Classification of Marmas (Introduction)

CLASSIFICATION OF MARMAS The one hundred and seven marmas which are spread all over the human body can be classified into several groups depending upon the number, dimension, structure, region, prognosis. Marmas are generally classified as Chart No. 1 1. Sankhya Bhedena (Numerical Classification) 2. Avayava Bedena (Regional Classification) 3. Ashraya Bhedena (Structural Classification) 4. Parinama bhedena (Prognostic Classification) 5. Parimana Bhedena (Dimensional Classification) Chart No. 2 2 5 4 3 Sankhya Bhedena (Numerical Classification) Ekasankhya Dwisankhya Chathusankhya 6 5 Panchasankhya Ashtasankhya 8 36 52

Table No. II-a I. Ekasankhya (One in number) " Hrudaya r Gudam Vasthi Sthapani Table No. II-b Nabhi Adhipam Total 6 II. Dwisankhya (Two in number) " Janu ► Koorparam ▸ Gulpham Manibandham P Kukundaram " Avartham Krikatika " Vitapam ' Kaksadharam P Amsa " Vidhura Sankha " Apasthambha Utkshepa Kateekatharunam Apangam d Nithambha " Amsaphalakam Sthanarohitham P Parswasandhi P Neela P Manya Apalapa Sthanamoola " Phana Brihathi Table No. II-c III. Chathusankhya (Four in number) Thalahrith Urvi Kurchasira Total 52 Indravasthi " Lohithaksham Ani " P Kurcha Kshipra P Sringatakam Total 36 Table No. II-d IV. Panchasankhya (Five in number) Seemanthas 5 - 58 Total 5

V. Table No. II-e Astasankhya (Eight in number) Matruka 8 Total 8 Regional Classification Structurally, the body has six angas. They are Siras (head) Antharadhi (the abdomen and thorax) two bahoos (Upper extremities) and two Sakthi (Lower extremities). The one hundred and seven marmas which are distributed all over the body can be classified as per the given figure." 2,3 Chart No. 3 SAKHA MARMA Upper limb Lower limb 22 22 22 22 -37 22 KOSHTA MARMA Abdomen 03 37 22 URO MARMAS Thorax PRISHTA MARMA 09 60 Back and trunk 14 JATRURDVA MARMA Head and Neck 37 59 0 37 14

Sakha Marmas 4,7 Table No. III-a 1. Kshipra 4 6. Gulpha 2 11. Bahvi 2 2. Talahrudaya 4 7. Indravasthi 4 12. Urvi 21 3. Kurcha 4 8. Koorpara 2 13. Vitapa 2 4. Kurchasira 4 9. Janu 2 14. Kaksadruk 2 5. Manibandha 21 10. Ani 4 15. Lohitaksa 4 Total 44 5 Udara Marmas Table No. III-b 1. Guda 1 2. Vasthi Uro Marmas 5 1. Hrudaya 4. Apasthambha 6 Prishta Marmas 13. Nabhi 1 Total 3 Table No. III-c 2. Sthanamoola 2 3.Sthanarohitha 2 1 2 5. Apalapa 2 Total 9 Table No. III-d 1. Kateekatharuna 2 4. Parswasandhi 2 7. Amsaphalaka 2. Nithambha 2 3. Kukundara 2 5. Bruhathi 2 6. Amsa 2 2 60 Total 14

8 2 Oordhvanga Marmas 1. Neela 4. Krikatika 7. Apanga 10. Utksepa 13. Sringataka 21 21 2 Table No. III-e 2. Manya 56 Vidhura 2 3. Mathruka 26. Phana Avartha 2 2 11. Sthapani 4 14. Adipathi 9. Sankha 1 12. Seemantha 1 21 150 Total 37 The Structural Classification of Marma Structurally the marmas are classified into five by Susruta. Vahata the author of Ashtanga Sangraha agrees with the Susruta point of view. 10 Vaghbata consider yet another marma by term Dhamani marma.³ He defines marma as the sangama sthana of the six structures namely mamsa, asthi, santhi, snayu, sira, and dhamani. 11 It is worthwhile to note that in this context Susruta denies Vaghbata's view. He opines that there cannot be any other marma structure other than this. He categorically denies this due to the following reasons which the commentator Dalhana clarifies. Dalhana says that if injured, the srothamsi can also lead to death. But the srothas are not considered as marma because the srothas are not 61

seen devoid of these structures like mamsa, sira. Otherwise srothas are a part and parcel of these structures. Hence there is no need for the addition of any further in the classification. 12 Table No. IV Mamsa marma (marmas in muscle) Sira marma (marmas in vessels) Snayu marma (marmas in ligaments) Asthi marma (marmas in bones) Sandhi marma (marmas in joints) Different classification of marmas on the basis of their Anatomical Structure as described in Samhita Granthas. Chart No. 3 Structural Classification 111110 888 4141 37 2727 23 20 20 20 9 Mamsa Asthi Santhi Snayu Sira Dhamani 62