Acupuncture Marma and Other Asian Therapeutic Techniques

by D.G. Thatte

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian System of medicine incorporates within itself, not only the techniques of treatment described in the samhita Texts, but many other traditional medicines, as well as manifold prescriptions.

For a developing nation like India, the repository of expertise knowledge and treatment which has not come down to us through codified sources but has been coming down the ages through shakhas of specialist physicians by way of sruti can also prove of immense value for providing "Health to all".

The various technical systems of treatment can be attributed to the practice of medicine and surgery that has either been handed over from one generation to the other by those who excelled in such areas through practical demonstrations. In Atharva Veda, however, three broad methods of treatment find mention :

• Daivi Chikitsa
• Mantra Chikitsa 
• Asuri Chikitsa.

Daivi Chikitsa included medical treatment, while Asuri Chikitsa involved surgical and other allied technological approaches such as 'Siravedha' and "Dagdha Chikitsa".

Mantra Chikitsa, however, was a method of treatment that prescribed wearing gems and diamonds which were in consonance with the cosmic radiaction and light emitted in the atmosphere around and on the earth. Enigmatic as the system was, people termed it was mystic or magic treatment. The incantation or recitation of Mantra formed an integral part of Mantra Chikitsa.

The concept sought its origine in the primeval sound (dhavani) which later come to be identified with the "Supreme reality" by one famous school of Grammarians.

About the Author:

Born on August 2, 1930 in a Maharastrian Brahmin family at Banda, U.P. (India); Prof. D.G. Thatte, is a son of a School teacher and had an ambition to become a teacher. Providence helped him to fulfil his ambition and he was appointed teacher of Sharir at State Ayurveda College, Lucknow after his graduation from Lucknow University in 1975. He successively held the posts of Demonstrator, Lecturer, Reader, Professor and Lastly Principal cum Superintendent Head of the Post Graduate Department of Sharir (Anatomy and Physiology), State Ayurveda College, Lucknow. During this span of teacherhood he wrote popular books like Manava Sharir (Human Anatomy) Manava Bhrun Vigyan (Human) Manava Anga Rekhan-Evam Sharir Vikiran Rachna (Surface and Radiological Anatomy), Current trends in the study of Sharir and Vidyut Hrillekha (Electro-Cardiogram).

Prof. Thatte, is Vice-Chairman of National Ayurveda Academy of India and member of many Academic bodies and faculties of Indian Universities such as Banaras Hindu University, Ravi Shanker University, Raipur and Lucknow University. He has been a guide of more than a dozen postgraduate research scholars. He represented India, in World Congress of Holistic Medicine in Colombo (Sri Lanka), 1983, where he was conferred the degree of Ph.D.

By Now more than one hundred papers of Prof. Thatte have been published in different National and International Journals. Recently the Board of Directors of Medicine Alternative (U.S.S.R.) Alma Ata, have voted to confer upon him the degree of M.D. (Traditional Medicine) for the most Valuable Presentation of this book in your hand. Prof. Thatte's works are also awarded with the state Award 1974-75, Dr. Birbal Sahani Scientific Award 1975-76, and Ayurveda and Tibbi Academy Awards. He has also honoured twice by Ayurveda Maha Sammelan with the prestigious titles of pranacharya 1980, and Ayurveda Shromani in 1985.