TREATMENT METHODS IN SIDDHA

           






         INTERNAL MEDICINE
 
    EXTERNAL MEDICINE

    VARMAM ( MARMAM )

    AASANAM  ( YOGA )

    THOKKANAM ( MASSAGE )

    KAYAKALPAM

    MUPPU

    LEECH THERAPY


VARMAM (MARMAM)


     Varma ati or Marma ati ("hitting vital spots", also known as Varma Kalai, Varma Kalari (Tamil: வர்மக்கலை) Marma Vidhya, ati murai "law of hitting" and chinna ati, Malayalam: chīna adi "Chinese hitting", also Malayalam: adi kkai pidutham[citation needed]) is a martial art based on attacking sensitive pressure points of the human body. It has been practiced in Tamil Nadu and in the territory of princely state of Travancore.


     It is supposedly derived from Tamil traditional medicine, Varma Cuttiram.[citation needed] Tamil varmam, Malayalam marmam. It is traditionally practiced by Thevars and Nadars. Masters are known as asans.


    China ati is a set of techniques taught in a few Kalaripayat schools. The origin of these techniques is credited to some Chinese sailors. Kalaripayit developed on its own and no Chinese influence is there in it but the Chinese techiques taught in some schools is given the name 'Cheena Adi'.[citation needed]


     With the formation of the Kerala Kalarippayat Association in 1958, Varma ati became known as the "southern style" of Kalarippayattu for organizational reasons although its techniques are recognized as distinct from those of Kalarippayattu.




    The 108 marmam points of Varma ati allegedly have parallels in certain schools of Chinese martial arts.


Three different varmam, categorized by the attack.


1.padu varmam (hit)


2.thodu varmam (touch)


3.nokku varmam (look)


Pressure points


Further information: pressure point


The term varmam/marmam is a loan into Dravidian from Vedic Sanskrit marman, an n-stem neuter derived from the root mṛ "to die", translated as "mortal spot, vulnerable point, any open or exposed or weak or sensitive part of the body" by Monier-Williams. The term appears in the Rigveda, where Indra hits Vritra in a marman with his vajra. References are also found in the Atharva Veda and scattered elsewhere in Vedic and epic sources.


This system of marmam is part of Sidha Vaidhyam, whose origin is attributed to mythical sage Agastya and his disciples.


The Sushruta Samhita (3rd or 4th century) identifies and defines 107 vital points of the human body.Of these 107 points, 64 were classified as being lethal if properly struck with a fist or stick.




Varma ati 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.


There are six categories of marmam points:[citation needed]


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)