According to Siddha system, all the varmas are invisible but can be traced or located at a point where body, mind and psychic energies are concentrated together. Varma is nothing but blockage of vital energy (Vasi) in the body or a point on the body where the blockage of energy is felt.

This blockage could be due to external physical injuries, psychological passions and their effects through doshas. There are three doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha. This effect can be felt at the psychic energy. Therefore, varmas can be controlled by psychic powers. These points are called ‘maitheendakalam’.

The varmas are divided into two types – Padu Varman and Thodu Varman. The place where the energy is blocked is called Padu Varman. There are 12 points where this energy has to struggle to get through and this is called Thodu Varman. There are 96 such sites. Each Padu Varman is the junction of 8 Thodu Varman sites.