VARMA KALARI (Neuro Martial Art)

-Dr.M.Immanuel

A great warfare practised by the Royal Trippapu Nadans to defeat/kill the enemy without any
external injuries are called Varmam. Varma-Kalari is the master of all arts, royal to its name,
practised by special Assans (super masters). An Assan of special rank is a super master over 108
Kalaries, which were the real kingmakers like the ancient Gramavadins or Gramanis, a term applied
to communities like Nadars or Ezhavas. They were the very ancient ruling tribes of India.

When one is affected by Varmam, it stimulates or blocks one or more of the 10 Vayus (air)
governing the life centers of the body, which in turn acts on the Sapta Dhathu (Seven Vitals) of the
body namely Ninam, Kapham, Majjai, Suklam, Moothiram Pethi and Viyarvai (blood, lipid, marrow,
semen, urine, stools, sweat) respectively, and makes the desired effect to the enemy and causes his
death or unconsciousness.

This Art is the one mentioned in the 300000 Grandhas of the early Sidhas. More than 75% of the
original Sastras have been either lost, sold out or destroyed due to negligence and also through the
over conservative character of the people who handled this Art. Yet, there are sufficient quantity of
these rare Grandhas, in the form of Palm-Leaf Texts in Southern India, especially in Malabar, South,
and Central Travancore. The Asans of Kanyakumari Districts, although getting weaker at present,
are still alive to the standard of these rare records. In order to learn this Art, it was necessary to
work with an Asan for a minimum period of 12 years in those days. This Art was not taught to
anyone who came forward. There are some quality specified for the student of the Art:

Sishyanentru panirandu varidam kaathal,
Mathiyan puthi avanil irunthuthanaal,
Appane karuthudan porul vanki Nool than Eiiye,
Eiiyvado Yerukkappa, Sivayogikke,
Igathile Chandalarku Eiinthayanaal, Chavu-
Adupol, Paazh naragil veelntai sonnen .

This can be translated somewhat like:

Who is the worthy one to be taught?
Keeping for years twelve, under you,
And if you find in him the quality desired,
My son, spare the secret knowledge to him,
But, who the one to be taught by you?
None, none, but a Saint! - a Shiva Yogi
Beware it be not given to the unjust of this world,
Lest thou be fallen into the pits of hell-fire.
Although most of the vital Marma Sastra treatise is lost, presently more than 100 are traced out.
Each book (in Palm-Leaf Text) consists of 100 to 1000 verses, written in Tamil. It is surprising that
this rare Sastra is not traced in Sanskrit language. This leads us to conclude that the boasting of
Aryan superiority is only a myth. Aryans had borrowed (stolen) most of the Dravidian treasures of
knowledge. These Sastras were not available to common men until the recent past when it was
openly published by some of the Dravidian Asans. One of such publications made by
K.Kochukrishnan Nadar, in the year 1970, in the Malayalam language, but with Tamil phonetics, is
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.

It is surprising to notice that the Marma Sastra treatise contains a lot of philosophical treatment in
addition to its human anatomy and medicinal prescriptions. The Palm Leaf record is mostly in the
form of crude poetical recital. The prayers offered to god or goddess is noteworthy:

Aadi mudal antham, mudivillatha gnanam,
Anaithu uyirkum uyiragi
Aan pen yillanagi,
Othi mudiyatha sakti, Umayagi,
Omkaram athil thontri ulakukkellam,
Niidam udan sristi, sthiti, samharam
Seyum nimalar moovar paadam adipaninthu
Karimuganai tholuthu
Kodi Anda Pindam Kaappu thane.

To translate it:

To that infinite, fothomless abstract
Of Gnana from the Alpha to Omega,
And, which the Gnana by itself
Is the Omega and Alpha, and
That which has 'sprung up'as life,
In the whole beings of Universe, but
Which by itself is neither male nor female
Yet, works as male and female in everything,
And that light which is the cosmic power beyond praise
One which is the Shakti born as Universal Mother,
Within the Cosmic letter Om-supreme,
And that power which has spread out into three
For creation, preservation and destruction
To you, I bow down and submit myself, for thy help
May the help come from the Cosmic supreme to me" .


The origin of this Varma Kalari is not possible to be strictly specified. In most of the Sastras,
different Sages tell to their children or disciples, specially using the term, "en makka kel", meaning,
"hear my son". This allows us to think that this branch of science was handled by specific family
attached to Saintly Rulers because the subject deals with wars, wounds, cures, and saving the life. It
also maintains a link with god because we observe that whenever an Asan needs to revive a semi-
conscious or unconscious victim, he pleads with the god-supreme to make his attempt a success.
This connection links up the material body with the spiritual 'life' or Soul, through the mediums of
panchabhootha or five elements activating the movement of "life" within the body, carried through
the ten vayus. As a matter of fact, this is the fundamental principle of Yoga and Samadhi connected
with Saints. To cite an example to this special character:

Indiriyam lingathil kandidilo
Enthan Guruveai Uzhl ninainthu
Munthi thilartham arai yira kiil,
Puramaai murayai elakka sugamaame.

Naakkathu ulle vaankidukil
Nalamaai Edathu kaal thudaiporuthil
Ethamaai vithi murayai thaakka
Thaanulle amartha chariyagum

It says:

If semen appears to ooze out from the male organ, due to an infliction on Marma spot, think your
Master: pray to god, and slowly press on half measure below the "Thilartham", touch and soothen
the place, and the victim will get well, and the oozing of semen will stop.

If the tongue gets pulled in, due to infliction on marmam, press and kick the hip joint to the correct
measure; and the tongue will retain its normal position.


What a strange phenomenon to play with the hip joint to rectify the defect at the root of the
tongue!
The Masters of Marma Kalari are very thorough with the number and position of human veins,
arteries, ligaments and the activation of life centres. The following version explains to it:


Solvom Naadi narampin thohayei kelu, Kelappa,
Chenni thanil Aayiramaagum, Chirantha Chevi rantilum Moovayiram,
Chiirana Kan randil naalayiram, Cheppukiren
Mookkathil moovayirathu munnooti muppathagum,
Aagume Thol, pidari Aayiram thaan, appane karuvinil mulaithavare

Vaarana kantathil Aayiramentrum, Vantha karam rantilum moovayiram
Valar thozhin kiil Thoppilin mel kurana pidariyin kiil Yennayiram
Kurippaga Vila mudal moovayiramaagum Verana
Lingam athil Yiirezhayiram entru esampinaare


It explains that:

The veins for chin-1000, Ears-3000, Eyes -4000, Nose-3330, Soulder-1000; Neck-1000, Arms -3000,
Soulders to Navel-3000, and in the Linga or the Male Organ-14000 etc


The list goes on like this, explaining details of every part of human body, including the hairs. It is
very surprising to see that the Marma Kalari Asans had knowledge of a crude form of genetics or
germinalogy. The following stay witness to it:


Thanentra vinduvodu Vaayu sentru,
Malarkkul viilnthal, malarilulla
Ethalkalellam moodikollum
Thenentra vaayu vodu Theyu nintru thirattum thane:
Sol periya thinam ontril kadugu polam,
Thinam naanil Malli polam
Mattumaintham Nalathile Mani polam
Amappa thinamaaril Nellikkai polai,
Aana thinam Ezhukku Punnaikkai pol.
Omappa, Ettam naal Panchapootham,
Ormayudan Ehil thontrum Panchasharam
Pathu mudal Ainthu naalum Kozhi anda vadivathagum
Achappa Aaru thinkal Guda dwaram
Narampu than Ezhupathiirayiramaachu,
Charam petra Onpathile Uyir than vanthu.
Santahmaru gnanam undaam
Uchivazhi muttum Uram petta Vindu aachu,
Utta thayar avarkalkku aayasamachuu

It says:


In the first day of union of the male and female eggs, it takes the form of mustard seed, fourth day
as coriander seed, and in the sixth day as amlaki. In the eighth day the five elements
(Panchabhootham) takes charge; Ninth day it takes the size of a crow's egg. In the 10th to the 15th
day, it grows to the size of a hen's egg. In the sixth month the excretory system of anal opening
develops; and in between the sixth and seventh months the veins take form-totalling 72000. In the
ninth month life comes to stay with six types of knowledge in it, and the mother feels tired.


So this Sastra deals with every details of the human body from its first day of formation to its end,
studying all the required aspects of its growth, infliction and the remedies. The Sastra does not
encourage harming any man through the application of this Marma Kalari. But it urges to use it only
as a self-defence. It recommends avoiding a confrontation.

It says:

Thanakku Yethiri yar vanthalum thaninthu pinvankum
Nallon pole, Naay entru unnai avan yesinalum
Nayakane entru nee pottikondu suruthy solli
Nee poga ethirppanagil, thurisamudan
Nee saiyyum muraiyum solven

Even if your enemy charges you, say welfare to him, but, if the enemy still attacks you, I teach you
the ways to handle him quickly.


This is a very noble character, which was found in the early Jains and the Buddhists. Peace was the
aim of the community. But, if someone violates the codes of peace, nothing wrong to arrest his
pride for which the Marma Kalari may be applied.

There is a form of Kalari with sticks (Silambam). There are many branches under it. Dr.J.David
Manuel Raj has written a book on it " History of Silambam Fencing". Sticks or swords can be used as
the offensive weapon. When applied with sticks, the infliction of marmam is very effective. For
example:


Valatha eduthu valathu veesi, Edatha madakki othiram. Mugathinu, kaalinu, kaalinu mugathinu.
Edatha madakki Othiram, kadathala, Munathala, Pirathara.

This is the first step, which slowly increases into 12, 108, and 1008 etc, each aiming at the Marma
centres of the body.


Yet another example of applied Varma Kalari is given below:


Pakarume Kaattinile maattan vanthu
Pazhi kedu Saithidave thuninthaanakil
Agam pathri Odiye nee pnaalumthan
Avan unnai vidamaattan entru kandaal
Jagathile en Guruve thunai neer entru
Chuvadu moontru avanayume chutti vanthu
Ugathile ninainthu randu cuvadu edamaai
Udanodi kaal chippi arukilthaane
Arukathinil suzhi athile kai perukki
Appane peru viral kondu uuntril
Thiramaaga vizguvaane, vizhunthittalo
Chippiyile neererum, kaal asainthidaathe
Varukume chippikkarukethan
Valarnthintha lingam athu churungi pokum
Karuvaana mookku thanil neerolikkum
Kan sivakkum, kaal asaiyamal tharikkum


It prescribes that:


" If you are attacked suddenly in the jungles, and if you are not spared even at the point of extreme
humble requests, my son, take the three crucial steps of the Martial Art, circling your opponent;
suddenly take two steps to the left and charge your enemy with your toe at the kuzhi of the Kaal
chippi.. Your enemy will fall down; swelling will appear on the spot with pain of snakebite. His leg
will become numb and motionless. His male organ will be pulled in, and he will bleed through his
nose with lipid, his eyes will become red and he will surely die".

Vikada thalai Kadamunain Oramaaga
Anukki thaakkil, pozhuthu uthikkum
Tharunamathil Ezhumpum lingam
Poovayarai kandayudan paayum vinthu,
Azhum, chirikkum, koothadumappa,
Athalathil murivuttal apatham pare


This is an application during the course of Silampam, or fight with sticks. It says:


If the enemy is attacked at the side point of Kadamunai, in twenty-four hours the male organ will
become erect, and on the first sight of a female, he will ejaculate. The victim will cry, he will also
laugh and behave like in epilepsy and there is no cure for him.

The following Sastra reveals the secret nature of expression maintained in Varma Kalari:

Chenkathali poothirukkum vanam than pakkam
Attham antha kuzhiyin mele,
Aakatha Chandi entraal anainthu paaru,
Adiyatta maram pole vizhuvaan maiye

If your enemy is too strong for you, just press him at the small dent of the Poonkathali forest, you
will see him fall like an uprooted tree!

So much severe and incredible are the effects of application of Varma Kalari and that much, even
more, are the quality, patience and character required to maintain, preserve and handle such an
Art. It is totally meaningful that Sainthood is prescribed for the Super-Masters of this Art, like the
Saints of Buddhism and Jainism. Four stages are prescribed to become a Super-Master. At the end
of the fourth stage he attains the perfect Sainthood observing the sacred codes of "Ahimsa" or
Non-Violence, which declares the noble principles of Varma Shastra. By practicing these noble
principles of the Varma Shastra, a man shall be enlightened of the true mission of his life on this
earth.

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Author: Dr.M.Immanuel
Note: Verses marked in Italics are original text from palm-leaf records. Translations done by author.

This article is part of a paper submitted at:
Annual Conference of Association of Third World Studies
South Asia Chapter, on April 21, 2001.