Dhalsim (AST)

**Dhalsim** is an Indian mystic who has trained in Yoga so well that he can extend his limbs further than any man alive.

## Appearance

Dhalsim is often depicted with having pupil-less eyes. His build is that of a normal man who exercises and weight trains regularly except for his abdomen and waist which appear much out of proportion and emaciated. His arms are also quite extraordinary in length, and he uses this to create an advantage over his opponents during fights, usually opting to wear them down from the outside. He wears torn saffron shorts as his only clothing attire as well as saffron wristbands and anklebands. He has three colored stripes adorning his head. The skulls he wears around his neck are those of village children that died during a plague.

Dhalsim's minimal clothing and necklace of skulls are reminiscent of the medieval Hindu ascetics known as Kapalikas ("skull-bearers") who were often related to macabre imagery such as cannibalism and human sacrifice.

## Personality

Dhalsim is quite stoic, serious, self-disciplined, humble, and also very stern when needed. Being a pacifist, he will never hurt a person more than necessary, or kill an adversary, even the most evil ones such as M. Bison. His pacifistic beliefs also allow him to be a greatly loving father and husband towards his family.

As an extremely altruistic man, Dhalsim fights mostly for the poor and oppressed, as he constantly tries his best to raise money for his poverty-stricken people. Dhalsim is aware that if he uses his power to harm, he may become evil, and frequently questions his decisions to use his powers for fighting. Furthermore, all forms of yoga are meant to aid a personal journey towards enlightenment, and not to harm others. Therefore, Dhalsim is constantly concerned about his fighting style overwhelming his own principles of non-violence.

Dhalsim has a more "mature" and less "enthusiastic" nature, as he regularly relies on his traditional yoga meditation rites to expand his spirituality, and keep his inner neutrality in the face of emotional involvement that may compromise his discipline.

Dhalsim always remains calm and serene. When he fights, he is always in a constant state of meditation so he can focus on the opponent. He rarely speaks to his opponents outside of calling his attacks, and when he does, his words are riddles that leave the foe confused about his or her own being. However, even with all his spiritual discipline, Dhalsim is not above having moments of anger or annoyance.

## History

He enters the Street Fighter tournament to raise money for his village, and is often consulted by many of the other fighters in regards to his spirituality. However he had a bad experience with a previous student and would not train anyone who wished to use his techniques for their own gain. A few years ago Ryu and Ken impressed him enough to consider training them, but they left before they really started. Due to Ryu stumbling on a technique while there, a very dangerous technique called the Ha Do Ken. Dhalsim was unable to train them in its use so they left, presumably to learn how to properly control it.

He was impressed again by Kasumi when she came to India in search of his training. he taught Kasumi most of her pressure point, and chi point manipulations, self healing techniques as well as special meditation. Unlike most the techniques Kasumi had encountered, which are a simple matter of skill, his were centered on the mind. Training like that does not go fast if you want the results, although, she had an advantage in not being a beast.