Siddha: A Divine, Practical Art

Dr. Ramesh Kabade

The universe is based upon divine energy, which is pious in nature. Modern civilization is deeply indebted to sages. Siddha medical science is unique and is the mother of all modern medical sciences. Infact it may surprise one to know that religion and philosophy, the fundamental basics of this science are not to be found in any other medical systems of the world. Medicine is not merely a science but an art as well it deals not merely with the body of the living being but also with the inner soul.

The art of medicine is based on truth, and as such it is a divine art-not to be adulterated, in any manner and fashion, more importantly it has no history. Hence we have with us what is perhaps the longest unbroken health tradition, which may be termed Rishi parampara, lok parampara, or Sages parampara. It is an oral tradition passed on from guruji to curious, able, competent, deserving and devoted disciple (sishya). These traditions are rich, diverse, and vibrant and offer enormous possibilities. There is a tremendous depth of knowledge regarding the use of natural resources.

It is not based on theory or speculation but on practice. It prepares a pious ground for seeker to reduce the divergent desires of the mind into their causal state where all seeds of desire and cause of the cycle or birth and rebirth are eternally transcended. This process transforms the mind into pure consciousness in the highest state of super consciousness. Thus a seeker gains the spiritual illumination.

True medical science is extremely practical, it is indeed based entirely upon practice and not upon theory or speculation of any kind, for medical knowledge begins only where theory ends. The knowledge of medical science does not depend upon the reading of books or upon fine discussions but upon the realization of unchangeable truth.

The Healers

A man is called yogi, vaidya, doctor or medical practitioner not because he has written some books, has degrees, but because he expresses divine powers through his words and deeds.

They never went to any school; neither had they read any of the scriptures, philosophies, scientific treatises of the world etc., yet they had reached perfection by realizing almighty. They could expound with extra-ordinary clarity the subtlest problems of philosophy, of science etc., and answer the most intricate questions of clever theologians, in such a way as to dispel all doubts concerning the matter in hand.

It happens in a few among millions and they are known as seers of truth. This sense or spiritual eye is latent in each individual but to open this, practice under able guru is must, with the vast majority it is in a rudimentary state covered by a thick veil.

The Secrecy

Thousands of generations have passed away, thousands will pass, yet must this knowledge regarding the phenomena of the universe remain imperfect? Veil after veil may be removed but veil after veil will remain behind; the seers of truth understood this, here the question arises, which is the highest knowledge? This question is as old as history. It has puzzled the minds of the philosophers, scientists and scholars of all ages, and all countries some have found an answer to it, others have not.

Divine knowledge is the highest by knowing which you can know the true nature of everything in the universe. Eternal truth, the infinite source of all phenomena the divine knowledge is the foundation upon which the structure of phenomenal knowledge is built.

The knowledge of this medical science was never written down in any form but was passed orally, from the master to the disciple, who in-turn carefully guarded them as sacred mysteries. The object of the was to develop certain powers through various kinds of discipline and practices. None of the disciples ever gave out their secret instructions, nor did they write any books offering a logical or scientific explanation of their practices.

Walking the Path

In very ancient times, Rishis (seers of truth), through the process of close observation and constant experiments, discovered the finer forces of nature as also the laws that govern our physical, mental and spiritual being. The truths thus gained through their own experience and investigations they preached and expounded to their pupils. However before they affirmed anything about the nature of the soul they had realized it. Before they asked a disciple to practice anything they had practiced it themselves and has obtained definite results from that practice.

The spiritual masters expound their pupils very basic methods of realizing the ultimate truth, and of attaining the highest wisdom. And also describe what qualification fits a beginner for undertaking any of these methods, what stages he must pass through in order to reach the goal? What obstacles stand in the way? And how they can be overcome?

Patience and perseverance are absolutely necessary for any one who desires to enter upon this path. Those who take it up out of curiosity or through an impulse of temporary enthusiasm, must not expect to get results, and must not blame the master for their failure, to do so, since the fault is entirely their own. The same teachings when carried out with understanding and in the right spirit will bring wonderful results. They will only come, to the student who follows strictly the instructions of a living master, who will direct him in the practice of both physical and mental exercises.

The Magic

Siddha medical science is wonderful in its nature. It is that branch of the science of wonders which teaches how to conquer hunger, thirst and sleep, how to overcome the effect of heat and cold, how to gain perfect health and cure disease without using drugs, how to arrest the untimely decay of the body resulting from the waste of vital energy, how to preserve youth even at the age of one hundred. Without having a single hair turn gray and how thus to prolong life in this body for an indefinite period. Anyone who practices it will, in the course of time, acquire marvelous powers, powers indeed that must dumbfound a psychologist or an anatomist.

The Awakening

Faithfully following the instructions of the masters the disciple takes special care to keep it alive. And make grow until it becomes a large tree bearing the fruit of divine love. He should have respect, reverence and love for his master who will open his spiritual eye and transmit his own spiritual powers to his soul. When these powers begin to work the soul will be awakened from the deep sleep of ignorance and self-delusion.

The guru or spiritual eye-opener knowing the natural tendency of the disciple will advise him to look upon god as his master or as his guide. And will then establish a definite relation between his soul and god. Henceforth the disciple should learn to worship or pray to the supreme through this particular relation. At this stage symbols, rituals, ceremonies may appeal to his mind or he may repeat some name of the lord. Constant repetition of such a name will help the mind of the neophyte to become concentrated upon the divine being. During this period he should avoid such places and such amusements as to make higher forget his chosen ideal. He should live a chaste and pure life, struggling to control his passions and desires by directing them god-ward. He should be angry with himself for not realizing his ideal. Thus he will gradually succeed in correcting his faults and in gaining control over his animal nature.

He should furthermore obey the laws of health, which tend to make him physically strong as well as those moral laws, the violation of which weakens the mind. He is the soul of our fouls and life of our lives that he is the one stupendous whole while we are but his parts.

Whatever he does with mind or body becomes an act of worship of the supreme whole, for he realizes that he possesses no power that does not belong to god. Eating, drinking etc., and every other work of his daily life become acts of devotion then the heart is purified and selfishness is dead.

The Lessons

It teaches absolute truth which is the one common source of all subjective and objective phenomena in the universe. It teaches that there is one life, one being, one reality and all notions of distinction and differentiation that all beliefs in the permanent duality or multiplicity of existence are unreal and illusory. Its purpose is to show that, subject and object are but the two expressions of one absolute being or substance that god and man, the creator and the created are only different aspects of one universal reality.

Its aim is to resolve the diverse phenomena into one ultimate being, from which proceed all powers and all forces manifested in external and internal nature and which is the above of infinite intelligence and external happiness should have a sharp intellect and a keen power of analyzing the true nature of things. He should also have a firm conviction that the ultimate truth or reality of the universe is unchangeable.

He should sever all ties and should never allow himself to be overpowered by any external or internal influence. His mind should be undisturbed by passions or desires, his senses well controlled, and his body strong, healthy and capable of bearing all hardships as well as of overcoming all environmental conditions. He should have dispassion, and be ever ready to renounce anything that does not help him in his realization of truth. He must have absolute confidence in the Universe. He must likewise have faith in the final truths expounded by the Universal laws.