Gurukkal Blogs

  Agasthyar sidhar Agasthyar sidhar In Ramayana Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh N amaste           In Ramayana, we find the meeting of Agasthya and Rama at two points. The portion which I recited now is from Aranyakandam. It is the section of the epic in which Sri Rama, Sita Devi and Lakshmana are travelling through the forest. They visit Agasthya’s ashram. This episode illustrates Agasthya seeing Rama for the first time and the joy it brings him.            Agasthya appears later at a totally different location in the epic. Where? There Agasthya teaches Rama the Aditya Hridaya Mantra which praises the Sun God. In part that I recited, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are in the forest with Sutheeshna and they reach Agasthya’s ashram. We can see Agasthya appears in Ramayana, Mahabharata, the Vedas and the Upanishads.As we are now celebrating Ramayana month of Karkidaka in Kerala,           ...

  Kalaripayattu Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh           A fter three decades of training, I have come to realize that Kalaripayattu goes beyond physical exercise—it is a training of the mind. There is a popular saying in Kalaripayattu that "the body becomes eyes." This means that regardless of the direction of an attack, practitioners possess the ability to defend themselves. However, Kalaripayattu offers more than just defensive skills. It cultivates a sense of calmness, confidence, and inner peace, which becomes a defining characteristic of a Kalaripayattu practitioner.             When we examine the fundamental philosophy of practicing yoga, such as the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, including yama, niyama, asana, and so on, we understand that these practices aim to compose and prepare the mind. Martial arts, similarly, have an immeasurable impact on human behavior, culture, and personal develo...

Siddha treatment   Siddha Treatment Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh           S iddha tradition or Siddha treatment is the product of centuries of contemplation, observation and research. But just like the attempts to obscurify Agasthya and the 18 Siddhas, this treatment system is also undergoing difficulties. Modern science has not spent enough time to unravel the mysteries of chemical, medicinal and metallurgical directions of Siddha tradition that appear mystic initially. But those Siddha experts who have understood the depth and practical nature of this knowledge system have been carrying it forward.           India has been the land of truly incredible discoveries that amazed the world. The contribution to human health by Charaka, Susrutha and Ashtangahridaya are immense. Kayachikitsa, Kaumarabhrtya, salyatantra, salakyatantra, bhootavidya etc thrived as branches of ayurveda. Much earlier even in the 3rd mill...