Synopsis of Siddha System of Medicine
(Dr. V. Arunachalam, M.D. (Siddha), President, CCIM )
Every human race has its own system of medicines namely Traditional Medicine. As many as 5000 folklore medical practices are documented in the world. But not all medical practices are actively utilized for the well-being of the mankind like the traditional systems of India viz., Siddha, Ayurveda and Unani. The oldest of the above said three, the Dravidian (Siddha) System of Medicine is contributing much to the health care of human beings.
Siddha system could be considered as the crown of all the traditional arts of the ancient Tamils owing to its richness and simplicity. There is no two opinions about the ancientness of the Dravidian Civilization of the erstwhile submerged Land –“Kumarikandam”, otherwise known as Lemuria Continent which was situated in the Indian Ocean. Archeological evidences also prove this. The system of medicine that was prevalent in the ancient Southern part of India may be called as the “Dravidian system of Medicine”, or “Siddha System of Medicine”.
The period of origin of the Siddha System is also substantiated by the extensive references about the medical practice that are available in ancient Tamil Literature. The ancient Tamil Grammar work “Tholkappiam”, various other works of Sangam literature and the ‘Tamil Veda’, “Thirukkural”, not only mentions, but also gives a better picture about this system. Thiru. T.V. Sambasivam Pillai, who compiled the monumental work of Siddha (Tamil-English) Medical Dictionary, dates the origin of the Siddha System back to B.C.10, 000 - B.C. 4,000. According to the historians, the following are the dates of the other systems of medicines.
Ayurvedic System of Medicine
Charaka Samhita 300 BC
Susruta Samhita 300 BC
Bava Prakasam 800 AD
The Romanian system of medicine 300 AD
Unani System of Medicine 600 AD
Greek System of Medicine 900 AD
Allopath 1700 AD
Homeopathy 1800 AD
But nobody can fix the exact date of origin of the Siddha System of Medicine.
The greatest of all births is the birth as mankind. It is absolutely essential to preserve a human being to achieve Eternal Bliss. The simplest way for a healthy living is to live according to the “Laws of Nature”. This is emphasized by the Siddhars who lived longer. Siddhars led a simple life above the narrow divisions of caste, creed, religion, colour and nation. These noble people have not only contributed to a system of medicine, but also for the knowledge of Eternity, Alchemy and Yogic living.
One question that comes to the mind of everybody who studies the history of Siddha Medicine is about the number of Siddhars. “Rasavada Nool Siddhar Mayam”, clarifies that they were in millions.
“Themappa Yogigal than kodakodi
Thiramana gnanigalthan kodakodi
Kamappa Rishihalavar kodakodi
Karpamunnum Siddharmar kodakodi”
