Vaikuntapali: A Timeless Guide to Life's Lessons
As a kid, I loved playing Vaikuntapali (పరమపదసోపాన పటము or snakes and ladders) with my grandma using seashells. My mom, the resident rule enforcer, would constantly scold us for wasting our time. Fast forward to adulthood, and I've morphed into an anti-board game person. Their slow pace and long hours of sitting was a cruel test for my patience, a virtue I lack in abundance. With social media’s endless scroll of mind-numbing content, the irresistible lure of Netflix marathons, the dopamine rush of online shopping sprees, why would I bother wasting my time by rolling seashells (or dice) and moving wooden pieces. Why would any one select Feature phone over smart phone ? But then I stumbled upon a YouTube video about Vaikuntapali, and it sparked my dormant interest all over again. I started looking at the original game board (Thanks to Google's commitment to preserve the past) and I delved into a deep analysis, uncovering its profound symbolism and life lessons. It's like di...