Martial Arts
Agastya is regarded as founder and patron saint of Southern Kalarippayattu, an ancient Indian martial art. Kalarippayattu is known as mother of all martial arts. Southern Kalarippayattu or Adi Murai mainly includes Varma Kalai. Other components are Kuttu Varisai and Marma Adi etc.
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.
Varma adi or Marma adi ("hitting vital spots") is a part of the art of healing and harming Varma Kalai. This system of marmam is part of Siddha Vaidhyam, also attributed to Agastya and his disciples. Medical treatment in the southern styles is identified with siddha, the traditional Dravidian system of medicine distinct from north Indian ayurveda. The Siddha medical system, otherwise known as siddha vaidyam, is also attributed to Agastya.
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