FReeper Canteen ~ Part VII of War in Ancient India ~ August 24, 2004

a Tribute to Hinduism ^ | August 24, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

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ANCIENT WARFARE





Part VII: War in Ancient India

Martial Arts - Fighting without weapons

"Fighting without weapons was a specialty of the Ksatreya (caste of Ancient India)and foot soldier alike. For the Ksatreya it was simply part and parcel of their all around training, but for the lowly peasant it was essential. We read in the Vedas of men unable to afford armor who bound their heads with turbans called Usnisa to protect themselves from sword and axe blows.

"Fighting on foot for a Ksatreya was necessary in case he was unseated from his chariot or horse and found himself without weapons. Although the high ethical code of the Ksatreya forbid anyone but another Ksatreya from attacking him, doubtless such morals were not always observed, and when faced with an unscrupulous opponent, the Ksatreya needed to be able to defend himself, and developed, therefore, a very effective form of hand-to-hand combat that combined techniques of wrestling, throws, and hand strikes. Tactics and evasion were formulated that were later passed on to successive generations. This skill was called Vajramukhti, a name meaning "thunderbolt closed - or clasped - hands." The tile Vajramukti referred to the usage of the hands in a manner as powerful as the vajra maces of traditional warfare. Vajramukti was practiced in peacetime by means of regular physical training sessions and these utilized sequences of attack and defense technically termed in Sanskrit nata."  

Kalaripayattu, literally “the way of the battlefield,” still survives in Kerala, where it is often dedicated to Mahakali. The Kalari grounds are usually situated near a temple, and the pupils, after having touched the feet of the master, salute the ancestors and bow down to the Goddess, begin the lesson. Kalari trainings have been codified for over 3000 years and nothing much has changed. 

The warming up is essential and demands great suppleness. Each movement is repeated several times, facing north, east, south and west, till perfect loosening is achieved. The young pupils pass on to the handling of weapons, starting with the “Silambam”, a short stick  made of extremely hard wood, which in the olden times could effectively deal with swords. The blows are hard and the parade must be fast and precise, to avoid being hit on the fingers! They continue with the swords, heavy, and dangerous, even though they are not sharpened any more, as they are used. Without guard or any kind of body protection; they whirl, jump and parry, in an impressive ballet. Young, fearless girls fight with enormous knives, bigger than their arms and the clash of irons is echoed in the ground. The session ends with the big canes, favorite weapons of the Buddhist traveler monks, which they used during their long journey towards China to scare away attackers.   

The “Urimi” is the most extraordinary weapon of Kalari, unique in the world. This double-edged flexible sword which the old-time masters used to wrap around the waist to keep coiled in one hand, to suddenly whip at the opponent and inflict mortal blows, is hardly used today in trainings, for it is much too dangerous.

This indigenous martial arts, under the name of Kalari or Kalaripayit exists only in South India today. Kalarippayat is said to be the world's original martial art. Originating at least 1,300 years ago, India's Kalaripayit is the oldest martial art taught today. It is also the most potentially violent, because students advance from unarmed combat to the use of swords, sharpened flexible metal lashes, and peculiar three-bladed daggers. More than 2,000 years old, it was developed by warriors of the Cheras kingdom in Kerala. Training followed strict rituals and guidelines. The entrance to the 14 m-by-7 m arena, or kalari, faced east and had a bare earth floor. Fighters took Shiva and Shakti, the god and goddess of power, as their deities. From unarmed kicks and punches, kalarippayat warriors would graduate to sticks, swords, spears and daggers and study the marmas—the 107 vital spots on the human body where a blow can kill. Training was conducted in secret, the lethal warriors unleashed as a surprise weapon against the enemies of Cheras.

Father and founder of Zen Buddhism (called C’han in China), Boddidharma, a Brahmin born in Kacheepuram in Tamil Nadu, in 522 A.D. arrived at the courts of the Chinese Emperor Liang Nuti, of the 6th dynasty. He taught the Chinese monks Kalaripayattu, a very ancient Indian martial art, so that they could defend themselves against the frequent attacks of bandits. In time, the monks became famous all over China as experts in bare-handed fighting, later known as the Shaolin boxing art. The Shaolin temple which has been handed back a few years ago by the communist Government to the C’han Buddhist monks, inheritors of Boddhidharma’s spiritual and martial teachings, by the present Chinese Government, is now open to visitors. On one of the walls, a fresco can be seen, showing Indian dark-skinned monks, teaching their lighter-skinned Chinese brothers the art of bare-handed fighting. On this painting are inscribed: “Tenjiku Naranokaku” which means: “the fighting techniques to train the body (which come) from India…”

Kalari payatt was banned by the British in 1793.  (Refer to chapter on European Imperialism).

(For more information on martial arts refer to chapter India and China and Kalarippayattu and Kalari Payatte - The martial art of Kerala

(source: The Boddhisattva Warriors: The Origin, Inner Philosophy, History and Symbolism of the Buddhist Martial Art Within India and China - By Terence Dukes/ Shifu Nagaboshi Tomio  p. 3 - 158-174 and 242. A Western Journalist on India: a ferengi's columns - By Francois Gautier Har-Anand Publications January 2001  ISBN 8124107955 p. 155-158).

Silambam – Indian Stick Fighting

     

The art Nillaikalakki Silambam was brought to the royal court during the reign of the Cheran, Cholan and Pandian emperors, once powerful rulers of India.  

The art Nillaikalakki Silambam, which exists for more than five thousand years, is an authentic art which starts with the stick called Silambamboo (1.68 meters long). It originates from the Krunji mountains of south India, and is as old as the Indian sub-continent itself.

The natives called Narikuravar were using a staff called Silambamboo as a weapon to defend themselves against wild animals, and also to display their skill during their religious festivals. The Hindu scholars and yogis who went to the Krunji mountains to meditate got attracted by the display of this highly skilled spinning Silambamboo. The art Nillaikalakki Silambam therefore became a part of the Hindu scholars and yogis training, as they were taught by the Narikuravar. 

They brought the art to the royal court during the reign of the Cheran, Cholan and Pandian emperors, once powerful rulers of India.

(source: Silamban – Indian Stick Fighting).

Next Tuesday, Part VIII of War in Ancient India

[Spotsy]

Your young troop is fortunate to have Sarge and the rest of the unit to support her.

[Old Sarge]

Hey, WE'RE fortunate to have a young girl with a brain in her head!

She's done real well in every training environment we've thrown her into. She makes us NCO's look good - and that's a biggie...

[kjfine]

Off and on all day, Sarge.

[tomkow6]

I went into my proctologist's office for my first rectal exam. His new nurse, 
Ms Feather, took me to an examining room and told me to get undressed and have a 
seat until the doctor could see me. She said that he would only be a few minutes. 

After putting on the gown that she gave me I sat down. While waiting, I 
observed that there were three items on a stand next to the exam table: a Tube of K-Y 
jelly, a rubber glove, and a beer. 

When the doctor finally came in, I said, "Look, Doc, I'm a little confused. 
This is my first rectal exam. I know what the K-Y is for, and I know what the glove is 
for, but can you tell me what the BEER is for?" 

At that, Doctor Paul became noticeably outraged and stormed over to the door. 
He flung the door open and yelled to his nurse....... 

"Darn it Ms Feather!! I said a BUTT LIGHT!!!"

[Mudboy Slim]

"Kerry's Party!!"
(To be sung to Bruce Springsteen's "Sherry Darlin'")

Dem Lib'rals yappin'...they're all deadbeats!!
Tell 'em it's all over...gonna be so sweet...
Next November's mournin', yer gonna be goin' down to the unemployment agency!!
'Cuz each morning Right be fightin'...no, we won't give up...
'Til Dubyuh wins...traitors, just shut up!!
Gonna be the last time DemRATS gonna be threatnin' the FRee!!

(Chorus)
Lemme tell ya there's a Lib'ral runnin' to be Prez'dent...
The dude's gawky and he's houndin' Dem young chicks!!
She can take yer guilt trip back to yer ghetto tonight!!
'Cuz the gang's all here and the FReepin's "FRee"...
Kerry's a fool, stop his blasphemy!!
Hey, Willie, why're you slayin' Kerry's Party?!!

FReeper gals flirtin' while they FReep...
They got great minds...and they know how to teach!!
There'll be no backtrackin' out here in Flyover Country!!
John Kerry, Left's love for you ain't real...
Boy, yer just fillin' in fer Hillary!!
Jane Kerry, RAT Party has its hero, Slick Willie!!

(Chorus)
Lemme tell ya there's a Lib'ral runnin' to be Prez'dent...
Dude looks gawky while he's bird-doggin' Dem phat chicks!!
You can take yer morals back to the ghetto tonight!!
'Cuz the gang's all here and the FReepin' "FRee"...
Kerry's a FOOL, Hanoi John's tyranny!!
Hey, Hill'ry, why you playin' Kerry's Party?!!

[Bigman on sax, CM on guitar]

Folks, keep fighting fer what's Right...ignore the pain!!
Let the bleedin'-hearted spew their spin!!
Kerry, you can run, but be warned, "Be Wary of the Right!!"
Tell Dem Lib'rals down in Central Park...
And all you politicos who're missin' the mark...
Say, Slick Willie, won't you pray fer yer Party?!
Hey, Willie, why'd you slay Kerry's Party?!

FReegards...MUD (2/23/2004)

[StarCMC]

Good morning Diva! Beautiful thread as always!! HUGS!!

[tomkow6]

Good morning, OH PREGANT ONE!

[Soaring Feather]

Hey, Tom!
Go ahead click this...

[StarCMC]

For some strange reason, that pic makes me want to say "Ni!"

ROFL!!!!

[Darksheare]

Morning!

[StarCMC]

Good morning Tia!! Good to see ya!!

[StarCMC]

Good morning kitty mittens!

Good morning Common Tator!

Good morning Jet Jaguar! (miss ya!)

[tiamat]

Good Morning, Star!

How are you?

[StarCMC]

Did you sleep at all??

[laurenmarlowe]

Good Morning Canteen!

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Ms Feather!

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning Troops!


and Canteen Crew!!!
Have a great day everyone.

[tomkow6]

Mornin', Lauren!

[StarCMC]

Morning Sarge!

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to each and everyone at the FReeper Canteen. I've been out moving the daughter to Texas A&M this weekend, so just now catching up on FR. So much anti kerry news today. This is going to be a wonderful day. HE!! HE!!

Kerry willl be reaching for this soon!