Yoga for Healthy Life: Siddhar Thirumoolar’s Concept in System of Medicine – An Overview

ABSTRACT Yoga has gained popularity all over the world. Asanas are now focussed as the prime factor of Yoga. Currently this yogic posturehas been taken up by the spa industry too. But the Indian philosophy of Yoga differs with the current trend. Self-realization is the main motto of doing yoga. Siddha system of medicine describes yoga as one of the components of kaya karpam, i.e., rejuvenation. Even though many Siddhars have mentioned about yoga, this paper deals with the concepts of yoga by Siddhar Thirumoolar.

KEYWORDS Accomplishment, Mutthirai, Subtle body, Thirumandhiram.

1. INTRODUCTION archaeological evidences[5]. These early origin on yoga were eventually submerged by the Yoga originated from the ancient Indian Aryans invasion in Indus valley civilization civilization. It is a way of attaining oneness with between 1800 and 1300 B.C. This was marked the soul through specified techniques, as an important event in the history of yoga. attitudes and spiritual values.[1] Now-a-days Aryans introduced Sanskrit as their language yoga is accepted universally and the focus is and formed basis of sacred texts of yoga. on the asanas or postures. But Indian concept Slowly the concepts of yoga prevailed in Indus of yoga uses yoga asanas as a special tool to valley civilization were engulfed by Aryans and attain self- realization. Asanas are considered introduced it in their Vedic practice. There to be physical tool to transform an individual were instructions to priests, common man to into multiple level of spiritual values.[2]The goal perform asanas before doing Vedic rituals. of doing yoga asanas is to reach the state of Vratyas – a non-Aryan ascetics have been “accomplishment”.[3] experimental source of Yoga for thousands of

2. BRIEF HISTORY OF YOGA years, continuing up into present. These techniques were documented in Sanskrit Yoga asana’s archaeological evidences were language.[1] Patanjali yoga sutras (200 A.D) is found in the Indus valley civilization (2500- the first codified text of yoga practice. It is not 1800 B.C). Yoga asanas depicted in soapstone fully developed until Tantric period about the and terracotta were also found in the valley. depthof yoga and their relationship with One of the depicted yoga asanas has been cosmology. accepted as prototype of Hindu Lord Siva or great Yogi.[4] was spoken and Tantric period (800 A.D – 1500 A.D) focussed used by people lived in Indus valley the human body as a spiritual centre. With civilizationand it has been proved by Tantric resolution, the asanas becamean instrument for the perfection of body.[6] In all of the previous literature on yoga before 3.1 Aspects of Yoga by Thirumoolar Tantra, yoga asanas were not dealt in depth, but explained briefly as yogic practice. Thirumoolar explained the following aspects of yoga Tantric Siddha movement flourished in India has many renowned spiritual scientists,  Attanga Yogam Thirumoolar is one among them. He  Kesari Yogam emphasised the bodily based spiritual  Chandhira Yogam transformation and thus asanas flourished as  Pariyanga Yogam an instrument of spiritual practice. In Thirumanthiram, Thirumoolar says “when the Attanga Yogam body perishes, the life forces departs, “Eyamam Niyamam and Asanam numberless, concentration on preserving the body, Pranayamam whole some and prathiyakaram cherishes the life force “.[7] Thirumanthiram is a alike Tharanai, Thyanam and Samathi to flagship work of Siddhar Thirumoolar about triumph, these eight are the steely limbs of Siddha yoga. There are many claims of age of Yoga” Siddhar Thirumoolar as 3000 years. But it could not be established. He lived between sixth to Eyamam: The ten eyamams are non-violence, ninth century.[8] Thirumanthiram consists of truth, honesty, sexual continence, forbearance, 3047 poetic verses explains the essences of attitude, kindness, straight forwardness, bodily Siddha yogam. It also explains about divine cleansing. Making a habit of constantly power (Siva), the power of love and devotion, practising eyamam purifies words, thoughts the efficacy of manthiram, the connection and deeds. between mind and breath, ultimate God Niyamam: The ten niyamam are austerity, realization, serpent power (Kundalini) and [9] contentment, belief in God, charity, worship of subtle body. God, listening to explanation of doctrines, 3. CONCEPTS OF YOGA BY THIRUMOOLAR scriptures, modesty, having a discerning mind, repetition of prayers and sacrifice. In Thirumanthiram, Thirumoolar emphazise a new type of yoga called Siva Yogam. Siva Asanam: Thirumoolar described that asanas yogam deals with individual soul with the are countless; however he emphasised few removal of ignorance, once the wisdom dawns. asanas to attain Yoga Siddhi. Pathirasanam, It is also a method by which athma identifies Veerasanam, Padhumasanam, Kukkudasanam, itself with Siva. It is process of drinking the Komugasanam. ambrosial juice oozing from the sahasaram. Prathiyakaram: It is the restraint of the Siva yogam can be referred as kundalini yoga. senses and the withdrawal of the mind from He mentioned Sun (Pingalai), moon (Idakalai) external things. It maintains an inner focus and fire (Sulumunai) through which he reaches and avoidance of dispersion and distraction. cranium (Sahasaram). Thirumoolar does not Tharanai: It means to retain the mind and used the term Kundalini yoga, but the above keep it steadfast inside, which has been steps clearly indicate the kundalini yoga itself. obtained by prathiyakaram.

Thiyanam: It is consistent, uninterrupted pressing chin and the chest together tightly. meditation. These bandhams are performed to withdraw the pranan from the idakalai and pingalai. The Samathi: It is the final goal of AttangaYogam. extracted pranan enters the sulumunainaadi It is attainment of tranquillity. It is an eight and travels upwards towards sahasaram. limbed yoga. Muthirai are psycho energetic gestures Pranayamam: It is a practice of ordered involving the hands, fingers, eyes or tongue breathing. The process of pranayamam while performing meditation or breathing consists of three acts, namely Pooragam practices. Thirumoolar explains the Yoni (inspiration) Kumbakam (retention) and muthirai, Sambhavimuthirai and Kesarimuthirai Resagam (expiration). The above terms are for rousing the kundalini. used by Tantrics and Siddhars and not by Patanjali.[8] The inspiration should be of 4. DISCUSSION twelve mathirai and expiration should be of Yoga sutras which was written in Sanskrit is eight mathirai and retention should be of four familiar with yoga students, but there are mathirai. In second section of Thanthiram– 3, number of extraordinary works on Yoga Thirumoolar deals with measurement of life composed in languages other than Sanskrit. span and breath rhythm in days of week. If Thirumoolar’s Thirumanthiram in Tamil one knows the rhythm of breadth, one is aware language is one of the extraordinary work on of “Nadai”. The Nadai and God are one in Yoga.[9] consciousness.The breathing occurs through the nostrils alternatively. The air passing Yoga may be associated with religion per se, through the left nostril is called Idakalai, while but It is distinctly distinguishable from religion the air passing through the right nostril is and religious practices. Religions deals with called Pingalai. The left one is also known as God realization; Yoga emphasizes self- Chandhira Naadi while the right one is known realization. Tamil Siddhars insisted the vital as SuriyaNaadi. Persons who have obtained importance of Gnanam in attaining realization. mastery over Pranayamam, his/her breathing They are against the fundamentalist attitude of through middle one is called Sulumunai Naadi. religion. The Siddhars are against any A person who attained mastery over institutionalised religion, which produces Pranayamam is physically, mentally healthy habits, customs and ritualistic practices which and ready for higher spiritual practices. prevent one from being spiritually alert and [8] [8] fully conscious. Bandham and Muthirai

Thirumoolar’s Thirumanthiram explains the Along with Asanam, Bandham and Muthirai spiritual and the material dimensions of life. It plays a vital role in spiritual practices. deals with all the aspects of life, which makes Bandhamis special bodily manipulation to life worth living by dealing with Dharmam confine the life force within the trunk and (Charity), Artha (prosperity), Kamam (sensual thereby stimulate it. Thirumoolar deals with love), Mukthi (freedom from suffering), Thavam Moola bandham, Ottiyana Bandham, (intensive practice), Yoga Jnana (wisdom), Jalanthara Bandham. Moola Bandham is Siddhi (perfection), Buddhi (the intellect), the executed by contracting the perineum and art of breathing, manthiram, thanthiram, Vaginal muscles. Ottiyanabandham is meditation, medicine, etc. In short, it is a Tamil performed by drawing back the abdominal muscles. Jalantharabandham is executed by

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