Kukundara Marma: Components, Location, Effect Of Injury

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Kukundara is an important Marma – vital or delicate point. It is located in the low back region, one on each side of the vertebral column (lower part of low back region) in the gluteal region. It is predominantly made up of sandhi (bony joints). 

Kukundara Marma
पार्श्वयोः जघन बहिः भागे पृष्ठवंशम् उभयतः कुकुन्दरे, तत्र स्पर्श अज्ञानम् अधः काये चेष्ट उपघातः च।(सु.शा.६)

Location

Kukundara Marmas are located one on either side of the lower part of the Prushta Vamsha (Spine, Backbone) positioned over the outer part of the Jaghana parshwa (lateral part of ilium bone or gluteal muscles) but not much inferior. They represent the bony part on which we sit and this corresponds with the ischial bone or ischial tuberosity.

Categories

Categories in which the Kukundara Marma is included

Kukundara Marma is classified into various categories. They are as below mentioned –

1. i) Prushta Gata Marma (Prushta = Back)
2. ii) Sandhi Marma – Kukundara marma is predominantly made up of Sandhi i.e. bony joints. The other elements namely Snayu (ligaments), Siraa (blood vessels, veins), Asthi (bones) and Mamsa (muscles) are also present but in a lesser proportion.

iii) Vaikalyakara Marma – (Vaikalya kara – deformity forming) Kukundara Marmas when injured are said to produce deformity of the body or part of the body wherein the marma is damaged.

Measurement

Pramana (measurement of Kukundara Marma) –
Kukundara Marma 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 स्पर्श अज्ञानम् अधः काये चेष्ट उपघातः च।(सु.शा.६)
Injury of Kukundara Marma causes deformity.

Injury of Kukundara Marma leads to adhaha kaaya cheshtaa upaghaata i.e. loss of function and movements in the lower parts of the body (lower limbs, pelvis) and also Sparsha ajnaanam i.e. loss of sensation in the lower parts of the body. This means the injury to Kukundara Marma causes loss of sensation and paralysis of lower parts of the body.

Modern perspective

Modern Perspective (Practical anatomy) of Kukundara Marma
Structures falling in the area of Kukundara Marma –

• Lateral parts of right and left ilium
• Ischial tuberosity
• Gluteal region

Just Before Finishing
Kukundara Marmas which are located on the hip bone, ilium and ischium regions (gluteal region or butt) are delicate positions which can cause loss of sensation and paralysis of the lower limbs when they get injured.  
Click to Consult Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ayu)