soft spot of the body, a vital spot (in the Vedas chiefly between the ribs near the heart), joint. A popular etym. and explⁿ of the word is given at Expos. 132ⁿ³ (on Dhs-a.100)
■ Ja.ii.228; Ja.iii.209; Dhs-a.396.

• -ghaṭṭana hitting a vital spot (of speech, i.e. backbiting Cp. piṭṭhi-maṃsika) Dhp-a.iv.182.
• -chedaka breaking the joints (or ribs), violent (fig. of hard speech Dhp-a.i.75; Dhs-a.100.

Vedic marman, fr. mṛd