मल्लपुराण (ज्येष्ठिमल्ल - प्राचीन भारतीय मल्लविद्या, अखाड़ा व्यायाम व कुश्ती महाग्रन्थ)

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Their characteristics, strength etc. are given. The 64 qualities of Jyeṣṭhī, 30
qualities of Antarajyeṣṭhī and 37 qualities of Gopakula and Adhama Mallas, 21
qualities of Adhmādhama Mallas, and 24 qualities of Bhaviṣya Mallas are noted.
These qualities are psychological, moral and pertaining to family etc.
THE FOURTH CHAPTER describes the five ( Pañcāṅga ) characteristics
of the Mallas. The Mallas are classified as Uttama, Madhya, Adhama and then
they are further classified in five different varieties as Asthisāra, Mānsasāra,
Medasāra, Asthi-Mānsasāra, and Medāsthisāra. Their physical characteristics
are given.
THE FIFTH CHAPTER is again a classificatory one. It devides the
Mallas in eight varieties as ( 1 ) Yuvā, ( 2 ) Prāṇavāna, ( 3 ) Jyeṣṭhī, ( 4 ) Antar-
jyeṣṭhī, ( 5 ) Gopakula, ( 6 ) Bhaviṣya, ( 7 ) Bāla and ( 8 ) Vṛddha. They are fur-
ther devided in five types as ( 1 ) Gaja, ( 2 ) Vṛṣa, ( 3 ) Siṁha, ( 4 ) Mṛga and
adds ( 5 ) Bhaviṣya as the fifth type. Their fitness for fight and their character-
istics are further developed in this chapter.
CHAPTER SIXTH discusses the various positions and actions of the
mallas and then describes the strength of various mallas. The varieties in this
respect are noted as Urḥsāra, Skandhasāra, Bhujasāra, Kaṭisāra and Jānusāra.
After this the Raṅgabhūmi or wrestling arena is described as Ākhāḍhaka. Its
three varieties as low, level and high are described and the three dimensions 101
cubits, 50 cubits and 21 cubits are noted. Its square, triangular, and circular
shapes are described. The colours of the earth in the Ākhāḍhaka are noted and
instructions are given to keep the earth free from kankar, wood, iron and other
injurious objects.
This is followed by the routine of the mallas. Before going to the
Ākhāḍhaka the malla should get up in the morning, attend to the nature's call,
clean the mouth and say his morning prayers.
After going to the Ākhāḍhaka he should perform Prāṇāyāma, bow down
to the earth ( Bhūmivandana ) and then take exercises. Various undesirable
persons and activities which are to be avoided are also noted. Then religious
ceremonies such as Jaṭabandhana, Pradakṣiṇā, Mantrasādhanā, Sudarsana-
sthāpana, worship of Gods such as Kṛṣṇa, Haladhara Dharādhara and Vāsukī
are ordained. Then Kacchabandha and beating of arms is noted. Then the
assembled mallas should bow down to Goddess earth. Take some earth from
the Ākhāḍhaka and smear their bodies with it. After that they should exercise
themselves. The 41 arts known to Matikāra ( who seems to be an equivalent
of modern coach ) are incompletely noted.
CHAPTER SEVEN opens with a mention of the noises which should not
be made while taking exercises. Their evil effects should be avoided by Sudar-
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