India - The Home of the Martial Arts

Discussion in 'General Martial Arts Discussion' started by Hindu Warrior, Mar 23, 2004.

  1. Hindu Warrior

    Hindu Warrior New Member

    I am a Hindu from Bengal, been training in the Indian martial arts since I was a young child. One of my interests is the history of the martial arts, which I have been studying for years. And to that end, I have written a short article about it.

    Most people don't think of India when they think of martial arts. But martial arts in India are older than anywhere else in the world. And they are the precursors to the oriental arts of today.

    Now, I am aware that Asian nations have indegenous martial arts. Korea had soobakdo, taekyon, and Hwarang Do. In China, martial arts began with Hua Tuo and Wuqinxi (Five Animals Play) around 200 AD. But Indian martial arts eventually affected every martial art in Asia. The martial arts we see today are a fusion of Indian and Asian martial arts, with the Indian influence dominating.

    Martial Arts in India

    Kalaripayattu literally means “the way of the battlefield.” This martial art originated in the kingdom of Cheras, in present day Kerala, South India. It is more than 2,000 years old. It is this martial art that is recognized to be the precursor of the Asian ones of today.

    However, Kalari was just one of many martial arts that evolved from the ancient martial art of Vajramukti, or “Thunder Fist.” Kshatriya Vajramukti is mentioned in the great Ramayana war, which occurred 5114 BCE. Indrajit, demon warrior prince, was mentioned to be highly proficient in its use.

    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.

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    Kshatriya warriors

    Vajramukti branched out into various Indian martial arts – Simhanta, Kalaripayattu, and Nata being the most famous.

    Kalaripayattu continued to evolve for many years. One King reportedly experimented on captured prisoners, to find the marmas- the 107 spots on the body where a blow can kill.

    Kalari fighters were trained since early childhood, often they left their homes to train with a master of the martial art. They began training with wooden staffs of different lengths, and advanced to fighting with swords, maces, daggers and spears.

    The most deadly weapon of Kalari was the Urumi a weapon with three long flexible blades each several feet in length. This weapon was flexible, so it could be worn around the waist. It could be easily whipped out to inflict deadly blows on the enemy. Only masters were allowed to use this weapon, as it could inflict deadly blows on the user as well.

    The kingdom of Cheras in Kerala realized the value of the martial arts, and used divisions of Kalari practitioners in battle to great effect. Kalari fighters were allowed to pick their weapons, and preferred to go into battle unarmored. Their lack of armor allowed them to move unhindered allowing them to carry out Kalari techniques with extreme swiftness and skill. Ancient texts record the astonishment of enemy armies, who saw these nimble fighters strike down armored fighters, and describe them as flying through the air.

    The best and bravest Kalari fighters were arranged into elite squads called Chaver Pada These were the first suicide squads in the world.

    Members of the Chaver Pada took Shiva and Shakti, God and Goddess of power, as their deities. Training was conducted in secret; they were unleashed as a secret weapon against enemies of ancient Kerala. Armed with the deadly bladed weapons of Kalaripayattu, they would leave wide swathes of destruction in their path, fighting until the death.

    Enemy ranks usually crumpled beneath their attack, and enemy soldiers were known to flee before the onslaught of the Chaver Pada. For a while, Kerala was one of the most feared kingdoms in India.

    To the Rest of Asia

    Buddhism, as you probably know, originated in India, with the Hindu prince Siddharta Gautama, who attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. Buddhist monks are commonly attributed to bringing martial arts to the rest of Asia.

    According to legend, it was the Buddhist monk Boddhidharma, from Tamil Nadu, south India, who brought martial arts to the rest of Asia. While it is possible that Boddhidharma (Damo) founded the Shaolin fighting style, it is unlikely that one monk would have alone brought martial arts to all of Asia.

    Most likely the transition of martial arts from India to China was a gradual one, one that came about through the contribution of several individuals. From China, martial arts reached Korea, Japan, and Cambodia, taking on new forms:

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    Evidence in China

    "Prior to and during the life of the Buddha various principles were embodied within the warrior caste [in India] known as the Ksatreya (Japanese: Setsuri). This title - stemming from Sanskrit root Ksetr meaning "power," described an elite force of usually royal or noble-born warriors who were trained from infancy in a wide variety of military and martial arts, both armed and unarmed.
    In China, the Ksatreya were considered to have descended from the deity Ping Wang (Japanese: Byo O), the "Lord of those who keep things calm." Ksatreyas were like the Peace force - to keep kings and people in order. Military commanders were called Senani - a name reminiscent of the Japanese term Sensei which describes a similar status. The Japanese samurai also had similar traits to the Ksatreya. Their battle practices and techniques are often so close to that of the Ksatreya that we must assume the former came from India perhaps via China. The traditions of sacred Swords, of honorable self-sacrifice, and service to one's Lord are all found first in India.

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    Chinese sculpture, showing Lord Buddha, with his Nagas, or Natas, serpentine protectors. Nata was one of the martial arts that evolved from Varjramukti.
    "In ancient Hinduism, nata was acknowledged as a spiritual study and conferred as a ruling deity, Nataraja, representing the awakening of wisdom through physical and mental concentration. However, after the Muslim invasion of India and its brutal destruction of Buddhist and Hindu culture and religion, the Ksatreya art of nata was dispersed and many of its teachers slain. This indigenous martial arts, under the name of Kalari or Kalaripayit exists only in South India today. 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.

    When Buddhism came to influence India (circa 500 B.c), the Deity Nataraja was converted to become one of the four protectors of Buddhism, and was renamed Nar (y)ayana Deva (Chinese: Na Lo Yen Tien). He is said to be a protector of the Eastern Hemisphere of the mandala."

    On the martial arts style:
    "The Tang Chinese equivalent for the title "Vajramukti",
    Chuan Fa (Japanese : Kempo) was a nominal approximation
    used by monks for that section of the Buddhist Vajramukti
    art concerned with ritualized movement practices which
    contained the principles of health preservation, weaponless
    self-defense and meditative insight.

    The term Chuan Fa was commonly used from the Tang dynasty onward
    [AD 618-907] to represent in general
    those aspects of the Vajramukti practices which missionary
    monks imported from India. Much later it was exported to offshore
    islands such as Taiwan and the Ryukyus, where the title was
    pronounced "Kempo".


    Evidence from the Shaolin temple:

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    A fresco on the wall of the Shaolin temple. 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…”

    Source - www.atributetohinduism.com

    Another interesting fact. Shaolin monks today salute each other with their left hand. The reason is to honor Shen Guang, who studied under Damo:

    Shen had studied Taoism for many years, had heard of Boddhidharma, and was determined to study with him. Shen stood patiently for hours in the knee-deep snow outside the cave, waiting for Boddhidharma to finish his meditation. When the monk stirred at last, Shen introduced himself and announced his desire to become a disciple. Bodhidharma was concerned when he learned of Shen's long association with Taosim, and he feared the young man was not sincere and merely wanted to add to his collection of knowledge. To test Shen's sincerity, Boddhidharma told him "I will take you as my disciple only when heaven snows red." With that, he dismissed the young man. Shen was crushed, but he was also determined not to give up. Pulling a knife from his belt, he cut off his left arm, allowing the blood to splatter on the snow. Once again he knelt before Bodhidharma, offering up his arm as a gesture ofhis commitment. Bodhidarma agreed to make Shen a disciple and attended to the young man's wound. He gave his new disciple the name Hui Ke, and shortly before his death, Bodhidharma passed on his robe and begging bowl to Hui, who became the second partiarch of the Dhyana sect in China.

    Evidence from Tibet

    Tibet has the most striking evidence that the oriental martial arts of today have their roots in India. For in Tibet, survives the ancient Indian martial art of Simhanta (Lion’s Roar!) in its relatively unchanged form. Simhanta is one of the most ancient Indian martial arts, one of the first styles to evolve from Vajramukti.

    Tibetan Simhanta, sometimes called Tibetan Kung Fu, is Indian in every aspect. From the Sanskrit names, to the Hindu mantras, to the techniques, which are drawn from Vajramukti and Kalari.

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    Hindu God Narasimha, from which Simhanta takes its name.

    The major mantra of Tibetan Simhanta, which all practitioners recite is “Om Ah Hum Vajra Simhanada Sangha Hum,” which praises Narasimha, and is in the Sanskrit language.

    The crane symbol, which is pervasive in Simhanta, also has origins in India:
    The Black Necked White Crane, co-root-Totem Tantric animal level of consciousness in the Lion's Roar, and Sacred in India as the 'Sarus Crane', the world's tallest flying bird at 6ft tall. This bird may well echo the Simhanada-Vajramushti and Kalari Pyatt Indian Martial arts, as the parent systems of the Lion's Roar Lama Art; or indeed be a mythical symbol that has come to represent the domination of Han-China over Tibet.


    A further possibility concerning the esoteric symbolism of the 'White Crane' in Tibetan Tantric Lion's Roar! Lama martial arts, goes back once again to India, to the Jetavana: the 'Grove of Victory' the place Buddha spent his final years and where he chose to leave this world. Jetavana, was, before being renamed by the Buddha, called Suklahavarsa: the 'Grove of The White Crane'. In Buddhist scriptures, the color white symbolizes 'good' or 'without impurity'. On the Buddha's death, it is said that all the Sala trees in the grove around him blossomed out of season, and shed their White blossoms around his resting place.


    The other major symbolic animal in Simhanta is the ape. A further point of note concerning a pre-Tibetan 'Ape' as Totem animal in the original Hindu Simhanada-Vajramushti, is the importance of the Monkey 'God' Haruman:

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    The encounter between Ape and Crane - between Buddhism and Tibet, translated and reinterpreted 'locally' from the original lineage art of Hindu Simhanada Vajramushti: gave rise to the 'Tibetan-Lion's Roar!' as a martial art, a Tantric Buddhist Vajrayana - Vajramushti martial art. The Lion's Roar! Thunderbolt Fist, thus being a creation of the Buddha's transmission of the Dharma into Tibet - making it the martial representation of the very Soul of the Tibetan Nation and People.
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    Potala Palace.

    From as early as the eleventh century the palace was called Potala. This name probably derives from Mt. Potala (Sanskrit: Potalaka; which means ''Brilliance." It is from the Tamil pottu (potti-) ''to light" - as a fire). The mythological mountain abode of the Bodhisattva Chenresi (Avilokiteshvara / Kuan Yin) in the Kerala region of Southern India.

    It should be noted, Sanskrit was the ancient Indian language, and both Tamil Nadu and Kerala are in South India.

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    Tibetan warrior monks, clad in Saffron, the color of Hindu and Buddhist warriors and martyrdom.

    Source - www.tibetankungfu.com

    Evidence from Japan

    According to Shifu Nagaboshi Tomio, "nata" was [a] martial art (mostly
    armed) practiced by Kshtriyas from Vedic times. This corresponds with Chinese and Indian sources.

    "In addition to the Indian and North Chinese accounts there is
    a legend, preserved in both the Ryukyuan "Kempo Hishu", the
    "Itosuchi", and other Japanese manuscripts, that the technique
    of Vyaghraja in Chuan Fu developed from teachings contained in an
    account brought from India, via a Tibetan monastery, into China
    which recorded the hand-to-hand combat held between two deities.
    Their names are given phonetically as "Ka-shi-ma" and "Ka-chu-ri".
    The account is said to describe theri movements and practices and
    says they used these techniques to "control and restrain their
    followers". The manuscript is usually named in Japanese Ju Jitsu
    schools as the "Ta-ka-no-kabi".


    The word "Taka no Kabi", literally
    means "the giving and receiving of the high(er) places" (Chinese
    : Kao Cha Li) actually represents the Sanskrit term "Devaloka dana
    adana", meaning "The heavenly realm of those who give and those who
    receive" a meaning almost the same. The names Kashimi and Kachuri
    probably represent Chinese transliterations of the Sanskrit Buddhist
    term "Ksatre(ya) ksetra". This means "the place - or land - of the
    Ksatreya."


    Source - http://www.hindunet.org/alt_hindu/1994_2/msg00040.html

    Today, Japanese students of the Martial arts make Daruma dolls, which is what Boddhidharma is called in Japan.

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    These red , roly-poly dolls are called Daruma. They are a depiction of the Indian priest Bodhidharma, who introduced Zen Buddhism to China from India. It is said that he lost the use of his arms and legs after spending nine years meditating in a cave. The daruma dolls are heavy on the bottom and bounce back when tipped over, so it has become a symbol of optimism, good fortune and strong determination. Usually daruma dolls are sold without the eyeballs painted in. People paint in one eye when they set out to do something and paint in the other one when they have achieved the goal.

    Evidence in Khmer (Cambodia)

    Contrary to its name, Muai Thai actually originated not in Thailand, but in Khmer. For much of its history, Khmer was Hindu, and it was the Nayar, the Khmer Kshatriyas (warrior caste) that developed it. Indian influence is predominant in Khmer. Frescos on the Angkor Wat depict scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana, showing Kshatriyas engaged in martial arts. Most likely it was Indian influence through China or Sri Lanka that led to the development of Khmer martial arts.

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    Evidence in the Philippines

    There are three martial arts in the Philippines - Escrima, Arnis, and Kali. The first two are recent, brought about since European colonization. Kali however, is an ancient martial art. Indian influence can be seen clearly, in that the name, Kali, is the Hindu goddess who destroys evil. Practitioners of this martial art were said to be as fearsome as Kali, and were avoided by the neighboring rivals.

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    Kali

    Further evidence from India

    The whole name seems likely to represent a literal Sarvastivada
    source orignally called something like the "Devloka danadana
    Ksatreya ksetra", and which, if tradition is accurate, passed from
    the Vikramasila monastery of India, for it was to here the Tibetans
    mainly came to be taught Buddhist teachings... the area in India which contained the most Sarvastivada/Mahasanghika monasteries was named "Danakataka", a word which can be translated as the "gift of the closed hand".


    Please post comments, and if you would like to debate, evidence to the contrary :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2004
  2. Yama Tombo

    Yama Tombo Valued Member

    Interesting, I haven't read it all.....but I'll print it out.
     
  3. Tireces

    Tireces New Member

    Martial Arts were developed the first time one man whacked another with something and initiated violence. HA! Got here before you, Yoda!
     
  4. Kwajman

    Kwajman Penguin in paradise....

    I give you an "A" on your essay! Very enlightening, tho I think some others may have a word with you on a few points. :)
     
  5. Hindu Warrior

    Hindu Warrior New Member

    Yama Tombo, Kwajman, thanks very much for the compliments.

    Tireces, it does depend on your definition of the martial arts. But what you said can hardly be called a martial art.

    My definition of the martial arts are:
    1. Something that involves training and thinking about the motions one will do prior to executing them, not reacting with mere instinct.

    2. Something that systematically trains the mind as well as the body.
     
  6. Adam

    Adam New Member

    Now THIS is what a first post should be like. Great work Hindu Warrior, I'm reading it right now and thoroughly enjoying it :)
     
  7. toothpaste100

    toothpaste100 Banned In 60 Seconds

    Very interesting post; excellently written as well.

    Has anyone here handeled a Urumi before? They seem very destructive, and quite interesting at the same time.
     
  8. Guerilla Fists

    Guerilla Fists New Member

    Hindu Warrior,
    Could you tell me more about Kabadi?I think it's Indian.
     
  9. Guy Mendiola

    Guy Mendiola New Member

    Hey thanks Hindu Warrior, It's very interesting.
     
  10. CKava

    CKava Just one more thing... Supporter

    Hi Hindi warrior- great article, those are some really nice pictures too.

    I have a couple of points Id like to make:

    In some cases the evidence that you present doesn't seem to necessarily suggest that the fighting style came/was influenced from India as it could just as easily be interpreted as being evidence of the Buddhist trend to link practices back to India. And likewise you seem to consider at certain points the spread of Buddhism and the spread of martial arts to be one in the same when in fact they are not. Though I must admit I dont really have enough knowledge to provide any contrary evidence, still it just seems that some of the evidence doesn't really amount to that much and could in some cases be more a case of finding what is wanted to be seen rather than finding what is actually there.

    Just some random thoughts :) But as I said before- great article.
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2004
  11. chylaxin

    chylaxin New Member

    amazing post hindu warrior. I really enjoyed it. I know that area pretty well and always wanted to see how it effected the martial art world and you taught me how. Thank you and keep posting I can't wait to read your next post.
     
  12. Shortfuse

    Shortfuse King of Hearts

    nice job:D
     
  13. SoKKlab

    SoKKlab The Cwtch of Death!

    I enjoyed reading your post.

    Just want to take issue with the following statement:

    'It should be noted, Sanskrit was the ancient Indian language, and both Tamil Nadu and Kerala are in South India.'

    Sanskrit was an Indo-Aryan language and came to India with the coming of the Aryans (Those who follow the word).

    The population of Kerala and Tamil Nadu were/are Dravidians and represent the earlier population of India, Ie they were/ are not Aryans, nor was their language, their customs etc.

    Sanskrit is the base language where all or most Indo-European Languages (Including this one) come from, but are unrelated to Keralan or Tamil languages etc etc.

    BTW: There's as much evidence to suggest that Martial arts began in Beni Hassan, Northern Sudan/ Southern Egypt (see wall frescos from 5000BC), as there is for it beginning in India.

    Just depends upon your viewpoint, as to what constitues a 'Martial Art'.

    If it's real combat tactics, great training methodology and things that work, then Count Western Arts in.

    If, on the other hand, it's wearing Fancy Pyjamas and screeching like a Constipated Chicken, then count Western arts out....

    But Otherwise thanks for some nice pictures and thank whoever owns the copyright to the contents of your post.
     
  14. Shortfuse

    Shortfuse King of Hearts

    where do you learn all this?? :confused:
     
  15. Hindu Warrior

    Hindu Warrior New Member

    Thank you for your kind comments everyone :)

    toothpaste100, the Urumi is a unique sword to Kalari that consists of three five feet long, flexible blades attached to a handle. It can be worn like a belt and then whipped out. It is twirled in a variety of patterns, and can hold off multiple opponents, and is used only by advanced Kalari masters, for it can inflict wounds on the user if not used properly. A very interesting weapon.

    Eightfold Path, Kabaddi is a 4,000 year old game that is from India. It combines characteristics of rugby and wrestling. It requires skill and power, and has many elements of martial arts in it.

    [​IMG]

    Ckava, thanks for your comments. I agree with what you say, spread of Buddhism does not necessarily imply the spread of martial arts. But often times, they are surprisingly related. If you do find any sources disproving my article, please post them. Its always good to read from different points of view.

    SoKKlab, Aryan invasion theory is an outdated one. There is enough evidence to prove that the Indus valley survived centuries after the supposed “invasion.” And temples to supposed “Aryan” Gods have been found that predate the date of invasion (1500 BCE) by four millennia.

    If you’ve got nothing better to do than insult Asian martial arts don’t bother posting…

    I italicized the parts that weren’t written by me, and gave credit to the sources. What are you talking about!?

    Shortfuse, are you asking me or SoKKlab? I learned mostly by growing up in Hindu culture, and reading a lot :)
     
  16. Grifter

    Grifter Edited by White Wizard

    Nice post Hindu Warrior!! :cool:



    Maybe somebody can anwser this question for me. Why is the origin of Martial Arts focused on so much?? It wouldnt change a thing if tomarrow the found out it that the first form of MA originated in Antartica and they had undeniable proof. So why do people care so much??
     
  17. Judderman

    Judderman 'Ello darlin'

    An interestin and well written article.

    It appears a common theme to trace the martial arts from India via religious teachings/travels. Trade was also a link between civilizations. Rice from the Indus valley was introduced @2300bc. The Silk Road was apparently established with the west @200bc. Interestingly I also found a reference to a nomadic people who pushed into India from the Steppes of Central Asia @1500bc. The only nomadic peoples I could find from this area were the Sycthians whose territory stretched from the borders of Mongolia/China to the Black Sea.

    I think Sokklabs question about how you define martial arts is a valid one. It is intersting to note that @1700bc the Hyksos people invaded large parts of Egypt and @1200bc the Trojan wars occured. Both would require learnt tactics and would have definately been linked to religious beliefs.
     
  18. toothpaste100

    toothpaste100 Banned In 60 Seconds

    Not only that; grappling never existed, its all a lie.
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2004
  19. Hindu Warrior

    Hindu Warrior New Member

    Thanks for the comments :)

    You’re right, it really doesn’t make a difference who invented it. History is a hobby of mine, that’s really the only reason I look into this stuff.

    I believe you are correct; around 1500 BC, there are references to migrations of Scythians into the subcontinent, referred to in Hindu texts as Shakyas.

    I also didn’t mean to dismiss Sokklab’s question. I have studied European martial arts, even though when one thinks of martial arts, European ones are often not as well known. I am most interested in Systema Russkovo, a martial art practiced by the Cossacks. It is possible that the Mesopotamians first had well developed martial arts, but unfortunately, they are not as well documented.
     
  20. Cain

    Cain New Member

    Interesting post. ;)

    Welcome to the forums hindu warrior.

    If your coming across Bombay some time lemme know :D

    Yup - It's a game where there are 2 teams of about 8 or 10 with their own area divided by a line, one guy from a team goes in the rival team's area, all the while he's in the rival area he continiously has to say kabadi or he gets disqualified.

    Now his goal his to touch one of the rival team's members and escape back into his area, the rival team meanwhile will try to trap him/pin him [yeah 8 people to one ;)] while trying to avoid being touched by him, the guy can escape anytime but will get a point only if he has touched one of the dudes before escaping, the other 8 guys however can pin him in their area whenever they get the chance but without letting the dude escape to his area after touching one of them, if they successfully pin/trap him without him escaping then the dude who got pinned gets out of the match ie disqualified.

    Requires quite a bit of careful strategy

    |Cain|
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2004

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