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source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varma_Kalai

Varma Kalai is a martial art and esoteric healing art from ancient Tamil Nadu as The Art Nooku Varmam (Tamil: - Nōkku. If you want to be aware of interesting and widespread information,just download our PDF files. Varmam or Varma Kalai is an art of treatment and martial art based on 108 vital points. Varma Kalai (Tamil:வர்மக்கலை varmakkalai), is a Tamil traditional art of vital points.It originated in Tamil Nadu, India. It is a component of traditional massage, alternative medicine, traditional yoga and martial arts 1 in which the body's pressure points (Varmam) are manipulated to heal or cause harm.The healing application called Vaidhiya Murai is a part of used Siddha.

Varma Kalai (Tamil: வர்மக்கலை) is a martial art and esoteric healing art originating from ancient Tamil Nadu in South India. The name literally translate as 'The Art of Vital Points'. It is an element of the Tamil martial art Kuttu varisai.^[1]

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.^{[citation needed]} 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 Kuttu varisai and Kalaripayattu. Knowledge of Varma Kalai was considered vital in both arts to become a Grand Master.^{[citation needed]} The teachers were called as Aasan (Tamil: ஆசான்) and the grand masters were called as Periyaasan (Tamil: பெரியாசன்) or Iyan (Tamil: ஐயன்).

Historically, Varma Kalai has been one of the arts taught to those of royal blood.^{[citation needed]} However, even royalty were required to pass the stringent requirements for discipleship. 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

Currently Varma Kalai is practised in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, usually as part of Kuttu varisai 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, horsmanship, 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 diciple. 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:

108 Varmam Tamil Pdf Online

• 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:

Texts

Below listed are some of the Varma Kalai manuscripts:

• Agasthiyar Varma Thiravukol
  
• Agasthiyar Varma Kandi
  
• Agasthiyar Oosi Murai Varmam
  
• Agasthiyar Vasi Varmam
  
• Varma Odivu Murivu
  
• Agasthiyar Varma Kannadi
  
• Varma Varisai
  
• Agasthiyar Mei Theendakalai

This article presents compiled and generic material: as such, I have borrowed some content and illustrations from Shandor Remete, a source I enjoy and respect and whose writings I recommend. Knowledge of the human body and its vital regions was an important aspect of military science in ancient Vedic times. The knowledge was applied simultaneously on the battlefield, as well as in medicine and surgery. We find 108 vital junctions over the surface of the body. They appear at the intersections of different muscular patterns, joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, arteries, veins, nerves and subtle energy currents. They are vulnerable areas as well as key points to different energetic centers of organic activity.

The word Marma is derived from the root mrt, which means death. The vulnerability linked to the Marmas has been utilized in Kalaripayyat, the Indian martial art dealing with the science of striking and reviving, and in Ayurvedic massage. The Marmas respond to different patterns of muscular use, movement and breathing. Each Marma relates to a specific Vayu or wind, Dosha or constitutional type, Dhatus (nature of the tissue involved) and Shrotas (vehiculing channel).

The Marmas of the Indian system should not be confused with Chinese acupuncture points. Yet many parallels can be found within the two systems. In a similar vein to the Nadis, the subtle energy channels to be found within the body, of the 108 marmas, 12 are said to be of vital importance, while the remaining 96 have a supporting function in relation to the 12. The twelve vital centers are situated between the center of the perineal floor (Yonisthana) and the crown of the head (Adhipati), and they include the seven Chakras.

We suggested that the 96 medial life centers are peripheral to the core. Thirty-two govern the nerves and soft tissues, while sixty-four affect the blood and the many blood vessels. The ninety-six peripheral centers are linked to the eight Nadis (channels) which move the Prana (life force) through the peripheral areas before feeding back into the central channel. The eight Nadis are:

• 2 channels from the eyes to the corresponding big toes.
• 2 from the ears to the corresponding big toes.
• 1 from the throat to the head of the genitals.
• 1 channel from the neck to the anus.
• 2 belt channels encircling the abdomen, one from left to right, the other from right to left.

When good peripheral activity is achieved, the 8 channels are clear and unobstructed and the energy flows through them unhinged. This energy then feeds back into the central channels.

108 Varmam Tamil Pdf Download

A correct activation of the Marmas will enhance all the functions performed by the Nadis above, while an incorrect activation may harm them. As an example, the Marmas in the wrists, ankles, and neck govern the tendons and connective tissue throughout the whole body, and are therefore responsible for overall flexibility. A failure to correctly activate these Marmas can easily result in injuries in other joints and tissues. The information in the Marmasthana suggests that the appropriate use of the arms and the legs increase the circulation, space and support for the joints. If neglected, the decrease in joint mobility can lead to injuries, both to the joints concerned and the organs associated to those joints.

When we start reading the natural patterns of bodily activity through the lens of the system of the Marmas, the energy pathways are easily rediscovered and the energy flow mastered without injury. When the map of the 108 Marmas is memorized and put to work in the practice of asanas, the practitioner will derive direct benefits to the execution of kriyas, bandhas, pranayamas and mudras. The Marmas do not solely affect the physiological functions, but exert great influence over the pranic forces in the thirteen Nadis. In return, the pranic force eventually pierces through the 7 chakras (subtle inner energy centers), neutralizing their active vortexes.

Once the Chakras are made passive, the prana is no longer dissipated and the change in regime of the Pranic energy that ensues is termed the Shakti. As the practice of the Yogi gradually progresses closer to meditation, the Marmas all over the body are brought under voluntary control. When this level of control is reached, the Marmas can be closed at will, turning the whole surface of the body into a protective armor. This furthers conserves Energy and increases Shakti, the inner latent power.