Indrabasti Marma: Anatomical Location, Effect Of Injury

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Indrabasti Marma is one of the delicate and vital points of the body located in the hands and feet.
पार्ष्णिं प्रति जङ्गा मध्ये इन्द्रवस्तिः नाम, तत्र शोणित क्षयेण मरणं।(सु.शा.६)
कूर्पर मध्ये पुरतः इन्द्रवस्तिः नाम, तत्र शोणित क्षये मरणम्।(सु.शा.६) 

Number, location

Number –
4 in number,
2 in the upper limbs (1 in each forearm) and 2 in the lower limbs (1 in each leg)

Exact location of Indrabasti Marma in the limbs:
In the upper limb – Indrabasti Marma is exactly located in the middle and anterior (front) part of the both forearms.

In the lower limb –  Indrabasti Marma is located exactly in the middle of the leg (calf muscles) and in line of the paarshni (calcaneum, lateral malleolus), of both legs.

Categories

Categories in which the Indrabasti Marma is included
i) Shaka Gata Marma (Shaaka=Limb) – Since Indrabasti Marma is located in both upper and lower limbs; they are classified under shaaka gata marmas i.e. Marmas located in the limbs.

ii) Mamsa Marma – Indrabasti marma is predominantly made up of mamsa i.e. muscle tissue, which form the structural component of this Marma. Therefore it is classified under Mamsa Marma. The other elements namely Sira (blood vessels), Asthi (bone), Sandhi (joints) and Snayu (ligaments, tendons, nerves) are also present but in a recessive form.

iii) Kaalantara Praanahara Marma – (Kalantara – gradual, Pranahara – life taking) Indrabasti Marma possesses a threat to life in due course of time following its injury. The impact of injury or damage may not be immediate but happens gradually. Based on the impact of injury, Indrabasti Marma is classified under Kalantara Pranahara Marma.

Measurement

Pramana (measurement of Indrabasti Marma) –
It occupies a space of ½ angula dimension (approximately equal to the horizontal dimension or breadth of middle segment of one’s own middle finger)

Effect of Injury

तत्र शोणित क्षयेण मरणं।(सु.शा.६)
Injury to the Indrabasti Marma leads to hemorrhage leading to death. Similar effect is seen when Indrabasti Marma gets injured in upper or lower limbs. If the injury is more in the Indrabasti Marma of the upper limb, bleeding occurs more in the upper limb. Similarly if the Indrabasti Marma gets injured in the lower limb, hemorrhage occurs from the lower limb. But eventually both conditions lead to death.

Modern perspective

Modern Perspective (Practical anatomy) of Indrabasti Marma
Structures falling in the area of Indrabasti Marma –
Upper Limb:

• Ulnar artery
• Median nerve
• Radial artery with its palmar branches
• Palmar inter-osseous branches of ulnar artery
• Pronator teres muscle
• Flexor digitorum profundus muscle
• Flexor carpi radialis muscle

Lower Limb:

• Gastrocnemius muscle
• Soleus muscle
• Plantaris muscle
• Peroneal arteries
• Posterior tibial arteries
• Tibial nerve

Though all the elements which comprise a marma i.e. sira (blood vessels), snayu (ligaments), asthi (bones) and sandhi (joints) are all present in the site of this Marma, it is predominant in the Mamsa dhatu or muscle tissue, therefore it is a Mamsa Marma.

When Indrabasti marma gets damaged, the effect of injury will chiefly involve the muscles present in the area in comparison to the extent of damage caused to other tissues.
Click to Consult Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)

Marma therapy for diabetes

Pressing and releasing repeatedly on this Marma of the hand for 10 – 15 times helps to lower blood sugar level. This needs to be done once or twice everyday.
Stimulating this Marma, along with Shankha marma and Koorpara Marma is also useful in the treatment of constipation.