Adhipati or Murdhini
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A translation of this marma point name, Adhipati, designates it as “the first master of all marmani” (Lad & Durve, 2008, p. 94), while translation of its alternate name, Murdhini, speaks to this point’s ability to increase moment-to-moment awareness, the essence of meditative skill (Lad & Durve, 2008, p. 95).
On a modern anatomical level, this point’s importance is demonstrated through its effect on the brain, regulating the function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the hypothalamus, pituitary (the master gland), and the pineal gland, while, from a traditional Ayurvedic perspective, this point’s importance is reflected in its profound effect on prana, the nadi, and kundalini shakti (Lad & Durve, 2008, p. 96).
Located at the crown of the head, in the center of the lotus of the sahasrara cakra, Murdhini stimulates the movement of kundalini, seated within the muladhara cakra, and is, in fact, kundalini’s ultimate destination (Lad & Durve, 2008, p. 96). It is considered the “seat of spiritual energy”, offering a “profound expansion of consciousness”, as the door to samadhi and ultimate liberation (Lad & Durve, 2008, p. 96).
Murdhini is the primary seat of prana, promoting communication and sensory perception. It regulates vata dosha and prana vayu (Lad & Durve, 2008, p. 96).
The corresponding acupuncture point is Bai Huì (Du, or GV, 20) “Hundred Convergences”. Bai Huì is the meeting point of the yang acupuncture channels and the Du mài, the grand regulator of all yang energies of the body.
On the most superficial level, Bai Huì can treat disorders related to excess rising of yang (e.g. Liver Yang, causing headaches) or those issues arising from insufficient rising of yang, as in prolapse (physical dislocation through dropping downward) due to Spleen Yang deficiency.
Bai Huì can also treat disorders of the head and sense organs, all yang aspects of the being, and is indicated for a host of mental/emotional disorders, as well.
In qì gong (aka “chi kung”) practice, the upper dan tián (literally “cinnabar field”, three areas or internal fields of concentrated energy, similar to cakras) is often associated with either this point, or that located between the eyebrows, and is used as a point of focus for meditation and internal energy work (all a nice parallel with the yoga cakras ajña and sahasrara and meditation practice).
The languaging around Murdhini relating to the stimulation and rise of kundalini, the ability to open up consciousness to new levels, and as the energy and experience of liberation are all very yang, in nature, from a Chinese medical standpoint, and correlate very well with the aforementioned preeminence of Bai Huì as a yang-stimulating and regulating point.
Additionally, both regulate sensory perception, which is effected through the rising (a yang action) of what is referred to as "Clear Yang”, in Chinese medicine. They are also strongly related to the brain, where, in Chinese medicine, the most subtle (i.e. least concrete, tangible, both yin attributes) yang qì accumulates (Larre & Rochat, 1997).
Lastly, both points are referred to as major crossing points of each tradition’s energy channels, and they are both used in fundamental meditative practices geared towards the highest attainment.
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Lad, V. & Durve, A. (2008). Marma Points of Ayurveda. Albuquerque, NM: The Ayurvedic Press.
Larre, C. & Rochat, E. (1997). The Eight Extraordinary Meridians. Cambridge, England: Monkey Press.
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