Gurukkal Blogs

Sports and the Warrior Instinct   Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker            We, the Homo sapiens, are the children of hunters. For nearly 200,000 years, we lived as hunter-gatherers. The longest part of our evolutionary journey was not spent in cities, but in forests, caves, and open landscapes—tracking prey, protecting kin, surviving against all odds. That legacy is etched deep into our DNA. There’s a warrior buried within each of us—not necessarily one who wields weapons, but one driven by instinct: to move, to fight, to endure, to survive. This ancient instinct hasn’t disappeared. It has simply evolved—finding its expression in what we now call  sport . From Spears to Javelins: The Evolution of Play When I think of our ancestors, I imagine a world where the ability to run fast, jump high, throw accurately, or wre...

Project Shakthi :Interview with Gurukkal S. Mahesh on Preserving legacy of Kalaripayattu and Women Empowerment  Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker Questions :  Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. Can you share with us your vision for Kalaripayattu and its role in society? Gurukkal :  Kalaripayattu is more than just a martial art—it is a way of life, deeply rooted in self-discipline, physical well-being, and spiritual growth. My vision is to make this ancient wisdom accessible to all, especially to those who need strength and confidence the most. Beyond combat, Kalaripayattu instills resilience, focus, and inner balance, making it a powerful tool for transformation. Questions :  The statistics on violence against women are alarming. Reports show that 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lif...

  Styles in Kalaripayattu.  Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker                                   Kalaripayattu is the strength and foundation of Kerala. History always travels with warriors, and our warriors came from our Kalaris. This was the strength and beauty of Kerala—an unbreakable legacy. Kalaripayattu never discriminated based on sex, religion, caste, or creed. Boys and girls alike received this fundamental education, creating a society of warrior leaders who were immortalized by their courage. While Kalaripayattu is deeply rooted in Kerala, equivalent martial traditions exist in other parts of South India. In Karnataka, we have Garidis, and in Tamil Nadu, we see Silambam, Adithada, Adimurai, and Varma Kalai. More than just historical records, these traditio...

  GURUKULAM Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker                                    I n ancient times, the gurukulam system of education was not just away to acquire knowledge—it was a way of life. Education wasn’t confined to books or classrooms but was deeply rooted in the relationship between the Guru and the student, the shishya. Back then, the responsibility of learning rested entirely on the Guru.                   The Guru was not just a teacher but a mentor, guide, and even a parent to the student. The Guru would observe, understand, and nurture each student based on their unique potential. But today, the situation is reversed. In modern education, the responsibility of learn...

IS MURUGAN A MAN OR A GOD? WHO IS MURUGAN? Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker Murugan, the divine figure of South India, is known by many names—Subramanian, Seyon, Skandan, Vadivelan, Padayappa, Devasenapati. Is he a god, or was he once a man who  ascended to godhood? This question resonates deeply with the spiritual and historical  understanding of Murugan’s place in Indian culture. The God with Many Names Murugan is not just a god in the traditional sense. He represents the embodiment of wisdom,  bravery, and the path to spiritual enlightenment. In ancient Tamil tradition, Murugan’s  journey from a mortal man to a divinely revered figure was a process marked by  extraordinary feats—both spiritual and earthly—that elevated him to the status of a god. He  was a man who transformed into a god through his knowledge, penance, and he...

THE MIGHTY GADHA Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker                      T he gada, a formidable weapon, has a deep-rooted significance in Indian martial traditions, especially in the epics and lore of ancient warriors. In Kalaripayattu, the wooden gada serves as both a training tool for muscle development and a weapon in combat.                     The gada holds a prominent place in Indian mythology and history. It is best known as the weapon of Hanuman, the mighty Vanara, and a key figure in the Ramayana. Hanuman’s gada symbolizes strength, loyalty, and unwavering devotion, attributes that are central to the martial spirit. In the Mahabharata, the gada is wielded Bhima and Duryodhana , two of the greatest warriors in the Kurukshetra War. The infamo...