Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

FReeper Canteen ~ Part VII of War in Ancient India ~ August 24, 2004
a Tribute to Hinduism ^ | August 24, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

Posted on 08/23/2004 8:00:35 PM PDT by LaDivaLoca

 
 

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

 
 

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

 
 




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






TOPICS: Front Page News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: ancientindia; canteen; freepercanteen; india; martialarts; warfare
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 421-428 next last
To: Kathy in Alaska

BTTT!!!!!!!


61 posted on 08/24/2004 3:00:41 AM PDT by E.G.C.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

BTTT!!!!!!


62 posted on 08/24/2004 3:01:01 AM PDT by E.G.C.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

Good morning, Tonk. How's it going?


63 posted on 08/24/2004 3:03:34 AM PDT by E.G.C.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub

BTTT!!!!!!


64 posted on 08/24/2004 3:04:15 AM PDT by E.G.C.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: LaDivaLoca

((HUGS))Good morning, Diva. How's it going?


65 posted on 08/24/2004 3:04:42 AM PDT by E.G.C.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks for having me.

You sent me a song last weekend.. Please accept my belated thanks.

Click here for my latest Column

Ray ('tator)

66 posted on 08/24/2004 3:56:22 AM PDT by Common Tator (Great Lead Guitar players lead the singer out of a line and into the next line of lyrics.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

Morning Kath!


67 posted on 08/24/2004 4:15:18 AM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: All
Good Morning Canteeners! My drive by post of the day.


68 posted on 08/24/2004 4:25:17 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: tiamat

Neither have I, that's what the shocker was.


69 posted on 08/24/2004 4:32:35 AM PDT by Darksheare (Who are all these mimes, why are they in the woods, and did you know they taste like chicken?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: LaDivaLoca; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 2LT Radix jr; Radix; Severa; Bethbg79; southerngrit; ...

 

SALUTE!

 


70 posted on 08/24/2004 4:34:54 AM PDT by tomkow6 (.....????????????)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LaDivaLoca; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 2LT Radix jr; Radix; Severa; Bethbg79; southerngrit; ...

Good morning, LaDiva! Good morning, Canteen Crew! Good morning, EVERYBODY!

GOOD
 

MORNING

TROOPS!


Me for PREZ! VOTE !!!


71 posted on 08/24/2004 4:35:59 AM PDT by tomkow6 (.....????????????)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LaDivaLoca; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 2LT Radix jr; Radix; Severa; Bethbg79; southerngrit; ...

 

Today's FEEBLE

YOKE :

Returning home from work, Ms Feather was shocked to find her house 
ransacked and burglarized. She telephoned the police at once and reported 
the crime. 

The police dispatcher broadcast the call on the radio, and a K-9 unit, 
patrolling nearby was the first to respond. As the K-9 officer approached 
the house with his dog on a leash, Ms Feather ran out on the porch, 
shuddered at the sight of the cop and his dog, then sat down on the 
steps. 

Putting her face in her hands, she moaned, "I come home to find all my 
possessions stolen. I call the police for help, and what do they do? 
They send me a BLIND policeman."

72 posted on 08/24/2004 4:37:26 AM PDT by tomkow6 (.....????????????)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kitty Mittens
Good Tuesday Morning Kitty Mittens! It's so nice to start the day with a picture of President Bush and his trusty sidekick Barney! I'm going to e-mail this one to my little nephews. Thank you!
73 posted on 08/24/2004 4:37:45 AM PDT by Spotsy (Let every Vietnam Veteran speak; they earned it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: LaDivaLoca; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 2LT Radix jr; Radix; Severa; Bethbg79; southerngrit; ...

FINAL

CUBS 8

Brewers 3 

 

TONIGHT

AUGUST 23 @ 7:05 p.m. CT
 Radio: WGN 720

  VS 
 

 

74 posted on 08/24/2004 4:37:58 AM PDT by tomkow6 (.....????????????)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LaDivaLoca; 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; 2LT Radix jr; Radix; Severa; Bethbg79; southerngrit; ...

 

Chicagoland Weather

August 24, 2004
Chicago, IL
Sunrise 6:08 AM (CDT)
Sunset 7:41 PM (CDT)
Hrs. of Daylight 13 Hrs., 33 Mins
Currently    
68°  
alt
Cloudy
      Hi: 79
      Lo: 67
altalt

5 Day Forecast

WED THU FRI SAT SUN
alt
Thunderstorms
High: 82
Low: 68
alt
Isolated Thunderstorms
High: 85
Low: 67
alt
Isolated Thunderstorms
High: 83
Low: 66
alt
Thunderstorms
High: 81
Low: 58
alt
Partly Cloudy
High: 74
Low: 53

75 posted on 08/24/2004 4:38:33 AM PDT by tomkow6 (.....????????????)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: tomkow6
Hey tomkow! I guess you are getting better at selling burkas.


76 posted on 08/24/2004 4:40:34 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 75 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska
She started school last Monday, and is HAPPY!!

With Auntie Kathy's help!
Good to hear your niece is settled and doing well.

77 posted on 08/24/2004 4:42:44 AM PDT by Spotsy (Let every Vietnam Veteran speak; they earned it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Spotsy

Morning, Spotsy!


78 posted on 08/24/2004 4:42:55 AM PDT by tomkow6 (.....????????????)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub; Old Sarge; StarCMC; kjfine; bentfeather; MoJo2001; tomkow6; HiJinx; ...

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING CANTEENERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today looks like it's gonna be a wet one for the Kentucky area, again. So be prepared and take yer foul weather gear. This means you too Sarge!


79 posted on 08/24/2004 4:46:06 AM PDT by USVet6792Retired (Liberals in the open...adjust fire...over!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: HopeandGlory

Adorable pledge, Hope! Perfect for "back to school."
Have a great Tuesday. :)


80 posted on 08/24/2004 4:46:41 AM PDT by Spotsy (Let every Vietnam Veteran speak; they earned it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 421-428 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson