Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXX - 2000 pp 103 10110

KAYA KALPA METHODS ADOPTED BY SIDDHARS- A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH

S.RAJALAKSHMr & G.VELUCHAMY··

ABSTRACT

Thirumular says in his "THIRUMANTHIRAM" the body is a sacred instrumentto contain the soul and therefore must be nurtured well to safeguard the life.Thirumular is reported to have lived a long span of three thousand years accordingto tradition. The art of longevity and the attempts of immortalising the corporealhuman body were the ultimate aims ofSiddhars as understood from their numeroustreatises on the art of rejuvenation - Thirumular Karpam - 300, Bohar Karpam -300, Thiruvalluvur Karpam - 300 Yugimuni Karpam - 300 etc. which form some ofthe excellence works in this regard. One of the means to rejuvenate the body wasachieved through the art of breathing (Pranayama) which has a direct bearing onthe basal metabolic rate and the span of longivity.

In this paper an attempt has been made to throw some light on the scientificbasis of the various Kaya Kalpa methods adopted by Siddhars.

Introduction:The great Siddhar Thirumoolar describes

medicine as follows:Medicine means one that ensures physiotherapy -one that ensures psycho therapy -one that ensures prevention against disease andone that ensures prevention against mortality.

So medicine is not a simple term as usedin the modem parlence, but it should possessall the potential properties as stated above inthe Thirumoolars version.

He also says,:l.- L.. u) un n n LSI..sl.n "- $I "'" r.Jd"I•••.•,;

~I-~UL.. G')LA':'" CS'bn""&.D C:"n~..5 J,..DnL.!••.•n;,The body is a sacred instrument to

contain the soul and therefore must benurtured well to safeguard the life.Thirumoolar who is reported to have lived along span of 3000 years according to

tradition. The art of longevity and theattempts of immortalising the corporealhuman body were the ultimate aims ofsiddhars as understood from the numeroustreatises on the art of rejuvenation -Thirumoolar karpam 300, Bogarkarpam 300,Yugimuni karpam 300, Thiruvalluvarkarpam 100 etc. which form some of theexcellent works in this regard.

Siddha means one who has attainedimmortality. They endowed with inner sighthave also revealed some of the secrets of theinner mechanism of man concerning thecontrol of breathing and longevity. Manywestern scholars have accepted the ancientconsumptions that man is a trinity of body,mind and spirit. Various techniques ofphysical exercises and sports were devisedto keep men and women healthy. They were

* Research Officer (S)** Director, Central Research Insitute (S) Arumbakkam, Chennai - 600106. Presently Director, C.C.R.A.S.,

New Delhi (India).

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designed to supply the needs of the body(Annamaya kosam), with its bones, joints,muscles, tissues, cells and organs. Indianscholars call this discipline 'the conquest ofmatter'. Only recently the western worldbecame aware of the techniques developedin ancient India for examining the systemsof breathing, blood circulation, digestion,assimilation, the endocrine glands and thenerves, the subtle forms of which collectivelyknown as 'the conquest of life force; (Pranamaya kosam).

In this paper emphasis is laid on'Pranayama' to keep the involuntary orautonomous controlling systems of humanbody in a balanced state of health andperfection.

There are eight stages in Yoga practiceas enumerated in ThirumoolarThirumanthiram (Stanza No. 534).Ashtanga Yogam :

1. Eyamam - Purity in mind2. Niyamam - Restraints3. Asanam - Postures4. Pranayamam - Control of vital life

energy.5. Prathyaharam - Withdrawal from out-

ward flow of mental energies.6. Tharanai - Concentration7. Dhyanam - Silent and deep meditation8. Samadhi - Trance

Eyamam, Niyamam, Asanam andPranayamam are essential parts of the Yogaof action (Karmayogam). They keep thebody and mind healthy for performing all actsthat please God.

Pranayamam, Prathyaharam andTharanai are parts of knowledge (Gnanam).

Dhyanam and Samadhi are the yoga ofdevotion and love (bhakthi)Eyamam - It is a collective name foruniversal, moral commandments. Purity of

Bull.lnd.lnst.Hist.Med. Vol XXX - 2000

mind is the ultimate aim i.e. routing out ofsix evils viz. Passion (Kamam), Anger(Krodham), Greed (Lobem), Infactuation(Moham), Pride (Madham), Malice & envy(Marcharyam). This eradication is achievedby occupying the mind with goodconstructive thoughts leading to divinity.

Lo 6lIT W> "11 ('5) e- L..O enD (p vJ n cnrr,...~U:>ti;,j;l"~ 6)~S"A 80 ~~""'t-" a...;

(Thirumanthiram)Niyamam -It means purity of behaviour,habbits, cleanliness of person andsurroundings. Asterity enables one todiscipline the body and to endure hardshipand adversity, thus directing the mindtowards the selfwithin. Thus the Niyamamsare the virtues which calm the disturbed mindleading towards peace both within andaround the person.Asanam - Our body has to be kept in goodcondition since it serves as an instrument toattain realisation. Asanas purifies the bodyand mind and have preventive and curativeeffect. They are innumerable catering to thevarious needs of the muscular, digestive,circulatory, glandular and other systems ofthe body. By practising Asanas, the personsphysical disabilities and mental distractionvanish and the gates of the spirits are opened.Asanas bring health, beauty, strength,firmness, lightness, clarity of speech andexpression, calmness of nerves and a happydisposition.Pranayamam - It is a conscioprolongation of inhalation, retention andexhalation. Modem scientific study showsthat a man breaths in and out 12,000 litrs. ofair per day. This is according to therespiratory rate of I8/min. and respiratorydepth of 500 cc. The inspired air containsonly 20% of oxygen and the expired aircontains about 16% of oxygen. So it

Kaya Kalpa Methods Adopted by Siddhars - Rajalakshmi & Veluchamy

indicates that oxygen retained by the bodyis only 4% (480 Iitr. per day). Similarly theblood does not utilise all its oxygen to thetissues but only 20% is being used. Fromthis, it is clear that there is loss of energy(Pranam) during every act of respiration andit confirms the ancient concept of Siddhars.The KayakaJpa methods enumerated bySiddhars are therefore to eliminate thewastage in the system and then rejuvenatethe degenerated organisms to make theminvulnerable to death - all through the controlof breathing.

Respiration should be rhythemical. It isobtained according to Thirumoolar byhormonising the three movements -inhalationthrough left nostrils - 16 mathirai(Pooragam), retention of the inhaled air tothe extent of 64 mathirai (Kumbagam),exhalation through right nostrils - 32mathirai. Only through practice, the Siddhayogi will be able to prolong life successfully.

During normal inhalation an averageperson takes in about 500 cubic centimeterof air; during deep inhalation the intake ofair is about 6 times as great amounting toalmost 3,000 cubic centimeters. Thecapacities of individuals vary according totheir constitution. The practice ofpranayam-am increases the person's lung capacity andallows the lungs to achieve the optimumventilation. The breathing affects the heartrate. During the prolonged holding of breatha slowing of heart rate is observed whichensures increased rest to the heart muscles.

Most of us assume that because breathingis usually automatic, it is beyond our activecontrol. This is not true. In Pranayama, byarduous training of the lungs and nervoussystem, breathing can be made more efficientby changing its rate, depth and quality. Thelung capacity of great athletes, mountaincI imbers and Yogis is far greater than that of

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ordinary man, allowing them to performextraordinary feats (See Annexure). Betterbreathing means a better and healthier life.

In recent decade, western medicine afterexperimentation has come to recognise anduse the health giving and invigorating effectsof what is called voluntary respiration.Recent researchers in u.S. has proved thatoxygen plays a major role in the body toprevent senelity changes. So oxygenchambers are developed. Another study hasshown that Asanas and breathing can arrestthe modern run away problem of heartailments. There is 73% reduction in anginapain. In few cases, yoga coupled with dietarychanges and life style modification also leadto a reversal of block ages in the heart vessels.(Dr. C.S. Manchand, New Delhi).

In 1994, a random selection of patientwith osteo- arthritis in the hands were givenyoga practice, once a week for eight weeks.Control group was given similar exerciseregime but no therapy. Those who practicedyoga had a significant in finger mobility andalso had reduced pain.

In 1985, 53 patients with bronchialasthma were given training in Asanas,Pranayama and meditation for 65 minutes!day, and the control group was given onlydrug. The Yoga group had fewer attacks andneeded less drugs than the control group.Pranayama in Prevention of Ageing:

The reasons for the variations in lifeexpectancy in different people lie in acombination of factors such as the genes,people inherit from their parents and theirmother's health during pregnancy. A goodinheritance means that a person is more likelyto have a strong heart, good circulation, ahealthy brain. sharp eye sight and hearing.However, individuals who have inheritedunhealthy genes might be able to live out theirpotential life span to its full and live a

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reasonably long life, if they take care ofthemselves and try to minimise any of therisk factors that cause poor physical andmental health and ageing.Environment: Many physical and mentalpatterns can be explained only by the sharedenvironment of parents and their children.

The risk of short life is due to inheritanceor due to environmental facots - can begreatly reduced ifpeople ensure tha they leada healthy life, a life lead by great siddharswith harmony between body, mind and spirit.It is achieved through correct breathing,postural exercise and meditation.

Various studies show that basal oxygenconsumption and cerebral blood flow declineconsiderably in the process of ageing.Scientists maintain that the onset of ageingis due to auto-intoxication caused by the lossof normal balance between anabolism andcatabolism. Therefore, a high degree ofconstancy is to be maintained for keeping upequilibrium of acid alkaline balance in thebody, eliminating the waste productsregularly. In Pranayama, effective supply ofoxygen to various body tissues is maintainedand accumulation of wastage in the systemis eliminated.Diet in the science of longer life:

Diet according to Siddha system shouldplaya vital role in the maintenance of thethree humors and the health of the body. Thebody is nourished by nutrient fluid andquality of this nutrient fluid depends uponthe quality of the food.

Bull.lnd.Jnst.Hist.Med. Vol XXX - 2000

Thirumoolar says moderation in dietensures an advantage in life and that leads toprolongation of life by way of reducingexcess fatty substances in the body.Thirukkural, the Tamil classic also denotesa whole chapter to medicine. In this, it laysemphasis that the secret of longer life is toeat with moderation. It has been universallyagreed by all dietitians that moderation in dietis a sound principle which helps to build upa healthier, happier and longer life.

Food should be wholesome, palatableand congenial to the body. It is broadlydivided into three kinds - sathvic, rajasic andthamasic. Sathvic food promotes longevity,health and happiness; rajasic producesexcitement and thamasic produces .diseases.So sathvic food in moderation was advisedby Siddhars.Conclusion : The Siddhars were thegreatest scientists in those days. They werepopular writers in Tamil. Although Siddhaworks deal with several subjects, thediscussion here is confined only to kalpatreatment. Thirumanthiram is one of theimportant works in Tamil dealing with thescience oflife. It is divided into nine chapterssetting fourth the fundamental principles oflife. The third chapter consisting of 332verses deals with the prolongation of life bythe control of breathing.

So those who can follow the principlesof Eyamam, Niyamam, Asanam andPranayamam with moderation in takingsathvic food can definitely lead his full spanof life with perfect health and youthfulappearance.

Kaya Kalpa Methods Adopted by Siddhars - Rajalakshmi & Veluchamy 107

ANNEXURE

Respiration in rest and exercise:

Normal 02 consumption for an adult at rest 2S0mll min. c

For athletically trained average male 4000 mil min.:);;j j,

Male marathon runner SlOOml1 min.

02 Diffusing capacity at rest and exercise

Non athletes at rest 23ml I min.

Non athletes during maximum exercise 48ml/min.

Swimmers during maximum exercise71 mil min.

Oarsman during maximum exercise 80 ml/min.

Cardiac output at rest and exercise:

Average man at rest 5.S lit I min.

Maximum output in male marathonerduring exercise 30lit I min.

Muscle blood flow at rest and exercise:

Resting blood flow: 3.6mll 100 gms muscle I min.

Blood flow during maximum exercise 90 mi/lOO gms muscle I min.

(Ref. Physiology by Guyton)

J08 Bull.lnd.lnst.Hist.Med. Vol XXX - 2000

REFERENCES1. T.V. Sambasivampillai 1931 Cyclopaedic dictionary on Indian Medical

science.

2. Thirumular 1940 Thirumanthiram 3000 P.N. Chidambarammudaliar

3. A. Shanmugavelan 1992 Siddhars science of longevity and kalpa -medicine of India. Directorate of Indianmedicine & Homeopathy publication.

4. N. Kandaswami pillai 1979 History of Siddha medicine, Govt. ofTamilnadu publication.

5. R. Thyagarajan 1986 Siddha maruthuvam Sirappu Palani Dhan-dayuthapani temple publication.

6. S.C. Manchanda 1997 Role of Yoga in Coronary heart diseaseScience Congress, Chennai.

7. Garfinkle, M.S. et al 1994 Osteo-arthritis, Journal of Rheumatology,21 (12) - 2341 - 3 Dec.

8. Nagarathna, R. et. al. 1985 Bronchial Asthma, Vol. 291 - 1900.

Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXX - 2000 109

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