Shringataka Marma: Components, Location, Effect Of Injury

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Shringataka is an important Marma i.e. vital or delicate point in the body. They are 4 in number, located in the head located amidst the veins nurturing the sense organs. Injury to this Marma is said to kill the person immediately. They are predominantly made up of Siras (blood vessels, veins).  

Shringataka Marma
घ्राण श्रोता अक्षि जिह्वा संतर्पणीयं सिराणां मध्ये सिरा सन्निपातः शृङ्गाटकानि, तानि चत्वारि मर्माणि, तत्र अपि सध्यो मरणम्।

Location, number

Shrungataka Marmas are the Marmas located amidst Siras (blood vessels) nourishing the sense organs i.e.
Ghraana (sense organ of smell),
Shrotra (sense organ of sound),
Akshi (sense organ of sight or vision) and
Jihwa (sense organ of taste) in the form of Siraa Sannipata i.e. confluence of siras. They are 4 in number.

Since Shringataka Marmas are located in the head, they are categorized in the Shiro-Greeva Gata Marma i.e. Marmas of the head and neck. Since Shringaataka Marmas are a part of the head they can be precisely categorized under Shiro Gata Marma (Marmas of the Head).

Number – Shringatak Marmas are four in number.

Categories

Categories in which the Shringaataka Marma is included
i) Shiro-Greeva Gata Marma (Shiro = Head, Greeva = Neck)
ii) Siraa Marma – Shrungataka marmas are predominantly made up of Siraas i.e. blood vessels (veins). The other elements namely Sandhi (joints), Asthi (Bones), Snayu (ligaments and tendons) and Mamsa (muscles) are also present but in a lesser proportion.

iii) Sadhyo Praanahara Marma – (Sadhyo – Immediate, Pranahara – life taking) Shringataka Marmas possesses a threat to life immediately after getting injured.

Measurement

Pramana (measurement of Shringaatka Marma) –
Shrungataka Marma occupies a space of 2 angula dimension (approximately equal to the horizontal dimension or breadth of middle segment of one’s own middle finger)

Effect of Injury

तत्र अपि सध्य एव (सध्यो मरणं)। (सु.शा.६/२८)
Any injury to the Shringaataka Marma will cause immediate death.

Modern perspective

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

• Speech (motor) centers of the brain
• Visual centers of the brain (sensory and psychic)
• Auditory centers of the brain
• Gustatory centers of the brain
• Olfactory centers of the brain

Though all the elements which comprise a marma i.e. sandhi (joints), mamsa (muscles), asthi (bones) and snaayu (ligaments and tendons) are all present in the site of these Marmas, they are predominant in the siraa (blood vessels, veins) components making up the Shringaataka Marma, therefore they are Siraa Marmas.

When Shringaataka Marma gets damaged, the effect of injury will chiefly involve the veins of the head mainly those related to the sense organs in comparison to the extent of damage caused to other tissues.

Just Before Finishing
Shringaataka Marmas are the important Marmas which represent the blood vessels which supply and drain the sense organs with the exception of skin. The perception through these sense organs depends on the health of these sense organs and their health is dependent on these siraas. Any damage to Sringatak Marmas will result in immediate death. Therefore any head injury should not be neglected.
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