Varma Kalai

Varma Kalai

(Tamil: வ􁾽􁾽􁾽􁾽ம􁾰􁾰􁾰􁾰கைல) is a martial art and esoteric healing art originating from ancient Tamil Naidu in South India. The name literally translate as "The Art of Vital Points". It is an element of the Tamil martial art Kuttu varisai.

Special Varamakalai.

1. Narambadi

2. Varma adi

3. Varma Koothiram

4. Kurunthadi Varmam

 History
Legend has it that Lord Siva taught this art form to his
son Lord Murugan and Lord Murugan taught this art to
the sage Agastya, foremost of the Siddhar's, during the
times of Sangam Literature.
He transferred the knowledge of this art to other
Siddhar's and he also wrote treatises on this art in Tamil.
The presence of shrines to Agathiar in Courtallam
suggests that he researched the art there.

Though Varma Kalai has its own form of katas and procedures, it was closely assorted with Silambam's component Kuttu varisai and Kalaripayattu. Knowledge of Varma Kalai was considered vital in both arts to become a Grand Master. The teachers were called as Aasan (Tamil: ஆசா􁾹) and the grand masters were called as Periyaasan (Tamil: ெபாியாச􁾹) or Iyan (Tamil: ஐய􁾹).

Historically, Varma Kalai has been one of the arts taught
to those of royal blood. However, even royalty were
required to pass the stringent requirements for disciple-
ship. The schools received nivandhanams (donation with
high respect) from the Kings of Tamil Kingdom (Chera,
Chola, Pandya and Pallava. Aasan and Periyaasan of
Varma Kalai were highly respected.

 

The art was taught only to selected individuals, but due
to the strict requirements for new students it never
gained large numbers of adherents. Due to its secretive
nature, Varma Kalai remained largely unknown even in India until the release of the movie Indian, in which Kamal Haasan played the role of a Varma Kalai expert. The film's popularity
generated a resurgence of interest in the art.

Currently Varma Kalai is practised in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, usually as part of Kuttuvarisai and Kalari training.

Requirements for Training

Varma Kalai teachers are highly selective in their choice
of students. Disciples must meet a number of criteria;
beyond martial arts competence they are required to have
an understanding of biology, mathematics, political
science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, Saamuthriga Lakshanam,Yoga, military tactics, horsemanship,
elephant riding, charioteering and Hindu philosophy

(Saiva,Vaisnava, Saktha, Koumara, Boutha, Samana)
etc. The Varma Kalai martial artist is not allowed to
teach the art to others until he receives Deeksha from
his Aasan or Periyaasan as in recognition of him as an Aasan.


Hearsays are that the rules were followed sincerely
without exception, everyone who wished to learn the art
were not qualified to learn. It was taught only to selected individuals who qualified but again all who learned does
not qualify to become an Aasan. Also the Aasans and
Periyaasans did not pass on few techniques as they
never met qualified disciple. It is being said that causes
such led to the loss of many great techniques, few
Aasans who spoke to media deny that thought. There is
also a belief that the art was kept hidden for centuries
for various reasons, it seems that Aasans agree to that
but there is no sound record on what facts set the art
hidden.
 

Techniques

Varma Kalai is classified into 4 types:

 

Thodu Varmam

 96 Vital Points triggered by a touch. Not deadly, but will

affect the victim by disabling the body, organ
movements and function.

 

Padu Varmam

12 Vital Points that are fatal, causing immediate, severe effects upon the victim.
 

Thattu Varmam

Decisive Vital points that are used by the master. These
are kept confidential until the master pass on the
knowledge to the selected disciple

 

 

 

Nooku Varmam (also known as) Meitheenda Kalai

Triggering vital points by focusing/ concentrating on the
target. It takes several years of practice for one to
become an expert in Nooku Varmam.

In human body there are 108 Varmam's (Vital points) they are:

According to Vaidhiya murai (Healing therapy

under Siddha medicine) the vital points are
explained as:

 

 

  

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Vital Points- Part of Human body

25 -From head to neck

45 -From neck to navel

9 -From navel to arm

14 -Arms

15 -Legs

 

Vital Points -Functions

64 -Vadha Varmam

24 -Pitha Varmam

6 -Kaba Varmam

8 -Thattu Varmam  

Pressure points in Varma Kalai

 

According to Varma Kalai aasans our body has 350
therapeutic Varma points and 108 lethal varma points
which can be attacked. These points are also called
Marma. Application of pressure or insertion of needles
on the Marma points which are on the body surface
will affect the flow of vital energy or Pranam along our
Nadis. An attack on these points can render the receiver
immobile after the attack. Results can vary from person
to person. It can also depend on the force and velocity
used to strike.  Chakras are believed to be part of the
subtle body, not the physical body, and as such, are the
meeting points of the subtle (non-physical) energy
channels called Nadi. Nadi are believed to be channels
in the subtle body through which the life force (prana)
(non-physical) or vital energy (non-physical) moves.  

Categories of Marma Points

 

• Maasa Marma

• Asthi Marma

• Snayu Marma

• Dhamani Marma

• Sandhi Marma

• Shira Marma

  

Maasa Marma deals with the pressure points on the skin , Asthi Marma at the bones , Snayu Marma at the nerves, Dhamani Marma at the arteries, Sandhi Marma at the joints, Shira Marma at the veins.

 

Number of Marma Points in different parts of our body

   

• From Top of the Head till Neck which forms the first unit one has 25 Marma or pressure points.

 

• From Neck till Naval Point which forms the second unit one has 45 Marma or pressure points.

• From Naval Point till Anus which forms the third unit one has 9 Marma or pressure points.

• Both Hands Anus which forms the fourth unit one has 14 Marma or pressure points.

• Both Legs forming the fifth unit has 15 Marma or pressure points.

If we total up all these pressure points(25+45+9+14+15) we will get 108 points.
 

Narambadi

Varmaadi

 
 

Varma adi or Marma adi ("hitting vital spots") is a part
of the art of healing and harming Varma Kalai Tamil: வ􁾽ம􁾰கைல, Malayalam: മക്കല) MarmaVidhya, It is
a component of adi murai "law of hitting" which is a
martial art that teaches methods to attack pressure points
of the human body. This system of marmam is part of
Siddha Vaidhyam, attributed to the Tamil sage Agastya
and his disciples.

It is practiced in almost all parts of Tamil Nadu and in the Travancore region of Kerala. It is supposedly derived from traditional Siddha medicine.

 

Pressure Points  

Varma adi recognizes 108 marmas, 12 Padu marmas (death marmas) and 96 Thodu marmas (touch marmas). There are also counter marmas to heal trauma to the marmas.

 

Varma Kotthuram

Kurunthadi Varmam

 

Varmam for treatment of Diseses

  

Varma Kalai has also been used to treat patients suffering from different problems. Diseases treated include Asthma, Diabetes , Hair fall , kidney problems, obesity, paralysis, neuro problems and many more.

 

Techniques applied to cure Ailments
 

• Marukaalam

• Thirumal Murai

• Adangal Murai

• Thiravukol Murai

• Thadaval Murai

• Marunthu Murai

• Vayu Nilai Amarthal

• Kattu Murai

 

Books on Varma Kalai

Few known books on Varma Kalai are listed below

• Varma Suthram

• Varma Beerangi 

• Naalu Maathirai

• Naramparai

• Narambu Suthram 100

• Narambu Suthram 400

• Varma Odivu Murivu Sara Suthram 1500

• Panchakarnapinnal

• Alavunool Piramaanam

• Varma Odivu Murivu Kandasaari 300

• Varma Thoondamani

• Aksakkural Venba 300

  

Varma Kalai (the art of varmam) is considered to be very sacred. It is believed that Lord Siva taught this art form. It is one of the oldest form of South Indian martial art and healing system.

 

The aim of Varma Kalai is to produce healthy
individuals. The main purpose of this rare ancient art of
varmam is to save the precious human lives. Varma
Kalai is very popular in southern part of the county,
more particularly in Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.

The term varmam appears in the Rigveda where Indra hits Vritra in a varmam with his vajra.

 

This system of varmam is part of Sidha Vaidhyam, whose origin is attributed to mythical sage Agastya and his disciples. 

According to the above verses, Lord Siva taught varmam to his wife Parvathi; later Parvathi taught varmam to their son Lord Murugan. Lord Murugan then taught Siddha Agasthiyar.

Agasthiyar later gave a written form that reached the masses. But the original texts, directly written by siddhas, are not available now. Saints who have grasped the meaning of the siddhas sayings have given a poetic form, which is used in modern day learning. So far, around 50,000 songs are available.

Varmam has grown under three independent schools of thoughts, mainly governed by three ancient siddha’s namely Akasthiyar, Bohar and Rama Devar, The narrated history has been mentioned in the 41st prose of ” Kai Mathirai Thiravukol ” as follows:

 

One of the current available texts ‘Sarasuthram’ gives the criteria for teaching varmam to eligible students.

It says that a varmam teacher should teach varmam only to a ‘sivayogi’. Sivayogi means devotee of Siva. Knowledge of Varma Kalai is passed through generation after generation.

People who have mastered the art are called asaans (masters). Varma asaans are also known as varmaanis. In order to learn this Art, it is necessary to work with an Asaan for a minimum period

of 12 years.

 

Classifications of Varmam

Human body is divided into five areas in which varma points are discussed. They are:

 

Unit Area - Number of Points

I From Top of the Head till Neck - 25

II From Neck till Naval Point - 45

III From Naval Point till Anus - 9

IV Both Hands - 14

V Both Legs - 15

Total = 108

 

Varma Therapy

Studies about each varmam’s (pressure points) characteristics like location of the varmam, depth and width of varmam, the pressure with which the varmam has to be tuned to cure diseases constitutes the mainstream study in varma therapy.

The various techniques that can be applied to cure varmam related injuries are:

 

1. Marukaalam

2. Thirumal Murai

3. Adangal Murai

4. Thiravukol Murai

5. Thadaval Murai [Applying massage techniques]

6. Marunthu Murai [Applying medicines]
 

7. Vayu Nilai Amarthal

8. Kattu Murai

 

Techniques like Marukaalam and Thiravukol Murai are used for instant relief. Techniques like Thadaval Murai and Thirumal Murai should be done at least for three consecutive days to give relief from varmam related injuries.

 

Disorders that can be cured by Varma Therapy

Various other disorders that can be cured with the help of varma therapy are:

 

· Nerves weakness

· Body shivering

· Disk prolapse

· Dehydration

· Cervical spondylosis

 

· Head ache

· Sciatic Problems

· Eye problems

· ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) problems

· Bone joints and arthritics

· Gland disorders (like Diabetes, etc.)

Varma Sastra
 

Although most of the vital Varma Sastra texts in palm leaf have been lost, presently more than 100 are traced out. Each book consists of 100 to 1000 verses. These
Sastras were not available to common men until
recently. Some of the books which are available are given below.

1. Brahma Nila Sutram

2. Vahada Nidanam

3. ‘Marma Nidanam

4. Kadikaram’ (Kannadi)

5. Marma Sutram

6. Marma Sutra Thiravukol

7. Agastiya Thiravukol

8. Marma Thiravukol

9. Marma Aani Thiravukol

10. Marma Kandi

11. Marma Bheerangi
 12. Marma Bheerangi Thiravukol

13. Marma Narambarai

14. Ulpathi Narambarai

15. Odi Muri Chari

16. Kettu Mura Chari

17. Odivu Murivu Kettu Suttiram

18. Murivu Kettu Thiravukol

19. Narambarai Suttiram

20. Kaivallyam

21. Marma Alavu Nool

22. Naalu Mani Mathirai

23. Marma Kuru Naadi Sasthram

24. Kuru Naadi Sasthram

 

 

  http://www.silambam.asia/varmakalai.html

Index - http://www.silambam.asia/index.html

Introduction - Fundamental of Varma Kalai
Treatment - http://www.silambam.asia/varmakalai_treatment.html

Segmental Studies - Fundamental of Varma Kalai
http://www.silambam.asia/varmakalai.html

Varma Points on Arm http://www.silambam.asia/varmakalai_arm.html

Varma Points on Head, Face, Nose, Eyes, Ears
http://www.silambam.asia/varmakalai_head.html

Varma Points on Body(Front, Back, Center)
http://www.silambam.asia/varmakalai_body.html

Varma Points on Leg & Foot
http://www.silambam.asia/varmakalai_legs.html

Varma Point - Art of Combat
http://www.silambam.asia/varmakalai_combat.html