Thread by @Its_Me_Jasraj

🧵Thread: The Oldest Martial Art in the World - Born in Bharat

Before Karate. Before Kung Fu.
There existed an ancient art of self-defense - born from the wisdom of the Vedas & the fire of Lord Shiva himself. This is the story of Kalaripayattu, the world’s oldest martial art.👇🏻

1. The roots of Kalaripayattu go back thousands of years, to the time when knowledge was divine & strength was sacred.
It’s said that Lord Shiva created the Dhanurveda, The Vedic scripture of warfare & weaponry - a part of Atharva Veda. From Dhanurveda, martial arts were born.

2. Among Shiva’s divine disciples, Parashurama - the warrior sage & 6th avatar of Vishnu - master Dhanurveda.
He systematized the art into a living discipline called Kalaripayattu, blending physical combat, yoga, meditation & Ayurveda.
Parashurama - the first Kalaripayattu guru.

3. Parashurama’s disciples founded 108 Kalaris (schools) across Bharat.
Each Kalari was not just a training ground but a temple of body, mind & spirit.
Students learned unarmed combat, swordplay, staff fighting & even healing techniques.

Every strike had philosophy & meditation.

4. Later, in the Mahabharata era (around 3137 BCE), this art evolved further.
Warriors like Arjuna, Bhishma, and Drona were all masters of Dhanurveda - rooted in Kalaripayattu.
It wasn’t just about fighting - it was about righteousness, discipline, and dharma.

5. Centuries later, one of Parashurama’s lineages reached the South of India, especially Kerala.
Here, Kalaripayattu flourished as a complete martial system - combining martial training, Ayurveda, yoga, and tantra.
It became known as “The Mother of All Martial Arts.”

6. In the 6th century CE, a Pallava prince named Bodhidharma, trained in Kalaripayattu, traveled to China.
There, he taught monks physical discipline and meditative control - which later evolved into Shaolin Kung Fu.
Yes - even Kung Fu was inspired by India. 🇮🇳

7. Kalaripayattu means “Battlefield Training.”
But in essence, it is a spiritual journey disguised as combat.
It teaches how to conquer not others - but one’s own fear, ego, and ignorance.
From weapon mastery to energy healing - it’s the ultimate science of the human body.

8. Even today, traditional Kalaris in Kerala keep this ancient practice alive.
Before each session, students bow to the Earth - acknowledging her as the first teacher.
Weapons are treated as divine. Every movement is sacred. 🙏

9. So next time you hear of martial arts - remember, it all began here.
In Bharat.
From Lord Shiva’s tandava, to Parashurama’s blade, to Bodhidharma’s journey -
the story of Kalaripayattu is the story of humanity’s oldest pursuit: mastery of self.

End of Thread 🧵
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