Marma-sastra and Ayurveda (study)
by C. Suresh Kumar | 1999 | 41,313 words
This essay represents a comprehensive study of Marmas with special reference to Ayurvedic and Tamil Marma Sastras in relation to its applied anatomy. The study reflects on the holistic approach of ancient Indian medicine, contrasting it with Western scientific methods, while highlighting the importance of integrating human and environmental aspects...
Study of Sthapani Marma
Sthapani Etymology—Derived from the word Sthap = regulates. Description extent. This is sira marma having half angula in The site of this marma is in-between the two super ciliary arches underneath the bony vault. Injury to this marma lead to same consequence of Utkshepa marma. If the foreign body is removed from the wound immediately after the injury, severe bleeding results in brain through the vein communicating the big siras resulting in loss of nerve energy and death. Its ashraya is sira and prognosis is Vishalyaghna. Its bhuta structure is Vayu. Adhidevata is Sadasiva. Surface Anatomy Ethmoidal nerve Infraorbital nerve Communication between greater palatine and nasopalatine nerves at incisive canal Nasopalatine nerve Olfactory nerves Pterygopalatine ganglion Greater palatine nerve Plate No. 10 The anatomical area of Sthapani 135
Sthapani is the name of the anatomical part on the lowerside of frontal bone falling in between the eye brows above the nasal ridge near tha arch of the frontal veins. This may not be tender usually in normal person until it is pressed hard with the thumb. just below this area, inside the skull, lies the venous reservoir of the brain, the superior sagittal and the cavernous venous sinuses. The word sthapani may be of Yogic significances. Anatomical Structures corresponding to this marma � A vein from the nose entering through the formen caecum joins the superior sagittal sinus. � � The brain with its covering underneath the frontal bone corresponding to marma. Glabella. � Emmissary vein. � Superior sagittal sinus. Discussion This is galbella, there the frontal veins and emissary vein, goes to the foramen caecum to form superior sagittal sinus. If the dart is removed by force bleeding occurs leading to death. Tamil varma sastra This has a very similar position of the varma Thilasakala. The word Thilartham means Pottu 136
which the ladies wear on their forehead. Hence the word Thilartham. Thilarthu varma is seen at the point, half angula, (approximately one centimetre) below the centre of the two eye brows on the fore head. If one were hit 31cms distance on this spot he would become unconscious. He would be blinking at the sky. The person afflicted by this life centre should be treated within 1 1/2 hours (3.75 nazhigai) using the illakku murai or neutralising method. Minvetti varma corresponds to this area. This varma is also named as Munvetti varma or Vizhi pinthungi varma. It is situated 1 to 2cms. below on the right side of Thilartha varma, on the right side of the junction of the nose and eyebrows. But according to Odimurivu Sari - Pala varma is very near to Thilartha varma and two fingers below to the former is Minvetti varma. The victim will become unconscious once this life-centre is inflicted. The patient will fall down with mouth wide open. The body temperature will increase. Deafness, body-pain, disorder of bones in nose, eyes, ears, mouth and jaws; heavy bleeding, tiredness weightlessness and shivering are also felt by 137
the patient. Within 3 hours the patient should be treated. Manthirakkalam is situated at a point on the centre of either side of the eyebrows. Manthirakkalam disorder leads to either opening or closing of the eyes. Sleeplessness, fainting, reddish-face and yawning may be experienced. Manthirakkalam disorder should be treated within two hours. Adakka varma is the point situated on both sides of Manthirakkalam. This varma disorder will have all features of Manthirakkalam (varma). So the treatment is also similar to Manthirakkaalam. the eye. Nema varma is situated at the centre of In case the Nema varma life-centre is affected. There will be heavy respiration with gasping, pain and heaviness in the head will be experienced by the victim accompanied by rolling of the head sideways. Restlessness will set-in. Chillness of the body leading to tetanus (sanni) may also occur. This type of varma disorder is of peculiar type. 138
kapala sadvyathah panca somantasniyagdhvagah bhramonmada manonai| stesu vidhenu nai �mati Kulayana Marma In Kulayana marma the area coresponding to Sthapani is termed as Trikoodakyam (Thalahruth.) The site is in between two eye brows. It is of one number. If injured he may become unconscious, closing of the eyes, trembling of the tongue, inability to speak and oedema to eyebrows. He can be brought to consciousness by stimulating the naphe of the neck or at the depression at the end of the posterior part of the neck.