Marma (मर्म)

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The word Marma literally means any vulnerable point or core point of something. In reference to human body marma indicates a vulnerable point in the body which upon injury or damage by any external force can lead to sudden ill health or even death. The level of damage depends upon various factors like the type of marma, intensity of injury and the site of damage and its distance from the marma point. According to Ayurveda, Marmas are the points where the life energy is predominantly present. Hence damage to marmas can also lead to death. Therefore Ayurveda treatises discuss in depth about various types of marmas, there composition, effects of damage to all different types of marmas etc.

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, Upanishadsand 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.

इतिहासः॥ History

Practice of marma therapy has been mentioned in various Vedic texts alongside Ayurveda.

Rigveda, one of the oldest Vedic Sanskrit texts composed during 1500 – 1000 BCE has mentions of varma or shield or body armor used for protection of marma points. (Rigveda 6/75/18). Few Upanishads like Shandilya upanishad, Garbha Upanishad, Kshurik Upanishad provide information about the concept and anatomical aspects of marma points. Agni purana mentions 10 locations of marma where the Prana reside.(ref?) In Valmiki Ramayana there are few verses during war wherein there is mention of marma points being used as targets for injury. In Mahabharata, during the (Bhishma Parva) 114/56, 119/5, 119/47, 119/61, 119/65) (48), (Drona Parva 92/7, 92/22), (Karna Parva 19/61), (Shalya Parva 32/63, 36/64) has many references about protective shields used to cover marma sthana of both humans and animals.

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

मर्म्म, [न्] क्ली, (मृ + “सर्व्वधातुभ्यो मनिन् ।”

उणा ० ४ । १४४ । इति मनिन् ।) स्वरूपम् ।
तत्त्वम् । यथा, नैषधे । २ । ९ ।
“मृगया न विगीयते नृपै-
रपि धर्म्मागममर्म्मपारगैः ।
स्मरसुन्दर ! मां यदत्यज
स्तव धर्म्मः सदयो दयोज्ज्वलः ॥”
सन्धिस्थानम् । इति लिङ्गादिसंग्रहे अमर-
भरतौ ॥ जीवस्थानम् । इति राजनिर्घण्टः ॥ * Shabdakalpadruma Pg 641 [1]

परिभाषा॥ Definition

  • मारयन्तीति मर्माण्युच्यन्ते – Sush Shar 6/3 (dalhan teeka) Meaning - Marma points are the vital points in the human body which when injured can lead to death.
  • Also, if injury to marma sthana or point does not cause death, then it causes severe pain giving a person the experience of death.(Asht.hrud.sha. arundatta teeka)
  • मर्माणि मांससिरास्नाय्वस्थिसन्धिसन्निपाताः; तेषु स्वभावत एव विशेषेण प्राणास्तिष्ठन्ति; तस्मान्मर्मस्वभिहतास्तांस्तान् भावानापद्यन्ते || (sush. sha .6.15)

A confluence of mamsa (muscles), sira (blood vessels), snayu (ligaments), asthi- sandhi (bones-joints) is known as marma sthana. These marma sthana is where prana(?) resides, thus any kind of injury or infliction will lead to death.

  • At the elemental level marma is composed of Soma (kapha-water element), maruta(vata- or air element), tej(pitta -or fire element) as tridosha and raja, satva , tamas as triguna resides along with bhuta(panchamahabhuta) and atma (soul precisely). This is precisely the reason why marma points should be protected from any injury. (Sush sha 6.35-36)
  • दश प्राणायतनानि; तद्यथा- मूर्धा, कण्ठः, हृदयं, नाभिः, गुदं, बस्तिः, ओजः, शुक्रं, शोणितं, मांसमिति|

तेषु षट् पूर्वाणि मर्मसङ्ख्यातानि||९|| cha sha 7.9

Also, according to acharya Charaka there are 10 seats of prana (energy points) 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.

  • Even though the definition states that injury to a marma leads to death, but there are certain types of marma like vaiklyakara marma and rujakar marma for example wherein with right treatment of a skilled Vaidya, an individual can be saved.

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).


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)

  1. Mamsa Marma (Muscle predominant) - 11
  2. Sira Marma (Vascular predominat) - 41
  3. Snayu Marma (Ligament predominant) - 27
  4. Asthi Marma (Bone area predominant) - 08
  5. Sandhi Marma (Joint area predominant) – 20

Based on Location of Marma (sush. shar.6.7)

  1. Shakha gata - marmas present in Both upper and lower limbs - 44
  2. Madhya shareera – Marmas present in thorax and abdomen (trunk region) - 26
  3. Urdhva jatrugata – marmas present in Head and neck region – 37


Based on effect of injury on marma

  1. Sadhya pranahara marma – leads to immediate death on injury to these marma sthana, where “sadhya” meaning instant, “prana” meaning life force or energy, and “hara” meaning lost or taken away. – 19 in number
  2. Kalantara pranahara marma – leads to delayed death on getting injured. Here kalantara” means delay.  – 33 in number
  3. Vishalyaghna marma- marma injured with foreign body, when removed from the area leads to death. Here “vishalya” means foreign body – 03 in number
  4. Vaikalyakara Marma – leads to permanent deformity on injury. Where Vaikalya” means disability - 44 in number
  5. Rujakara marma – leads to severe pain when injured. here “ruja” means pain. –  08 in number
Sadhya pranahara marma Kalantara pranahara marma Vaikalyakar marma Vishalyaghna marma Rujakara marma
Shrungatak(4) Vaksha (8) Lohitaksha(4) Utsksepa(2) Gulfa(2)
adhipati Seemant (5) Aani(4) sthapani Manibandha(2)
Shankha(2) Talahriday(4) Urvi(4) Kurchashira(4)
Matukayen (8) Kshipra(4) Kurcha(4)
Guda Indrabasti(4) Jaanu(2)
Hruday Katiktarun(2) Vitapa(2)
basti Parshavasandi(2) Kurpara(2)
naabhi Nitamb(2) Kukundara(2)
Bhrihati(2) Kakshadhara(2)
Vidhura(2)
Krukatika(2)
Amsa(2)
Phalaka(2)
Apanga(2)
Neela(2)
Manya(2)
Phana(2)
Avarta(2)

Marmas of upper extremity

Name Location Pramana Composition Mahabhuta predominance
kShipra In between thumb and index finger ½ angula Snayu and kalantara pranahara Soma,agni
Talahriday Mid palm ½ angula Mamsa and kalantara pranahara Soma,agni
Kurcha Above on both sides of kshipra 4 angula Snayu and vaikalyakara Soma
Kurcha sshira Below on one side of wrist joint ½ angula Snayu and vaikalyakara Soma
Manibandha Wrist joint 2 angula Sandhi and vaikalyakara Soma
indrabasti Mid of forearm 2 angula Mamsa and kalantara pranahara Soma,agni
kurpara Elbow joint 3 angula Sandhi and vaikalyakara Soma
AAni 3 angula above elbow joint both sides. 3 angula Snayu and vaikalyakara Soma
Bahvi Mid arm ½ angula Sira and vaikalyakara soma
Lohitaksha Above bahvi marma, adjacent to auxillary fold. ½ angula Sira and vaikalyakara Soma
kakshadhara In between chest and arm pit ½ angula Snayu and vaikalyakara soma

Marmas of lower extremity

Name Location Pramana Composition Mahabhuta
kShipra Between great toe and second toe ½ angula Snayu and kalantara Soma,agni
Talahriday Mid of the foot sole ½ angula Mamsa and kalantara pranahara Soma,agni
Kurcha Above both sides of kshipra 4 angula Snayu and vaikalyakara Soma
Kurcha sshira Both sides of ankle joint 1 angula Snayu and vaikalyakara Soma
Gulfa Ankle joint 4 angula Sandhi and rujakara Agni,vaayu
Indrabasti Mid of thigh in the line of heel ½ angula Mamsa and kalantara pranahara Soma,agni
Jaanu Knee joint 3 angula Sandhi and vaikalyakara soma
Aani 3 fingers above knee joint both sides ½ angula Snayu and vaikalyakara soma
Urvi Mid of thigh 1 angula Sira and vaikalya kara soma
Lohitaksha Root of thigh above urvi marma, below hip joint ½ angula Sira and vaikalyakara soma
vitapa In between groin and testes 1 angula Snayu and vaikalyakara somas

Marma sthana of head and neck

Name Location Pramana Composition Mahabhuta predominance
Nilamanya  (4) High up in neck either side of trachea 4 angula Sira and vaikalyakara soma
Matrukay(8) Anterior external, post external

jugular veins and common facial

veins

4 angula Sira and sadhya pranahara Agni
Krukatika(2) Junction of head and neck ½ angula Sandhi and vaikalyakara soma
Vidhura(2) Below and behind the ear ½ angula Snayu,sira, vaikalyakara somas
Phana(2) Both nasal passage near the roof of nose ½ angula Sira, vaikalyakara soma
Apanga(2) Lateral end of eyebrows ½ angula Sira, vaukalyakara soma
Avarta(2) Above and below eyebrows ½ angula Sandhi, vaikalyakara soma
Utskhepa(2) Above temple ½ angula Snayu vishalyaghna vayu
Shankha(2) In between ear and forehead ½ angula Sandhi, sadhya pranahara agni
Sthapani In between eyebrows ½ angula Sira, vishalyaghna vayu
Seemanta (5) 5 joints in skull vault 4 angula Sandhi, kalantara pranahara
Shrungatak(4) Venous junction of nose, ear, eyes, tongue 4 angula Sira, sadhya pranahara agni
adhipati Inside cranium ½ angula Sandhi and sadhya prana hara agni

Marmas of the abdomen region

Name Location Pramana Composition Mahabhuta predominance
Guda Anal region 4 angula Mamsa and sadhya pranahara agni
Basti/vasti Bladder 4 angula Snayu, sadhya pranahara Agni
Naabhi umbilicus 4 angula Sira and sadhya pranahara Agni

Marmas of the thorax region

Name Location Pramana Composition Mahabhuta predominance
hridaya heart 4 angula Sira, sadhya pranahara Agni
Stanamula(2) Bilaterally two fingers below the

Stana (breast)

2 angula Sira, kalantara pranahara Soma, agni
Stanarohita (2) Two fingers above the

Nipples of both the Stana Granthi

½ angula Sira, kalantara pranahara Soma,agni
Apasthamba (2) Both sides of chest ½ angula Sira, kalantara pranahara Soma, agni
Apalapa (2) Both axillary region ½ angula Sira, kalantara pranahara Soma,agni

Marmas of back region

Name Location Pramana Composition Mahabhuta predominance
Katiktaran(2) Both side of vertebral column to each hip bone ½ angula Asthi, kalantara prana hara Soma,agni
Kukundara(2) Lateral side of each femur ½ angula Sandhi, vaikalyakara soma
Nitamba(2) Above hip bone each side ½ angula Asthi, kalantara pranahara Soma,agni
Parshavasandhi(2) Gluteal region joining lower part of two flanks ½ angula Sira, kalantara pranahara Soma,agni
Brihati (2) Base of each breast ½ angula Sira, kalantara pranahara Soma,agni
Amsaphalaka(2) Near scapular region each side of vertebral column ½ angula Asthi, vaikalyakara soma
Amsa(2) In between scapular region and shoulder ½ angula Snayu, vaikalyakara soma

Measurement of marmas|Pramana

Urvi, kurchashira, vitapa, kakshadhara, parshva and stana moola each measure 1 angula.

Manibandha and gilfa marma are 2 angula each.

Kurpara and jaanu marma are 3 angula each.

Hriday, basti,kurcha, guda , naabhi, shira are 4 angula.

Shrungataka measures 5 angula.

Seemant and 12 marmas of head and neck region are mushti pramana.

Other remaining marmas measure ½ angula.

(Here Anguli pramana is “swa anguli pramana” meaning length equal to the transverse length of one’s own middle phalanx (middle segment of bone) of middle finger.)

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.

Such as when sadhya pranahara marmas are injured, there occurs inability to perceive objects, alterations in intellect and various kind of pain in and around the marma sthana.

When kalantara pranahara marma is afflicted, dhatu kshaya (depletion of sapta dhatus) occurs along with severe pain which further leads to death of the individual.

(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

Importance| mahatva

The trauma or injury occurred to any part of body is comparatively less than that experienced on marma sthana, this is due to presence of Chetana (consciousness/soul) at that sthana or site. (Cha sidd 9.3)

Marma sthana or the vital points are to be kept intact while performing surgeries meaning they should not be injured. (sushrut Samhita 6.31)

The whole and excellent knowledge of marma is as good as half knowledge of Shalya Tantra (surgery). Vaidya who tries to treat the patient with marma sthana injury can only be saved with a disability. Sush.shar. 6.34

There is a concept of disease pathways Ayurveda called as rogamarga which are three in number namely, shakha (periphery), marma-asthi-sandhi (vital spots and bones and joints) and koshta (internl organs). Here the middle pathway is Marma sthana. This makes marma important in disease manifestation, diagnosis and in treatment aspects.

The knowledge of marma is an important aspect in the study of ayurvedic anatomy or Shareera Rachana. Anatomy of marma sthana helps give a broader scope and understanding while treatment of injuries and especially surgical procedures.

Marma and Acupressure  

Acupressure is an ancient and traditional Asian healing therapy technique developed 5000 appx years ago. In this therapy specific points are applied gentle pressure to release the tension in muscles which increases circulation and relieves pain. This paves way for appropriate flow of energy in the bodily channels.

Acupressure is based on meridians (routes of psychic energy), 12 in number which are assessed differently, and the cumulative result was developed as acupressure and other Oriental medical practices like Shiatsu, Moxibustion, tsubo etc.

There is usage of certain kind of rhythm and pressure for stimulating the points, using not only the fingers, but also the hands, arms, legs and even feet. Acupressure Points have a high electrical conductivity at the surface of the skin, and thus conduct and channel healing energy most effectively. Therefore, the most potent healing energy work uses acupressure points.

Though these kinds of therapy look like Marma therapy, but marma therapy Is far more accurate, ancient and the sthanas (points) have much more importance than being just pressure points. Marma therapy is performed by skilled Vaidya and under standard protocols.

https://mrityunjaymission.org/marma-and-acupressure/

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


Therapeutic Applications

Cha.si.9.7

Marmas are to be protected from various injuries because that aggravates vata dosha in the body and that aggravates pitta and kapha dosha as well. Thus, basti karma (enema therapy) the prime treatment for vata dosha imbalance is given as marma therapy.

When marma present in the murdha (head region) or shiras as a marma according to Acharya charaka is afflicted, abhyanga (oil massage), swedana (fomentation therapy), upanaha (poultice therapy), snehapana(internal fats like ghee,oil etc administration), nasya (nasal administration of oil) especially avapidana (nasya with churna) and dhumapana (nasya with medicated smoke) are administered as therapy.

When vasti or basti is afflicted which is one of the sadhya prana hara marma (present in trunk region) kumbhisweda which is precisely an under bed sudation, described in [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 14/56-58] is given. Varti prayoga is done (urethral suppository), niruha and Anuvasana basti therapy (decoction enema and medicated oil enema) and Uttara basti (urethral route enema) therapy.

Abhyanga therapy in marma chikitsa aspect is one mildly similar therapy which resembles acupressure. Abhyanga (oil massage), udvartana (massage technique with medicated powders), massage with herbal paste, kizhi (massage done with palm, wrist, heel) or along with herbal pottali (poultice) are done skilfully with accurate pressure for required results and are few prime therapies for treatment in marma sthana injury.

Agni karma is done in marmas which are predominant in Agni Mahabhuta for example sadhya pranahara marma. Precisely a method wherein a heated shalaka(long instrument) is used as a medium of agni, and applied on the skin surface level skilfully by a Vaidya in a standard procedure. For example, Agni karma in Katiktaruna marma for treatment of sciatica. Jaanu mama for knee pain, manibandha marma for wrist pain etc.

Shirodhara which in short means pouring medicated oil from a certain height over sthapani marma (marma of the head region). Also, a broad spectrum panchakarma procedure which has various advantages in different diseases.  

These techniques are to be done in a standard procedure by a skilled Vaidya only.

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.