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== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

Marma or the vital points is one of the important and exclusive topic discussed in Ayurveda. The references for the fundamentals of knowledge about Marma can be traced back to [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]], [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|Upanishads]]<nowiki/>and [[Puranas (पुराणानि)|Puranas]]. The knowledge of marma was being widely used during a war to target enemies, for self-defence, for surgical procedures and also as a treatment modality ever since the Vedic period.  The importance of marma from diagnostic and therapeutic perspective is huge. When certain type of marma is affected, specific signs and symptoms arise and making use of this feature a therapy is developed where controlled pressure on these points is created to activate the energy concentrated at these points. This can relieve the probable blocks in the energy pathways linked with marmas in body and help get rid of certain symptoms like pains, aches and disabilities. This is called as marma therapy and it is practiced in may parts of Bharata and outside Bharata as well. It is a modality of treatment which does not require any herb or drug and hence it is widely popular. Soem eople compare it with that of accupressure therapy from Traditional chinese medicine but both these are significantly different. To practice marma therapy, in depth knowledge of marmas is essential. 'Marmaparipalanam' i.e. protection of marmas is equated to the selfcare or self protection in Ayurveda.

Marma or the vital points is one of the important and exclusive topic discussed in Ayurveda. The references for the fundamentals of knowledge about Marma can be traced back to [[Rigveda (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]], [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|Upanishads]]<nowiki/>and [[Puranas (पुराणानि)|Puranas]]. The knowledge of marma was being widely used during a war to target enemies, for self-defence, for surgical procedures and also as a treatment modality ever since the Vedic period.  The importance of marma from diagnostic and therapeutic perspective is huge. When certain type of marma is affected, specific signs and symptoms arise and making use of this feature a therapy is developed where controlled pressure on these points is created to activate the energy concentrated at these points. This can relieve the probable blocks in the energy pathways linked with marmas in body and help get rid of certain symptoms like pains, aches and disabilities. This is called as marma therapy and it is practiced in may parts of Bharata and outside Bharata as well. It is a modality of treatment which does not require any herb or drug and hence it is widely popular. Some eople compare it with that of accupressure therapy from Traditional chinese medicine but both these are significantly different. To practice marma therapy, in depth knowledge of marmas is essential. 'Marmaparipalanam' i.e. protection of marmas is equated to the selfcare or self protection in Ayurveda.

== इतिहासः॥ History ==

== इतिहासः॥ History ==

There is a traditional and the oldest martial art form of India named Kalari or kalaripaywhich describes 365 marma points. The kalari warriors used this knowledge to harm their enemies. Also, they were nurtured using the same technique for healing wounds of the battle.

There is a traditional and the oldest martial art form of India named Kalari or kalaripaywhich describes 365 marma points. The kalari warriors used this knowledge to harm their enemies. Also, they were nurtured using the same technique for healing wounds of the battle.

== निरुक्ती॥ Nirukti ==

== निरुक्ती॥ Nirukti ==

== Marmas as vital points or energy points ==

== Marmas as vital points or energy points ==

According to acharya Charaka, there are 10 seats of prana (life energy) which are murdha(head), kantha(throat), hriday(heart), naabhi(umbilicus), guda(anus), basti(urinary bladder), ojas(?), shukra(semen), shonita(blood), mamsa(muscles) and among them the first six are the marma points. <blockquote>दश प्राणायतनानि; तद्यथा- मूर्धा, कण्ठः, हृदयं, नाभिः, गुदं, बस्तिः, ओजः, शुक्रं, शोणितं, मांसमिति|

According to acharya Charaka, there are 10 seats of prana (life energy) in body viz. murdha (head), kantha (throat), hrdaya (heart), nabhi (umbilicus), guda (anus), basti (urinary bladder), [[Ojas (ओजः)|ojas]], [[Shukra Dhatu (शुक्र धातुः)|shukra]] (semen), shonita or [[Rakta Dhatu (रक्त धातु)|rakta]] (blood), [[Mansa Dhatu (मांस धातु)|mamsa]] (muscles) and among them the first six are the marma points. <blockquote>दश प्राणायतनानि; तद्यथा- मूर्धा, कण्ठः, हृदयं, नाभिः, गुदं, बस्तिः, ओजः, शुक्रं, शोणितं, मांसमिति|

तेषु षट् पूर्वाणि मर्मसङ्ख्यातानि||९|| cha sha 7.9</blockquote>

तेषु षट् पूर्वाणि मर्मसङ्ख्यातानि||९|| cha sha 7.9</blockquote>

== प्रविभागाः॥ Classification ==

== प्रविभागाः॥ Classification ==

There are 107 marmas described in Ayurveda. Acharya Charaka whereas gives importance to three mainly, named Murdha(head), hriday(heart), Vasti/Basti (urinary bladder).

There are 107 marmas described in Ayurveda. Acharya Sushruta has categorised 107 marma sthana systemically in three ways, Every marma has its own predominant mahabhuta, which later is essential in the treatment aspect. Acharya Charaka gives importance to only three of them, named Murdha(head), hridaya (heart), Vasti/Basti (urinary bladder).

 

Whereas Acharya Sushruta has categorised 107 marma sthana systemically in three ways,

 

Every marma has its own predominant mahabhuta, which later is essential in the treatment aspect.

=== Based on Composition of the marma (sush.sha.6.3-5) ===

=== Based on Composition of the marma (sush.sha.6.3-5) ===

# Mamsa Marma (Muscle predominant) - 11

# Mamsa Marma (Muscle predominant) - 11

# Sira Marma (Vascular predominat) - 41

# Sira Marma (Vascular predominant) - 41

# Snayu Marma (Ligament predominant) - 27

# Snayu Marma (Ligament predominant) - 27

# Asthi Marma (Bone area predominant) - 08

# Asthi Marma (Bone area predominant) - 08

== Indicators of marma sthana injury| ''marma abhighata lakshanas'' ==

== Indicators of marma sthana injury| ''marma abhighata lakshanas'' ==

There are certain symptoms which indicate injury to marma sthana. These symptoms occur when any of the marma is inflicted and are essential for a Vaidya to plan further treatment.

There are certain symptoms which indicate injury to marma sthana. These symptoms occur when any of the marma is inflicted and are essential for a Vaidya to plan further treatment.

(sush.su.25.34-35)  

(sush.su.25.34-35)  

There are few general indicators of marma abhighata or infliction to marmas which are bhrama(dizziness), pralapa(delirium), pramoha(insensibility), vicheshtana (irregular movements), murcha(giddiness), muscular laxity(looseness), severe pain, bleeding from the sthana etc. Also, Numbness of body, heaviness, cold flushes, excessive sweat, vomiting, breathlessness are few symptoms which indicate there has been a n injury to marma. (Asht.sang. Sharirs 7.47) http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/esangraha/?mod=read

There are few general indicators of marma abhighata or infliction to marmas which are bhrama(dizziness), pralapa(delirium), pramoha(insensibility), vicheshtana (irregular movements), murcha(giddiness), muscular laxity(looseness), severe pain, bleeding from the sthana etc. Also, Numbness of body, heaviness, cold flushes, excessive sweat, vomiting, breathlessness are few symptoms which indicate there has been a n injury to marma. (Asht.sang. Sharirs 7.47) http://vedotpatti.in/samhita/Vag/esangraha/?mod=read

<nowiki>https://www.boloji.com/articles/49656/marma-and-acupressure</nowiki>

<nowiki>https://www.boloji.com/articles/49656/marma-and-acupressure</nowiki>

== Therapeutic Applications ==

== Therapeutic Applications ==

Cha.si.9.7

Cha.si.9.7

There are few research studies as well carried out which proves the efficacy of various marma therapy. Hrudbasti(oil retention and oil pouring) over the marma sthana, greevabasti(retention of oil over cervical region), kati basti(retention of oil over low back area) and many more like abhyanga (oil massage) as well, with certain skill which applies pressure over marma sthana.

There are few research studies as well carried out which proves the efficacy of various marma therapy. Hrudbasti(oil retention and oil pouring) over the marma sthana, greevabasti(retention of oil over cervical region), kati basti(retention of oil over low back area) and many more like abhyanga (oil massage) as well, with certain skill which applies pressure over marma sthana.