Gurukkal Blogs

  KALARIPAYATTU AND SPIRITUALITY    Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk   Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker I came through some comments that Some people say there’s  no spirituality in Kalaripayattu, that it’s just about fighting. But  let me ask you this – if that’s true, then why do we begin every  session with a salutation? Why do we say 'Pootharavanakkam' and  'Guruvanakkam'; before we even begin our practice? You  think that’s just a formality?  It's much more than that. It's a way  to connect with the wisdom of the lineage and the divine  energies that guide us.  think about this – before we ever pick up a weapon, we touch it,  we honor it. Does that sound like something you do with just  any tool? No. We treat our weapons as sacred objects,  because they aren’t just tools of combat; they’re extensions of...

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?...

 Kalaripayattu: The Ancient Path to Holistic Wellness   Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk   Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker Q Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak with you, could you provide  an overview of your family’s engagement with Kalarippayattu and the history of  Agasthyam Foundation? Gurukkal S. Mahesh:You know, my journey into Kalaripayattu didn’t start from a  decision — it was something I was born into. My father, Sanalji Gurukkal, was my  biggest inspiration. He wasn’t just a teacher to me, he was a living example of what it  meant to live this path — fully, completely.  Our family carries a legacy that goes back more than 150 years, starting from a small  village called Vedanthara, before settling in Nemom. This tradition began with my  ancestor Ashan Vaidyar and his wife, Chakki. Ashan Vaidyar was a yogi, a d...

 Shanthi mantra    Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk   Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker "We often chant…  Sarvesham Swastir Bhavatu ." "It means: May there be well-being for all. May there be peace, fullness, and health for everyone." "But have you ever paused and thought—why are we praying for  everyone ? What does  their  peace have to do with  my  wellness?" "Here’s the secret: when you genuinely wish peace for others… you create peace within yourself." "That vibration, that intention—it doesn’t just go outward. It cleanses  you . It heals  you ." "In fact, most of our stress, pain, and imbalance come from separation… ego… the illusion that ‘I’ am different from ‘you.’" "But when I say,  'May all be well' … I am dissolving that wall. I am aligning with the universe." "Wellness, then, is not just about what I eat, o...