Classification Of Marma Based On Location In The Body

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Marmas are also classified based on the location, i.e. depending on the part of the body in which they are located. The classification is as below described –

Table of Contents

Classification based on location

Bahu Marma – marmas in limbs – 11 X 4
Udara Uras marma: Marmas located in the trunk – 12
Prushta Marma – 14
Greeva Urdhva Marma: Marmas located in the head and neck – 37

Bahu Marma

Bahu Marma: Marmas located in the limbs
There are a total of 11 marmas in each limb thus making a total of 44 (11×4) marmas inclusive of marmas located in both upper and lower limbs. The names of most of the marmas located in the upper and lower limb are almost the same with few exceptions (changed names are mentioned in the description below). The Marmas in the limbs are as enlisted below –

Kshipra (located between thumb and fingers in the upper limb and between the big toe and toes in the lower limb) – 4 in number, 1 each between right and left thumb and forefinger, 1 each between right and left big toe and first toe
Talahridaya (located in the middle of the palm / foot) – 4 in number, 2 in upper limb and 2 in lower limb
Kurcha (proximal to the junction between the thumb and forefinger in the upper limb and proximal to the junction between the big toe and first toe in the lower limb) – 4 in number, 1 proximal to the junction between the right thumb and index, 1 proximal to the junction between the left thumb and index, 1 proximal to the junction between the right big toe and first toe and 1 proximal to the junction between the left big toe and first toe
Kurchashira (located distal to wrist joint in the upper limb and distal to ankle joint in the lower limb) – 4in number, 1 distal to right wrist, 1 distal to left wrist, 1 distal to right ankle and 1 distal to left ankle
Manibandha (located at the wrist joint) – 2 in number, 1 each at right and left wrist joint
Indrabasti (located in the middle of the forearm / leg) – 4 in number, 2 in upper limb and 2 in lower limb
Kurpara (located at the elbow joint) – 2 in number, 1 each on the right and left elbow joints. In the lower limb, it is represented by Janu Marma (located in the knee joint) – 2 in number, 1 each on the left and right knee joints.
Aani (located above kurpara marma or elbow joint in the upper limb and above janu marma or knee joint in the lower limb) – 4 in number, 1 each above the left and right elbow joint and 1 each above the left and right knee joint
Bahvi in upper limb / Urvi in lower limb (located in the middle of the thigh in the lower limb and in the middle of arm in the upper limb) – 4 in number, 1 each in the middle of right and left thigh, 1 each in the middle of right and left arm
Lohitaksha (located below the groin or thigh fold, at the root of the lower limb and below the lower part of shoulder joint in the upper limb) – 4 in number, 1 each below the right and left groin and 1 each below the right and left shoulder
Kakshadhara in upper limb / Vitapa in lower limb (located between the thorax and axilla or armpit) – 2 in number, 1 between the right part of thorax and axilla and 1 between the left thorax and axilla. Vitapa marma represents Kakshadhara marma in the lower limb and are 2 in number, one located between the right testis and groin and the other located between the left testis and groin.

Udara Uras Marma

Udara Uras marma: Marmas located in the trunk (thorax or rib cage and abdomen or belly/tummy)
There are a total of 26 Marmas scattered over the trunk. They are as enlisted below:

Guda (located in the anal region) – 1 in number
Vasti (urinary bladder) – 1 in number
Nabhi (navel) – 1 in number
Hrudaya (heart) – 1 in number
Stanamula (located below the breast) – 2 in number, one on each side of the chest, below left and right breast respectively
Stanarohita (located above the nipples) – 2 in number, one on each side of the chest
Apalapa (located below the acromian process of the scapula) – 2 in number, one below the acromian process of right scapula and one below the acromian process of left scapula
Apastambha (located on the sides of thorax) – 2 in number, 1 on left side of the thorax and 1 on the right side of the thorax
Kateekataruna (located on the pelvic bone on either side of the vertebral column) – 2 in number, 1 each on right and left pelvic bones
Kukundara (located on the lateral part of the gluteal region) – 2 in number, 1 each on the lateral part of right and left gluteal regions
Nitamba (located above pelvic region) – 2 in number, 1 each above the right and left pelvic regions
Parshwa sandhi (located in the lower part of the hip bone) – 2 in number, 1 below the lower part of the right hip and 1 below the lower part of the left hip bone
Brihati (located on the lateral parts of the vertebral column, at the level of sthanamula marma) – 2 in number, 1 on the left of spinal column and 1 on the right of spinal column
Amsaphalaka (located on the upper part of the back, in scapular region, on each side of vertebral column) – 2 in number, 1 each on the left and right part of the upper back or scapular regions
Amsa (located near the shoulder and scapular region, in between the brachium, head and neck) – 2 in number, 1 near the right scapular region and 1 near the left scapular region

Jatru Urdhwa Marma

Jatru Urdhva Marma: Marmas located in the head and neck
There are 37 marmas all together in the region of head and neck. They are as enlisted below –

Neela (located in the neck) – 2 in number, 1 on each side of the neck, lateral to Matruka
Manya dhamani (located in the neck) – 2 in number, 1 on each side of the neck, lateral to Matruka
Matruka or Kanta sira (located in the neck) – 8 in number, 4 on each side of the neck, on the side of trachea or windpipe
Krukatika (located at the site of junction of head and neck) – 2 in number, 1 on each side of the junction of head and neck
Vidhura (located posterior and inferior to the ears) – 2 in number, 1 each posterior and inferior to the right and left ears
Phana (located on both sides of the olfactory tracts in the nose) – 2 in number
Apanga (located on the lateral angle of the eye, outer canthus) – 2 in number, one on either side of the outer canthus or outer end of the eyebrow on left and right eyes
Aavarta (located just above the eyebrows) – 2 in number, 1 each above the right and left eyebrows
Shankha (located between ear and forehead, temple region) – 2 in number, 1 each on right and left temples
Utkshepa (located at the level of hair line of scalp, above temples) – 2 in number, 1 each above the right and left temples
Sthapanee (located in between the eye brows) – 1 in number
Seemanta (sutural joints located in the head) – 5 in number
Adhipati (located at the superior part of the intra-cranial portion) – 1 in number

Prushta Marma

Prushta Marma – marmas in the back:

Katikataruna (located on the pelvic bone on either side of the vertebral column) – 2 in number, 1 each on right and left pelvic bones
Kukundara (located on the lateral part of the gluteal region) – 2 in number, 1 each on the lateral part of right and left gluteal regions
Nitamba (located above pelvic region) – 2 in number, 1 each above the right and left pelvic regions
Parshwa sandhi (located in the lower part of the hip bone) – 2 in number, 1 below the lower part of the right hip and 1 below the lower part of the left hip bone
Brihati (located on the lateral parts of the vertebral column, at the level of sthanamula marma) – 2 in number, 1 on the left of spinal column and 1 on the right of spinal column
Amsaphalaka (located on the upper part of the back, in scapular region, on each side of vertebral column) – 2 in number, 1 each on the left and right part of the upper back or scapular regions
Amsa (located near the shoulder and scapular region, in between the brachium, head and neck) – 2 in number, 1 near the right scapular region and 1 near the left scapular region

Charaka’s Tri Marma

Charaka has mentioned 3 important organs (areas) of the body as Marmas and has explained them in detail. They are called TriMarmas (3 marmas). It is not that Charaka has not accepted the 107 Marmas and their importance, but he has demarcated the 3 vital organs namely Hridaya (Heart), Vasti (urinary apparatus, Urinary bladder to be precise) and Shira (head, brain) as the most important among the Marmas.

marmANi punaH vasti hRdaya mUrdhAdIni|(ca.sU.11/48)
The 3 Marmas according to Charaka are Vasti, Hridaya and Murdha or Shira.

zAkhA Azritebhyo marmebhyaH skandha AzritAni garIyAMsi, zAkhAnAM tad AzritatvAt|
skandha Azritebhyo api hRd vasti zirAMsi garIyAMsi|(ca.si.6)

The Marmas located in the Skandha (trunk – chest and belly and Shira – head) are more vital in comparison to the Marmas of the Shakha (extremities) because the extremities (upper and lower limbs) are connected to the trunk and also are dependent on the trunk.