What is the meanings of Varma
Varmam or Marmam are locations in the body where vital life force is seen in high concentration. These locations are called Varma points or varmam clusters and function as vital force (Prana) generators. The action that causes loss or blockage of vital energy (Ki, Chi, Prana etc) at certain locations of pressure points, nerve junctions or bone joints is called Varma Adi or Varmam strike. The actual points, or nerve junctions etc themselves may be called Varmam.The systematic study, art or method of performing the actions in the application of martial arts/self defence is called Varmam or Varma Kalai.
History of Varma
It is said that varmakalai, originated from Lord Siva, a great Yogi.
“Thaeravey Sivan Umaikku sonna bodham, Aaaramal naan arindhu in nool sonnaen”
According to the above verse, 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 (and their copies), 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 fifty thousand songs are available.
The narrated history has been mentioned in the 41st prose of “Kai Mathirai Thiravukol ” as describes the first worldly originator of the Guru Sishya Parampara or Lineage as the Sage Agastya who in turn taught it to others like Ramadeva, Bhoga Muni, Goraksa (or Gorakhnath, the patron guru of the Gurkhas, interesting parallel!!), Theraya, Pulippaani etc, who in turn taught their disciples and gradually knowledge of this art reached commoners in the same, strict Guru-Shishya tradition.
The ancient Sangam age kingdoms of Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas had a long tradition of Martial Chivalry just like the Kshatriyas of the northern regions. Warriors refused to attack an unarmed opponent, instead meeting him on equal terms without weapons. Tanjore “Kuthu Varisai” was the domain of the Cholas. This was the ancient unarmed, kickboxing like art using rapid percussive strikes to bring town an opponent. The Chera kingdom was closer to the borders of Middle and southern Kerala and had their own tradition of unarmed combat and affinity towards Pressure point systems.
In fact, the stronghold of Tamilian Varmam art is the area around Kanyakumari and Nagercoil districts, which share borders with Southern Kerala, where the Thekkan Kalari (Southern Style Kalari) system which devotes lesser time to weaponry and lays more emphasis on unarmed combat and Marma Adi techniques that the other two styles of Madhya Keralam(Central Style of Kalari – Palakkad-Cannanore- Malappuram areas) and Vadakkan Kalari ( Northern Style– Malabar etc).
Even in the art of Silambam, (bamboo staff fencing) there are many instances in history, where opponents were defeated by blows or prodding attacks with the stick, to vital spots on the body in historical descriptions and in quite a number of manuals on this art.
The warring states in South India refined the fighting skills and techniques prevalent in the area into a martial art form. The art flourished between the 13 and 16 centuries, becoming a part of the education of youngsters of that age.
What are the Classifications of Varma Points
CLASSIFICATIONS OF VARMAM:
Human body is divided into five areas in which varmam (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 The same 108 varmams are classified under different categories. One such classification is based on 12 nerves (or a meridian channel) in the nervous system. Each meridian channel consists of one Padu varmam and eight Thodu varmam.
Varmam Type
Number of Points
Thodu Varmam 96 Padu Varmam 12 Total 108 The number of varmams (108) various between various schools of varmam. Based on Indian Astrology, there are 92 varmams:
Varmam Based On
Number of Points
(Hindu Astrological) Stars 27 Lunar 30 Padu Varmam 35 Total 92 Based on the text Naramparai, written by Kumbamuni Siddha, there are 253 varmams:
Classification
Number of Points
Padu Varman 18 Thodu Varmam 96 Pakka Varmam 8 Narambu Elumbu Varmam 86 Maru Varmam 45 Total 253 Based on yet another classification, there are 107 points:
Classification
Number of Points
Vata Varmam (Air) 65 Pitta Varmam (Heat) 24 Kapha Varmam (Cool) 6 Concealed Varmam 12 Total 107
The actual function of the Varmam PointsThe rationale of Varmam is that Varmams are energy points in the body mainly located on the skin and adjacent tissue. Injury to these points is one of the causes of illness in the body according to Siddha sages. The Prana force or vital current of electrical energy flowing through the individual Nadi is of very low voltage. Given the normal resistance of the skin, it would be impossible for the current to travel very far without the loss of signal strength. Here the Varmams come into play by acting as signal-boosting routing stations or step up transformers!
108 Varma points Name
Kondaikolli varmam Thilartha kaalam Patchi varmam Kannadi kaalam Paala varmam Naasi varmam Minvitti varmam Manthira kaalam Annan kaalam Kombothrei Kaalam Sunnambu Kaalam Poigai kaalam Uthira varmam Kutri varmam Vettu varmam Poottellu varmam Chuzhiyadi varmam Pidari Varmam Cheerum Kolli varmam Saruthi Varmam Pinshwaasi Varmam Vialngu Varmam Thivala Varmam Arukutti Varmam Malar Varmam Karreral Varmam Koonbu Varmam Neru Varmam Urumi Kaalam Kazhalai varmam Hanuman varmam Thudi varmam Valai varmam Thooshika varmam Villam varmam Pidi varmam Mulai varmam Nura poottu varmam Chora theenda varmam Pushti varmam Irippu varmam Mudichi varmam Adhistana varmam Rekthaadhi varmam Moothira varmam Mothira varmam Anda varmam Thandu varmam Adakka varmam Kaal kavuli varmam Puriva kaalam Kannu varmam Valamurthi kaalam Sumai varmam Theetha Varmam Sudothiri Varmam Chothi varmam Nachitra kaalam Perichal varmam Chenni varmam Alavaadi varmam Aayama varmam Chevi kuthi varmam Kona sanni varmam Urakka kaalam Kakkattai Kaalam Sakthi varmam Majjah Varmam Palla varmam Uppu kutri kaalam Kokki varmam Kulir varmam Maattaan varmam Arangu varmam Thevela kaalama Villu varmam Panni varmam Gupthaka varmam Kallida varmam Kazhala varmam Villu varmam Mundellu varmam Cheriya atthichurukki varmam Valiya atthichurukki varmam Vithu varmam Buja varmam Kochu varmam Chulukku varmam Muttu kann varmam Muttu varmam Moli varmam Muzham kai varmam Kai kannu varmam Mani kettu varmam Kai kavuli varmam Sthuthi kai varmam Dkashinai kaalam Swarna dakshinai kaalam Kai vellai varmam Kona sanni varmam Kal mudichi varmam Kaal kuzhachi Nadai varmam Kuthi kaal varmam Visha varmam Aamai varmam Kaal kochu varmam Sthuthi kai varmam
The Persatuan Siddha Varma Kalai Malaysia aim was to bring this time tested and full with healing abilities to be given to mankind so it will be usable. Please joint us to learn this art for wellness and healthy living.
