The art of varmam is basically a medicinal art. Over the period of time, it gets transformed as an art of self defense and that too nowadays, cinematographers portrayed this art as mystic art of defense in their films. However, we have to thank them, for bringing out this art in lime light, through which whole societal focus is now towards this art of varmam.
Our human body is composed of bones, nerves and muscles interconnected together. We can see that interconnection of part, how one organ is connected to other, etc., can be seen through scientific equipments like x-rays and scan. Through this, treatment is given to damaged or infected organ.
In ancient days, even without any scientific development, varmam has its influence in medical field with comparatively greater accuracy and that too not expensive. This is the information we inferred from the available books. Unfortunately the information is incomplete which is due to two reasons: many significant books become lost over time and another one is they mightbe destroyed by somebody.
Let us see the book list which we have now.
Odivu Murivu SaariVarma SooththiramVarma KannaadiVarma KaandamVarma PeerangiVarma Soodaamani
The glory of this art is also the cause for its destruction. Since, a person who got succeeded in this art got unique skills which make him more dominant than their fellows of same race. Hence, he acquired the skill of making and destruction too.
This art is taught only to the appropriate and suitable student by teacher/ guru since, if this art reaches a person who got himself addicted to the material world and their lust may misuse this art which will ultimately results in greater side effects. If a guru cannot find suitable student, then this art remains with him till his death and destroyed thereafter.
It is not easy to learn this art as many regulations were put down by Siththars as eligibility criteria for learning this art. Bogar in one of his song told the way of selecting correct student as follows;
"மறைவில் வைப்பதென்றால் மைந்தா கேளு
maraivil vaippathenraal mainthaa kaelu
வகைவிபரம் கைபாகம் மறைப்பொன் றில்லை
vakaiviparam kaipaakam maraippon rillai
உறவாடிச் சிலபேர்கள் நூல் தாவென்று
uravaadich silapaerkal nool thaavenru
ஓவியம் போல் மொழிபேசி உன்னை மேய்ப்பார்
oaviyam poal mozhipaesi unnai maeippar
திறமான நூலவற்கு வெளியிடாதே
thiramaana noolavarkku veliyidaathae
சீடனென்று பன்னிரண்டு வருடம் காத்தால்
seedanenru pannirandu varudam kaaththaal
அறிவான பக்தியவர்க் கிருந்த தானால்
arivaana pakththiyavark kiruntha thaanaal
அப்பனே நிலையறிந்து நூலை ஈயே
appanae nilaiyarinthu noolai eeyae.”
- போகர் (Bogar)
Bogar advises that, one should teach this art only after screening the student’s behavioural characteristics for 12 years and then test him to know the suitability and stability. Even after finding a suitable person, one should not teach him right away. Before actual teaching, initial pre-practices regarding the mental and physical fitness for handling this art should be given. After passing all level, than student is eligible to learn that art and guru will teach him. Is this possible in this mechanical world?
Hence, a person with stability, serenity, focused thought, showing affection towards all livings, gracious thinking, humanity like character have eligibility to learn this art. And the whole secrecy of art is taught only to those personalities with above said behaviour. If any suspicious arises on that student in guru’s mind leads to incomplete teaching in this regard.
We will see the medicinal exploitation of varmam art and noakku varma in upcoming post.
Stay tuned!!
Original – www.siththarkal.com
Translated by Lalilthambika Rajasekaran
