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 discovering that my grandma's seashells held the secrets to the universe!

Vaikuntapali (stairs to Vaikuntha), Paramapadasopanapatam (The Steps to the Highest Place), Mokha Pata (Board of Nirvana), or Snakes and Ladders is an ancient Indian board game.The game board is divided into numbered squares, each adorned with a unique image, ladders that lead to higher levels, and snakes that threaten to send players back down. Players take turns rolling a die and moving their token along the board according to the number thrown.This gameplay is designed to represent the journey of the soul according to Hinduism. The various ladders on the board indicate the various virtues one must cultivate to reach higher levels of spiritual attainment. The snakes, named after demons in Hindu mythology, represent various vices (immoral behaviors) such as ego, greed, jealousy, and lust, which one must overcome on this roller coaster of life. Players progress is dictated by the fall of a dice corresponding to the forces of Karma.

Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, this game offers profound insights into life’s challenges and rewards.

Seeds of Success: Cultivating Good Habits for a Thriving Life

The original Vaikuntapali game features ten ladders. In Hindu mythology there are 14 realms (Lokas), seven higher ones  and sever lower ones.  Each realm embodies distinct virtues and qualities, representing a specific level of conscious awareness that manifests in one's personality.Cultivating virtuous good qualities can open the gateway to higher realms of existence. Whether or not there are higher realms of existence doesn't take away from the fact that adopting positive habits can make a difference in our lives.

Forget about celestial golden chariots and divine Devadootas dressed in shiny clothes and jewelry escorting you to heaven; ditching bad habits for good ones can transform our earthly journey into a heavenly experience!"

Good Habit	Associated Lokam (Realm)	My Analysis
Good habits/సుగుణం 16	Soulokyam సౌలోక్యం/ tranquil existence. 28	Cultivating positive habits can lay the foundation for a life filled with serenity and contentment.
Good Behavior, సత్ప్రవర్తన 19	Golokam గోలోకం/realm of endless love and happiness 39	Behaving well brings love and happiness into our lives.Kindness begets kindness, creating a circle of love and support that uplifts everyone.
Concentration, నిష్ఠ 30	తపోలోకం, The abode of highly knowledgeable, pure, and enlightened sages. 50	With concentration one gain knowledge. Just as the sages of Tapoloka offer guidance and support to others, we can also play a role in helping others achieve their full potential. By sharing our knowledge, offering compassion, and providing encouragement, we can make a positive impact on the lives of those around us.
Sacrifice/Gratitude/Helpfulness,యజ్ఞం/Yagam — Yagam is Vedic sacrifice and a way to express gratitude for blessings in our lives. 41	స్వర్గలోకం, Heaven/Paradie - a place of perfect bliss and happines. 61	Sacrifice, service, and gratitude are interconnected virtues that can transform our lives into a paradise of love, contentment, and inner peace
Hardwork, Yogi/యోగి 41	సత్యలోకం/Satyaloka - Highest of the heavenly where there is only truth, light, and bliss. 72	Working hard for passion will bring happiness. Being happy is also hard work.
Devotion, భక్తి, 63	Bramhalokam, బ్రహ్మలోకం - A place of great beauty and splendor, where the inhabitants live in perfect harmony and peace. 83	When we devote ourselves to something meaningful, we open doors to deeper connections, leading to profound fulfillment. Devotion is a deep-rooted feeling of love and admiration for anything including work, relations, hobbies.
Sincerity, చిత్తశుద్ధి 65	Mahalokam, మహాలోకం -A place of great wisdom and knowledge. 105	Sincerity promotes trust, respect, and genuine happiness by allowing people to connect with others on an authentic level and live in harmony with their true selves
Learnings from Guru/Teacher/Mentor, గురుబోధ 74	Higherplaces/the Peaks, శిఖరం 94	Guru is not just a teacher but a life companion, guiding us towards becoming the best version of ourselves and reaching heights.
Wisom, Gnana/జ్ఞానం 79	Kaislam, కైలాసం - Gateway to inner peace and source of inspiration and hope. Embodies power of faith and resilience of human spirit. 117	Gnanam represents a state of profound insight, clarity, and wisdom. It's like seeing reality clearly, without the fog of ignorance, delusion, or personal biases. Reaching Gnanam is not easy; it requires dedication, self-reflection, and letting go of preconceived notions. But the rewards are great: a life of inner peace, happiness, and freedom from suffering.
detachment/dispassion/indifference , Vairagyam/వైరాగ్యం 87	Vaikutam,వైకుంఠం - Vaikuntha means abode of no anxieity (Vi - no, Kuntha - anxiety). It is considered a place of supreme bliss, free from suffering and imperfection, where devotees attain the ultimate goal of liberation or moksha. 115	Vairagyam is not about renouncing the world or abandoning one's responsibilities but rather about cultivating a sense of inner contentment and detachment from the outcomes of actions. Vairagyam fosters resilience in the face of challenges, enabling one to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to changing circumstances without being overwhelmed by emotional distress.

 

The Road to Ruin: When Bad Qualities Take Hold 

 The game features 13 snakes, each representing a demon from Hindu mythology or a bad habit. These demons embody negative qualities, and their stories serve as a reminder that truth ultimately prevails. We must confront and overcome these internal demons, which symbolize the negative qualities within us. In Hindu mythology, karma plays a significant role, emphasizing that our actions have consequences, and we will eventually reap what we sow. This ensures that all living beings will receive the rewards or consequences of their actions.

Demon	Rebirth as	My Analysis
Ravana - Lust 17 ,119	Dog 6 , Owl 95	Ravana's inability to control his passions ultimately lead to his destruction, and this is a reminder to exercising self-restraint.
Hiranyaksha - pride, arrogance, and insatiable desire for power. 26	Snake 3	Vishnu, disguised as the boar Varaha, challenged Hiranyaksha to a battle and defeated him.The depiction of Hiranyaksha in Vaikuntapali serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and the dangers of excessive pride.
Narakasura - Cruelity 43	Cat 21	Narakasura was a cruel and oppressive ruler who caused much suffering for his people. Lord Krishna eventually defeated and killed Narakasura, freeing the people from his reign of terror. Cultivating compassion and empathy fosters a harmonious existence.
Bakasura - Greed 47	Chicken 25	Bakasura’s excessive greed and insatiable hunger lead him to devour everything in his path, causing immense destruction and harming others. Finally Bhima slayed Bakasura. This depiction serves as a cautionary tale against the dangers of unchecked greed and the destructive consequences of giving in to one's desires without restraint.
Duryodhana - Excessive Ambition 43	Butterfly 33	Duryodhan's excessive arrogance, and insatiable thirst for power, excessive ambitions, comparisions lead him to make a series of destructive decisions, ultimately resulting in his downfall and the devastating Kurukshetra .
Tanaradhudu - Material world temptations 51	Frog 8	Tanaradhudu is a deity mentioned in Bhagavatha purana and depicted as a seven-headed serpent. This could symbolizes negative forces that hinder enlightenment and good virtues. His presence in the game serves as a test of players faith and resolve.
Karkotakudu - deception/trickery 75	Pig 10	Karkotaka is a prominent serpent king (Naga) in Hindu mythology, often depicted as a powerful and cunning creature with a variety of magical abilities.
Maatsaryam/మాత్సర్యం - Envy or jealousy 97	Wicked Fox 73	Comparing ourselves to others will only lead to unhappiness. Instead, we should focus on our own strengths and develop our own talents.
Arukashudu - Obstacles 106	Monkey 1	In Hindu mythology, Arukashudu is a demon who is mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana. He is described as a powerful and fearsome creature who was sent by Lord Shiva to test the faith and devotion of King Ambarisha. The game serves as a reminder that the path to enlightenment is not without its challenges, but with unwavering faith, perseverance, and devotion, one can overcome even the most formidable obstacles.
Vasudevudu - Ego 111	Tiger 89	Vasudeva’s snake form could be seen as a metaphor for the ego.Ego prevents us from learning and growing. and damages our relationships.
Ambarishudu 113	Buffalo 109	Ambarisha, as a figure who embodies righteousness and devotion, could be portrayed as a vice to represent the challenges and obstacles that one must overcome on their journey.
Ahankaram,అహంకారం - Arrogance 121	Monster 99	When arrogance goes unchecked, it can have a devastating effect on a person's relationships and their overall well-being. It can create a barrier between them and others, making it difficult to form meaningful connections/td>

 

Don't Overthink It: Life's Too Short to Take It Too Seriously

Life is like a play, filled with ups and downs, unexpected twists and turns. We have no control over the outcome; we roll the dice and face the consequences, whether it's climbing a ladder or falling down a snake. The key to a fulfilling life lies in embracing both the good and the bad. We may encounter a snake immediately after climbing a ladder, or we may find a ladder right after being swallowed by a snake. The game of life is constantly changing, and we must be adaptable and flexible to succeed. Instead of worrying about winning or losing, focus on having fun and living your life to the fullest. Enjoy the journey more than fixating on the destination.

Now Kamal Hasan’s telugu song is rising in mind .. 

నరుడి బ్రతుకు నటన ఈశ్వరుడి తలపు ఘటన ఆ రెంటి నట్టనడుమ నీకెందుకింత తపన ??
Meaning:
Human life is a play, God's will is the rhythm, Why does this restless soul wander between the two?

Which song, poem, or quote do you find most inspiring or meaningful in connection with this topic?


 

References:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MFGL3XuUP4&t=146s and other Garikapati and Vaddi Parthi prabhakar gari videos on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2jW33XIJB8&t=28s and some more videos on different lokas .
https://andhra-telugu.com/files/2015/ATP/BrahmaVaivarthaMahaPurana-BrahmaKhandamu.pdf.
Wikipedia and Google 

Note: 

I couldn't read or understand the complete book or videos. My capacity is not enough to understand the complete scenario. These are all my analyses.