Anatomy of Marma

Every science carves its own pathways, its ideologies make it unique and distinct from other conventional science of its time and of future. It is through its basic concepts that make possible to withstand the slaps of time. In same fashion Marma science of Ayurveda has covered a long runs of spells, from vedic era to till date. In ancient literature this science was limited to the war science and Marma points were mainly considered as only fatal points i.e trauma to them leads to debility or even death as these are seat of prana (life). The proper anatomy of marma is still obscure and to resolve out this query this book is an attempt to present the ancient verdict in light of current modern knowledge.

Dr. Ashutosh Kumar Pathak had done his graduation from Faculty of Ayurveda, Banaras Hindu University after this got selected in all India postgraduation entrance test and done his post graduation in Rachana Sharir from Department of Rachana Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, Banaras Hindu University. Currently he is pursuing his Ph.D. from the same department. He has several research papers and awards to his credit. His quest for excellence in teaching and his special interest in marma science had brought him to write this book.

Ayurveda is a life science that existed a long and extensive voyage of time, by its fundamental principles. The unique themes of nature that have been scrutinized, analyzed researched by the different Ayurvedic scholars and then applied to the cure of human ailments are the basic principles of Ayurveda. Without implementation of these principles any science cannot stand for long time period. These principles are scattered throughout the treatise and thus their study is need of time. Ayurveda has its own principles or concepts which stand in modern era also. The concept of marma is one such imperative and unique principle of Ayurveda.

I am with pleasure presenting this book before the readers. Being a student of rachana sharir, marma was always a topic of attraction for me and in this book with my limited knowledge, I had attempted to present the subject of marma in point wise manner, so that students find it easy to understand and explore. I had also tried to incorporate the till date knowledge of anatomy of marma but as it is said that "to err is human", so there are bound to be errors in this book also. All suggestions and comments for correction and improvement shall be most welcome.

I am thankful from the core of my heart to my teacher and my guide Prof. H.H. Awasthi, Professor and Head, Department of Rachana Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU for all his guidance, valuable suggestions and inspiration to publish this book. It could not have been possible without his support and I express my profound sense of indebtedness to him that he gave his valuable time from his busy schedule for editing and to look up in this book.