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 Talahridaya Marma
Talahridaya Etymology—This is derived from two word tala and hrdaya. Tala here is used to denote hastatala or padatala. Hrdaya means heart connoting centre. So centre of hastatala or padatala is known as Talahrdaya. Description The marma known as Talahrdaya is situated in the middle of the sole of the foot in a straight line drawn from the root to the mid toe. An injury to this marma will give rise to extreme pain which ends in death. The seat of this marma is in the middle of palm of the foot or hand in a line along with the middle finger. Injury to this marma causes much pain and endangers life in course of time of complication. (P. V. Krishna Rao) 226
A line drawn from the base of the anamika towards angushta and another line starting from the tarjani towards the manibandha. The site at which the both lines intercepts could be considered approximately the site of Talahrith (Chandrasekharan Nair). Its Ashraya is 2 Mamsa in category. Kalanthara pranahara in prognosis and half anguli in extent. Its bhuta structure is Agni and Jala. Brahma. Adhidevata is Surface Anatomy This marma is palpable in patients lying over bed comfortably. Make an imaginary straight line draw vertically from base of middle finger to heal or base of palm in case of hands. Carefully locate the Radial Artery Median nerve and palmar branch Superficial palmar branch. of radial artery Abductor pollicis muscle Flexor pollicis brevis muscle Proper digital nerves and arteries to thumb Adductor pollicis muscle Motor branch of median nerve to thenar muscles Branches of median nerve to 1st and 2nd lumbrical Ulnar artery and nerve Palmar carpal ligament Flexor retinaculum Deep palmar branches of ulnar artery and nerve Ulnar bursa Superficial palmar digital nerves and arteries Anastomosis between branches of median and ulnar nerves Flexor tendons, synovial and fibrous sheaths. muscles Plate No. 29 The anatomical area of Thalahridaya in upper limb 227
point of tenderness on deep palpation, above the aponeurosis of palm and soles. It falls just above the arch of anastomosis of veins. Anatomical Structures corresponding to this marmas Upper limb Palmar Aponeurosis Superficial Palmar arch � 0 � � Four Digital Branch of Median Nerve tendons of Flexor digitorum superficialis Four tendons of Flexor digitorum profundus � � Four Lumbrical muscle Median nerve Superficial palmar brnach of radial artery Deep palmar arterial arch Princeps pollicis artery Proper digital arteries and nerves of thumb Distal limit of superficial palmar arch Radialis indicis artery Palmar metacarpal arteries Pisiform bone Deep palmar brnaches of ulnar artery and nerve Branches to hypthenar muscles Superficial branch of ulnar nerve Hamulus of hamate bone Deep palmar branch of ulnar nerve to 3rd and 4th lumbrical, all interosseous, adductor pollicis and deep head of flexor pollicis brevis muscles Plate No. 29 a: The anatomical area of Thalahridaya in upper limb m � Deep branch of ulnar nerve Deep Palmar arch Palmar space Interosseous Palmar and dorsal Lower Limb 228
Perforating branch of peroneal artery Anterior lateral malleolar artery Lateral mallelous Lateral branch of deep peroneal nerve and lateral tarsal artery Peroneus longus tendon (cut) Extensor digotorum brevis and extensor hallucis brevis muscles (cut) Peroneus brevis tendon (cut) Peroneus tertius tendon (cut) Abductor digiti minimi muscle Dorsal matatarsal arteries Metatarsal bones Dorsal interosseous muscles Lateral dorsal cutaneous nerve (continuation of sural nerve Anterior medial malleolar artery Medial malleolus Dorsalis pedis artery Medial branch of deep peroneal artery Medial tarsal arteries Tuberosity of navicular bone Arcuate artery Posterior perforating branches from deep plantar arch Abductor hallucis muscle Extensor hallucis longus tendon Extensor hallucis brevis tendon (cut) (cut) Plate No. 29b The anatomical area of Thalahridaya in lower limb Discussion � Plantar aponeurosis � Flexor digitorum brevis muscle � Flexor digitorum longus tendon � Lateral and medial plantar nerve and � muscle Adductor hallucis oblique head � Deep Plantar arch � Deep branch of lateral plantar nerve � Lat and Med Branch of Superficial Pernoeal nerve Tendon of tibialis posterior Lumbrical � � � Flexor Accessorius � Interosseous Susruta in one context has referred that a person getting injury will fall dead like a tree. 229
Gray in his book has also mentioned the same "the wounds of the palmar arches are always difficult to deal with. Wounds of the palmar arches are always difficult to deal with on account of its depth. Tamil varma sastra In Tamil marma it is similar to Padachakrakala, Swarna lakshana kalam. In marma adankal it is said that there is marma in the palmar side of the limb termed Ulladi marma. If injured the corresponding limb will become very stiff like a stick. This will also cause severe pain in the joints. Kulayana Marma Viraloonny is two angulas above the fingers and may make the patient unconsciousness. The injury may be revived by gently pressing the opposite side of the same hands.