About Siddha
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What is Siddha?

Siddha system is one of the oldest systems of medicine in India. The Siddha flourished in South India while Ayurveda was prevalent in North India. The principles and doctrines of this system, both fundamental and applied, have a close similarity to Ayurveda, with specialization in latro-chemistry.

The term 'Siddha' means achievement and the 'Siddhars' were saintly figures who achieved results in medicine through the practice of Yoga. Siddha generally refers to Athma Siddha that is the 8th supernatural power. Those who attained or achieved the above said powers are known as 'Siddhars'. Eighteen Siddhars seem to have contributed towards the development of this medical system. The system is also called Agasthyar system in the name of its famous exponent sage Agasthya.

Siddha science considers nature and man as essentially one. Nature is man and man is nature. Man is said to be the microcosm and Universe is the macrocosm because what exists in the world exists in man. Man is nothing but a miniature world containing the five elements of the various principles, which constitute the minerals, vegetables and the animal kingdom. According to Siddha medical science, the Universe originally consisted of atoms which contributed to the five basic elements, viz., earth, water, fire, air and sky which correspond to the five senses of the human body and they were the fundamentals of all the corporeal things in the world.

A close relationship is found to exist between the external world and the internal system of man. Siddhars (practitioners of Siddha) maintain that the structure of the human body is a miniature world in itself. Humans consume water and food, breathes the air and thus maintains the heat in the body. He/she is alive on account of the life force given by ether. The earth is the first element, which gives fine shape to the body including bones, tissues, muscles, skin, hair etc. Water is the second element representing blood, secretions of the glands, vital fluid etc. Fire is the third element that gives motion, vigor and vitality to the body. It also helps digestion, circulation and simulation besides respiration and the nervous system. Above all, ether is the characteristic of man's mental and spiritual faculties.

Siddha system of medicine is based on Saiva Siddhantha. Siddha is a Tamil word that is derived from its root chit, which means perfection in life or heavenly bliss.

The fundamental subjects of Siddha methodology are Alchemy (Vadaham), Medicine (Aithiyam), Yoga (Yogam), and Philosophy (Gnanam or Thathuvam).

The eight Siddhic Processes or Octomiracles (Atta-Ma-Siddhi) which could keep the body strong and perfect for external life and where there is no death or rebirth are:

Anima
The faculty of reducing gross body to the size of an atom and to enable him to fly in space.

Mahima
Power of expanding oneself without limit.

Karima
The power of reducing the primordial elements within himself to a point desired.

Lahima
The power of becoming as light as feathers.

Prapthi
Faculty of knowing everything; past, present and future and to secure everything as desired.

Prahamiyam
The power of penetration like rays by which one can attain immortality.

Esathwam
Supreme power over animates and inanimate in the universe.

Vasitham
The power of securing any object.

The Siddha system of diagnosis of disease involves identifying its causes. Identification of causative factors is done through the examination of pulse reading, urine examination, examination of eyes, study of voice, colour of body, examination of the tongue and status of the digestive system of human body. The system has worked out detailed procedure of urine examination, which includes study of its colour, smell, density, quantity and oil drop-spreading pattern. Diagnosis involves the study of person as a whole as well as his disease.

The system emphasises that the medical treatment shall be oriented not merely to disease but has to take into account the patient, his/her environment, the meteorological consideration, age, sex race, habits, mental frame, habitat, diet, appetite, physical condition, physiological constitution etc. This means the treatment has to be individualised with far less chances of committing mistakes in diagnosis of treatment.

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