Shira

The word ‘Shiras’ (also spelled as Shirah) means head region. The body parts in supraclavicular region are described as ‘urdhvajatrugata’. Head is a seat of prana [life force] and indriyas [sensory and motor organs]. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana.17/12] A vital part (marma), shiras play a significant role in overall well-being, functioning as an origin for all sensory- motor organs and ten life forces. [Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana.29/3] The classical texts of Ayurveda, including Charak Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya and Sushrut Samhita, quoted the significance of shiras, associating it with prana, cognitive functions, and the intricate network of doshas. This article deals with comprehensive information about anatomy, physiology, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of head from Ayurveda perspectives.

Contributors

Section/Chapter/topic	Concepts/Sharira/Marma/Shira
Authors	Bhojani M. K. 1, Garg Nisha 1
Reviewers & Editors	Basisht G.2, Deole Y.S.3
Affiliations	1 Department of Sharir Kriya, All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, India 2 Rheumatologist, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. 3 Department of Kayachikitsa, G. J. Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India
Correspondence emails	meera.samhita@aiia.gov.in carakasamhita@gmail.com
Publisher	Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre, I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India & Symbiohealth Foundation, India
Date of publication:	May 17, 2024
DOI	10.47468/CSNE.2024.e01.s09.164

Etymology and derivation

Etymologically, "shira" embodies the essence of being the topmost and most significant part of the body. Shira means head including the neck; also spelled as "Sira.”

Synonyms in Ayurveda

Uttamanga (best part or uppermost part), shirasa (head), shirsha (head), murdha (head), mastaka (head).

Shira in Ayurveda

Shiras is also called as uttamanga in Ayurveda. Uttara means top or above and anga means a body part. Thus, the part of body located in the topmost position is called as uttamanga. Also, uttama means best or of topmost quality/significance etc. Shiras [head] is foremost among all organs as it is part of the body where the life energy and all the vital centers of sensory and motor organs [indriyas] of a living being are located. [Cha. Sa. Sutra Sthana 17/12] It indicates that any injury to this part of the body will certainly affect indriya, prana, and thus the entire life. It is also clear from the above discussion that, ancient Ayurveda scholars emphasized on significance of head and the seriousness of neurological disorders, the center of all of which is situated in brain and nerves that are situated inside the head.

Shadangas (Six main parts)

Ayurveda scholars consider ‘Shiras’ as one of the six main parts of body known as ‘Shadangas’ in Human. [Su. Sa. Sutra Sthana 5/3] Contemporary anatomy also lists ‘Head, Neck and Brain’ as vital parts in medical studies.

Site of external orifices (bahirmukha srotas)

In head region, there are external orifices like nostrils, two eyes, two ears and one oral cavity. These are termed as bahirmukha strotasa that means channels of passage for various body elements having opening on outer surface of body. [Cha. Sa. Sharira Sthana.7/12-13]. Nose is the entry point of shiras. One can administer medicines in nose to attain health benefits in head region. [Cha. Sa. Siddhi Sthana 9/88]

Importance of shirasa as marma

Shiras is recognized as one of the crucial points or marmas. Ayurveda texts enumerate 107 marmas, three of which are most significant. Shiras is included among these three vital marmas, serving as the locus of life energy. Any disruption here can lead to disturbance in overall life. [Cha. Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/3-4]
Ayurveda literature extensively discusses the bones, joints, muscles, and related structures associated with shiras. Additionally, the fine lines of joints between skull bones, known as ‘Simantas’, are considered marmas. The effect of injuries to these are also elaborately described. The internal structure of pathways for various sensory and motor organs, along with the seat of prana [life energy], is said to be present in a specific arrangement in 'shiras’. Ayurveda acharyas simplify the explanation of this structure using a simile. The structure of head and its associated indriya are like the radiating spicules of sunlight that appear to be distant from the sun, but originate from a single centre, i.e., the Sun. Similarly, all these sensory organs [indriyas] and life energy [prana] are situated in shiras, but can manifest anywhere else in the body. [Cha. Sa. Siddhi Sthana 9/4]
Shiras is one of the three highly crucial marma in the body. Injury to any of these three marmas, including shiras, can result in sudden pain throughout the body. The destruction of the substance (ashraya) leads to the destruction of the substrate [ashrita]. Severe disease manifestations occur due to injury, emphasizing the need to protect shiras, especially from external injuries and vata dosha. [Cha. Sa. Siddhi Sthana 9/5]
Vagbhatta explains the importance of shiras as, it is essential because all indriya are situated in shiras and it should be protected. He compared shiras with a tree (vruksha) with upward roots (urdhwamoola) and downward branches (adhoshakha). Damage to moola [shiras] results in the damage to shakha [body] [A. Hr. Uttara Tantra 24] Sushruta opines prana is the combination of agni, soma, vayu, pancha indriyas and panchamahabhootas. Such pranas are located in shiras. [Su.Sa. Uttar Tantra 25/1-2]
Specifically, due to head injury, certain signs and symptoms may arise, including neck stiffness, facial paralysis, eye disorders, mental confusion, loss of body movements, cough, breathlessness, stiffness of the jaw, excessive yawning, and more. [Cha. Sa. Siddhi Sthana 9/6]

Anatomical perspective of head region

The head region encompasses the cranium, composed of cranial bones that encase and protect the brain, and facial bones that provide support and attachment for facial muscles. The brain, housed within the cranial cavity, orchestrates sensory perception, cognition, and motor coordination. Facial features such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears serve essential roles in sensory input, communication, and expression. The eyes capture visual stimuli, the nose detects odors, the mouth facilitates speech and consumption, and the ears enable auditory perception.
Understanding the anatomical relationships within the head region is pivotal in diagnosing and treating a myriad of conditions, from neurological disorders to facial trauma. It aids healthcare professionals in performing surgical procedures, administering treatments, and interpreting diagnostic imaging accurately.

Marma present in head

The areas where muscles, vessels, ligaments, bones and joints meet together are known as the marma (vital points of the body) which by virtue of their nature are specially the seats of life. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 6/15] There are total of one hundred seven marmas. Out of these, there are thirty-seven are jatrurdhvamarma/ siromarma (vital points of the head and neck). Above the clavicles following marmas are found: four dhamani (arteries), eight matrukas (carotid vessels), two krukatikas (atlanto-occipital joint), two phana (olfactory bulb), two apangas, two avartas (junction of frontal, zygomatic and sphenoid bones), two utkshepas (deep temporal vessels and nerve), two shankhas, one sthapani (glabella), five simantas (cranial sutures), four srungataka (junction point of sense organs) and one adhipati (trocula herophilis). Out of these sringataka, adhipati, shankhas, kantha sira marmas are sadyo marma. [Su. Sa. Sharira Sthana 6/9]

Brief description of brain, its main parts and their functions with figures

Send us your suggestions and feedback on this page.