Mudgar

A mudgar (Sanskrit: मुद्गर, romanized: mudgara) or mudgara^[3] is a type of gada (mace) from India, and it is generally considered to be made of wood, but can also be made of iron.^[4]

"Mudgarpani" Yaksha
Mathura, 100 BCE

Mudgarpani ("Mace-holder") Yaksha, Art of Mathura, 100 BCE.^[1] This colossal statue in the round is 1.96 meters tall.^[1] The right hand holds a mudgar, the left hand used to support a small standing devotee or child joining hands in prayer.^[2]

Usage

The mudgar appears is ancient Indian sculptures, where it is commonly held by Yaksha deities, known as mudgarpani (mudgarapāṇi; mudgar-holders).^[5]

An ancient Jain story named the Antagadadasao tell the story of a man named Ajjunaka who was worshipping the image of the "Yaksa who held a mace", when he was attacked by five bandits, an event which shook his devotion to the Yashka. Afterwards the Yaksa possessed Ajjunaka, giving him the strength to kill the five bandits.^[6]

Nowadays, for training purposes when using Indian clubs, one or two wooden gada ("mudgar"), reaching up to 70 kilograms in weight, can be used: they can be swung behind the back in several different ways; this is particularly useful for building grip strength and shoulder endurance.^[7][8]

Examples

• 
  Yaksha holding mudgar and child. Art of Mathura, 100 BCE.^[9]

See also

• Mace (bludgeon)