AIAPGET Siddha Medicine (BSMS-based Paper) Syllabus

Siddha Medicine (BSMS-based Paper) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Siddha Medicine (BSMS-based Paper) in AIAPGET, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Siddha Maruthuva Aṭippaṭai (Basic Principles)

   5 topics

   • 96 Thathuvas (philosophical principles)
   • Panchabootha and Uyir Thathukkal (Vali, Azhal, Iyam)
     • Vatham, Pitham, Kapham — sub-divisions
   • Udal Thathukkal (seven physical constituents)
   • Mukkutram and disease causation
   • Siddhar tradition and history of Siddha system
2. 2

   Noi Naadal (Diagnosis)

   4 topics

   • Envagai Thervu (eightfold examination)
     • Naadi (pulse), Naa (tongue), Niram (colour)
     • Mozhi, Vizhi, Sparisam
     • Malam, Moothiram (Neerkkuri & Neikkuri)
   • Naadi nadai — pulse diagnosis
   • Manikkadai nool and other diagnostic measures
   • Disease classification (4448 noigal concept)
3. 3

   Gunapadam & Pharmacology

   4 topics

   • Mooligai (herbal) gunapadam
   • Thathu and Jeeva vaguppu (mineral/animal drugs)
   • Suvai (taste) and drug actions
   • Purification (Suthi) and preparation methods
4. 4

   Maruthuvam, Sirappu Maruthuvam & Varma

   5 topics

   • Pothu Maruthuvam (general medicine)
   • Sirappu Maruthuvam (special medicine)
   • Varmam — vital points and Varma therapy
   • Kayakarpam (rejuvenation) and Muppu
   • External therapies (Puramaruthuvam) and Thokkanam
5. 5

   Specialties & Preventive Siddha

   5 topics

   • Magalir Maruthuvam (gynecology & obstetrics)
   • Kuzhanthai Maruthuvam (pediatrics)
   • Sool & Magaperu (obstetrics)
   • Noikaappu Maruthuvam (preventive medicine) and Pini Anugaa Vidhi
   • Aharam, Ozhukkam and lifestyle regulation

Siddha Medicine (BSMS-based Paper) flashcards for AIAPGET

24 of 49 cards from the Siddha Medicine (BSMS-based Paper) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In Siddha philosophy, how many Thathuvas (principles) constitute the human being, and what are their three sub-groups?

   96 Thathuvas. They are grouped as: 36 Uyir Thathuvam (life/soul principles), and the remaining built from categories such as the 5 Bhutas, 5 Pancha-indriyas (gnanendriyas), 5 karmendriyas, 5 kosas, etc.; collectively the 96 cover the physical, mental, and spiritual make-up of man.

2. What are the five Pancha Bhutas (basic elements) in Siddha medicine?

   Mann (Prithvi/Earth), Neer (Appu/Water), Thee (Theyu/Fire), Kaal (Vayu/Air), and Aakayam (Aakasam/Space/Ether).

3. What are the three Uyir Thathukkal (humors) in Siddha and which Bhutas form each?

   Vali (Vatham) = Air + Space; Azhal (Pittham) = Fire; Iyam (Kabam) = Earth + Water. These three humors govern all physiological functions.

4. What is the normal ratio (proportion) of the three humors Vali : Azhal : Iyam in a healthy person?

   1 : 1/2 : 1/4 (Vali : Azhal : Iyam), i.e. Vatham is to Pittham is to Kabam in the proportion 1 : ½ : ¼.

5. Name the seven Udal Thathukkal (physical constituents / dhatus) in Siddha medicine in sequence.

   Saaram (chyle/plasma), Senneer (blood), Oon (muscle), Kozhuppu (fat/adipose), Enbu (bone), Moolai (bone marrow/nerve), and Sukkilam/Suronitham (semen/ovum, reproductive tissue).

6. What is the Mukkutram, and what does its derangement cause?

   Mukkutram = the three humors (Vatham, Pittham, Kabam) considered as the three faults/doshas. When in normal proportion they maintain health; when increased, decreased, or deranged they cause disease. Disease causation in Siddha is fundamentally due to imbalance of Mukkutram.

7. How many divisions (types) does Vatham (Vali) have, and name a few key ones?

   Vatham has 10 types: Praanan, Abaanan, Viyaanan, Udhaanan, Samaanan, Naagan, Koorman, Kirukaran, Devadhathan, and Dhananjeyan.

8. How many divisions does Pittham (Azhal) have, and name them?

   Pittham has 5 types: Analapitham, Ranjagam, Saadhagam, Aalosagam, and Prasagam.

9. How many divisions does Kabam (Iyam) have, and name them?

   Kabam has 5 types: Avalambagam, Kiledhagam, Bodhagam, Tharpagam, and Santhigam.

10. Who are traditionally counted as the Siddhars, and how many principal Siddhars are recognized?

    The Siddhars were enlightened sages/alchemist-physicians. 18 Siddhars (Pathinen Siddhargal) are principally recognized, headed by Agasthiyar, who is regarded as the father of Siddha medicine.

11. Who is regarded as the founder/father of the Siddha system of medicine?

    Sage Agasthiyar (Agastya), the foremost of the 18 Siddhars, is regarded as the founder and father of Siddha medicine; the system is said to originate from Lord Shiva, transmitted through Parvati, Nandi, and the Siddhars.

12. What is Envagai Thervu, and how many diagnostic methods does it comprise?

    Envagai Thervu is the 'eightfold examination', the eight diagnostic tools of the Siddha physician used to assess a patient's condition.

13. List the eight components of Envagai Thervu (eightfold examination).

    Naa (tongue), Niram (colour/complexion), Mozhi (voice/speech), Vizhi (eyes), Sparisam (touch/palpation), Malam (stool/faeces), Moothiram (urine), and Naadi (pulse).

14. In Siddha pulse diagnosis (Naadi), where is the pulse felt and which three fingers correspond to which humors?

    Felt one inch below the wrist on the radial artery. Index finger = Vatham, middle finger = Pittham, ring finger = Kabam.

15. Describe the characteristic feel of Vatha, Pitha, and Kapha Naadi (pulse).

    Vatha naadi feels like the movement of a swan/leech/snake; Pitha naadi like a tortoise/leech; Kapha naadi slow and heavy like a peacock/cock/frog. Healthy pulse shows them in 1:½:¼ proportion.

16. What is Manikkadai Nool in Siddha diagnosis?

    Manikkadai Nool is a diagnostic technique using a thread measurement of the wrist (in finger-breadths / viral alavu). The number of finger-widths the wrist circumference measures indicates the state of health and helps diagnose disease and prognosis.

17. What is the total number of diseases (noigal) recognized in the classical Siddha disease classification?

    4448 diseases (Naangaayiratha Naanootri Nappathettu Noigal) are traditionally enumerated in the Siddha system.

18. According to Siddha, what are the broad causes underlying the 4448 diseases?

    They arise from derangement of the Mukkutram (three humors) caused by unwholesome food (Aharam), improper conduct/lifestyle (Ozhukkam), seasonal/environmental factors, karma, and impaired Udal Thathukkal.

19. What is Gunapadam in Siddha materia medica?

    Gunapadam is the Siddha materia medica/pharmacology — the study of the properties (gunam), tastes, actions, dosage, purification, and therapeutic uses of drugs.

20. Into which three major groups (Vaguppu) are Siddha drugs classified by source?

    Mooligai (herbal/plant origin), Thathu (mineral and metal origin), and Jeeva (animal origin) vaguppu.

21. What are the sub-classes of Thathu vaguppu (mineral drugs) in Siddha?

    Thathu vaguppu is sub-divided into: Uppu (salts), Pashanam (arsenical/mineral poisons), Uparasam (sub-minerals), Loham (metals), Rasam (mercurials/gandhakam-related), and Gandhagam (sulphur), with classical groupings such as 7 Uppu, 64 Pashanam, etc.

22. How many tastes (Suvai / Aru Suvai) are recognized in Siddha, and what are they?

    Six tastes: Inippu (sweet), Puḷippu (sour), Uppu (salty), Kaippu (bitter), Karppu (pungent/acrid), and Thuvarppu (astringent).

23. Which two Bhutas combine to produce each of the six tastes in Siddha?

    Sweet = Earth + Water; Sour = Earth + Fire; Salty = Water + Fire; Bitter = Air + Space; Pungent = Air + Fire; Astringent = Earth + Air.

24. Which tastes increase and which decrease each humor in Siddha?

    Sweet, sour, salty pacify Vatham (reduce it); bitter, pungent, astringent increase Vatham. Bitter, sweet, astringent reduce Pittham; sour, salty, pungent increase Pittham. Pungent, bitter, astringent reduce Kabam; sweet, sour, salty increase Kabam.

See more Siddha Medicine (BSMS-based Paper) flashcards →

Planning Siddha Medicine (BSMS-based Paper) for AIAPGET

Siddha Medicine (BSMS-based Paper) (AIAPGET) FAQ