Basic Concept

In the Siddha system of medicine, man is viewed as a microcosm and the universe as a macrocosm. In other words, man is a miniature universe in himself. What exists in the Universe exists in man. The whole universe including man is believed to be constituted of five primordial elements or Panchabhootham viz. Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space.

The Pancheekaranam theory (Theory of Five Fold Combination) of Siddha science explains the origin and formation of these basic elements as well as the role of these five elements in the formation of every substance in the universe including human beings.

This theory proposes that 96 Thathuvas (fundamental principles) exist and human body is formed by these 96 principles, which is the basic concept underlying this holistic medical science. The 96 principles include physical, physiological, psychological, intellectual aspects of every human being. The five primordial elements manifest themselves as a human through these 96 fundamental principles. They are tabulated below

96 Fundamental Principles:

The human body formed by these 96 fundamental principles is conditioned mainly by:

1) Uyir Thathukkal (also called Trithodam or Mukkutram) are the three Humours, viz. vaatham, pitham and kabham.

2) Udal Thathukkal are the seven physical constituents viz. Saaram (Plasma), Senneer (Blood), Oon (Muscle), Konzhuppu (Adipose tissue), Enbu (Bone), Moolai (Marrow) and Sukkilam (Reproductive tissue).

UYIR THATHUKKAL

The physiological function in the body is mediated by three Humours- Vatham, Pitham, and Kabam. In each cell in the body these three co-exist and function harmoniously. Vatham is formed by the basic elements space and air. Pitham is formed by fire and Kabam is formed by earth and water. If these three functions normally, health is maintained.

According to the Siddha system, the three humours are said to occupy the lower, middle and upper parts of the body respectively and maintain their integrity. For example Vatham occupies pelvis and rectum; pitham stomach and internal viscera and Kabam occupies lungs, throat and head. We can also say that Vatham is connected with the functions of the nervous system; Pitham with digestion, metabolism, heat production, coloration of blood and kabam connected with the reduction of heat and functions of various glands.

UDAL THATHUKKAL

In these seven tissues one or other of the three humours predominates. For example in the tissue blood, Pitham predominates. In bone Vatham predominates and in all other tissues Kabam predominates. The humours permeate every structure in the body so that there is not even a single point in the body where all the three humours are not present. The maintenance of equilibrium of the three humours determines health; the disturbance of the equilibrium leads to disease.

For example relationship between the basic elements (Panchabhootam), five sense organs (Pori) and functions of these sense organs (Pulan) can be understood from the table below:

It can be deduced from the above table that the sense of smell perceived by the sense organ nose, is due to the action and properties of the element, ‘earth’. Similarly, the other senses can be linked to corresponding elements.

Thus according to Siddha system of Medicine, functions of different organs are based on the combination of the basic factors and their ill function is attributed to the deficiency or disproportionate combination of these basic factors.

References :

• www.tkdl.res.in
• www.siddham.in