The Entwined Serpents which gave birth to the Symbol of the medical profession, the Caduceus, later became in Greek mythology ‘the staff of Hermes’, the Messenger of the Gods. The two serpents in a double helix around a central rod are known in yogic terms as ‘Ida’ related to the Moon , the female or negative polarity, magnetic nature; and ‘pingala’, related to the Sun, the male or positive polarity, electrical in nature. They represent two of the major Nadis through which polarized Bio-energy [Life force, Kundalini or Serpent force] is normally conducted throughout the bio-physical system. The seven chakras, or energy vortex centers, are inter connected each chakra being responsible for the distribution of life energy received from the environment via the energy body or ‘Casual body’- to a respective organ of the endocrine system. The central rod is known as the sushumna and corresponds to the spinal column. Each serpent conducts its respective energy to form the human electro-magnetic energy flow. It is the maintenance of balance between these two energy flows that underlies the principles of Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
Two wings appear at the top of the Caduceus. These are representative of the intellectual and intuitive cognitive faculties. When bilaterally balanced mental and physical well being is the result. The Orb at the top of the rod symbolizes this ideal condition.
The knowledge of poisons and antidotes is one of the eight chief subjects of Indian medical science and it is strongly evident that the Naga Takshaka was looked upon as a patron of the medical profession. The Caduceus, which forms the emblem of the profession, was in all probability first identified with Takshaka. The coiled serpent, or serpents, around the central rod is a Naga emblem.
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