Guru

India has always made her most precious wisdom public. Even so, much of this wisdom remains esoteric. In Hindu belief, it is the Guru or Master who delivers the shishya (disciple) from the darkness of ignorance and delivers liberation through knowledge.

A Guru plays many roles: that of a guide, a philosopher, a father, and a friend. For all who have come to Dharmikam Ashram, time spent in the presence of the Guru forms a crucial and most precious part of their experience in life. For those who will come in the future and will not meet the Guru in the physical form, his energy can be felt and experienced everywhere here.

Guru Balachandran Nair (31 January 1949 – 20 March 2022)

Guru Balachandran Nair, also known as Satguru Dharamananda Swaroopa Hanuman Das, was one of the few great Masters responsible for carrying on the traditions of Kalaripayattu. Traditionally, the Nair family was a warrior family and served the king and kingdom of Travancore. Guruji's father, grandfather, and uncles all worked for the royal family. When the royal family and kingdom were gone, these warriors showed their zeal to serve the country by joining the army.

Naturally, Kalaripayattu played a crucial part in Guruji's life from his childhood. He learned the importance of the tradition very quickly, from his family. He continued to learn discipline and the qualities of a warrior by serving in the Indian Navy for 16 years. After his military service, he decided to continue the family tradition and teach the art of Kalaripayattu, knowing that it was ‘gasping for breath'—struggling to survive in these modern times.

Since then, Guruji has dedicated his entire life to preserving martial art. To this end, he established the Indian School of Martial Arts in Trivandrum in 1983. Later in 2003, he opened Kalariyil Dharmikam Ashram in Parasuvaikkal, Thiruvananthapuram.

Training with his Masters

Guruji's training under the late Panniyodu Louis Gurukkal and Moolachal Narayanan Gurukkal provided him with the greatest of blessings. These Masters trace their lineage to the mighty sage Agastya. Through many years of discipline and devotion to them, he gained the knowledge of the Marmas, or vital points, of the human body. From his Master, he also received ancient palm leaves and other manuscripts containing treatments for virtually every known ailment, disability, and injury. In this way, he learned both the art of fighting and the art of healing.

Guruji has told us that meeting his master was one of the most precious times of his life. His discipleship shaped him into the true warrior he became, full of both strength and devotion.

International Renown

As part of his commitment to keeping the tradition of Kalaripayattu alive, Guruji traveled the world to teach. Wherever he went, he spread the knowledge and practice of this martial art in order to preserve it for future generations. For Guruji, Kalaripayattu offered a way to combat moral degeneration and encourage his followers around the world to be strong and spiritual human beings.

Innumerable television programs and news features have published Guruji's life and work. His unique skills and achievements have been recognized on documentary programs, television shows, and print media.

These include Discovery and National Geographic, German, French, Swiss, and Japanese television shows, and print media such as Yoga Journal.

Swami

Through his intense discipline and training of the mind, under the guidance of his late Satguru Swaroopananda, Guruji has reached the stage of ‘Self Realization.'

It was also this guidance that led Guruji to reach the state of ‘detachment. ‘In Hindu tradition, a person may decide to enter this state after marriage and raising a family, to focus on God and spiritual growth. This allows freedom from all worry about the past, or the future.

Guruji continued to teach Kalaripayattu at his Ashram Retreat, until right before his death. As the Sage of Kalariyil Dharmikam Ashram, he provided spiritual leadership, training, and treatments to his innumerable disciples, students, and visiting guests.

Swami's energy permeates all the activities at the Ashram. The beautiful Smrithi Mandapam offers a place for resonating oneself to his omnipresence and energy. It is a shrine visited by numerous disciples from all over the world.

Thank you ashram and thank you Swamiji.

Thank you to Swamiji For his help and his consultation. I cleared up many doubts and confusion that I have, in my mind. Swamiji and his staff help me with the physical treatment of very high quality, which helps me to recover my health very fast. The ashram is a beautiful place to stay. The people are friendly and everything was fantastic. For sure I will visit again in the future.

NICOLO FERRARI

Dear Guruji,

When I came here I realized that I should have raised my son here under your care and guidance in the ashram. My son connected with his inner self here and for that, I will always have gratefulness in my heart for Kalariyil Dharmikam. Thank you, Guruji.

Regards,

BOBBY ROY CHOUDHURY

I, Tejas, Age 30, have been part of this Ashram for a long time now. One month ago, I got a shock in the form of a blood test report, which said that my fasting blood sugar was 480. I did a postprandial blood sugar test and it was around 550! Hb-AIC which indicates the status of diabetes was at 10g, which meant I have had undiagnosed and uncontrolled diabetes for some time. I immediately called Swamiji and told him about it. He advised me to come here, to the Aashram, for treatment, to which I listened.

Swamiji first asked me to go to a good hospital nearby, where he arranged for me to undergo a complete physical check-up, including sonography of my internal organs, cardiac echo, and other tests.

After examining those reports he created a treatment plan and explained it to me. He gave me Ayurvedic medicines, medicinal food, and other treatment.

In LESS THAN ONLY A WEEK my sugar level came down. After only two weeks my sugar level was consistently around 110. Now after 1 month I am leaving with a blood sugar of around 92! He did it without any allopathic medicine!!!. Swamiji, you saved my life, And this was not the first time you saved me either. I can never thank you enough

THEJAS

MAHARASHTRA

I thank Guruji for all his help provided in our bad times, his experience and transfer nature is unique. I think the whole ashram for the unexpected service provided to us.

PRAGATEJ H KHARAT

MUMBAI

Have a great experience visiting here, experiencing the natural atmosphere, and learning many things about KALARIPPAYATTU and its history. and had great interaction with Guru and staff members.

N. DHANABHARATHIMEENA

TAMILNADU

We had a rejuvenating experience at the Ashram, especially my Mother who was cured. The ambiance of peace and quiet was much needed from the city life, hectic and chaotic found peace and much-needed rest. Thank you, Swamiji. looking formant to coming back again.

USHA SURI, PRETHAP SURI, GEETHA SURI

HYDERABAD

I have a great experience when I look at my son very good, great experience. He learns about many things. Guruji was great. I think Guruji’s staff members are very nice, thanks to everyone who works with Guruji.

LIMBODRI GOUD & NIVED GOUD

TELANGANA

I am JITENDRA, age 44 yrs, I have come from Lucknow for the treatment of my shoulder pain. I am thankful to Swamiji and everyone here who helped me with the treatment and my recovery. I feel much better now and am going back tomorrow in better health than I came here.

I also visited in 2010 for treatment of my big toe which was injured due to slipping when I was running. That time I took treatment for 15 days and my big toe recovered very much within those 15 days and became completely healthy within a month after going back from here. My heartfelt thanks to Swamiji and everyone here.

JITENDRA

LUCKNOW

How shall I even start to describe my time at the Kalariyil Dharmikam Ashram. Let me try with Gratefulness, Love, Strength, Community, Compassion, Laughter and lots of food.

The ashram family is exactly that- a family that will make you feel included as one of their own. They share without a shred of a doubt, they support with all their kindness, they go above and beyond for you all just to make you happy and feel loved.

I don’t want to choose which part I liked best- martial arts on the rooftop in the palm trees, treatments that make everyone look 20 years younger, breathtaking temples and spiritual energy wherever you go, a connection to god around you and in yourself by beautiful created poodjas or the mediation in caves or shrines- always connected to nature, always with gratitude to those who came before us, who taught us and who always will be with us.

But if had to choose it would be the people because even without all that without the amazing hospitality, the food, the comfort of the accomodation, I would always and will always return for its people.

I came in search for something within me but what I found was unconditional love all around me that made me believe again that we are taking care of all of us within us. So I am leaving for now with lot’s of colourful memories and energizing love that will always be part of me from this day on.

To these amazing people that made me and will make you believe in the change for the better again. I love you

Ayam me hasto bhagavan

{ My hand is the lord }

Ayam me bhagavattarah

{ Boundlessly blissful is my hand }

Ayam me visvabheshajah

{ This hand holds all healing secrets }

Ayam shivabhimarshanah

{ Which make whole with its gentle touch } Rig Veda