Marma Science

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What is marma science
and marma therapy?

  • Marma science is an untouched chapter of Ayurveda Surgery.
  • Among the hidden sciences (Gupta Vidya) of ancient world , Marma science is the most important.
  • Many ancient sages got the knowledge of marma and practiced this knowledge for the betterment of suffering humanity.
  • In ancient times it was a hidden science and only the king and warriors knew it.

Why was it a hidden science?

According to medical definition the specific parts of the  body, which  are  very  vulnerable  to  trauma  is known  as  marma. Any  trauma  to  these places  may  lead  to  death  and many  other  complications   regarding   physiological and  anatomical  functions. These  places  are  known  as  vital  parts and are  the source   of  energy. So these places should be preserved very well during any surgical  intervention  or  procedure. And  should  not  be  exposed   to  any  trauma  or  distress , during  any  activity.The  human  body  is  the  basis  of  all  types  of activities. One  can  achieve  many  mortal  and  immortal  gains from  this  body. In  another  reference  it  is  said  that  the human    body  is  the  seat  of  diseases. Can  any  individual  be  able  to  get  any  gains  from ill health? Is  there  any  means  to  keep  the  body healthy?

In answer  to  these   questions  we  can  say   yes  and with  the   knowledge   of   marma. One  can  achieve  it. A  number of neurological problems are discussed in different Ayurvedic  texts. Most of these neurological problems come under the heading  of    Vata  Roga. These vata disorders (80 types) can be treated by  marma therapy  successfully. Apart from this, if the required procedures ,described in ancient texts ,are applied on those points in the proper way, then the body becomes healthy and long life  can  be achieved. One can get rid of and be free from different curable and incurable   diseases. previously  yoga  was  the  means  of  achieving  spiritual  gains. These days  yoga  is  a tool  for  health  promotion among  the   masses   and the best  way  to  combat most  of  the  diseases   from  which  man suffers. In the same way  the  implementation  of  marma therapy  will   help  to  overcome   different  medical  and  surgical lesions, In  many  ways  with out  using  any  oral  drug  or  any  surgical intervention.

Ancient rishis, the experts of marma knowledge, developed  the marma science and therapy for suffering humanity and for those people who are engaged in the activities of service to humanity and are seekers of achieving the higher state of consciousness. Persons  who engaged in higher spiritual practices cannot practice yoga, pranayama and other physical practices to keep their body fit due to their special life style. They can, however, attain the same results and enjoy a similar outcome with marma therapy, which enables them to attain physical well-being, mental calmness, spiritual gains and self realization. Whereas, on  one  hand, physical and spiritual gains are possible  through  marma  science, On  the  other  hand  the  misuse of marma  science  may  be fatal. Any  unprecedented efforts  may  lead  to  complication  and  adverse  effects  or   even death.This  was  the  main  aim  of  obscuring  the  marma  science. Therefore ,owing to  its  fatalness  , In ancient times ,the marma  science was obscure and  hidden for a long period of thousands of years.except for the  experts  of  marma  science.

It  was taught and exposed only to the king, his army chiefs   and  warriors. The property of the fatalness of the marmas, has been  used  to  create  ancient  Singhalese  martial  art , well known , as  ANGAMPORA. of  which  ,extremely fatal  to  the  enemy  or  resulting  fatal  injuries   or    grave   disabilities. In  the  present times, with due precautions, this hidden treasure of Ayurvedic surgical skill can help greatly to relieve the suffering of  humanity.

 

What is the role of these vital points?

Marma science is discussed mainly  in Susruta-Samhita chapter 6, in reference to anatomical consideration  of  the body  parts. In practice , it  is also apparent that  any trauma to these  vital  parts  may  lead  to  death. It  is  also  truth  in  reference  to  the  heart, brain  and  genital  area. Trauma to these parts may lead to loss of vitality so these  parts  are   known  as  vital parts. When injured  or  distressed ,may  be  life  threatening   or resulting in  grave  disabilities  in  the  relevant   part  of  the  body.

Marmas  are  not  superficial  landmarks  on  the  body  surface. These   points   can’t   be  seen   by   naked  eye. There  are   107  marmas  whole over  the  human  body. These  are  deep-seated  important  physio-anatomical structures. Promote   the  psycho- somatic  equilibrium.  Aid to move  the  energy  between the  subtle  body(Sukshma sharira)  and  the  coarse body (Sthula sharira).

What is the subtle body and Which energy is to be moved ?

The   Anatomy   of   the   subtle  body  consists  of ,

  • Subtle  body  works  like  a  power  grid,                       
  • It  works  similarly  to  electro  power  generating, in   power  houses  = 7  Chakras : Energy Centers, 
  • Distributes   via  cables  = Meridians (Nadi),
  • To  divisional  power  plants  = 107  Marmas :Energy  points.
  • In  these   power  plants  high  voltage  is   stepped  down.
  • Again  distributes    via  cables = Meridians  (Nadi),
  • To  transformers  = 12067  Nilas : small  energy  points,
  • These  transformers  step down  the  power   furthermore   to  the  expected  level  of  domestic   usage   eg: 230 V  or  110V .

Subtle  body (Astral body ) is  intangible , similarly  software  in  a computer   and  it  can’t  be  seen   by  the  naked  eye  as  well. Persons  who  have  achieved    high  level  of  consciousness  can   understand  about  the  subtle    body  and   perform  miracles.

For  an  instant ,

They   can   drag  this   subtle   body    out   and   can  achieve   clairvoyance  , clairaudience , floating  in  the  air  ,walk  on the water  and  etc. There  are  seven  chakras   (Wheels  of  Energy; Psycho-Energetic Knots ) along  the   spinal  chord ( Central Channel).

These  chakras    are  charged  with  the power  of   wisdom-(Prana-Shakti) or  the Power of Consciousness . This  power  is  well known  as  Kundalini. Kundalini   can  be   awakened  by  practicing   yoga   and   meditation. If   a  person  is   able  to  awaken  kundalini ,  he   will  be  able  to   be  well  versed   about  the worldly and  unworldly  knowledge. eg : Lord Buddha.​

Classification of Marma

107 marmas have been divided into several categories according their constitution, location, property and the effect when injured.

Categorization  of  marmas  according  to  their  constitution,

1)Mansa marma (Marmas of  muscles) 11 in  number

2)Sira marma (Marmas  of  blood vessels) 41 in number

3 )Snayu marma (Marmas of ligaments)  27  in number

4 ) Asthi marma (Marmas of bones)  8 in number

5) Sandhi marma (Marmas of joints) 20 in number.

 

Categorization  of  marmas  according  to their  location

The total 107 marmas are distributed all over the body.

  1. Kshipra 2 – First inter metacarpal ligament
  2. Talahridaya 2 – Palmer aponeurosis
  3. Kurca 2 – Carpo-metacarpal and intercarpal ligament
  4. Kurcasira 2 – Lateral ligaments of the wrist joint
  5. Manibandha 2 – Wrist joint
  6. Indravasti 2 – Origin of Palmaris longus muscle
  7. Kurpara 2 – Elbow joint
  8. Ani 2 – Tendon of biceps muscle
  9. Urvi 2 – Brachial artery/ Bacilic vein
  10. Kakshadhara 2 – Brachial plexus
  1. Kshipra 2 – First inter metatarsal ligament
  2. Talahridaya 2 – Long planter ligament
  3. Kurca 2 – Tarso – metatarsal and inter tarsal ligament
  4. Kurcasira 2 – Lateral ligament of the ankle joint
  5. Gulpha 2 – Ankle joint
  6. Indravasti 2 – Calf muscles
  7. Janu 2 – Knee joint
  8. Ani 2 – Tendon of quadriaps femoris
  9. Urvi 2 – Femoral vessels
  10. Lohitaksha 2 – Iliac vessels
  11. Vitapa 2 – Inguinal ligament/ inguinal canal
  1. Guda 1 – Anal canal and anus
  2. Vasti 1 – Urinary bladder
  3. Nabhi 1 – Umblicus
  4. Hridaya 1 – Heart
  5. Stanamula 2 – Internal mammary vessels
  6. Stanarohita 2 – Lower part of Pectoralis major muscle
  7. Apalapa 2 – Lateral thoracic and subscapular vessels
  8. Apastambha 2 – Two bronchi
  1. Katikataruna 2 – Sciatic notch
  2. Kukundara 2 – Sacrocliac joints
  3. Nitamba 2 – Ischial Tuberosity
  4. Parsvasandhi 2 – Common cliac vessels/ Renal angles
  5. Vrihati 2 – Subscapular and Transverse cervical arteries
  6. Amsaphalaka 2 – Scapular spine
  7. Amsa 2 – Coraco-humoral, gleno-humoral ligament trapezius muscle
  1. Nila/Manya 4 – Right and left common carotid artery or RF Subclavian Artery and internal Jugular veins, vagus between them
  2. Matrika 8 – Blood vessels of the neck
  3. Krikatika 2 – Atlanto-occipital articulation
  4. Vidhura 2 – Posterior auricular ligament/vessels
  5. Phana 2 – Kiesselbach’s plexus in little’s area/olfactory region of the nose
  6. Apanga 2 – Zygomatico-temporal vessels
  7. Avarta 2 – Junction of the frontal. Molar and sphenoid bone
  8. Utksepa 2 – Temporal muscle and fascia
  9. Samkha 2 – Temples
  10. Sthapani 1 – Nasal arch of the frontal vein
  11. Simanta 5 – Cranial sutures
  12. Sringataka 4 – Cavernous and inter-cavernous sinuses
  13. Adhipati 1 – Torcular herophili
  1. Sadya Pranahara — Immediate Death – Causing marmas-19
  2. Kalantara Pranahara — Long-term Death – Causing marmas  – 33
  3. Vishalyaghna — Fatal  If  Pierced  marmas – 03
  4. Vaikalyakara — Disability – Causing marmas – 44
  5. Rujakara — Pain-causing marmas – 08

Marma therapy

It  is  apparent  that   there  are  certain  important  vital  points (places) in the  human body, which  have  hidden, secret and  significant  energy. In  Ayurveda  the  concept  of  marma has  a  vital role. Diseases  affecting these  vital  parts  have  a bad prognosis. Certainly we can say  that the diseases or lesions  away  from  the  marmas can be treated easily. Marmas  are the seat of soma, vayu, theja, sattva, rajas, tama and jivatma. When these places, that is, the marma points, get  injured there  can  be  a fatal response. Keeping this concept in mind  one should try to apply  marma  therapy  to provide the cure for different body ailments.

According to Ayurveda all factors responsible for the body vitiates the vata, pitta and kapha. This vitiation  emerges as pathological states in the organs and tissues. Ayurveda attempts to check this process in different stages of the vitiation of doshas.

These  stages  can  be  categorized  as  follows –

  1. Samcaya (stage of accumulation)
  2. Prakopa (stage of proliferation)
  3. Prasara (stage of spread)
  4. Sthana samsraya (stage of localization)
  5. Vyakta (stage of manifestation)
  6. Bheda (stage of differentiation)

As previously discussed, marma can be categorized into saumya(kapha), agneya (pitta), vayavya (vayu) and saumyagneya (kaphapitta). Most of the marma (44) are saumya. Saumyagneya are (33) in number. Agneya are (19) in number and vayavya are (11) in number. The marmas situated in the left side of body are representative of soma (kapha). The marmas on the right side of the body are representative  of  surya (pitta). In the state of any illness the predominance of dosha should  be  kept  in mind The particular side should be treated specially with reference  to  doshik dominance  through marma therapy.

so that appropriate stimulation of the  marma points will restore the  balance  of   the  humour  and  relieve  disease. Before  marma  therapy one  has to determine the actual  location  of the specific marma. The exact location of marma varies  according to an individual, according to the measurement of the body and body parts. The  site  is  described in relation to the bony prominences, joints and other body structures. The distance is described in finger measurement of the individual. The extent of each type of marma is also discussed. The marma points vary in size from that of a pinhead  to half a finger (laterally measured) to four fingers, laid laterally, or  even the size of the palm.

The aim  of   Ayurveda is to preserve  the  health of healthy individual and to treat the ailments of a diseased person. As a curative  treatment it can be used widely in many diseases, As a supportive treatment it can be used along with any medical science, without hindrance, along with its drugs and procedures. Marma therapy contributes to increase or recharge physical, mental and spiritual  energies. On  the physical  level  it  helps  to  revitalize  or reenergize  the body tissues. At  cellular level, it improves  the vital functions like digestion, respiration, blood circulation  and excretion.

On the psychological  level  it  improves  the  mental  faculty   by directing  it in the positive direction. It  also  offers  a  way  to  treat  many  psycho-somatic ailments without any drugs. It  harmonizes  the  functioning  of  nervous  and  endocrine  systems  to  control  psychological disorders. On  the  spiritual  level, reasoning of mind, regulation and transformation  of  thoughts  in  positive  direction helps to concentrate  towards the ultimate  goal  of life. As  a preventive measure  it helps to cope with the situations arising  from  different  diseases. Marma therapy is also responsible for the perception of psychic centers. These methods are supposed to attain the ultimate transformation in inner  consciousness. When one starts practising  self- marma therapy one experiences gaining of physical, mental and  spiritual energy.

Marma chikitsa can be used in the following ways –

  • To treat the diseases of nerves and brain.
  • In traumatic neurological or neuro surgical lesions, traumatic paraplegia, hemiplegia and monoplegia.
  • In orthopaedic lesions, especially prolapsed inter vertebral disc etc.
  •  To reduce the pain of nerves, muscles, ligaments, bones and joints.
  • To produce anesthesia during any surgical interference.
  • To improve the function of body organs by achieving homeostasis.
  • To activate the mal-developed or deformed body parts or musculature etc.

The different methods of marma therapy

  1. Deep breathing and holding of air in the chest, upper respiratory  tract  and  mouth. This stimulates the 37 marmas of the neck and head.
  2. Posturing of body – Examples  are to be drawn from normal human postures which are adopted by human beings in day to day life like inter-digital pose, cross-hand and crosslegged pose as well as Yogasanas in which stimulation of  marma  points is inherent.
  3. Pressure over the marma  points, vibrating, pinching and  lifting the skin layers  over  the marma  points.
  4. Application of  medicaments  and oil massage over the marma  points.

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