ENERGY POINTS (MARMA): Thresholds between Subtle (Prana) and Coarse (Anna)

The energy points (marma) [vulnerable, or sensitive zones; Skt.: marman; Malabar: marmmam; Tamil:
varmam; aka.South India: adankal], or the seats of prana, may be thought of as cavities or holes on
meridians where concentrated energy (prana), communicates with the physical body; or as in the
Sankhya tradition, where pure consciousness (purusha) loves material nature, or psycho-physical
constitution (prakriti). More specifically, marma are mutual thresholds between energy (prana), the five
elements (mahabhuta) (see also Five Element/Pancha Sru Transporting Points below), and the three
humors (dosha). Points are typically found near blood vessels in topological recesses or sometimes at
meridian crossings. Ayurveda points (marma) typically encompass larger regional tissue innervations than
the acupoints of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Since the 1970s Ayurveda acupuncturists
[aka.marmapuncturist (suchika)] have incorporated the traditional Ayurveda marma names into the
international acupoint numbering system (TCM).
Since the energy envelope (prana kosa) is more foundational to life than the food envelope (anna kosa),
the structure of marmas only exist in the condition of life; the body cannot live without the mind.
Furthermore, the function of marma is optimal when prana moves within it. The pranic movement within
marma is regulated by the lunar day (15 day cycles of waxing and waning). The deepest level of
understanding pertaining to vital points is astrological, or the influence of time (kala; kalam); referring to
the stellar/lunar influence on the circadian rhythms of internal life force (jivan; prana-vayu) through the
meridians (nadi) of the subtle body. The kalarippayattu warrior (see below) knows where the prana-vayu
is vulnerable based on astrological influence and attacks the pertaining vital point. To practitioners who do
not consider astrological influence, the vital points are merely places (sthanam), but to those (siddha
yogis) who consider place and time, the vital points are marma, truly vital.
Points can be classified by anatomical location, energetic integrity, and function and indication. It is
through the diagnosis and treatment of meridian points where a synergetic effort can be made towards
restoring equilibrium. Such marma point modalities include: massage with oils, herbal and aroma therapy,
acupressure, acupuncture, gem stone therapy, meditational exercises (yoga), from external flowing
postures (asana) to internal static meditation (dhyana), and devotional chanting (mantra; mantra chikitsa),
which are primal sounds or words of universal power (eg.om), reflecting the cosmic marma (see brief
appendix on Marma Treatments).
Energy points are summarized according to historical background of lethal and therapeutic energy
points, point classifications, horizontal lines of points, body measurement for point location
(biometrics), the twelve regular meridians, and the eight spiritual vessels.
Historical Background of Lethal and Therapeutic Energy Points (Marma): (Ros, Zarrilli, Frawley);
(see Map 7)
At the center of the Vedic warrior was the cultivation of personal energy, which depended on knowledge
and control of energy (prana) and its accumulation points (marma). Marmas were associated with the use
of body armor (Skt.: varma), which protected the vulnerable, vital points from injury. The earliest
documented evidence of vital points is found in the Rig Veda (1200 BCE) (see History section), with Indra
finally defeating Vrita with his thunderbolt (vajra) to a vital point (marma) between the shoulders.
According to the Rig-Veda, the best marma protection (varma) was through prayer (mantra)[Skt.: psychic
armor through mantra (kavacha)], expressing a spiritual function with marma. In the Mahabharata and
Bhagavata Gita, elephants, horses, and soldiers wore varma to protect marma. Also these classics
illustrate the electrical charging (ie.fire,

MARMASHASTRA