Gada (mace): Difference between revisions
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==As exercise equipment== |
==As exercise equipment== |
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[[File:Gama1916.jpg|thumb|100px|right|[[The Great Gama]] with a gada in his hand]] |
[[File:Gama1916.jpg|thumb|100px|right|[[The Great Gama]] with a gada in his hand]] |
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Gada is a is one of the traditional pieces of training equipment in Hindu physical culture. Maces of various weights and heights are used depending on the strength and skill level of the practitioner. For training purposes, the Gada is swung behind the back in several different ways and is particularly useful for building grip strength and shoulder endurance. Often winners in a kushti (wrestling contest) are awarded with a gada. |
Gada is a is one of the traditional pieces of training equipment in Hindu physical culture. Maces of various weights and heights are used depending on the strength and skill level of the practitioner. For training purposes, the Gada is swung behind the back in several different ways and is particularly useful for building grip strength and shoulder endurance. The Great Gama was known for excessive use of gada. Often winners in a kushti (wrestling contest) are awarded with a gada. |
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Nowadays gada is primarily used as an exercise equipment in India. It is more common in [[akhara]]s of north India. Mugdar (a wooden variant of gada) is used as exercise tool. Pehlwan (wrestler) take mugdar in single or both hands and rotate forward, backward, up and down. It conditions the muscles of hands and chaste. |
Nowadays gada is primarily used as an exercise equipment in India. It is more common in [[akhara]]s of north India. Mugdar (a wooden variant of gada) is used as exercise tool. Pehlwan (wrestler) take mugdar in single or both hands and rotate forward, backward, up and down. It conditions the muscles of hands and chaste. |
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Revision as of 12:44, 25 November 2012
A gada (Sanskrit: गदा gadā) is an Indian legendary martial art weapon that uses a heavy head on the end of a handle to deliver powerful blows. It typically consists of a single piece strong, heavy metal shaft featuring a ball shaped head made of metal. The head is stroked on opponent by holding shaft.
Gada is main weapon of the Hindu God Hanuman, avatar of Shiva. Hanuman is regarded as God of strength, especially Pehlwani (wrestling) in India. Vishnu, one of the trinity of God in Hinduism, also carries a gada in one of his four hands. In the epic Mahabharat, fighters Bhima, Duryodhana, Jarasandha, Balram etc were famous experts of gada yuddha.
Gada yuddha
Fighting with gada is known as gada yuddha. It could be handled in twenty different ways. Various types and skills of gada yuddha are mentioned in Agni Purana and Mahabharat like aahat (आहत), gomutra (गोमूत्र), prabrita (प्रभृत), kamalasan (कमलासन), udarvagatra (ऊर्ध्वगत्र), namita (नमित), vamadakshina (वामदक्षिण), aavrita (आवृत्त), paraavrita (परावृत्त), padodrita (पदोद्धृत), avaplata (अवप्लत), hansmarga (हंसमार्ग) and vibhag (विभाग) etc.
By means of gun powder it could also be used as a projectile weapon of war. Its principal use was to strike the enemy either from a raised place or from both sides and strike terror into the enemy especially of the gomutra array.[1]
As exercise equipment
Gada is a is one of the traditional pieces of training equipment in Hindu physical culture. Maces of various weights and heights are used depending on the strength and skill level of the practitioner. For training purposes, the Gada is swung behind the back in several different ways and is particularly useful for building grip strength and shoulder endurance. The Great Gama was known for excessive use of gada. Often winners in a kushti (wrestling contest) are awarded with a gada.
Nowadays gada is primarily used as an exercise equipment in India. It is more common in akharas of north India. Mugdar (a wooden variant of gada) is used as exercise tool. Pehlwan (wrestler) take mugdar in single or both hands and rotate forward, backward, up and down. It conditions the muscles of hands and chaste.
Chi'ishi, a Karate conditioning equipment and its exercise pattern is also inspired by gada and mugdar. The war clubs were also inspired by gada.[2]
