TKDL - FAQ

According to Tamil literature, Siddham means “Mind”. Siddha means achievements with perfection. Those who attained the intellectual level of perfection were called as Siddhars. Most of the diseases are related to mind. The primitive cause of disease is the variation and disturbance in mind. Thus, the mind is to be treated in order to cure the physical problem. Siddhars stressed the value of leading calm, peaceful life with the help of yogam, praanaayaamam, etc. Siddha thus, not only deals with physical well-being, but also with mental well-being.

2. What is the basic principle of Siddha?

Universe is the macrocosm and the human being is the microcosm. Whatever is present in the universe(macrocosm) is also present in the human body (microcosm). The primordial five elements (panchabhootham) are the compounds of everything found in nature. Man is constantly interacting with cosmos. Whenever there is any disturbance in this rhythm it manifests as disease.

The human body is composed of five elements, the substance and function are maintained by food which also contains the five elements (panchabhootham) as compounds. The basic principle of Siddha is -

"உணவே மருந்து மருந்தே உணவு"

(Unave marunthu, Marunthae unavu)

It means “Food is medicine, medicine is food”, which indicates that by taking the proper diet one can protect body from all ailment. Also, when afflicted with disease, one can get rid of the disease by regulating one’s dietary habits.

3. What are the different branches of Siddha?

The branches of Siddha are:

1. Vaatham

2. Vaithiyam

3. Yogam

4. Gnanam

4. What is the prime objective of Siddha?

Siddhars’ aim is to attain eternity. To attain this, living a healthy life is very important. Thus, the objective of Siddha is to lead a life without any disease and to promote health.

5. What is the definition of health in Siddha?

Healthy body with a healthy mind is the definition of health in Siddha.

6. How does Siddha approach and diagnose diseases?

In Siddha, diagnosis is based on reading of pulse. This can be explained as follows:

"நோய்நாடி நோய்முதல் நாடி அதுதணிக்கும்

வாய்நாடி வாய்ப்பச் செயல்"

(Noi naadi noi mudhal naadi athu thanikkum

Vaai naadi vaaippa cheyal)

By assessing the pulse one can easily diagnose the nature of disease, even if the patient is in a state of unconscious.

"மிகினும் குறையினும் நோய்செய்யும் நூலோர்

வளிமுதலா எண்ணிய மூன்று"

(Miginum kuraiyinum noiseyyum noolor

Vali muthalaa enniya moondru)

With the help of variation in pulse, one can differentiate diseases. By utilizing the eight diagnosing methods (Envaigaithervu) one can easily arrive at the diagnosis of the disease.

7. What is Mukkutram?

The Mukkutram are Vali, Azhal and Aiyam (3 Kutrams). These are the composition of any two of the five elements (Panchabhootham). In a normal person, the Mukkutram must be in perfect balance. Each Kutram possesses its own original character. These three Kutrams are also influenced by the nature of food, nature of place where persons live, season, climate, mental health, etc. Persons may be characterized by a single Kutram or combination of two Kutram and based on this, one can assess the constitution of the individual.

8. How does Mukkutram function in the body?

One can easily understand that the function of Mukkutram by the following stanza:

"வாதமாய் படைத்து

பித்தவன்னியாய் காத்து

சேட்ப சீதமாய் துடைத்து"

(Vaathamaai padaithu,

Pithavanniyaai kaathu,

Saetpa seethamaai thudaithu)---Theran

Thus, Vali helps in inception, Azhal helps in preservation and Aiyam helps in destruction.

9. What is the role of Vali Kutram in the body?

Vali is creation. It is responsible for the creation/ implementation of thoughts to action. Generally, its function is more related to cerebral activities like, thinking and action.

10. What is the role of Azhal Kutram in the body?

Azhal is for preserving the body. It is responsible for normal metabolism. It controls digestion, the level of haemoglobin (ayachenthavalam), the movement of limbs, the function of eyes to enhance vision, the complexion of skin, sharpness of the mind, etc.

11. What is the role of Aiyam Kutram in the body?

Aiyam's function is destructive in nature. According to Siddha principles, Aiyam is responsible for death in old age.

12. What are the factors that affect health according to Siddha?

Diet and mind are the main factors that affect health. According to the great Siddhar Thiruvalluvar -

"மருந்தென வேண்டாவாம் யாக்கைக்கு அருந்தியது

அற்றது போற்றி உணின்"

(Marunthena vendaavaam yaakkaikku arunthiyadhu

atrathu potri unnin)

This means that if one who consumes diet only after feeling that the previously consumed food is digested, one needs no medicine.

13. What is the specializations in Siddha treatment?

Siddha treatment does not only cure the disease but also helps in the prevention of the disease. According to Siddha concept “Varumun kaappom”, prevention is better than cure. The principle aim here is to achieve the eternity. It is also said to enhance longevity through rejuvenation (Kaayakalpam).

14. How to normalize Mukkutram?

If Mukkutram are not in normal range, it is a sign of disease. To keep the Mukkutram in normal range, the following principles should be followed:

"விரேசனத்தால் வாதம் தாழும்

வமனத்தால் பித்தம் தாழும்

நசிய அஞ்சனத்தால் கபம் தாழும் தானே"

(Viresanathaal vaatham thaazhum,

Vamanathaal Pitham thaazhum,

Nasiya anjanathaal Kabam thaazhum thane)

As described above, Vali is balanced by purgation, Azhal is balanced by emesis and Aiyam is balanced by nasal insufflation with liquids and by applying medicine in the eye.

15. What are the five important forms of Vali?

The five important forms of Vali correspond to the nerve plexuses of the body. They are:

Abaanan: This corresponds to the pelvic plexus; which controls the excretory function.

Samaanan: This corresponds to solar plexus in the navel region; which controls the digestive system.

Praanan: This corresponds to cardiac plexus in the heart region; responsible for circulation, breathing and bio-combustion of nutrients.

Udhaanan: This corresponds to the pharyngeal plexus in the throat region; responsible for speech, swallowing, breathing, conduction of food, etc.

Vyaanan: This corresponds to the naso-ciliary plexus at the root of the nose and the base of skull which spreads all over the body; responsible for movement of the body and nutrition of the thathus.

16. What are the five forms of Azhal?

The five forms of Azhal are:

Anala Pitham: It denotes inherent heat in the stomach; cause one to have an appetite and is responsible for digestion

Praasaga Pitham: It denotes the colour pigments of the skin; responsible for complexion of the skin.

Ranjaga Pitham: It denotes haemoglobin; responsible for the colour of blood.

Aalosaga Pitham: It denotes aqueous humour; responsible for the maintenance of vision.

Saathaaga Pitham: It denotes life energy; this activates the whole body.

17. What are the five types of Aiyam?

The five types of Aiyam are:

Kilaethagam: It denotes saliva; it is secreted by three pairs of salivary glands and is useful in mastication.

Tharpagam: This denotes the cerebrospinal fluid; responsible for the protection of the cerebrum.

Pothagam: It denotes the lymph; responsible for immunity, absorption of excess fluid and return to the blood stream.

Avalambagam: It denotes serum; it supports cardiac pumping.

Santhigam: It denotes synovial fluid; responsible for the lubrication and free movement of joints.

18. How are medications classified in Siddha?

The medications in Siddha is classified into 64 types. This arises out of 32 types of internal medicine and 32 types of external medicine; based on the administration of medicine.

32 types of Internal Medicine in Siddha.

• Surasam	• Vadagam	• Kadugu	• Parpam
• Saaru	• Vennei	• Pakkuvam	• Kattu
• Kudineer	• Manappaagu	• Thaenooral	• Urukku
• Karkam	• Nei	• Theeneer	• Kalangu
• Utkali	• Rasaayanam	• Mezhugu	• Chunnam
• Adai	• Ilagam/ Legiyam	• Kuzhambu	• Karpam
• Chooranam	• Ennai	• Padhangam	• Sathu
• Pittu	• Maathirai	• Chendhooram	• Gurukuligai