European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

THE CONCEPT OF MARMA IN AYURVEDA

*Dr. B. M. N. Kumar

ABSTRACT

The description of marma is a specialty of Ayurveda. This is a part of Ayurveda sharira shastra. Such a description is not seen in any of the Medical System. Literarily, the marmas can be interrupted as the vital points. These marma sthanas are specified, so as not to have interference with the surgeon’s knife hence considered as the surgical points. In Modern Surgery, they have not described the marmas. But in Surgical surface markings, they are careful to avoid the nerves, arteries, veins...etc which are vital points. The marmas are the conglomerating points of these vital elements. Any injury to these parts will produce fatal results. According to Ayurveda, there are 107 marmas in the body. They are classified into several groups based on the anatomical structure, injurious effects, dimensions and number of marmas. Though the description and the viddha lakshana’s of these marmas are available in the samhitas, the structures like muscles, ligaments, tendons, arteries, veins, nerves etc. present in these regions, their anatomical description and their applied aspects need more clarification.

Keywords: marma, sira, marmabhigata, vital point, pain.