Next time you play snakes and ladders… 4 December 2010 957 views 12 Comments …don’t forget to tell the young ones about its origins! This post has been pending for a very long time in my drafts folder. It was prompted by a statement I read by chance many months ago about the origins of this favourite children‟s game. That statement prompted some digging which ended up as this post. To start with this brief extract, courtesy Wikipedia about the origins of this game (emphasis added throughout): Snakes and Ladders originated in India as a game based on morality called Vaikuntapaali (stairs to Vaikuntha) or Paramapada Sopanam (the ladder to salvation). This game made its way to England, England, and was eventually eventually introduced in the United States of America by game pioneer Milton Bradley in 1943.
…The game was played widely in ancient India by the name of Moksha Patamu, the earliest known Jain version Gyanbazi dating back to 16th century. The game was called “Leela” – and – and reflected the Hinduism consciousness around everyday life. Impressed by the ideals behind the game, a newer version was introduced in Victorian England in 1892, possibly by John Jacques of Jacques of London. Moksha Patamu was perhaps invented by Hindu spiritual teachers to teach children about the effects of good deeds as opposed to bad deeds. The ladders represented virtues such as generosity, faith, humility, etc., and th e snakes represented vices such as lust, anger, murder, theft, etc. The moral of the game was that a person can attain salvation (Moksha) through performing good deeds whereas by doing evil one takes rebirth in lower forms of life li fe (Patamu). The number of ladders was less than the number of snakes as a reminder that treading the path of good is very difficult compared to committing sins. Presumably the number numb er “100″ represented Moksha (Salvation). In Andhra Pradesh, snakes and ladders is played in the name of Vaikuntapali..
Image courtesy: courtesy: V&A
This book by Harish Johari titled “The Yoga of Snakes and Arrows “ tell us more about the moral and spiritual aspects of the “game”: Four things are necessary for one or more to play Leela: the Leela book and game board, a die (of karma) and a significant object that belongs to the player, such as a ring, to serve as the player‟s symbol during the game. Each of the seventy-two squares on the board of Leela represents a virtue or vice, an aspect of human consciousness or a plane of being. The players’ progress progress is dictated by the fall of a die corresponding to the forces of karma . The seven planes through which the player must pass before he reaches the eighth plane – plane – the the plane beyond all planes – planes – are are the seven chakras. Leela is not merely an entertainment but a serious method of understanding the phenomenal phenomenal world of Maya (Illusion), and the spiritual nature of our individual self that leads us to the journey towards liberation . The saints who invented this game used the game-board to recognize the present state of their own being. By playing pla ying the game time and again they t hey consciously observed observed which snake brought them down and which arrows took them up. Observing their own inner i nner self, they could tell whether they had understood what it is to be not involved. The uniqueness of Leela – Leela – the the game of self-knowledge – self-knowledge – is is that it is a study of scriptures and discovery of the self at the same time. This website informs us that: The origins of this game appear to be found in 2nd century BC documents from India. Some historians point out that the game may be a variation of the ancient game of dasapada played on a 10×10 grid In his brief blog post about the “game”, Abhilash mentions some of the original squares and what they stood for: The ladders represented virtues and snakes vices . In the original game square 12 was faith, 51 was Reliability, 57 was Generosity, 76 was Knowledge, and 78 was Asceticism. These were the squares were the ladder was found.
Square 41 was for Disobedience, 44 for Arrogance, 49 for Vulgarity, 52 for Theft, 58 for Lying, 62 for Drunkenness, 69 for Debt, 84 for Anger, 92 for Greed, 95 for Pride, 73 for Murder and 99 for Lust. These were the squares were the snake was found. The Square 100 represented Nirvana or Moksha.
Thanks Shantanu for this post. HinduismToday magazine had published similar article about Snake and Ladders some time back. A pdf version of the game (with some variation) can be downloaded from their websitehttp://www.hinduismtoday.com/education/games/Snakes&LaddersGameBoard.pdf
Also “http://kreedagames.com/games.html” is one of its kind company which specializes in ancient bharatiya games.
In my childhood, I was playing this game with my school friends and also relatives. It was a craze those days. The game was called as “Paramapada Sopana Patamu”, or “Paamu Patamu” in telugu. It contained the knowledge of virtues and vices, and also about heavenly worlds such as “mahalokamu”, “Janalokamu”, “Tapolokamu”, Kailasamu, Vaikuntham, etc (the seven heavenly worlds above bhooloka). It also had the names of famous snakes like „takshakudu‟, „karkotakudu‟, „arakaasudu‟ and many others.
www.hinduismtoday.com/resources/snakesandladders .
(This is a page of information on the Snakes and Ladders game published in the October, 2009, issue of Hinduism Today as part of our Hindu History series Chapter Three, "Hinduism Endures: 1100 to 1850." To download the entire lesson and for teaching materials on all three lessons, go to Educational Resources.)
THE GAME OF SNAKES AND LADDERS Download The Game Board (9.8MB): Click to download Snakes and Ladders Rules for Playing the Game: 1. You will need to print out the game board on one or more pieces of paper (if you don't have a large format printer) and to make at least an 11 by 17 inc hes playing surface. You will need one die (or six cowrie shells...) and markers for each player. Two to four players is most common. 2. The aim of the game is to reach square 68, the plane of Siva. This is moksha, freedom from rebirth. 3. There are various ways to set the order of play. It is common for each player to roll the die once, with the highest number going first, next highest, second, and so on. Ties at this stage are broken by another roll of the die. 4. All players start with the markers off the board. As each rolls the die, they advance to the square equal to the number of the die, one to square one, two to square two and so on. On subsequent throws, they advance the number of squares of the die. Notice that the squares are numbered in what is traditionally called "ox plow" fashion: back and forth on the board, after the pattern of an ox plowing a field. 5. If a player lands on a ladder, he advances to the top of the ladder and continues play from there. If he lands on a snake, he slides down the snake to the square at the tail of the snake.
6. To complete the game the play has to land exactly on the 68th square. As everyone plays until they reach this square, the game doesn't really have a winner, just as in Hindu philosophy everyone ultimately achives moksha. 7. A player may land on 67. In this case, if they throw a one, they advance to 68 and are finished. If they throw a 2, 3, 4, or 5, they advance the appropriate number of squares. If they throw a six, they stay on 67 and roll again their next turn. 8. A player may go beyond square 68 on their roll. If they land on 72, they slide back to 51. However, if they land on 69, 70 or 71, they must throw the die each time it is their turn until they advance to the next possible square. They have to k eep throwing the die each time it is their turn until they land exactly on square 72, from which they slide back to 51 for another try.
Playing On-Line You can click this link, Victoria and Albert Musuem, to play the traditional Jain version of Snakes and Ladders on-line.
Sanskrit Terms for Each Square 1. janma: birth 2. maya: illusion 3. krodh: anger 4. lobh: greed 5. bhu-loka: earth plane 6. moha: delusion 7. mada: conceit or vanity 8. matsar or matsarya: avarice 9. kama-loka: plane of sensuality 10. shuddhi: purification 11. gandharvas: devas of music 12. eirsha: envy 13. antariksha: higher astral plane 14. bhuvar-loka: lower astral plane 15. naga-loka: underworld 16. dwesh: jealousy 17. daya: mercy or compassion 18. harsha-loka: plane of joy 19. karma-loka: plane of karma 20. daan: giving 21. saman paap: atonement 22. dharma-loka: plane of dharma 23. swarga-loka: heavenly plane 24. ku-sang-loka: world of bad company 25. su-sang-loka: world of good company 26. dukh: sorrow 27. parmarth: selfless service 28. sudharma: true faith 29. adharma: false faith 30. uttam gati: good tendencies 31. yaksha-loka: plane of nature spirits 32. maha- or mahar-loka: plane of devas 33. gandha-loka: plane of fragrance
34. rasa-loka: plane of flavor 35. narka-loka: netherworld 36. swatch: clarity 37. jnana: wisdom 38. prana-loka: plane of energy 39. apana-loka: plane of elimination 40. vyana-loka: plane of circulation 41. jana-loka: creative plane 42. agni-loka: plane of fire 43. manushya-janma: human birth 44. avidya: false knowledge 45. suvidya: right knowledge 46. vivek: conscience 47. Saraswati: Goddess of Wisdom 48. Yamuna: River Yamuna 49. Ganga: River Ganga 50. tapa-loka: plane of austerity 51. prithvi: earth 52. himsa-loka: plane of violence 53. jala-loka: plane of water 54. bhakti-loka: plane of devotion 55. ahamkara: ego 56. Omkar: plane of first sound 57. vayu-loka: plane of air 58. teja-loka: plane of light 59. satya-loka: plane of truth 60. subuddhi: positive intellect 61. durbuddhi: negative intellect 62. sukh: happiness 63. tamas: darkness 64. prakriti-loka: plane of nature 65. uranta-loka: plane of inner space 66. ananda-loka: plane of bliss 67. Vaikuntha-loka: plane of Vishnu 68. Rudra-loka: plane of Siva 69. Brahma-loka: plane of creation 70. satoguna: good qualities 71. rajoguna: active qualities 72. tamoguna: dull qualities Copyright © 2012 Hinduism Today Magazine
Snake and Ladder had its origin in India The game had its origin in India and was called Moksha Patam or Parama Padam or Mokshapat. It was used to teach Hinduism and Hindu values to children. The British renamed it as Snakes and Ladders. Now, when and who created this game? Most people believe it was created by the 13th century poet saint Gyandev. There are certain references which take the game back to 2
nd
century BC.
The ladders represented virtues and snakes vices. In the original game square 12 was faith, 51 was Reliability, 57 was Generosity, 76 was Knowledge, and 78 was Asceticism. These were the squares were the ladder was found.
Square 41 was for Disobedience, 44 for Arrogance, 49 for Vulgarity, 52 for Theft, 58 for Lying, 62 for Drunkenness, 69 for Debt, 84 for Anger, 92 for Greed, 95 for Pride, 73 for Murder and 99 for Lust. These were the squares were the snake was found. The Square 100 represented Nirvana or Moksha. The British took the game to England in 1892 and named it Snakes and Ladders and changed it according to Victorian values.
Snake and Ladder had its origin in India The game had its origin in India and was called Moksha Patam or Parama Padam or Mokshapat. It was used to teach Hinduism and Hindu values to children. The British renamed it as Snakes and Ladders. Now, when and who created this game? Most people believe it was created by the 13th century poet saint Gyandev. There are certain references which take the game back to 2 century BC.
nd
The ladders represented virtues and snakes vices. In the original game square 12 was faith, 51 was Reliability, 57 was Generosity, 76 was Knowledge, and 78 was Asceticism. These were the squares were the ladder was found.
Square 41 was for Disobedience, 44 for Arrogance, 49 for Vulgarity, 52 for Theft, 58 for Lying, 62 for Drunkenness, 69 for Debt, 84 for Anger, 92 for Greed, 95 for Pride, 73 for Murder and 99 for Lust. These were the squares were the snake was found. The Square 100 represented Nirvana or Moksha. The British took the game to England in 1892 and named it Snakes and Ladders and changed it according to Victorian values.
Read More On: games, Hinduism, India Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to Facebook Posted by Abhilash Rajendran on 25.11.06 46 comments:
Nayna said...
I enjoyed reading this post and wanted to know were these virtues written on the board? How exactly was this information interpreted and imparted to the children. Thank you
August 5, 2008 9:00 PM
Anonymous said...
Wow, you wouldve thought. October 2, 2008 5:59 AM
Anonymous said...
I loved playing the game as a child. Of course, modern versions do not have the vices and virtues printed on the board! But family seems to remember it, and that wasn't too long ago... January 24, 2009 9:18 AM
Anonymous said...
Dear sir... This site is really excellent... i was looking for various mantras on internet...fortunately i come across with this site and i found all the mantras whichever is required...i liked the most is avalabilty of various vedic chants for free... February 23, 2009 7:41 PM
Anonymous said...
Dear sir... This site is really excellent... i was looking for various mantras on internet...fortunately i come across with this site and i found all the mantras whichever is required...i liked the most is avalabilty of various vedic chants for free... March 17, 2009 3:10 AM
Anonymous said...
the hinduism is the great religion everything was written by our ancients but we people never knows how to respect our ancients and their wise saying. in this game actualy ending of the stage is reaching to hari lord vishnu . that means mukthi but in snakesand ladder they kept home
March 26, 2009 9:51 PM
Shruti said...
I seem to remember an extended version my family played when I was younger, in which the goal was not simply reaching the final square but extended beyond that. Above the hundred-square board, there were images of the Devas in a line all leading to the final image of Lord Vishnu. Once the player crossed the hundredth square, the player moved on this line until (s)he reached Lord Vishnu, presumably attaining moksha. I also remember that, when I played the game as a child, if a player was near the hundredth square but rolled the dice higher than what was required to land on the 100th square, the player needed to move to the square and then count backwards for the additional number of spaces rolled above what was needed to land on the last square. However, if I'm not mistaken, there was no such going backwards after passing the hundredth square - the player simply progressed to "moksha" faster. March 31, 2009 2:57 PM
Santosh said...
This information is really a piece to be passed to next generations. May be we can make our children play and telling them these meaning of each snake and relavant troubles with those bad habits. April 4, 2009 10:21 PM
Anonymous said...
The game is called vaikunTapALI in Telugu. May 30, 2009 11:57 PM
Anonymous said...
Do you know of anyplace where an original version of the game can be purchased? I saw one at the Meenakshi Temple about a year ago -- just a postersized paper version; I intended to pick up a copy on my way out, forgot, and have regretted it since. June 30, 2009 11:31 AM
abhilash said...
no i am also searching...encouraging to hear that you saw it near Madurai Meenakshi Temple.... June 30, 2009 11:42 AM
Shruti said...
I was also given one in paper form (from a mandir I believe) but I don't remember exactly from where... July 20, 2009 7:55 AM
Anonymous said...
Harish Johari wrote a book and reproduced the game. Called Leela, it is a wonderful and amazing instructional device. September 19, 2009 1:22 AM
Anonymous said...
Friends,
This game is available in all book shops in Andhra Pradesh in paper form.
But, The Blocks are named in Telugu.
Some one must put the Efforts to get it printed in their Respective Languages and give it as a Compliment on the eve of something like a NewYear.
Cost just less than Rs.5 per sheet.
Jai Sanathana Dharma !!! September 21, 2009 5:27 PM
prasadkulkarni said...
This is really very interesting. We Indians have devalued our own creations. When we have something of our own, we don't value it. But when the same thing comes through WESTERN land, we worship it as God. It was interesting to learn that the game was used to teach different virtues to the children. Nice post. October 17, 2009 10:13 AM
Amol said...
Hello, My name is Amol. Rashi is Simha. Birthdate is 23/06/1977. I wish to know b y when my Sade Sati is going to get over ? What is the phase of Sade Sati currently going on ? When will I see good days in all my areas ?? November 6, 2009 4:59 PM
Radhe Krishna said...
This Parama Padam chart is available in Tamil at Srirangam Temple shops. By the by the word 'Hinduism' is a coinage by the British and it is not a religion as depicted by the British. It is Sanatana Dharm - a way of life - code of conduct. If you think deeply, most of the problems of poor understanding of our rich culture is due to poor and wrong translation of our literature. The British twisted / tweaked all these to suit their purpose of establishing her rule. Another biggest setback with us is anything foreign will be blindly aped and followed and fail to appreciate our own. Radhe Krishna November 10, 2009 9:55 AM
sunitha said...
This is a wonderful piece of information, appreciate your effort and time to blog this. Thankyou. I request all readers to spread such information to other and hope it will help many to recognise and admire the knowledge welath and rich heritage of our country. thank you. Sunitha Ragavan December 14, 2009 10:13 AM
Anil said...
There is one Mokshapat available in Amraoti, maharashtra. This Mokshapat is desined by Samanway Maharshi Shri Gulabrao Maharaj. his period was f rom 1881 to 1915. He was blind from childhood, he has contributed about 134 books on various topics mainly on BHAKTI MARG. He was deciple of Dnyaneshwar Maharaj. Information about Sant Gulabrao maharaj is available on web site. i shall try to post his version of Mokshapat as soon as it is available to me in soft version. I have seen it and played it.This mokshapat teaches the teaching of sanatan Dharma. December 27, 2009 6:59 PM
Hayagriva Dasan said...
Om Namo Nayanaaya I am fortunate to read this article Today on Vaikunda Ekadesi.Thanks for this wonderful article.God bless you - Krithigaivasan Radhakrishnan December 28, 2009 1:59 PM
Anonymous said...
I have the soft version of Mokshapat designed by Samanvay Maharshi Shri Gulabrao Maharaj. He was the desciple of Shri Dnyaneshwar Maharaj or Gyandev. If you are interested please request me on
[email protected]. Its very nice game and its much beyond the Snake n Ladder.
It has more than 350 squared divided levels. At the start you are at "Janmasthan" and gradually you need to move to "Moksha" level. Inbetween it will take us through various good and bad things and its results in terms of ladders n snakes. Jai Bharat ! February 26, 2010 11:40 PM
Anonymous said...
The "paramapada sopana pata" as the name says, is about the "sopaana"s or stages in evolution. Virtue-vice is itself a kind of victorian dichotomy. The ladders are not virtues in the traditional ladder, they are rather attainments or siddhis. The snakes are forms of ignorance/inability (avidya/asamarthya), they are called viparyayas. Essentially, there are two kinds principles in this game: 1. The overall scheme is about evolution, moving from manifestation to culminating in liberation. 2. Each player goes through cycles of ladders and snakes, and his evolution is not linear but cyclic. The exit condition for the cycle exists, and its breakage is liberation. Nevertheless, the whole game is cyclic. They establish beyond doubt that the game is designed to represent the traditional Hindu view of life, so the question is not about its historic origin. It is about how well we understand life through the game, how much we bring up kids with those values. March 20, 2010 11:57 AM
ManojMavelikara said...
gooddddddddddd March 22, 2010 8:09 PM
mohini said...
The multi gifted Harish Johari has published this game in a lovely manner under the name "Leela - The Game of Self Knowledge" it comes with a very nice hard board, information booklet and piecesfor play and is well presented. You can find it at AMAZON.COM
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leela-Game-Knowledge-HarishJohari/dp/0892814195
Thank you for a wonderful website!! March 25, 2010 8:28 AM
Biglee said...
it is nice to see that the work of our ancestors is brought to light. good read cheers, Biglee August 26, 2010 2:46 PM
Anonymous said...
Can anyone post a link to a downloadable version of the game - I imagine it would be a hi res image which others could simply print out at their end. the amazon link is showing new one priced at 23 pounds and some opportunists selling used one at 137 pounds. To me that is a lot of money for a board game, esp a board game that is one piece of paper and 2 dice !! Will somebody solve this issue ? September 5, 2010 7:58 AM
Anonymous said...
Dear Abhilash, Thanks for ur Gr8 efforts to keep live our culture, God bless u !!!
As per Mr. / Ms. Mohini's feedback as quoted below : mohini said... The multi gifted Harish Johari has published this game in a lovely manner under the name "Leela - The Game of Self Knowledge" it comes with a very nice hard board, information booklet and piecesfor play and is well presented.
I want to know the details of Indian Publisher from whom, I can buy "Leela The Game of Self Knowledge" . I hv visited many sites, but not able to find any details of availability of this book. In case, if u know the website details from where i can download this GAME in pdf format, pls inform me. My mail id is Awaiting ur valuable reply. Thanks bn pls reply. September 11, 2010 11:40 AM
Anonymous said...
this post is interesting..... do you have any post on Karva Chauth? September 30, 2010 9:56 AM
Anonymous said...
Dear Bandhu, Namastae, please let me invite your attention to the 1st picture given in the snake and ladder wrong. The snakes are from the lower value to the higher values. It should be higher values to the lower. sincerely bala. January 23, 2011 8:48 PM
Anonymous said...
the snakes and ladders, or paramapada spoana patam is available across Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad in several book shops. This game is played especially during shiva ratri, during the night to stay awake. This costs only around Rs.5. January 28, 2011 5:04 PM
Anonymous said...
thank for the info. this blog is a magic! January 31, 2011 2:02 PM
Lorretta said...
Never knew snakes and ladders originated in india. February 21, 2011 3:31 PM
Sayani Roy Chowdhury said...
Jai Sri Hari!!! One thing that I could not understand in this game is ...how in real life we reach at every squares of virtue and vice....unlike in the game where we reach it by throw of dice, obviously in real life situation, i hope, there is no place of probability..... Can any one tell me whether in real life probability or chances has a role to play in reaching squares of virtue and vice??? Hari om Tatsat February 22, 2011 1:14 PM
Lorretta said...
Is this really the origin of snakes and ladders? I never realised it had religious connotations. February 28, 2011 5:16 PM
Anonymous said...
Hi - I am really delighted to discover this. Good job! May 29, 2011 12:36 PM
Anonymous said...
I only played this game when I was young and now I want t o get one again to see how things changed.. I think, old is gold...
September 19, 2011 9:46 AM
Amit said...
I am so happy to learn this fact.Thanks for sharing this across.. October 16, 2011 1:41 AM
laddercentre said...
New information about the origin of this game. I never thought it started from India. The game is so popular and until now it's being played by most kids even adults as well. October 21, 2011 12:06 AM
Anonymous said...
Please find the board of Game "Mokshapat" by Gulabrao Maharaj is uploaded at link below: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/109763208225744942518/albums/56716720 95571628753 November 6, 2011 6:01 AM
Anonymous said...
As above, it is often said that Sanatana Dharm is "a way of life - code of conduct". It would be helpful to know what the "way" consists in, and how it is different from other ways - or what is outside that "way". Similarly, if it is a code of conduct, then what conduct is permitted, what is encouraged, and what is forbidden? In our scriptures, we find all kinds of conduct on the part of our gods: bribery, curses, multiple wives, multiple husbands, cheating, and so on. If such conduct is permitted for our gods, why is it not permitted for us? December 24, 2011 10:08 AM
Bhumika Joshi said...
Kids and elderly's both enjoy playing this game.. but hardy any one would know the backgroung story of this.. thanks for sharing.. January 12, 2012 1:56 PM
Livingwiththebarbarians said...
Hi Anonymous To call Mokshapaat, Paramapada "a board game, esp a board game that is one piece of paper and 2 dice" is offensive. I am sad and angry to read it. This is why our old irreplaceable knowledge is vanishing - because it is not valued. Think about the information and the learning we get from it - and how our journey towards God will get faster and easier when we learn the knowledge in it. That is the real value of the game - mokshapaat, paramapada - the name says it all. Lila is another name for God's play - you know it. It makes me so sad to see what people think of their own treasures that others in the west are eargerly snapping up. DO you know how many people in the west are paying thousands of Euros/Dollars to learn Yoga and Jyotish and Ayurveda? People don't think 23 pounds is too much for a dinner, for a saree, jewellery, a bottle of foreign alcohol - all Tamasic / asuric things...But for Sattwik knowledge that leads to heaven - its too, too much... January 18, 2012 4:07 AM
rishal said...
Really interesting information. in my country is also very popular game and is played by children. unexpected turns of this game comes from india. thank you January 21, 2012 6:34 AM
Sri Falguni said...
it is called Vaikuntapali in Telugu.., happy to learn more info about it February 7, 2012 11:50 AM
Sri Falguni said...
It is called as Vaikuntapali in Telugu. Happy to see more info about it. February 7, 2012 11:52 AM
Anonymous said...
How to play this game? It looks like snakes are also like ladders in the indian version unlike english version. March 4, 2012 11:25 A
Mokshapat: Snake and Ladder had its origin in India The game had its origin in India and was called Moksha Patam or Parama Padam or Mokshapat. It was used to teach Hindu Dharma and Hindu values to children. The British renamed it as Snakes and Ladders. The game was created by the 13th century poet saint Gyandev. The ladders in the game represented virtues and the snakes indicated vices. The game was played with cowrie shells and dices. Later through time, the game underwent several modifications but the meaning is the same i.e good deeds take us to heaven and evil to a cycle of re-births. There are certain references which take the game back to 2nd century BC.
Indian Snakes and Ladders game (1700’s AD)
In the original game square 12 was faith, 51 was Reliability, 57 was Generosity, 76 was Knowledge, and 78 was Asceticism. These were the squares were the ladder was found. Square 41 was for Disobedience, 44 for Arrogance, 49 for Vulgarity, 52 for Theft, 58 for Lying, 62 for Drunkenness, 69 for Debt, 84 for Anger, 92 for Greed, 95 for Pride, 73 for Murder and 99 for Lust. These were the squares were the snake was found. The Square 100 represented Nirvanaor Moksha. Also known as ‘paramapadam’, there are a hundred squares on a board; the ladders take you up, the snakes bring you down. The difference here is that the squares are illustrated. The top of the ladder depicts a God, or one of the various heavens (kailasa, vaikuntha, brahmaloka) and so on, while the bottom describes a good quality. Conversely, each snake’s head is a negative qualit y or an asura (demon). As the game progresses, the various karma andsamskara, good deeds and bad, take you up and down the board. Interspersed are plants, people and animals. The game serves a dual purp ose: entertainment, as well as dos and don’ts, divine reward and punishment, ethical values and morality. The final goal leads to Vaikuntha or heaven, depicted by Vishnu surrounded by his devotees, or Kailasa with Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha and Skanda, and their devotees. In this age of moral and ethical degeneration, this would be a good way of teaching values to children who think they already know more than their parents. If paramapadam teaches moral values, pallankuli develops skill and quick thinking. Two players compete on a board consisting of between seven and twenty pits per player; each player has to collect the coins or shells or seeds with which the game is played, the player with the maximum number being the winner. There are nine variations of this game, each a ‘pandi’, with regional, caste and religious variations. It was very popular among women
and required a good memory and alertness, as they had to c ount and remember the number of coins or seeds accumulated by the opponent. The British took the game to England in 1892 and named it Snakes and Ladders and changed it according to Victorian values.
