Varma kalai

Varma Kalai (Tamil:வர்மக்கலை varmakkalai, Malayalam: മർമ്മവിദ്യ marmavidya, මාරු කල maru kalā, Telugu: marma-vidya kaḷa, Sanskrit: मर्म विद्य marma-vidya) is a Tamil term for the Indian knowledge of vital points. It is a component of traditional massage, alternative medicine, traditional yoga and martial arts[1] in which the body's pressure points (varma or marma) are manipulated to heal or cause harm. The healing application called vaidhiya murai is used in ayurveda and siddha medicine (siddha vaidyam) to treat patients suffering from ENT-related problems, paralysis, hemiplegia, nervous disorder, sciatica, spondylitis and other conditions.[2][3] Its combat application is known as varma adi or marma adi meaning "pressure-point striking", and can be done either empty-handed or with a blunt weapon such as a stick or staff. Usually taught as an advanced stage of Indian fighting systems,[4][5] strikes are targeted at the nerves, veins, tendons, organs and bone joints.[2]

History

Folklore traces varma kalai to the god Shiva who is said to have taught it to his son Murugan. While disguised as an old man, Murugan passed the knowledge of varmam to the sage Agastya[4] who then recorded it and disseminated the skill among his students. Siddha medicine is also attributed to Agastya.[3] The Sushruta Samhita (c. 4th century) identifies 108 vital points on the human body[6] of which 64 were classified as being lethal if properly struck with a fist or stick.[7] Sushruta's work formed the basis of the medical discipline ayurveda which was taught alongside various martial arts.[7] With numerous other scattered references to marma in Vedic and epic sources, it is certain that South Asia's early fighters knew and practised attacking and defending vital points.[3]

Knowledge of the body's vital points in India was not just confined to humans but also elephants. Known as nila, learning these points on an elephant's body was and remains necessary for mahouts. Prodding particular nila with a stick elicits various responses such as bringing the animal under control or making them kneel. Warriors would learn to attack certain nila on opposing war-elephants during battle, which could either kill or frighten the animals. The national museums of Sri Lanka have documented at least 86 nila and their functions. Dr Felix Mann suggests that the reason why the African elephant hasn't been trained to the same extent as the Asian elephant is because the nila of the African animal are unknown.[8]

Schools

Varma kalai is attributed to several siddhar (sages), namely Agastya, Bogar, Theriyar and Pulipani. Out of these, only the Agastya school is commonly practiced in Tamil Nadu and in the neighboring state of Kerala. As a general rule, the vital points in north India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are numbered at 107, while the schools of south India and Sri Lanka recognize 108 points.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tamilnadu - Varma Kalai". Tamilnadu.com. 26 December 2012.
  2. 1 2 Master Murugan, Chillayah (20 October 2012). "Silambam and Varma Kalai Art". Silambam. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 Zarrilli, Phillip B. (1992). "To Heal and/or To Harm: The Vital Spots (Marmmam/Varmam) in Two South Indian Martial Traditions Part I: Focus on Kerala's Kalarippayattu". Journal of Asian Martial Arts. 1 (1).
  4. 1 2 Luijendijk, D.H. (2005). Kalarippayat: India's Ancient Martial Art. Paladin Press. ISBN 1-58160-480-7.
  5. ↑ Stevens, B; From Lee to Li, HarperCollins 2009 ISBN 9780007347414
  6. ↑ G. D. Singhal, L. V. Guru (1973). Anatomical and Obstetrical Considerations in Ancient Indian Surgery Based on Sarira-Sthana of Susruta Samhita.
  7. 1 2 J. R. Svinth (2002). A Chronological History of the Martial Arts and Combative Sports. Electronic Journals of Martial Arts and Sciences.
  8. ↑ Felix Mann (1962). Acupuncture: The Ancient Chinese Art of Healing and How It Works Scientifically. London: William Heinemann Medical Books Ltd.
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