Ten Ethical Commandments of the Siddhar’s for a Healthier Lifestyle

1. Ten Ethical Commandments of the Siddhar’s for a Healthier Lifestyle S. Merish, M. Tamizhamuthu, M. Dhivya, A. SN Fathima, Thomas M. Walter. . Govt. Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, Tamilnadu.

2. Traditional Medicines - AYUSH AYUSH A – Ayurveda Y – Yoga & Naturopathy U – Unani S – Siddha H – Homeopathy.

3. Siddha Medicine • One of the oldest systems of medicine in India. • The term Siddha means achievement. • Siddhars were saintly persons who achieved results in medicine.  • Eighteen Siddhars contributed to this medical system.  • Siddha literature is in Tamil. • The Siddha System is largely therapeutic in nature.

4. Ethical importance of Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments • The Ten Commandments contained in the Old Testament is a critical source of ethical guidance for Christians • The Ten Commandments are a summary of Christian ethics, and emphasise the importance of human life and the need to respect family and personal integrity • Christians frequently use the Ten Commandments as a framework for the key principles of Christian ethics.

5. Siddhars’ Ten Commandments • Like wise the (Christian) 10 Commandments, the Siddhars’ have also laid down commandments for attaining a Healthier and Happier life. • Although the ethical guidelines as said by Siddhars are many in number, they can be concised in to 10 major Commandments. They are: • Daily habits • Food • Sleeping / Relaxation • Betel chewing • Definition of Physician • Drinking Water • Messenger / Accompanying person • Nuptial relationship • Yoga & Pranayama • KayaKarpam (Panacea)

6. Reference Books for 10 Commandments. • Siddha Hygiene & Preventive Medicne. • Siddha Philosophy • Siddha Special Medicine • Siddha MateriaMedica. • TheriyarYamagaVenba(Siddha Classic Text)

7. 01. Daily habits - Ethics • Early to rise from bed - refreshes mind and body • Avoid exposure to direct sun light in the morning • Not to compress urine and stools

8. Daily habits – Dress Dress code • White – always considered Ideal & Best by Siddhars. • Green – removes internal heat, produces cooling effect to eyes & body • Red with dots – usually produces many diseases – to be avoided

9. Daily Habits including Life style – continued Ethical Commandments: • Vomiting – once in 6 months • Diarrhoea - once in 4 months • Eye drops-3 days once • Nasal drops – once in 45 days • Not to inhale flowers and scents in the mid night.

10. 02. Food Food • Should be consumed when feeling hunger only • To be consumed to two third portion of stomach • Short walk after a breakfast • To consume only two meals per day as per Siddha doctrine • Consume Cow's milk during bed time

11. Food - continued • Breakfast should be consumed within 4 ½ hours after sunrise • If time limit exceeds , disease arises. • Food to be taken with Less water, more butter milk and with melted ghee.

12. 03. Sleeping, Rest & Relaxation • After raising from bed Look at the mirror which will give You happiness, and increase wisdom. • Sleeping during day time to be avoided.

13. Sleep - continued • Ideal position for sleeping is Left Lateral with hand below the Head • Not to sleep under shade of the tree & lamp • Mattress made out of nut grass removes indigestion, produces cooling effect & provides good sleep.

14. 04. Thamboolam – Nectar of Life • Thamboolam (Conventional Betel Chewing) is one of India’s Heritage and inseperable Tradition. • The salivary secretion arising out of the consumption of thamboolam is of five stages. • According to the siddha texts the 1st Saliva is Considered as toxin, The 2nd being capable of producing insanity , 4th having excessive sweetness, and the 5th to be considered as useless. The 3rd Stage saliva is equal to ‘’Amirtham’’ (Nectar of life) – which is to be consumed.

15. Traditional Betel Chewing – Procedures to get more Nectar • Morning – add more areca nut – increases bowel movements. • Afternoon – add more Calcium – improves appetite. • Evening – Increase betel leaves – helps fresh breath, odour.

16. 05. Ethical requirements of a Good Physician • Should always wear white cloths • Should have three eyes – i.e., should be well versed in A. purification of drugs B. diagnosis, C. synonyms of medicine. • To start with herbal medicines and then prescribe metal and mineral formulations

17. Qualities of Physician - continued • Better to be old-aged • Frequently uses sandal and musky scent (by -product of civet cat) • To be familiar with geographical origin (Thinai) of patient and appropriate days to start treatment in a week.

18. 06. Criteria for Messenger / Accompanying person • Messenger is one who accompanies the patient or the one who invites the Doctor to the patients home. • Ethical guidelines are there in Siddha texts regarding the description of a Messenger.

19. Messenger / Accompanying person - continued • An already diseased person should not come. • Bald headed & Blind man should not come as messenger. • Liar & much Grieved should not come • A much grieved person should not be a messenger

20. Appropriate Days to start Treatment • Good Days – Sunday, Monday. • Moderate Days – Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. • Not advised: Wednesday, Saturday.

21. Appropriate days - justification. • According to Siddhars’, in these days, the Vital force of life, ‘Prana’ will fill up the nerves and blood vessels.

22. Commandment No: 07. Drinking Water • Water to be consumed only after the end of meal. • Not to be consumed in head above or bowed position • Consuming water in early morning (empty stomach) stabilizes Tri-dosa (Vatha, Pitha & Kabha – the vital forces)

23. Water – continued. • Water not exposed to Moon and sun rays not fit for bodies Health. • Water processed with Clearing nut considered as the best. • Water to be consumed in vessels made out of Copper, gold & Silver.

24. 08. Nuptial relationship – Siddhar’s Theory • Day time Sex is bad for health – not advised. • Sexual act not after a full meal – affects digestion. • Nuptial act - Once in a Month only. • To avoid sexual relationship with Elder persons – causes disease.

25. 09. Yoga & Pranayama • Yoga & Pranayama (Breathing exercise) are the twin blessings of Traditional Indian Medicine to the Man kind. • Both relieves mental stress • The practice of Yoga prevents psychosomatic disorders and improves an individuals resistance and ability to endure stressful situations.

26. Yoga - Scientific benefits • Yogic steps are believed to have a potential for improvement of physical health by enhancing circulation of oxygenated blood in the body, retraining the sense organs thereby inducing tranquillity and serenity of mind.

27. Commandment No: 10. KayaKarpam (Panacea) • The Concept of KAYA KARPAM can be correlated with Anti Oxidant drugs. • It deals with the Prevention of NARAI (Whitening of hairs), THIRAI (shrinkening of Skin), MOOPU (aging) and SAAKADU (Death). • The Kayakarpa drugs have its origin from Herbal, Metal & Mineral and Animal origin. • Both therapeutic and prophylactic purposes are met out through KayaKarpa drugs.

28. If we are skipping 10 commandments ……… • Jesus Christ: Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven • 18 Siddhars: if you do not follow the commandments, you will be missing a Happier and Healthier life in harmony with the Nature.

29. Discussion • Tradition and inherited cultures are exclusive identity of any population. In that way, traditional medicines having its deep roots in the soil will meet out the medical requirements of the people concerned. • Even with the advancement of science and technology we are encountering new emerging diseases making the quality of life harder to survive. On the contrary our forefathers led a very peaceful and healthier life in harmony with the nature. • Such ethical guidliness are found in abundance in traditional siddha literatures which is being reviewed in this paper for the betterment of our lifestyle. • If we are not following our Traditional Ethics & Health Guidelines, we will be missing something that is very precious.

30. Conclusion • To conclude, whatever our ancestors and forefathers documented about lifestyle ethics cannot be discarded as superstitious , unscientific, and unrelated to the Present day life. • Following the Ten commandment as mentioned in this paper will surely help us to lead a healthier life in harmony with the nature.

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