Abstract

ANATOMICAL CONSIDERATION OF VIDHUR MARMA IN AYURVEDA

Rashmi Tiwari* and Sunita Temhuna

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda is an ancient health science devoted to the cure on human suffering and for the care of the health of the people. Injuries involving various types of the structures in the body like dhamanis (arteries), muscles, nerves, bones and the visceral organs in general and when in combination specifying marma. Marmas are the points which lie in our whole body. According to Ayurvedic literature at these points, the Prana (Jivaniya Shakti/ Vital energy) situated naturally. Acharya Sushruta (Ayurvedic, surgeon of an ancient period) has described very nicely in the separate chapter known as Marma Sharira in Sharira Sthana. The science of Marma was extended by the physician and surgeons of ancient period to prevent death. The term ‘marma’ is defined as “Marayanti iti Marma” that spot which, when injured, kills the person. This is a broad general definition. All such spots do not cause death; some cause deformities and severe pain. Descriptions of 107 marmas given by all acharyas being classified into five varieties on the basis of structure involved; five on the basis of effect of injury and five on the basis of location on the body. According to anatomical consideration marmas can be divided into mansa-marma, sira-marma, snayu-marma, sandhi-marma, and asthi-marma (respectively, marma of muscle, blood vessel, ligament, joint and bone). These are classified on the basis of the tissue predominant in that area such as muscles, vein, ligament, and bone or joint. Acharya Sushruta has described the anatomical classification of marma and says that they are one hundred seven in number. Marma (fatal spots) are confluence of muscle, veins, ligaments, bones and joints; in these places prana (life) resides specially nature; hence when fatal spots are injured, they produce their respective effects. Vaikalyakar marma are saumya (possess qualities of moon/water) because of his stability and cold nature the moon/water helps sustainance of life. Description of Vidhura Marma by Acharya Sushruta under snayu marma but according to Acharya Vagbhatta has been done under Dhamani Marma, belongs to head region the most dangerous region of the body prone to deadly injuries. Anatomical structures may involve in this are the tympanic membrane, vestibulocochlear nerve, stylomastoid artery, facial nerve, mastoid air cells etc. Any sharp injury at this level causes permanent deafness.

Keywords: Vaikalyakar Marma, Vidhur Marma, Dhamni, Snayu.