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...

  The Wisdom of Combat Author Gurukkal Dr. S Mahesh    – The Warrior Monk Indian Martial Arts Guru | Spiritual Visionary | Founder, Agasthyam Foundation | Author & Filmmaker There is a padal about  the Philosophy in action " Ondrāvathu adikkavanrāl, ōradi aṇḍavan kāppār Irandāvathu adi vandal muzhankaiyar irundhu paduṁ..." These opening lines of a traditional Tamil martial verse carry profound strategic depth. In essence, they say:  If the first strike fails, divine grace may still protect you. But if the second strike lands, you must be prepared to block it with your own forearm. In this, we see the humility and sharp realism of a seasoned warrior tradition. The verse doesn’t promise invincibility; it teaches responsibility. The first strike is your moment—makes it count. If you miss, trust must now shift to divine will or your trained instincts. The second strike is survival—you must defend, and often with your own body. This is not just physical—it is men...