Gurukkal Blogs

 DEVOTION OF AGASTHYA :SPOKEN FROM THE HEART    Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk   Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker This was my 30 th journey to Agasthyakoodam.Agasthya peak in kerala Each time, it begins not with a plan, but with a call. A silent invitation from the mountain, like a mother calling her child home. I don’t know when the journey starts maybe the moment the mountain appears in my heart. Another Agasthyayanam has been completed. A fifteen-member team from Agasthyam Kalari joined me this time. From Bonacaud Forest Station, the 26 km trail meanders through rivers KaramanVazhapindi, Attayar and wide-open grasslands, where the sky feels close enough to touch. The first night, we halt at Athirumala basecamp. The second day is tougher steeper climbs, rock faces, bamboo forests until we rise above the clouds. And then it appears… Agasthya...

KALARIPAYATTU :THE TIMELESS PATH TO SELF MASTERY    Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk   Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker Let me start by asking a question: In life, what do we encounter more often—success or  failure? If we are honest, we know that failure is our frequent companion, while success is often just a  fleeting moment. In life, setbacks outnumber triumphs.  Today, many people feel overwhelmed by competition, stress, and the fear of failing. For some,  this pressure drives them to the brink of despair, even to suicide. Tragically, even some of the  brightest minds from esteemed institutions like the IITs fall prey to this. They are weighed  down, unable to find a way out. But what if there was a way to embrace challenges and failures rather than being defeated by  them? What if we could become more resilient, patient, and strong?...

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...