Marmam

"Marmam" are pressure points of the human body in Indian martial arts in general and Dravidian martial arts in particular. It is claimed that experienced practitioners can disable or kill their opponents by a mere touch in a "Marmam".

Practitioners of Kalarippayattu, an Indian martial art in Kerala, learn about "Marmam", which are also used for "marma treatment". It is said to be as sophisticated as the "uzhichil" treatment of Ayurveda. This system of marma treatment is part of "Sidha Vaidhyam", whose origin is attributed to "Sage Agasthya" and his disciples. [Luijendijk, D.H. (2005) "Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art", Paladin Press]

The earliest evidence of the concept of vital pressure points dates back to the "Rig Veda", where Indra is recorded as having defeated Vritra by attacking his vital pressure points ("marman") with his vajra. [Mariana Fedorova (1990). "Die Marmantheorie in der klassischen indischen Medizin".] References are also found in the "Atharva Veda". [Subhash Ranade (1993). "Natural Healing Through Ayurveda" (p. 161). Passage Press. Utah USA.] With numerous other scattered references to vital points in Vedic and epic sources, it is certain that India's early martial practitioners knew and practised attacking or defending vital points.Zarrilli, Phillip B. [http://www.spa.ex.ac.uk/drama/staff/kalari/power.html A South Indian Martial Art and the Yoga and Ayurvedic Paradigms.] University of Wisconsin-Madison.] Sushruta (c. 6th century BC) identified and defined 107 vital points of the human body in his "Sushruta Samhita". [G. D. Singhal, L. V. Guru (1973). "Anatomical and Obstetrical Considerations in Ancient Indian Surgery Based on Sarira-Sthana of Susruta Samhita".] Of these 107 points, 64 were classified as being lethal if properly struck with a fist or stick.J. R. Svinth (2002). [http://ejmas.com/kronos A Chronological History of the Martial Arts and Combative Sports.] "Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences".] Sushruta's work formed the basis of the medical discipline Ayurveda, which was taught alongside various Indian martial arts that had an emphasis on vital points, such as Varma Kalari and Marma Adi. Siddha Vaidya (southern style) recognizes 108 marmas, 12 Padu marmas(death marmas) and 96 Thodu marmas(Touch marmas. There are also counter marmas to heal trauma to the marmas.

Six Categories of Marma Points

* "Maasa Marma" (on the skin/muscles)
* "Asthi Marma" (at bones)
* "Snayu Marma" (at the nerves)
* "Dhamani Marma" (at arteries)
* "Sandhi Marma" (at the joints)
* "Shira Marma" (at the veins)

Notes

ee also

* Varma ati
* Kalaripayattu