kapa nadi. Vatha nadi imbalance will indicate flatulence of the abdomen , pain and ache all over the body, difficulty in urination, fever, change in voice, constipation , dry cough, discolouration of skin. Pitha nadi imbalance will indicate eyes, urine, and faeces become yellowish, burning sensation in the stomach, headache, thirsty, dryness of mouth, confusion, diarrhea. Kapa nadi imbalance will indicate heaviness of the body and head, sweet taste of tongue, cold to touch, loss of appetite, flatulencem cough with phlegm, m difficulty in breathing.