CRITICAL REVIEW ON MARMA SHARIR WITH CLINICAL IMPORTANCE OF MARMA

Shrinath S. Agnihotri* and Prashant Tople

ABSTRACT

Marma Sharir refers to the vital points or sensitive areas of the body where vital energy (prana) is believed to be concentrated. These points are considered significant in both preventive and therapeutic aspects of Ayurvedic practice. This review aims to explore the historical background, theoretical foundations, classification, and clinical relevance of Marma Sharir. There are total 107 Marma point mentioned in the Sushruta Samhita and charak samhita present in body.[1] Marma Sthanas are the point of junction of the Mamsa, Sira, Asthi, Dhamni and Sandhi where the Prana situated.[2] Ayurvedic Acharyas have classified the Marma Sthanas on the basis of location, number, composition, effects of injury etc. Marmas are vital parts of the body. Marma is locating place of prana and energy. Any injuries directly affecting the Marma sthana (Sites of Marmas) results to death immediately or later or serious complications. Diseases which are aries from Marma sthan are difficult to cure. Acharya Charak mention that Vyadhi of Trimarma is difficult to treat for example disease of Shira Hridya and Basti and Shira. Therefore the knowledge of Marma is very essential for the surgeon to protect the patient from any harm during the surgery. Sushruta mention that “knowledge of Marmas is half of the knowledge of surgery” because knowledge on various classification, their nature, extent of area, consequence & consequential prognosis of Marma plays an important role for the Vaidya particularly during procedure over the Marma area of the body. So Vaidya should be known about Marma during diagnosis & treatment the disease. Protect Marma during uses of Kshar Agni or Visha because these are site of Prana and Pidan of these causes pidan of Prana. So Marma points should always be protected from injury.

Keywords: Marma, vital points, Ayurveda, Marma Sharir.