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...

  Yoga and Kalaripayattu: A Union of Strength and Stillness Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker             Yoga and Kalaripayattu are deeply interconnected, both rooted in the ancient wisdom of Bharath and aimed at achieving physical, mental, and spiritual mastery. These two disciplines, though distinct in their approach, complement each other perfectly in fostering holistic well-being. Their connection can also be explored through the lens of the  Pancha Kosha  principle, the five layers of human existence, which provide a deeper understanding of how Yoga and Kalari together nurture the body, mind, and soul. Common Philosophical Foundation Both Yoga and Kalaripayattu originate from the same spiritual and philosophical tradition. Kalaripayattu is often considered the 'mother of all martial arts,' while Yoga is the ...

  Guardians of Tradition: Interview with Gurukkal S. Mahesh on Kalaripayattu and Siddha Wisdom 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. Agasthyam Foundation is widely recognized for its contribution to Kalaripayattu and Siddha traditions. Can you share with us the vision behind Agasthyam? Gurukkal :  Agasthyam was born out of a deep commitment to preserving and promoting Kalaripayattu as a holistic discipline that extends beyond martial arts. I believe in integrating the wisdom of Kalaripayattu with the principles of Siddha healing, ensuring that it serves as a tool for self-discovery, empowerment, and well-being. My vision is to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, making Kalaripayattu accessible to people from all walks of life while maintaining its authenticity. Questions...

       VASISTA VISWAMITRA  Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker The Journey of Vishwamitra to Brahmarsi        Students, let us delve into a remarkable story that embodies perseverance, transformation, and the profound teachings of Dhanurveda. The journey of Vishwamitra from a powerful king to the exalted status of Brahmarsi—offers invaluable lessons for our own lives and  aspirations. The Ambition of a King             Vishwamitra was not born a sage. He was a celebrated king, renowned for his valor and  ambition. Yet, even with all his wealth and power, there was a yearning within him—a desire to transcend his worldly identity and attain spiritual enlightenment.  Realizing that true fulfillment lay beyond material success, he renounced his kingdom and set  out on a ...

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...

  Astral Armory Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker          I ts surprising that Every God we worship , gods in mythologies ,around the globe keeps a weapon or multiple weapons , it shows that they were experts to use that weapons , its evident that they were expert martial artists  As we know Lord Paramasiva's  Trident, Pinakam  or  Vijay  ,Lord Mahavishnu's  Sudarshana Chakra , Lord Sreeram's bow  Kodanda , Hanuman with a  Mighty Gada  and Arjuna's bow  Gandeeva . Goddess Bhadrakali holds the  Mahakhadgam  ( Great Sword ), and Parasurama holds an  Axe  . The epics Ramayana and Mahabharata revolve around battles and defence, portraying different weapons and their handling. The virtues and expertise in warfare are elevated to a divine status in these narratives...