An Overview of Udal Thathukkal with

Modern Aspect

Written by

Dr. C.V.Ramya priya M.D (S)P.G.Student Kuzhandai Maruthuvam Department

Guided by

Dr.K.Shyamala M.D(s) Dr.S.K.Sasi M.D(s) Dr. D.K. Soundararajan M.D(s)Assistant Lecture r Lecturer P.G. Noinadal Associate professor P.G.Kuzhandai Dept. P.G. Kuzhandai Maruthuvam Dept.Maruthuvam .Dept.

Govt Siddha Medical college

Palayamkottai

1

2

AbstractThis article is about a view of udal thathukkal with modern aspect.

According to siddhars udal thathukkal literarily means basic elements that are used in building up all the living creations in the world.

“Ratham uthiram iraichi thol methai

Maruviya vathi vazhum podu machai

Paraviya sukkilam paazham upaathi

Uruvama lalludal onrenalamae”

-Thirumoolar(Thirumanthiram 2086)

There are 7 udal thathukkal. They are : 1.Saaram(Rasam) 2.Senneer (Kuruthi)3.Oonn(Mamisam) 4. Kozhuppu(Methai) 5.Enbu(Asthi) 6.Moolai (Majjai) 7.Sukkilam / Suronitham(Vinthu / Natham)

Siddha aspect says that, ‘the essence or the mixture of micro nutrients of the food intaken and the other intrinsic factors necessary for their absorption in the body are attracted by the panjaboothas in the body and becomes the 1st primary element of the udal thathukkal that is saaram which gets converted in to the following elements:

2nd day as senneer, 3rd day as Oonn, 4th day as kuzhuppu, 5th day as Enbu, 6th day as Moolai, 7th day as sukkillam/suronithan . At last the body receives the stability and strength by the 8th day”.

In modern aspect the 7 udal thathukkal can be compared as follows:

i. Saaram :Compared to Micronutrients,oxygen,heat,energy,water.ii. Senneer :Compared to Blood and its components.

iii. Oonn :Compared to Muscle tissues of the body.iv. Kozhuppu :Compared to Fat and Fatty components of the body.v. Enbu :Compared to Bones of the body.

vi. Moolai :Compared to Bone marrow and periosteum of the bone, also with Brain and Nervous system

vii. Sukkilam/Suronitham :Compared to Sperm and Ovum of the body.

3

Introduction:Gastro intestinal tract which is named as Annamaya Koosam forms the basic for the

creation ,well being and stability of the life of all living creations body in the world.

The primary basic element saaram which is the essence or the absorbed simplified form of the nutrients of the foods intaken by all the living creations forms the other 6 basic elements upto sukkila thathu.It controls and decides the strength and stability of those elements.

A living creature’s strength is analysed from its ability to reproduce its own species.No other works done by it can give proof to its strength except its ability to reproduce its own species.

So the strength and power of a living creature analysed from its sukkila thathu tells us about the nature and power of the saaram the first element of the udal thathukkal.

Like wise there is a relationship between the uyirthathukkal and udal thathukkal.

Vatham lives in Enbu Pitham lives in senneer kapham lives in saaram, oonn, kozhuppu, moolai and sukkilam/suronitham.

Dasanaadikal, Dasavayukkal present in the body fills the 7 udal thathukkal in the required and necessary parts of the body.Thus the increased or decreased levels of the udal thathukkal is compensated and neutralized by them and avoids the diseases occuring due to the deficit in the 7 basic elements of the body.

Now we can see the comparision of the 7 udal thathukkal in modern aspect.

4

Saaram:

coloured transmission electron micrograph of active human plasma cell

Siddha aspect:

The primary basic element that provides health and stability to each and every cell of the living body by supplying oxygen, water, nutrients, heat and energy is called as saaram.

It induces and encourages all cells of the body and mind (soul) to discharge their normal functions enthusiatically and peacefully.

Saaram(Rasam) is probably assumed that the digested essence of the food intaken which is ready for absorption. It is a mixture of all the micronutrients, oxygen, water, heat and energy. At this stage it is called as “Annarasam” or “Annasaaram”.

When “Annarasam” is absorbed and mixed in blood it gets converted to “Udalrasam”.

When “Udalrasam” is assimilated in the cells it get converted to 3 types. They are:

karuvillarasam (Nucleicacid) Villarasam (Cytoplasm) Thisurasam (Tissue fluids) (Extra and intracellular fluids)

Saaram is having a peculiar character of regulating the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, fat, minerals and vitamins.

It neutralises the increasing and decreasing needs of the nutrients, oxygen, heat and energy supply to the cells by “ Negative feed back mechanism”.

5

Modern aspect:

Basically rasam is compared to the essence of mixture of nutrients, oxygen, water, heat and energy in modern.

As all these are necessary for meeting out the daily requirements for normal function and growth of each and every cells of the living body.

The ingredients of saaram compared in modern are as follows:

i. Plasma (vasaneer) :contains 1.glycoprotein

2.proteins namely

Albumin, globulim, fibrinogen immunoglobulin

ii. Lymph (Vabaneer) :contains 1.fatty acids 2.lipids, phospholipids

3.glycoprotein 4.fatty acids 5.leucocytes

iii. Digestive enzymes :contains 1.Intestinal juice 2.gastric juice 3.pancreatic juice

4.Bileiv. Digestive hormones :contains 1.Gastrinv. Intrinsic factors :contains 1.Ascorbic acid

2.Cysteine 3.Aminoacids and peptides 4.folic acid

Thus saaram is not only the essence of food it is also the “Regulating mechanism of absorption, assimilation and metabolism taking place inside each and every cell of the living body”. Simultaneously it decides the mental power too.

6

The body takes saaram and the remaining is excreated as waste. This is also under the regulating mechanism of saaram.

Reason and proof:

To proof the above said, theory we can take:

The Malnutrition diseases like:

i. Kwashiokarii. Marasmus

The Malabsorption diseases like:

i. Steatorrhoeaii. Lactose – intolerance

In malnutrition diseases due to deficit of saaram and its absorbtion, in early stage patients health is affected physically, when this stage extends without any compensatory mechanism naturally or artificially, in later stage it affects mentally where their mind power, intellectuality are also affected.

So this prooves saaram is the basic for growth and normal function of both mind and body.

Senneer:

7

Siddha aspect:

As per siddha concept the saaram is converted to senneer on the second day. It means the ingredients of saaram like nutrition, oxygen and all the other ingredients mentioned in the topic saaram gets converted to senneer and its components. Then it is transmitted to each and every cell of the living body.

Senneer stabilises knowledge, strength, colour & complexion, vision, auditation and pride in the living body. It is the fluid tissue of living body.

Modern aspect:

In modern Senneer is compared to blood and it components.

It is because blood and its components act as a best transmitter and vehicle for nutrition, oxygen, heat and energy that means saaram to all cells of living body and their excreatory materials to the excreatory organs.

Thus blood and its components are the converted or derived ingredients of saaram. So seneer is compared with blood.

Reason and proof:

The living body get diseases mainly due to lack of oxygen. This condition is called as “Hypoxia Major”. Oxygen is supplied to all cells of the body only through blood and its components.

So when blood and its components becomes deficit oxygen also get reduced as in condition like:

i. Anaemiaii. Erythroblastosis foetalis

iii. Excessive loss of blood due to traumaiv. cerebral palsy

The patients suffer to save their life when blood is lost above 4 liters from the body.

Anaemic patients loss their

i. Colour & Complexion of skin and body

8

ii. Auditation poweriii. Breathlessness, palpitation due to hypoxiaiv. Visual powerv. Cannot do any work with full concentration as they feel sleepy and tired

always.

In cerebral palsy due to poor cry in newborn, there occurs lack in blood supply and oxygen to brain through blood circulation and results in hypoxia because of which patient suffer from mental retardation and difficulty to do their regular work due to poor development of brain caused by hypoxia.

Thus all these prooves blood and it component are necessary to the body to stabilize knowledge, strength, colour & complexion, vision, auditation and pride in the living body.

Oonn :

9

Siddha aspect:

Siddha concept says it is the 3rd basic element of udal thathukal of living body. Oonn builts up the shape of the body tissues according to the usage of the organs and helps for bone growth. It is also derived from senneer.

Modern aspect:

In modern concept oonn is compared to muscle tissues as they covers the bone and give shape to the body tissues according to their usage. The ingredients like globulins(Myoglobulins), fatty substances(Phosphollipids), Glycoproteins, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium which are in

10

the blood are also present in the muscle as they are needed for muscle growth and function. These substances helps for the bone growth which are being covered by the muscle tissues.

So oonn is compared to muscle tissues.

Reason and Proof:

Muscle tissues are divided into three types based on their functions.

They are:

i. Stripped muscle tissuesii. Un – stripped muscle tissues

iii. Cardiac muscle tissues.

Improper supply of blood, oxygen and nervous supply to the muscular tissues and low or excessive usage of muscular tissues results in the following conditions:

i. Atropy - wasting away of muscles due to under nourishment, ageing or lack of use. E.g. Hemiplegea, paraplegea.

ii. Dystropy - wasting of muscle tissues due to impaired nourishment of the part. E.g. Protein energy malnutrition.

iii. Hypertropy - Enlargement of the muscular tissues from the increase in size of its cells. E.g. Myopathy (Pseudomuscular hypertropy)

iv. Hyperplasia- Enlargement of the muscular tissues from the increase in the number of the cells in that part. E.g. Myoma.

In all the above mentioned conditions the shape of the muscular tissues on the affected part of the body is deformed and simultaneously the bone which is covered and nourished by the muscular tissue is also affected.

Thus from the foresaid examples we can proove saaram (Nutrients, O2) ,Senneer(Blood and its components) are converted to Oonn (Muscular tissues).When there occurs lack of the 1st & 2nd elements, it results in the deformity of the 3rd element.

Also Oonn is necessary for the forming of shape of tissues according to the usage and for covering bone and for its growth.

Kozhuppu:

11

Siddha aspect:

As per siddha concept it is the 4th basic element that helps each and every organs(such as internal organs,bone,muscles) of the living beings to do their functions easily without any friction by providing lubrication due to their oily nature and smooth texture.

In times of nutritional crisis the stored kozhupputhathu is utilized by the body to meet out its daily requirement.

It surrounds all soft organs, smooth muscles, eyes, joints and protect them from external trauma and shocks.

The kozhuppu thathu being deposited beneath the skin it provides resistance against external climatic condition and also gives complexion to the skin.

Modern aspect:

In modern aspect kozhuppu thathu can be compared to fat and its components. For example: Fatty acids, lipids, triglycerides, synovial fluids, fatty pads, adipose tissues are all mentioned as fat and its components.

These fat and fatty tissues surrounds soft organs, smooth muscles and provide protection to them against shock and external pressure.

The fatty deposit beneath the skin helps the body to tolerate the external climate and also is the reason for complexion of the skin.

Fat by its oily nature provide lubrication to all the internal and external movements of the body.

So Kozhuppu is compared to Fat and its components.

Reason and proof:

Fatty tissues or fatty fluids are present in living body in parts where there occurs synchronised or non-synchronised movements.

12

The movements may be:

i. Abduction, Adduction, circumduction, flexion, extension of both limbs.ii. Peristalitic movements of gastro intestinal tract.

iii. Ciliary movements of Respiratory tract.iv. Pumping movement of cardiac tissues.v. Wavy movement of vascular system, fallopian tubes.

vi. Contraction and relaxation movement of uterus.In patients suffering from debilitating diseases like Pulmonary tuberculosis, Diabetes

mellitus, Carcinoma, AIDS the fatty substances in their body is reduced due to nutritional crises arising because of infection and they suffer from the following symptoms which is due to lack of frictionless movements.

They are:

Parts affected Movement affected Symptoms1. Joint (synovial fluid

and fatty pad get decreased.In synovial fluid there is hyaluronic acid acting as a lubricant and shock absorber)

Adduction,Abduction,Circumduction,Flexion & extension.

Pain, swelling, redness, tenderness, heat occurs in the joints.

2. Gastrointestinaltract Peristalitic movement Diarrhoea, loss of appetite, indigestion, vomiting and abdominal discomfort.

3. Respiratory tract Ciliary movement Cough,sneezing,headache,fever.4. Cardiovascular system Wavy movements of

vascular system1.Dilatation, loss of elastic nature of blood vessels . 2.Kozhuppu when increases in its level in blood causes atherosclerosis and the blood flowing through vessels become very slow and becomes stream like and results in hypoxia and causes breathlessness,palpitation.

5. Whole body structure 1.No work is done properly with full concentration as they feel tired and sleepy.2.fat beneath the skin is lost

1.There occurs sudden loss of weight and cannot do normal works easily due to restriction in movement.

2.Skin loses its complexion and becomes dry,so it becomes painful to flex some parts like hands etc.

6. Genitalia in women Contraction and Menstural disturbances

13

relaxation of uterus, wavy movement of fallopian tube.

Ovarian failure to release ovum.

7. Genitalia in man 1. Failure of errectile movement of penis.

2. Failure of wavy ejaculatory movement of seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct.

1. Impotence.

2.Low quantity of semen is ejaculated.

From all these evidences we can prove that kozhuppu can be compared to fat and its components and is essential for health of living body.

Enbu :

14

Siddha aspect:

This is the 5th basic element that forms the frame work of the body and gives structure to the body. It supports the body to stand erect.

Enbu thathu protects the soft organs.It forms the basic for body’s loccomotary activities.

As per siddha concept Enbu’s growth is supported,it is protected and is derived from Oonn, but there is an intermediate element between these two that is Kozhuppu.

15

It means the bones end are tied up with ligaments, fatty pads, synovial sacs, fatty fluids, tendons to another bone. This whole arrangements are covered and connected to one anothor by muscle tissues.

So oonn with the help of kozhuppu ties up bones with one another and make it function without any friction.

Modern aspect:

Bones of the body together form the frame work or skeleton of the body. It forms bony cavity to protect all the soft parts of our body.

Example: 1. Skull - protects brain

2. Thoracic cavity - protects heart and lungs

3. Pelvic cavity -protects genito – urinary organs.

Bones forms the basic for locomotary activities. So Enbu is compared in modern with bone.

Reason and Proof:

In disease like rickets which affect bones, the limbs become malformed,so locomotion is affected. The chestcase turn into pigeon shaped chest so the patient suffers sometimes from irregular heart function, breathlessness and the both organs are under less protection.

Siddhars says vatham lives in Enbu thathu, so when vatham increases the spaces and cavities inside the bone and the spongy tissue called bone marrow gets increased and the calcium deposits in the bone gradually gets decreased as a result the hardness of the bone decreases. The bone become weightless and result in degeneration of bone and softnening of bone.

This theory of siddhars coincides with the modern concept in the diseases like:

i. Osteoporosis - Degeneration and withering of bone cells due to low calcium deposits and reduction in the density of outer bony matter of bone and increase in the spaces between bone marrow which becomes inactive and the bone’s strength is lost.

ii. Osteomalacia - Softening of bone due to demineralization which may be due to any disease or deficiency of calcium and phosphorous.

The first condition leads to the disease osteoarthritis and the second condition leads to the disease physiological fracture.

16

So from all the above said theories we can prove that Enbu can be compared with Bone in modern aspect.

Moolai :

Siddha aspect:

It is the 6th element that fills the bone, gives strength, elasticity and smoothness to the bone as per the siddha maruthuvanga surrukkam text.

It is the brain and the neural cells present inside the bony cavity called skull from which the nerves comes out and supply to all parts of the body.

The Nerve fibres are divided into 2 groups. One group having sensory function and makes the living creations to realize the sensations through Gnanenthiriyangal. The another group having motor function controlls the kanmenthiriyangal to do their motor functions properly.

This concept is given in siddha udal thathuvam text.

Modern aspect:

In modern comparision we can take bone marrow and inner layer of periosteum for the element that fills in the bone and gives strength, elasticity and smoothness to the bone asper siddha maruthuvanga surukkam.

As per siddha udal thathuvam text the moolai is compared to the brain and nervous system.

Reason and Proof:

17

Proof for siddha Mauthurangasurukkam text.

1. Bone marrow inside the bones is a network of tissues and the site of Erythro and leucopoiesis, so is richly supplied with vascularity. Due to this rich supply of blood it feeds the bone and provides strength to the bones.

2. The inner layer of periosteum of bone is made up of dense network of elastic fibres and is the main reason for the elasticity and smoothness of bone.

In Aplastic anemia the bone marrow fails to do Erythro and leucopoiesis in this condition the bones becomes week and the patient becomes anemic and suffer from its symptoms.

In senility due to depletion of calcium deposits or in disease conditions like hyper parathyroidism, Hyperthyroidism where demineralization of bones takes place , the inner layer of periosteum loses its elasticity, get fibrosed and the bones thickness lowers becomes soft and are prone to fracture.

Proof for siddha udalthathuvam text:

Moolai is compared to brain and nervous system.

Siddhars says that the Moolai is the element that controls the Gnanenthiriyangal(Senseorgans) and kanmenthiriyangal(motor function doing organs) of the body by it nerve fibres.

This coincides with the motor and sensory(afferent and efferent ) neural pathways and nerves that control the sensory and motor functions of the body in modern. These nerves arise from brain and neurons which are placed inside the bony cavity called skull.

Thus we can proof modern terms brain, neurons and nerves are compared to Moolai in siddha aspect.

In Diseases that affects Brain and neurons like:

1. Hemiplegea

2. Cerebral ataxia

3. Flaccid paralysis

4. Bell’s palsy

5. paraplegia

Also in Disease that affects sensory and motor nerve fibres like:

18

I. NeuropathyII. Myelopathy

III. NeuritisIV. Myelitis

-the motor and sensory functions of the body is lost partially or completely.

This again proves that moolai can be compared to brain and its nerve fibers which controls the sensory and motor functions of the body.

Sukkilam/Suronitham:

Siddha aspect:

In siddha aspect this is the end energetic element which gives full structure to the body’s strength and function. These elements are responsible for reproduction of their own species by fertilization of suronitham by sukilam.

When a patient suffer from spermatorrhoea he first of all suffer in his mind as if he loses all his energy.

So the strength of a person’s body and mind is decided from that person’s strength, potency and vitality of his sukilam which in turn represents the nature and strength of all the other 6 elements.

Modern aspect:

19

In modern aspect the basic elements of body required for reproduction is sperm in male and ovum in female. ( Suronitham – female gonad) (Sukilam – male gonad). When the efficient sperm penetrates ovum it get fertilized in to a zygote which grows as foetus inside the uterus.

Reason and proof:

Sperm and ovum are responsible for the production of new species of their genus by fertilization.

In case of male genital disease like:

Oligo spermia Azoospermia Structural deformities of sperm Congenital disorders of genitalia Errectile disorders of penis(impotent) Altered seminal pH Hormonal insufficiency

In case of female genital disease like:

Secondary ovarian failure Poly cystic ovarian disease Congenital malformations of genitalia Altered vaginal pH Hormonal insufficiency Non ovulatory menstural cycle

-the patients suffer from infertility and lose their capacity to reproduce thier own species.

From all the above said thoughts it is hypothetically proved that sukkilam is compared to sperm and suronitham is compared to ovum.

Conclusion: “Udambal azhiyin uyiral azhivar

20

Thirampata meignanam seravum mattar

Udampai valarkum upayam arinthae

Udampai valarthen uyir valarthaen”

-Thirumoolar(Thirumanthiram)

“Sound Body Sound Mind”

- proverb

“Health is wealth”

- proverb

From all the above sayings we can conclude that th healthy body is very essential to attain eternity. Siddhars says that the body is built up of basic 7 elements called as udal thathukkal. If these udal thathukkal are not maintained properly then it leads to the dearrangement of uyir thathukkal(Vatham,Pitham and kapham) Which simultaneously leads to diseases.

Nourishing, maintaining and improving all the 7 udal thathukkal in a correct way guides human beings in a path of healthy, peaceful, enthusiatic life without diseases and helps to attain eternal life too.

Noiyatra vazhvae kuraivatra selvam

Bibiliography1. Udal thathuvam - Dr.P.M.Venugopal,H.I.B.M.

21

2. Noinadal Noimuthal Nadal Part I - Dr. M.Shanmugavelu,H.I.B.M.,

3. Thotrakirama Arachiyum

Siddha maruthuva varallarum - Dr.K.S. Uthamarayan, H.I.B.M.,

4. Siddha Maruthuvanga surukkam - Dr. M.Shanmugavelu,H.I.B.M.,

5. A text book of anatomy - Dr. T.S. Ranganathan,M.B.B.S.,M.Sc.,MNAMS.

6. Essentials of Medical physiology - Dr. K.Sembulingam,PhD.,

Dr.Premasembulingam,Ph.D.,

7. Essentials of Biochemistry - Dr.U.Satyanarayan,M.Sc.,Ph.D.,F.I.C.,F.A.C.B.Ph.D.

8. Text book of pathology -Dr.Harsh Mohan, M.D.,HNAMS.FICP ath,FUICC.

22