Ashtabhuja

On ‎05‎/‎07‎/‎2017 at 10:06 AM, ipledgeblue said:

I wish Khalsa fauj could go there and join with the Yazidis and destroy the ISIS terrorists there.

Like set-up a group called the "Army of Amritsar in Iraq". Sikhs from different countries would book a flight to Iraq (either announcing their true intentions or on the pretence of charity work), get in touch with Kurdish rebels (trustworthy), acquire sniper rifles and just snipe as many ISIS demons as possible from a safe distance (so as to live longer to kill more).

On ‎13‎/‎07‎/‎2017 at 3:21 PM, superkaur said:

Seeing how young Sikhs of today are surrounded by so many different ideologies, religions, sexualities, etc in a very confusing world of competing idea's how would you raise your kids to learn and be proud Sikhs?

Even if they do not take amrit or keep their unshorn hair, how would you instill that loyalty to sikhi and pride in them?

Sister, it's actually simple:

1) Buy them illustrated books about the lives of the Sikh gurus and shaheeds (this is what brought me closer to Sikhi in the mid 90s).

2) Google the nearest Gatka or Shastar vidya school and get them enrolled (training in a martial used by their Sikh ancestors will make them feel proud).

3) Get them to watch Basics of Sikhi on YouTube, especially videos featuring Bhai Jagraj Singh.

4) Introduce them to websites with a full English translation of Guru Granth Sahib ji and get them to read random parts or do a word search. Every ang is oozing with knowledge, wisdom and inspiration. Thanks to these websites, access to Gurbani has never been easier. Once the kids discover what's actually written inside Guru Granth Sahib ji, they'll be amazed and want more.

5) Google before-and-after images of monay Sikhs becoming Amritdhari Sikhs (to show them it happens. They'll find it inspiring). 

I guarantee you any youth who follows the 5 points above will develop a hunger for Sikhi.

On ‎17‎/‎06‎/‎2017 at 8:48 PM, Destruction said:

Ashtabhuja 

 

Whoever you are. Thank you!

No problem, Destruction. Glad to help.

Would you care to share your thoughts on the book? Comments on the combat section?

18 hours ago, Destruction said:

Post the scans up.

Here you go, Destruction. Found the PDF on Gatka website:

http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/bd5529_0ad27fa7939c47ccb5faf521ecfb0ac4.pdf

Please kindly share your thoughts after reading it.

7 minutes ago, Sukhvirk1976 said:

I would suggest crowd sourcing as a possibility? 

Yes, that's probably the best way. I think that was how a Singh funded the creation of the Garja Singh statues.

2 minutes ago, Sukhvirk1976 said:

Good luck to you my friend.. All knowledge and exploration is of value even if people disagree with the proposition? 

I'd be happy to make some suggestions and help with any fundraising if you so wished.. 

Thank you for your good wishes, my friend.

Please feel free to make any suggestions.

1 minute ago, Sukhvirk1976 said:

In addition, one problem with research within Indian tradition is that there are very few original documents to use as source material pre-mughal era. Indian philosophical traditions are largely orally transmitted. Compounded by the fact that it is in poetic meter. 

Both of your responses are much appreciated!

I've read the new illustrated Shastar vidya book by Harjit Singh Sagoo and it's backed by textual evidence from numerous Hindu epics, scriptures and treatises, such as the Mahabharat, Ramayan, Nitiprakashik, Shukraniti, Kamadakiya Nitisar, Agni Puran, etc. I got it from Amazon. There's also a trailer about the book on YouTube. This is pre-Mughal martial arts.

There are plenty of texts are out there, but it seems most people are not going through them the way Sagoo did. He's put the book title, chapter and section next to the excerpts and has even drawn illustrations to show the fighting techniques. I've also read in another book that there are unpublished dhanurvedas in Indian libraries, just sitting there. I intend to do something about that one day when I can gather some funds.

jkvlondon, the Samurai texts you've been reading, are they Cummins' books?

He's actually currently in Japan doing more research. He's got already got a chest containing several unpublished Ninja manuscripts which he will publish. All he did was go to Japan and buy them from antique book stores. Such scrolls are available because people, including the Japanese people themselves, aren't hunting for them. Some day, I hope to do the same for Indian martial manuals. 

Sure, Sukhvirk1976. There will always be good and bad people in the world. The Sikh gurus made it our duty to kill those bad people but only when all other means of punishing them have failed (regardless of what the law of the land says. Guru Granth Sahib Ji is our King and Waheguru is our Emperor. Elizabeth II, May, Trump, etc. are not our leaders. Khalsa cannot be led by non-Khalsa). And when we kill, we must do it with a jhatka - one strike (sword to neck, shot to the head or heart) and without hate. Guru Hargobind Ji is said to have killed opponents in battle with a neutral expression on his face.

So that's all good, but I started this topic to get people discussing books on Indian martial arts, because they're so rare. Do you know of any such books? Do you have an opinion as to why there are not that many? And what we can do to change that? 

2 hours ago, jkvlondon said:

have you read the  other one on ancient Indian warfare? I think includes section on chankaya in practical use , strategy etc . He wrote it with a gora called Cummings I think

You mean The Lost Warfare of India. I've got that and the SV book. The warfare book is actually largely based on Chanakya's treatise, Arthashastra (all the sections on warfare, spying and assassination). It's like Ninja stuff, except ancient Indians were doing this sort of thing long before the Ninjas. Have you read it? I wish people (Indian and non-Indian) would write more books like this on ancient Indian martial culture and arts. It helps to have those silhouette images. Not really a fan of text-only books.

Yeah, he wrote it with Cummins. He's a Youtuber and author famous for separating fact from fiction when it comes to the Ninja and Samurai. A lot of what we know about Ninjas comes from Masaaki Hatsumi, but not everything Hatsumi says is true. But Cummins uses textual evidence (when you have that, you cant make anything up).

Also, Sagoo was actually the second person to interview Nidar Singh years ago for MAI (Krishna Godhania was the first) but his SV book doesn't seem to be linked with Nidar's SV (like no mention of Chandi Yudhan, etc.). There's a YouTube trailer of it. Again, the illustrations of Kshatriyas that accompany the text helps.

31 minutes ago, jkvlondon said:

the SV book mentioned is the one by Harjit Singh Sagoo?

Yes, that's the one. It was on Amazon.

Firstly, the only difference between you and most people is that you admit you have impure thoughts.

Secondly, don't worry, Waheguru is all-knowing. Your admission and guilt is enough for Waheguru to forgive you, even if you have more impure thoughts in the future. As long as you don't physically molest anyone, it's fine. Just don't physically act them out, otherwise you'll be punished in this world and the next.

OCD is caused because of a chemical imbalance in the brain. And this is caused by stuff that's put in our food and medicine. So its not your fault nor because of stuff you did in previous janams. And you can't rely on doctors. They are not medicine-makers, but medicine-prescribers (no better than chemists). And whatever the pharmaceutical companies push (never safe stuff), doctors must hand-out.

So in short, enjoy your fantasies (resistance only make the thoughts come back stronger), don't physically act out the fantasies, and Waheguru will always forgive you for impure thoughts, because your brain's chemical imbalance was caused by the pharmaceutical and food production rakshasas. You'll be OK. Everything will be just fine...

19 hours ago, Destruction said:

 

Waheguru ji ka khalsa

waheguru ji ki fateh

 

Nidar Singh Nihang wrote a book on shastarvidiya in the 90s which is very interesting. Please see this link. http://www.sikhawareness.com/topic/18314-the-fighting-traditions-and-fighting-arts-of-the-traditional-sikh-warriors-the-beloved-of-guru-gobind-singh-ji-the-akali-nihangs-edition-2-1998/

Chatka Vidiya is composed of the following three ele-ments

(shown in order of importance and priority):

1. Bbeck-abbeck dee katha - The paradoxical philosophy

which grants mokhsh (salvation).

2. Ithaasak shatria maryada - Historical martial traditions

which harness martial spirit and give the context to battle

(before fighting it is important to know what to fight for).

3. Dao pech - Traditional Sikh martial techniques com-prising

both platha-baji (unarmed combat) and ayudh

vidiya (hand-to-hand weapon combat)

The hallmark of a true warrior is he who recognises Katcha and Paka (Chatka) Hath . Meaning the Katcheh Gatkabaj by not appreciating Katch Paka . Go for strikes which are Katcheh and thus stand a good chance getting themselves killed . By not appreciating Katch and Paka they can not properly anticipate (Tar) correctly an opponents intentions . Thus they become defensively weak . Both the warriors know the duel can only end in one of their deaths . Chatka Gatka can only be done with the mind fully focused on Kal meaning death meaning Chatka meaning Nishchet Jeet meaning a complete victory . Thus unlike in Jahir Kach Gatka in Chatkabaji when indulging in challenges (Mukablas ) , Chatka Gatka can not be play fully shown . It can only be done.

 

The reason why I am saturating this chapter in traditional Chatka Gatka terminology is to show Jahir Gatkabaj how rich is their traditional true fighting system . Jahir Gatkabaj being a impostor Sikh fighting art has no such richness of martial terminology , technique , traditions or Pentra .

 

 

 

•  

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Thanks for your response, Destruction.

I've actually read that book. Printed it out and keep it in my cupboard. It is indeed interesting. But it contains more info on history and philosophy than technique. Wish it was the other way around (though it gives a valuable insight into old school Nihang culture, which you don't find in other books). 

Nidar's book mentions the animal- and deity-based styles which he teaches today. However, in the new book, "Shastra vidya: The Ancient Indian Martial Art of the Hindu Kshatriyas”, there's boxing, grappling, and weapon techniques backed by textual sources, but no mention of the animal and god/goddess styles.

19 hours ago, jkvlondon said:

probably because like most arts in the east there was a master disciple relationship between the two before transmission of the arts this also included martial arts. The treatise that were written were done by vele monks or masters in noblemen's households who could afford the luxuryof  time not people out fighting fullscale battles for existence like us.

There is also the question of secrecy to maintain the edge of your particular style so important documents were kept under lock and key if ever made and only revealed to the deserving. Remember the furore when Bruce Lee wrote his treatise on Jeet Kun-do

Nidar is not a researcher really that's why he had to partner up with Madra

Thanks for your response, lkvlondon.

I'm sure Nidar Singh has the backing of loads of people, like weapons collectors and historian Davinder Singh Toor as well as Paramjeet Singh.

Also, I wonder if Ravi Singh (of Khalsa Aid) is Nidar Singh's brother. If you Google their pics, you'll see they look so alike.