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

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joy, happiness and feeling of lightness. It gives intelligence and removes slug-
gishness.
Massage is supposed to reach bones and flesh. This seems to indicate the
pressures of massage.
The divisions of massage are noted but their differences are not clearly
stated. Bhīmsenī is given to the legs, Nārāyaṇī to the kness, Citraṇī on arms
Masṛṇī on thighs.
The Bhīmsenī and Nārāyaṇī should be given to mallas and Citraṇī is to
be given to old and young. Citraṇī seems to be a comparatively light massage.
It is a massage on hands only. Nārāyaṇī is to be given to legs upto the knee,
and it is fairly heavy as it is described to reach the five Dhātus.
Masṛṇī is rubbing of the body and thighs. It is the lightest variety of
massage.
Incidentally it may be noted that the kneading, pressing, vibrating and
other types of technicalities of massage are not detailed out in this section.
Use of the Training
These exercises were meant for the general development and building up
of the body for the wrestling meet. The wrestling meets were arranged by
the kings and their description is given in the Mallapurāṇa.
Wrestling matches
Wrestling is considered to be joyful, it develops enthusiasm and removes
sorrow. Therefore, it is recommended that the king should always witness
the wrestling match. He should invite his friends, ministers knowing the arts
and clever citizens, the queen and princesses. He should also invite the
mallas. The next day in the morning the king should rise early and make
the mallas also rise. He should order to bring the earth for the arena.
Arena
The arena is also described in the Mallapurāṇa. It is not the mat as is
used to-day. The arena is known as Ākhāḍhaka. It is high, levelled and low.
Its dimensions are three Devamāna (101 Hastas), Daityamāna (50 Hastas) and
Martyamāna (21 Hastas). It is square, triangular and circular. The earth
with kankar, iron, wood, stone, thorn etc. should be avoided. It appears that
the general dimension was 21 hastas which is equal to about 30 feet, and the
Devamāna and Daityamāna seem to be more for rhetorics rather than actual use.
The earth must be pleasing to see and as soft as that required for seed-
laying and should be a hand high and levelled. It should be worshipped and
Hari should be placed there and a Bijapuraka be placed in the centre of the
arena. After worshipping ‘Govinda’ the king should see the wrestling.