In Kerala, numerous families have gained renown for their proficient Ayurvedic treatments, often inheriting the traditional Indian medical knowledge, Ayurveda, from their forebears. Alathur Nambi's family, situated in Alathoor near Ponnani in the Malappuram district of Kerala, holds a prominent position in the realm of traditional Ayurveda. Despite already being experts and masters in Ayurveda, certain incidents further enhanced the effectiveness of their treatments, and the legend surrounding this family unfolds as follows. Here are some popular stories associated with Alathur Nambi.
Alathur Nambi And Ashwini Devatas
The surname "Nambi" is carried as a suffix by all
male members of the family. Among them was a skilled Ayurveda practitioner who
made it a routine to visit the nearby Shiva temple every morning. On one such
morning, he observed two birds perched on a tree branch along his path,
emitting the sounds "kwaruk… kwaruk…". Initially disregarding it, he
soon found it to be a regular occurrence, with the birds repeating the same
words each day when he passed by. Eventually, Nambi responded to the chiming.
He recited a verse: “Kale hitha mithabhoji Krutha
chamkramana kramena vamashaya Avidhrutha moothra poreesh Sthreeshuyathathma
chayonara soruk”
The verse conveyed that a person who consumes limited and
timely meals, walks regularly, sleeps on their left side, does not withhold
urine and stool, and maintains moderation in sexual activities is unlikely to
fall ill. Surprisingly, as soon as Nambi uttered these words, the birds
vanished. Legend has it that these birds were the Ashwini Devatas, twin gods
associated with medical science. Their repeated inquiry, "kwaruk or ka
aruk," in Sanskrit, translated to "Who will not suffer from diseases?"
Nambi's articulate response satisfied them, marking a unique connection between
the family's Ayurvedic expertise and divine acknowledgment.
Ashwini Devathas Teaching Alathur Nambi
After a few days, two Brahmin youths approached Nambi,
expressing a desire to learn Ayurveda. Nambi graciously agreed, and they
commenced their studies while residing at his home. Despite being remarkably
intelligent, these two students were also mischievous, often presenting Nambi
with challenging puzzles and offering alternative interpretations to the verses
he taught them. Over time, Nambi realized that he was gaining a deeper
understanding by teaching these boys, and he began to overlook their playful antics.
Squint Eye In The Family Of Alathur Nambi
Despite these playful incidents, Nambi continued to impart his
knowledge to the boys. One day, in Nambi's absence, a regular patient suffering
from persistent headaches arrived. Unable to find Nambi, the two boys took
charge. They gathered herbs from outside the compound, crafted oil, and applied
it to the patient's head. The application revealed worms beneath the skin,
causing the headaches. They meticulously removed the worms, replaced the skin,
and applied the oil again. The patient experienced lasting relief and departed
with immense joy.
All this time, the children of the Nambi family were watching entire incidents through a small window. When these Brahmin boys came out, they saw the children watching them through a small window. They called them and told not to watch like this as they may develop squint-eye.
Treatment With Left Hand By Alathur Nambi
Upon Nambi's return, the children enthusiastically recounted the entire sequence of events. Without uttering a word, he proceeded indoors for lunch.
While engrossed in his meal, the two Brahmin boys approached him, expressing gratitude for the knowledge they had acquired and revealing their intention to depart. Acknowledging their inability to offer traditional guru dakshina (teaching fees), they instead presented him with a divine book containing profound remedies. Emphasizing that only those from their lineage should peruse its contents, they handed the book to Nambi as he dined. Despite being in the midst of his meal, he accepted the book with his left hand.
Escorting them to the gate to bid farewell, Nambi implored them to unveil their true identities. Moved by his devotion, the twin gods Ashwini Devathas, associated with Ayurveda, disclosed their divine nature. Bestowing blessings upon him, they assured that his medicinal efforts would never be in vain.
They
further divulged that receiving the book with the left hand would enhance the
efficacy of the remedies when administered with the same hand. Additionally,
they prophesied a hereditary trait of squint eyes, a phenomenon continuing in
the family to this day.
Story Of Thakshaka Naga And Alathur Nambi
Another legend surrounds the tradition of administering
medicines with the left hand. Once, Nambi sat in the portico when an elderly
Brahmin with a stomach ailment sought his help. Nambi invited the Brahmin to
stay for treatment, and though the Brahmin agreed, the ailment persisted
despite various medications. Nambi then resorted to using a tube, inserting it
into the patient's throat, and administering liquid medicine through it.
Interestingly, he held the tube with his right hand while applying the medicine
with his left hand. Miraculously, after three days of this unique treatment,
the patient was completely cured.
As the Brahmin prepared to depart, Nambi urged him to
disclose his identity. To Nambi's astonishment, the Brahmin revealed himself as
Thakshak, one of the Ashta Nagas, the eight serpentine gods in Hindu
religion. Thakshaka blessed Nambi, stating that his treatments would be more
potent if he applied medicines with his left hand. This tradition endures, and
even today, succeeding generations in the family continue to administer
medicines with their left hand as a nod to this divine blessing.