The National Institute of Siddha published a New Sastric Siddha book “Agathiyar Gunavagadam” on August 13, 2022, in the event of inauguration of the New OPD block. The book was translated from 350-year-old Palm manuscripts.
This book was released by Shri. Sarbananda Sonowal, Honourable Union Minister of AYUSH and Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India, and received by Shri. Pramod Kumar Pathak, Special Secretary, Ministry of Ayush. The ceremony was held in the dignified presence of Thiru. Ma. Subramanian Honorable Health Minister of the Tamil Nadu Government and Thiru. S. Ganesh, commissioner of the Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy in Chennai, Prof. Dr. K. Kanakavalli, DG, CCRS.
The Siddha Legend Late Dr. T.Thirunarayan’s collecgted this palm leaf manuscript as part of their CTMR organizational operations. Dr. T. Thirunarayan and his team obtained the palm manuscripts from Mr. Ramesh, the son of Mr. Velayudam and the grandson of Vaidyar Venugopala Pillai, who practiced Siddha medicine in the Cuddalore district. Mr. Ramesh lives in Muthukrishnapuram, Vellore. To create printable versions of all the lyrics, Vidwan Mr. N. Srinivasan worked on the project.
There were other volumes of Siddha literature published under the name Gunavagadam, but this 350-year-old unpublished book stands out because it specifically describes the characteristics of herbs that grow in plain and hilly areas. Additionally, it concerns all types of millets, grains, vegetables, and meat varieties.
Prof. Dr. R. Meenakumari, Director NIS, has taken tireless efforts to get the book published in the present form through the National Institute of Siddha
