Study of Hridaya Marma

Hridaya Etymology—Etymologically the word hrdaya is derived from the Sanskrit term Hrunch Aharane and Du 15 Dane In Gatau Ayana Gati. The mechanism of blood circulation with the heart pumping, distributing and receiving blood and thereby being the centre of all activities are expressed here. Brihat Aranyopanishad expands the term 16 Hridaya with a similar meaning. Shatapadha brahmana in his scripture 14/08/04/01 has given a very clear and vivid description of hridaya." 165

It is well known that the rhythmic contraction of the heart is that which produces expansile impulse in the vessels. One of the main characteristic features of the cardiac muscle is that it can initiate its own impulse rhythmically even when denervated. 18 In Nadee Vignan this organ is described as an anatomical pump that propels vayu inside the vessel thus enabling blood to flow. 19 This very familiar word is derived from Hru Harane, Hru Manase. Some opines that the word hridaya is an adesha of the root word Hru. Description Situation of marma is between two breasts. This is near cardiac end of stomach. It is the adisthana of Satwa, Rajas and Tamogunas. This is a sira marma. It is sadya pranahara and is four anguli in extent. It resembles like a lotus bud facing downwards. Its bhuta structure is Teja. Adhidevatha is Iswara. Susruta in Sareera fourth chapter has explained the Hridaya as follows. Hrdaya which is the Asraya of pranavaha srothas is formed in the Garbhavasta by the combination of sonita and kapha. 166

This organ is related to pleeha (spleen), puppusa (lungs), yakrut (liver), kloma (trachea). While the puppusa and pleeha are situated on the left side, the yakrut and kloma are situated on the right side, pleeha is situated in the inferior part of the heart. Susruta elsewhere has described the hridaya as a lotus shaped organ which faces downwards and this expands at awakening and closes while sleeping. 12 Arunadatta explains hrdaya as the sthana of ojus, seat for chetana and for the thought. This is formed by the union of rakta and kapha. The heart is formed by the mamsa pesi or muscle tissues and has the shape of a red colored lotus with its apex downwards. Kloma and yakrut are situated in the right of the hridaya, while the puppusa is seen on the left side of it. 13 According to Charaka this is one of the three important marmas namely siras, hrdaya and vasti. He described it as the Asraya for the physical as well as the spiritual behaves of the human body." 14 According to Kashyapa Samhita human body has five hridaya, four shakha hrdaya and the fifth chetanadhisthana hrdaya. 20 167

The importance of Hridaya can be summed up as follows. 1. Adhara of all physical and mental activities. 2. Centre for rasa, rakta, and oja. 3. Seat for the param oja. 4. Seat for sadhaka pitha and vyana vayu. 5. Nourished by Avalambaka kapha. 6. One among the ten Jeevita damas. 7. Two jeevita dhamas oja and rakta depend on hridaya. 8. Root of Rasavaha ands 9. Pranavahashrothamsees. One of the of the trimarma enumerated by Charaka. 10. Just like the spokes of the wheel Prana, Apana, Mana, budhi cetana are situated. Injury to this marma cause cough, dyspnoea, loss of strength, dryness of the throat, dryness of mouth and palate, epilepsy, insanity, delirium and loss of consciousness. Surface Anatomy The area above the heart on thoracic wall is also the point of importance corresponding to Hrdaya marma. The sternum and pericardial area are referred here in this context. The anterior thoracic wall is situated away form the heart and does not bear 168

Inferior cervical sympathetic cardiac nerves Thoracic vagal cardiac nerve 4th thoracic sympthathetic ganglion Thoracic sympathetic cardiac nerves Cardiac plexus Phrenic nerve 3rd thoracic sympathetic ganglion Thoracic sympathetic cardiac nerves Thoracic vagal cardiac nerve Recurrent laryngeal nerve Plate No. 17: The anatomical area of Hridaya any anatomical or physiological relation with heart, but recent pharmacological appreciations have given importance to this cardiac region with that of hear & coronary circulation. Anatomical structures corresponding to this marma ☐ Heart as a whole. Discussion Injury will cause severe haemorrhage shock and death. Tamil varma sastra This has another name called Koombu varmam is situated slightly below the chest bone (Rib). This varmam will get impacted if hit by two fingers at 169

a distance of 31 cms and less than 31 cms if hit by three fingers. The injured person falls down like a dead man and his extremities are cold at the very same time he will sweat. Nasal and oral discharge will be commonly seen. Treatment should never be attempted before 24 hours.