The Concept Of Marmas In Ayurveda

By Author: Dr. Rajesh Kalwadiya
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Introduction: -

Ayurveda is India's traditional healing system, its profound system of mind-body medicine, natural living and yogic health. Ayurveda, which means 'the science of life', has become recognized today for its wonderful dietary, herbal, life-style and yogic therapies that help us live longer, happier, wiser and more in harmony with the greater universe of life and consciousness. Ayurveda was the dominant medical paradigm in the Indian subcontinent until modern times and is still widely practiced throughout the region as a complete medical system. Its roots go back deep both in time and in consciousness. Ayurveda is part of the older spiritual heritage of humanity that contains much secret knowledge and profound wisdom. It interfaces closely with the spiritual science of yoga and developed parallel to it both historically and in terms of its prime concepts.
The science of marma or marma vidya is another extraordinary and dynamic Ayurvedic therapy that has tremendous value in health, disease, everyday living and spiritual practice. Marma therapy or Marma chikitsha is an important method of Ayurvedic ...
... treatment for the entire spectrum of health complaints major and minor. Many different marma regions are described in Ayurvedic texts along with their specific effects on both body & mind. Marmas range in size from very small to very large, from special points along the hands and feet to significant regions on the trunk of the body like the heart or the navel. When manipulated, marmas can alter both the organic function and structural condition of the body. Through the right use of marmas our entire physical and mental energy can be consciously increased, decreased or redirected in a transformative manner.

What is Marma?

Etymologically it is said that, each letter of word Marma has got a significant meaning. Ma means Prana or Vayu, the "Repha" indicates house or seat. Hence the word marma means seat of vayu or Prana. Vaghabata expresses the same idea.

The term Marma is derived from the Sanskrit term Mring marane or Mru prana tyage. That means which causes death or death like miseries.

Relevance: -

The word Marma in this context refers to certain vital points on the human anatomy. Three groups even now practice the marma vidya -
1. Ayurvedic Practitioners (Marma Sastra)
2. Tamil / Sidha Practitioners (Varma Vidya)
3. Martial Art Practitioners (Kulayan / Abhyasa Marma)

History and its development: -

Reference of the word Marma is seen in Atharva Veda. During Vedic period, knowledge of marma was known to kings and warriors. It was applied in battlefields to hit and achieve maximum fatal effect against their enemies. Therefore it can be assumed that this science was used both in warfare and surgery.

As a practical science, the Marma therapy has widely acclaimed as an effective treatment method and has been in vogue from time immemorial in many parts of south India, especially in Kerala & Tamil Nadu.

In Ayurveda the 107-point marma system, of the ancient Indian surgeon Susruta, which was developed primarily for helping the surgeon to safely operate on the human body and the 108-point marma system of the ancient tamil Sidhas (saints) meant primarily for treatment of various ailments and diseases, the 64 points marma system of Kalari abhyasis (practitioner of traditional martial art) of Kalaripayattu peculiar specific of northern Kerala was developed with the specific purpose of injuring or killing an adversary in a personal combat and / personal defense.

Definition; -

Vaghbhata is of the view that structures which show irregular pulsation and where the pain on pressure persists can be la-belled as Marmasthana. According to Susruta, Marma is a conglomeration of anatomical structures namely Mamsa (muscle), sira (blood vessels), snayu (ligaments and nerves), asthi (bone) and sandhi (joints).

The statements clearly help in deriving a conclusion that there are certain very vital anatomical points in the body, which are having a secret and significant life values and they are composed of nerves, muscles, blood vessels, joints, ligaments and bones. It is not necessary that all these structures should be present collectively at a time for the composition of marma. Even if only two structures are present it may constitute a marma point.

In Ayurveda the knowledge of marma has a very vital role to play. The diseases affecting these areas were considered to be having a very bad prognosis. More over the disease not affecting the marmapradesha are relatively easy to cure.

Signs and Symptoms of Injury: -

The symptoms of injuries on each marma have been described in detail in the Samhita granthas. There are certain general symptoms as giddiness, delirium, falling down, unconsciousness, abnormal movements of the body, rise of temperature, relaxation of joints; fainting, belching, pain and different symptoms due to the vitiation of vata will be manifested due to the injuries in any of the five types of marmas.
Vagbhata notes, "When marmas are injured a person rolls in bed due to pain, feeling as though entering into emptiness. He suffers from faintness and restlessness and has difficulty breathing. Due to severe weakness he cannot lift his legs and hands, has a burning sensation in the heart, cannot stay in any posture for long and may soon succumb to death.

Five types of Marmas relative to symptoms when injured: -

1. Sadya Pranahara; - Immediate death causing.
2. Kalantara Pranahara: - Long-term death causing
3. Vishalyaghana: - Fatal if Pierced
4. Vaikalyakara: - Disability causing
5. Rujakara; - Pain causing

Prognosis: -

A marma injury in which frequent convulsion, extreme weakness, loss of sensory observations, vertigo, shivering, severe dyspnoea, fatigue, burning sensation are observed and the patient will feel no relief from symptoms at any stage, may probably die.

Area of marma therapy: -

There are various areas where Marma chikitsa can really contribute.
To name a few

1. Reduction techniques (Shoulder joint)
2. Immobilization
3. sports medicines
4. While treating old traumatic lesions
5. Balance the energy in body
6. Physical & mental wellbeing through Massage or healing therapies
7. To balance & activate Chakras and nadis

Marma therapy and doshic types: -

Naturally the treatment of marmas must consider such constitutional factors. Marmas as energy centers are most connected with Prana and with the corresponding vata dosha as already noted, but they have their effects on the other two doshas as well.

" Vata types can use marma points to monitor and treat the level of Vata in their bodies and minds. They can benefit from marma therapy that aims at reducing Vata from its various places of accumulation in the large intestine, bones, joints and nervous system. Marma therapy can be used for pain relief, reducing stiffness, stopping tremors, relieving constipation, calming down anxiety, relieving stress, promoting sleep and other vata reducing actions.
" Pitta types can use marma points to monitor and treat the level of pitta in their bodies and minds. They can benefit from marma therapy that aims at cooling down high pitta from its various places of accumulation in the small intestine, liver and blood. Marma therapy can be used for removing acidity, cleansing the blood, detoxifying the liver, countering infection, stopping inflammation, calming anger and other Pitta-reducing actions.
" Kapha types can use marma points to monitor and treat the level of kapha in their bodies and minds. They can benefit from marma therapy that aims at moving and eliminating Kapha from its places of accumulation in the stomach and lungs, lymphatic system and fat tissues. Marma therapy can be used for reducing mucus, removing congestion, eliminating edema, promoting weight reduction, increasing physical and mental activity and other Kapha-reducing actions.

Conclusions: -

Marmas are certain vital points spread all over the surface of human body. These are the places where the prana (life force) is said to be situated. Hence any injury to these centers or in the vicinity of these areas is highly painful and might lead to irreparable damages or even death. In martial art the warrior learns how to induce maximum possible injury to his opponents and even silent death. But in the very same points could be triggered to revive him from harmful effects. Practice of stimulating marma point help to keep energy level and balance doshas. Knowledge & practice are tools for perfection in any area. Marma chikitsa also requires proper knowledge of marma point and application of chikitsa & much practice under senior person.

I would like to conclude with a famous phrase:
"The perfection of knowledge depends upon the investigation of things"