Vajra-musti: Indian Wrestling With Knuckleduster-like Weapons

Vajra-musti (Sanskrit:वज्रमुष्टि, "thunder fist" or "diamond fist") is a traditional form of Indian wrestling that combines a variety of grappling and striking techniques. The term also refers to a "fist-load, knuckleduster-like" weapon used during these wrestling matches. The weapon is sometimes called Indra-musti which means Indra's fist*.

* Indra is a prominent deity in Hindu mythology, known as the king of the gods and ruler of Svarga (heaven). He is associated with the sky, lightning, thunder, storms, rain, and war12. Indra is one of the most frequently mentioned gods in the Rigveda, where he is celebrated for his heroic deeds, including the slaying of the demon Vritra, who obstructed the flow of rivers and caused drought.

The name of the art can be spelled in various ways—Vajramushti, Vajramuṣṭi, Vajra-mushti, Vajramuṣṭī—but we will use "vajra-musti" to refer to both the martial art and the weapon.

History of vajra-musti

It's believed that history of Vajra-musti dates back to Maurya Dynasty (322 BCE - 185 BCE) where it was revered not just as a fighting technique but as a spiritual practice. Matches were patronized by royalty and wrestlers thus became held in high regard. Vajra-musti and its unarmed counterpart malla-yuddha were practiced by the Jyeṣṭīmalla (lit. "the most excellent wrestlers"), a jāti of Krishna-worshipping Modha Brahmins first mentioned literary in the 12th century. The Jyesti clan trained specifically in malla-yuddha and vajra-musti. By the 16th century, the Jyestimalla were synonymous with fighting, renowned athletes and professional fighters who would act as bodyguards for the rich.

Closely related to the ancient Tibetian martial art known as lion's roar, vajra-musti is claimed to be the martial art of the historical Buddha's bloodline (source: The Way of The Warrior by Chris Crudelli).

Knuckleduster-like weapon vajra-musti

The vajra-musti is a knuckleduster-like weapon, typically made from materials like ivory or buffalo horn. It is worn on the knuckles and often features small spikes or blades, making it a formidable tool in close combat.

In Malla Purana book this weapon is described as follows:

The Vajramusti wrestlers use an instrument known as Vajramusti or Bajramutha. It is made of horn of a buffalo or of ivory. It can be described as a small ring held in hand having six points on its periphery. These points are triangular in shape and are found in two varieties. One of them has a small sharp nail attached on it for increasing its strength, while in the other variety this instrument does not have the iron nail and is rather blunt. It is held in the palm between the space below the fingers, and above the thumb. Its length is equal to the palm of the user and its height is also of the thickness of the palm and above it the points of the instrument rise at the most for 3 to 5 cms.

Source: book pdf

Further reading: Premodern Fist Weapons

Practice

As a variant of wrestling, vajra-musti shares its training methodology with malla-yuddha. The sun salutation (Surya Namaskara), shirshasana, Hindu squat (bethak) and the Hindu press-up (danda) are all used to strengthen the body and improve stamina. The only attire is a kowpeenam or loincloth. The actual vajra-musti is not used for training due to the risk of injury. Instead, wrestlers substitute the weapon with a cloth woven between the fingers. The cloth is dipped in red ochre so that hits may be confirmed.

On the day of a match, the combatants' heads are shaved, leaving only a small tuft of hair at the crown to which neem leaves are tied for good luck. A square altar is temporarily constructed in the middle of the wrestling pit, upon which a branch of the neem tree is planted so the wrestler can pray to the goddess Limbaja. To the east of this altar a small platform is placed, upon which the wrestler's vajramusti is kept. After the prayers and rituals are completed, the weapon is tied to the fighter's right hand so it won't get dislodged during the fight. Upon leaving their family's akhara (training hall), the wrestlers make their way to the public arena which they enter in a zig-zag, jumping fashion.

In the basic stance, the left arm is held out to the front with the hand open. The right arm, holding the vajramusti, is held to the side next to the waist. The left foot is placed forward while the right foot is turned to the side. Strikes, knees, elbows, takedowns and submission holds are all employed. There is an extensive use of locks to immobilize the opponent's right arm. These locks may be applied with the arms, legs, or a combination of the two. One of the few rules is the prohibition of any attack below the waist, so major targets are the face, chest and arms.

Matches are done in submission style, going until one competitor submits, gets disarmed, or is otherwise unable to continue. Both fighters receive payment after the match, with the winner receiving double the amount of his defeated opponent. If the match was a draw and neither fighter was submitted, then the prize was shared.

Source: Wikipedia

Vajra-musti in modern days

Vajra-musti matches continue to be held during the annual Mysore Dasara festival, a tradition that dates back to the Wadiyar dynasty in 1610. Unlike the brutal contests of the past, today's fighters use knuckle-dusters fitted with blunt studs. The match ends as soon as the first blood is drawn, and the referee's decision is rarely contested. In the rare event of a dispute, the losing fighter or his guru may appeal to a panel of judges. Both the umpire and judges are typically former wrestlers with many years of experience.