சித்த நூல்களில் மருத்துவ மற்றும் மருந்தியல் சொற்களின் சொற்பிறப்பியல் ஆய்வு

Abstract

Siddha literature reveals the scientific traditions that form the foundation of Tamil cultural life. In particular, Siddha medical texts stand as a significant repository of both medical and pharmaceutical knowledge. The medical and pharmaceutical terms used in these works do not merely denote treatments and practices; they also highlight aspects of Tamil etymology, morphology, and semantic evolution from a linguistic perspective. Firstly, Siddha medical terms are largely derived from natural sources. For instance, plant, mineral, metal, and animal-based substances contributed to the formation of drug-related vocabulary, reflecting both the nature of the materials and their medicinal properties. Secondly, the construction of these terms often employed literary devices such as metaphors, symbolic representations, and descriptive attributes. Certain pharmaceutical terms indicate the nature of the disease and the method of treatment, thereby revealing the interrelationship between medicine and linguistics. Thirdly, the medical vocabulary found in Siddha texts embodies the lifestyle of the ancient Tamil society. Dietary practices, environmental conditions, and lived experiences of the time are all mirrored in the evolution of pharmaceutical terminology. Thus, these terms not only present the medical knowledge of the Tamils but also reflect their cultural, artistic, and linguistic identity. Therefore, the study of the origin and development of medical and pharmaceutical terms in Siddha literature holds significance for linguistic research. It also fosters interdisciplinary exploration between Tamil literature, medicine, and linguistics.