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

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as the tradition seems to come from Kṛṣṇa worship. If Kṛṣṇa could develop
as a Malla by staying in a cowherd family the other cowherds also could be
good mallas. From such a belief this type might have been included in the
classification. It may incidentally be noted that cowherds are physically
strong and given proper training they would turn into competent wrestlers.
The classification of Bhaviṣya is equally redundent as it simply implies a
student under training. This is a common stage for any would-be wrestler.
The classification noted in Chapter V is not of much importance. Yuvā,
Bāla and Vṛddha are stages in an individual's life and hence they do not repre-
sent any special class. This classification may be of some help in arranging the
bouts. Prāṇavāna type is also equally misleading. It may only denote a man
with stamina. These facts clearly show that these four varietes do not refer to
different persons and hence this classification is not of much value. The other
four types are just the same as noted above.
The other fourfold classification of Gaja, Siṁha, etc. is again a traditional
one. It also occurs in the literature on Kāmaśāstra. It is based here on physi-
cal appearance and not any other basis :
The classification in Chapters IV and VI are based on physical characteri-
stics and strength of the limbs. The classification in chapter VI is based on
well-developed power of chest, arms, shoulders, waist and knee. Hence all the
classification is based on the following basis.
( 1 ) Birth in caste ( Gopakula )
( 2 ) Age ( Bāla, Yuvā, Vṛddha )
( 3 ) Physical structure ( Asthisāra etc. )
( 4 ) Strength of limb ( Urusāra etc. )
( 5 ) Training ( Bhaviṣya, Antarjyeṣṭhī Jyeṣṭhī ).
This clearly suggests that the classifications are not necessarily based on
caste distinctions. The term Jyeṣṭhī meaning the best is derived from Jyeṣṭha
meaning most prominent or seniormost. The term seems to have been accepted
by the mallas as an honorific title, and later on in the sense of a distinct caste.
Gopakula is a caste classification, but its reasons possibly are religious as noted
above. The other points for classification are based on an individual's age,
structure, strength etc.
Classification of exercises :
As with the classification of mallas, the classification of exercises is also
based on different considerations. The classifications given in the Purāṇa are
noted in Chapter VIII, IX and X.
In Chapter VIII exercises are classified as Alpa, Ardha and Pūrṇa. The
IX Chapter follows this classification.