CLICK ON ANY SQUARE TO REFLECT ON THE WORD
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Hope you are enjoying playing the game MokshaTrek.
This website is specially created to help you reflect on each word on the board game.
"THE INITIATION" helps you reflect on the word in the square you occupy in the game MokshaTrek.
You may reinterpret any word in your own way and discuss it with others.
Whether playing alone or with family and friends, the game is not just about reaching the goal first.
It is about understanding who you are and the path you are on...
MokshaTrek is a board game with a fresh take on Snakes and Ladders. Check the Rules sheet, Roll the dice, and start playing! MokshaTrek can be played solo or with others. Children can play it for pure fun even without the Rules. Older players and families can use it to spark conversations about choices and values.
ORIGIN (आदि)
This square represents the starting point of one’s journey. It is where one currently is and what one knows. Whether one recognizes it or not, the journey is already underway.Never a straight line, the journey meanders through various experiences. So let’s roll the dice!
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
1 ORIGIN
Share a story of where you or your family comes from...
OR
Talk about a personal new beginning.
2
ARROGANCE (दम्भ)
The dividing line between arrogance and confidence is thin. But you can easily spot an arrogant person. You can sense it in how someone speaks to or looks at others.Arrogance arises from a false sense of superiority when a person assumes that his or her success is entirely due to their own efforts.This kind of ego can undo the person’s progress.
3
CONFUSION (भ्रम)
Not knowing what to do next? Caught in two minds? Procrastinating? News, social media posts, sales, opnions, and all kinds of information hit us all the time. Our senses are overwhelmed. Our minds are constantly full of noise and our senses overwhelmed. A mind full of such noise is confused and cannot decide properly.The more we try to solve our problems, the more we engage our overwhelmed senses. Our tired senses and confused minds prevent us from discerning what we truly know and don’t know, causing illusions.
CONFLICT (संघर्ष)
One source of conflict is differences with others. Another lies within us The opposing forces of desires and duties, expectations and our urges, and inertia and need to do better pull us in different directions. Internal conflicts are often hidden. Unknown to us, internal conflicts drain us and weigh us down. They reduce our capacity to tolerate differences with others. We easily get angry, leading to more conflicts. We may evolve, but our anger drags us back into the conflict zone, nullifying our gains.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
4 CONFLICT
You are stuck in inner conflict. Move back to Square 1 Unless you are coming from HELL - then skip a turn instead.
COMPASSION (करुणा)
Feeling others’ pain or misery makes us human. Sensitivity to anything other than our own pleasure or gain is essential for kindness. Compassion makes the world better.It gives a much-needed respite from ‘might is right’ patterns of behaviours. Compassion lifts us above our base behaviour. It is a stepping stone to our spiritual growth.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
5 COMPASSION
Swap places with a player behind you to lift them up. OR Share one way you recently helped someone.
6
BAD HABITS (दुर्व्यसन)
Habits make us. Good habits like cleanliness, orderliness, meticulousness, industriousness, etc. help us reach our full potential.On the other hand, bad habits like indulgence in sensory pleasures, laziness, sloppiness, avoiding responsibilities, stealing fruits of others’ labour etc. trap us in a vicious cycle and hold us back. We form bad habits due to bad company.
7
SELFISHNESS (स्वार्थ)
Thinking and acting solely for our own benefit is selfish behavior. While it may appear rational at times, selfishness is ultimately short-sighted. People quickly notice when we act selfishly, and begin to distance themselves from us.Selfishness clouds our judgment, leading to poor decisions that harm us in the long run. Greed fuels this mindset, making us desire more and take what does not belong to us. It leads us deeper into selfishness. It is a pitfall.
8
ENVY (ईर्ष्या)
Another pitfall to avoid is envy. It arises when we see others with more—like a bigger house, higher status, or greater talent—and feel unhappy about lacking the same. We may not even need those things, or we may need to work hard to earn them. Jealousy, though different, often appears alongside envy—it brings fear of losing what we already have.Both emotions cloud our focus and drain our peace. Success depends on many factors beyond effort. Instead of wasting energy on envy it is wiser to focus on actions within our control. That is where real progress begins.
ATTACHMENT (आसक्ति)
We equate our identities with our possessions, achievements, status, designation, popularity, etc. Surprisingly, we also define ourselves by our illnesses, setbacks, or problems! Just as we don’t let anyone belittle our achievements, we don’t like our problems or challenges being downplayed by others. We are deeply attached to the way we see ourselves. This attachment is very strong. We assume that having more, receiving more praise, or gaining recognition improves our self-worth. We keep chasing them. That is how our desire for these lead to more attachment and unfulfilled desire leads to stronger attachment. Attachment to the results of our actions puts hurdles in our paths. True freedom begins when we act without clinging to the outcomes.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
9 ATTACHMENT
You are deeply attached to one of your possessions and fear losing them. Stay on this square for your next turn and tell us what you are most attached to and why.
SPEECH (वाणी)
We speak to communicate our feelings, convey thoughts, declare intentions, to seek help, or to command. Speech, like compassion, is a distinctive mark of our humanness. Our speech conveys more than the words used. Our speech affects others. Our speech also affects us due to a multiplier effect. When we encourage others, we encourage ourselves many times over. The same is true when we discourage or hurt others. Our power of speech needs to be used wisely for worldly success and personal growth.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
10 SPEECH
Give another player a genuine compliment. OR Pick a topic and argue one point in favour and one against.
11
ARDUOUS EFFORTS (तप)
Success needs arduous efforts. Whatever the goal, diligent, consistent, and untiring efforts help us achieve it. This process is golden because it trains us in several areas – concentration, resilience, obtaining feedback, applying corrections, avoiding distractions, and sacrificing things that are less important. If we get anything without much effort, we may feel happy but it doesn’t make us feel fulfilled. Therefore, arduous efforts is a ladder to fulfilment.
12
EALOUSY (असूया)
Fear of losing something precious causes jealousy. This fear makes us commit mistakes like insulting or harming others. We wouldn’t do these things if we weren’t jealous. Jealousy puts us in a mental siege. We become insensitive to others’ feelings. The prospect of losing what we cherish consumes us and we slide down to the state of envy - we begin to crave what may not rightfully be ours. This restless longing pulls us further away from peace and clarity.
13
SELF REGULATION (स्वनियमन)
Developing self-regulation is essential for true progress. It means keeping our thoughts and emotions in balance, and staying mindful of pitfalls like anger, greed, and envy. As the saying goes, “One who masters the mind can master the world.” Self-regulation brings calmness, sharper focus, and better quality in whatever we do. Hindu spiritual practices like Yoga, Pranayama, and meditation help cultivate it naturally, without force. Pushing too hard can backfire—self-regulation is a slow, steady journey. It is the key to stilling the restless mind.
MIND (मन)
Our mind is full of thoughts—feelings, reflections, plans, and intentions. It is always active, constantly processing and generating more. Often, these thoughts snowball and feed into one another. To be diligent, efficient, and creative in our work, we need to calm our mind and direct it towards whatever goals we have. A still mind is a great mind.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
14 MIND
Close your eyes for a minute. What thought lingers? Share it. OR Close your eyes and visualize a room or landscape. Describe what it looks like and the memories it holds.
15
GENEROSITY (उदारता)
Generosity is easy to understand but difficult to practice. Even a small act of generosity – helping an infirm person cross the street, giving food to the hungry, teaching useful life-skills to the young, etc. – lifts our spirits. Acts of generosity without any sense of superiority, pity, or expecting anything in return expand our minds beyond the self-imposed barriers. Hindu Dharma, a way of life, places such generous acts on a high pedestal. Generosity is a ladder to bliss.
16
ANGER (क्रोध)
There are many reasons for our anger such as insults, disobeyed instructions, injustice. Often, we feel justified in getting angry -for example, when it is about social inequities, wasting food etc. Yet, anger hurts us even if we feel it is justified. While anger rouses us to act, it also impairs our judgment. We may not realize it, but ego, fear, greed, and even grief can be the hidden causes of anger. Trying to manage anger without understanding its root causes is both frustrating and counter-productive. Unresolved anger pushes us down into internal or external conflicts and impedes our progress.
WATER (जल)
Life is unthinkable without water. Water is a major constituent of our bodies. Our planet’s surface is mostly water. Water satiates parched throats, nourishes us, and gets rid of toxins in our bodies. Staying well hydrated promotes our wellbeing. Water takes the shape of its vessel and reflects what is above. It teaches us to adapt. Still water soothes, but stagnant water spreads diseases. Water must flow. Likewise, we must move and adapt. Water is one the five Pancha Mahabhutas according to Hindu philosophy. Its significance goes beyond its material properties.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
17 WATER
Water is life. Bring a glass of water for everyone in the room. OR Share a feeling you would like to wash away.
18
INTELLECT (मेधा)
Intellect, like compassion and speech, sets humans apart from other animals. While animals have strong senses—sometimes even sharper than ours—our intellect helps us interpret, compare, and find meaning in what we sense. It allows us to think abstractly, create, and make choices. This power has helped humans build tools and shape the world. But intellect is a double-edged weapon—it can be used for good or harm. That’s why it must be guided by one’s duty, and the higher principles of Sanatana Dharma.
HYPOCRISY (दम्भ)
The desire to appear superior, to gain acceptance, or to be popular causes hypocrisy. When people put on behaviours that are not consistent with what they practice, it is called hypocrisy. Hypocrisy not only misleads others, but it also alienates us from our true selves. It misdirects our efforts away from our responsibilities and growth. Sages and wise people, therefore, consider hypocrisy to be our enemy.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
19 HYPOCRISY
Go back 6 squares and reflect aloud on how hypocrisy harms you. OR Share one belief you live by, and recall a time when your actions may have contradicted it, even if unintentionally.
HELL (नरक)
Hell is not someplace else; it is here on the Earth. Hell is a state of deep suffering that can exist in this very world. Unbearable physical pain, severe illness, or the weight of past misdeeds can make life feel like hell. Those who engage in violence and cruelty often find themselves trapped in such torment, experiencing the consequences of their actions.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
20 HELL
Move forward 4 squares and share a bad habit. Also skip one turn.
21
SELF STUDY (स्वाध्याय)
The habit of self-study (independent learning) is highly recommended. Self-study means repeated cycles of learning, understanding, practice, and improvement in any particular pursuit. Its motivation comes from within. A Clear goal and intent, motivation, diligence, resilience, and endurance are necessary for self-study. Those who are engaged in self-study are eventually gifted with intuition and inspiration. Such people also inspire others to go beyond their perceived limitations. Therefore, self-study is a ladder to inspiration.
MEDITATION (ध्यान)
The commonest form of meditation is being totally absorbed in whatever one is doing - praying, painting, writing, coding, running… When one is in this state, time passes imperceptibly. One can be aware of the surroundings without getting disturbed. It is an active rest. Meditation reduces stress, improves intuition and creativity. When practiced as a part of Yogic discipline, meditation helps one progress on the path toward attaining Moksha.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
22 MEDITATION
Say one calming thought aloud. OR Everyone sits silently for 15 seconds, then shares one peaceful word.
23
FULFILLMENT (तृप्ति)
Fulfilment is not just satiety or contentment—it comes from doing something truly worthwhile. It arises when one acts with deep purpose and offers the very best of oneself. A teacher may feel it when a student excels, a doctor when a patient recovers, a mother when her child takes their first steps. A fulfilling act is its own reward. It brings gratitude, not pride. True fulfilment is humbling—it springs from the peace of purpose. The acts that lead to fulfilment may seem simple, but attaining it is not easy, because one has to be ready for it. Arduous efforts put one near the ladder to fulfilment.
24
BAD COMPANY (कुसंग)
The company you keep influences you. Their influences may be obvious or subtle, immediate or long term, but they definitely shape your behaviour. If you are in the company of people who are lazy, dishonest, cut corners, or waste time in merely criticizing others or passing comments, their habits can rub off on you even if you don’t approve their behaviours. We know that the young ones are more vulnerable to picking up bad habits from bad company. But we often fail to realize that even mature adults are susceptible to lowering their guard down. In the company of inefficient or sloppy people, you may start underperforming and become habituated to it. Bad company traps one in the morass of bad habits, from which escape is difficult.
25
ONE’S DUTY (स्वधर्म)
Whether one’s duties arise from circumstances like financial situation, family responsibilities, or place of living, or one has voluntarily accepted them, they must be discharged to the best of one’s abilities and resources. This is the foundation of any civilized society. Such a society provides security and opportunities to us to survive, thrive, and strive for self-development. Performing duties well is a ladder to achieving purity of purpose and spiritual progress.
BREATH (श्वास)
We live because we breathe. Our breath connects us with the world in obvious and subtle ways. We feel the breath only when we are calm and pay attention or when we are we are exerting ourselves heavily, very agitated, or highly excited. We can feel air flowing and out in such situations. Breath reflects our mental states like anger and calm, excitement and tranquillity, etc. Those who practice Yoga and meditation according Hindu Yogic methods can sense the finer aspects of breath. Breath puts us in touch with our inner self and the world around us.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
26 BREATH
Take 3 deep breaths with everyone. Then have a breath-holding contest! The person who holds the breath the longest moves ahead 1 square.
DISHONESTY (बेईमानी)
People who cheat others not only cause harm to others but they also harm themselves. Others quickly recognize dishonest people and start avoiding them. Dishonest people abandon their duties and become a burden on society. Dishonesty is an enemy of both the individual and society. It is a shortcut that may appear to be attractive, but it is actually very costly.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
27 DISHONESTY
You believe dishonesty might help you get ahead - move forward 2 squares. Now reflect: when was someone dishonest with you, and how did it feel?
28
GOOD COMPANY (सत्संग)
Good people create an atmosphere of positivity and doing good deeds. Their company shows us possibilities and inspires us. Good company has a positive influence on us. Children are impressionable, and adults can also get influenced by their company. Being in good company is the easiest and best way to develop good habits that are essential for material and spiritual progress.
29
GREED (लोभ)
Greed is the craving for more—whether or not we need it, whether or not we’ve earned it. Once greed takes hold, everything else fades. It clouds judgment and narrows vision. Greed is a powerful force that turns our focus inward, making us think only of ourselves. It breeds selfishness. Even capable and accomplished people can fall prey to it. Greed is no friend—it is an enemy that drags us deeper into selfishness, cutting us off from clarity, kindness, and wisdom.
30
PEACE (शान्ति)
Silence is not the same as peace. You could be alone in a quiet room with no distractions, yet still feel restless. True peace is not just the absence of noise—it is a state of mind. While quiet surroundings can support it, they are not enough on their own. Peace is a precious gift that you receive in deep contemplation or in meditation, without striving for it. Even a single moment of real peace refreshes and nourishes the soul.
AIR (वायु)
Like water, air is essential for life. It fills empty spaces. It is one of the Pancha Mahabhootas. Good health is possible only when the air is pure. Air connotes sensory perception, change, movement, and lightness. We need these qualities for progress in life. Excessive or unbalanced air element causes fickleness and leads us astray. The Yogic practice of pranayama helps us helps us regulate and balance the air element in our body.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
31 AIR
Fan someone, like you are their royal servant, for 15 seconds with great flair and fun! OR Burp loudly to release air from your belly. (If you can't, make your best fake burp sound. Big blessings for echo effects!)
32
CARELESSNESS (लापरवाही)
Carelessness is an attitude, not ineptitude. Inability to perform well can be addressed through training, practice, and evaluation. Carelessness is difficult to cure, because it is an attitude. Carelessness is picked up early in life. Lack of good role models or poor upbringing are some of the reasons. Laziness can cause carelessness. Careless people put themselves and others at risk.
33
BAD DEEDS (दुष्कर्म)
The acts that hurt others – like robbery, violence, etc., or shirking responsibilities (Adharma), harming vulnerable people like the poor or the old & the infirm, killing animals etc. are bad deeds. By the law of ‘what goes around comes around, ‘bad deeds come back to haunt those who commit them. One bad deed leads to another and one gets embroiled in them. Temptation drives one to do bad deeds, because it affects judgment and weakens self-control. It is easy to see that bad deeds obstruct one’s progress.
LIGHT (प्रकाश)
Light, like air and water, is essential for life. Light is needed to perpetuate oxygen-carbon dioxide cycles through photosynthesis and water-vapor-cloud-rain cycles on the earth. Light is another of the Panch Mahabhootas. Light is considered to be the first visible and tangible manifestation of God and therefore equated with knowledge and wisdom. The time of the dawn and the rising sun is especially conducive to prayer and devotion, and to deep learning and meditation. Light and its symbols like the Sun are highly revered in Hinduism.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
34 LIGHT
Name a person who brings light into your life or the lives of others. OR Light a candle/incense stick.
INACTION (निष्क्रियता)
Inaction is the opposite of life, since life means movement, motion, or activity. Even while we are sleeping we are active – our body is repairing and rebuilding itself and our mind is ridding itself of useless or harmful remnants of thought. Inaction that hurts us is due to procrastination or laziness. It can also be the result of unwillingness to face unpleasant decisions or fear. Inaction, like laziness, is an enemy of progress.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
35 INACTION
On your next turn, roll the dice but don’t move. Inaction delays progress.
36
RIGHT WAY (धर्म मार्ग)
Of all the concepts in the Hindu way of life, the Right Way, is the most fundamental and directly applicable to our daily lives. Right Way focuses on understanding, discovering, and discharging our duties – what we ought to do in order to sustain, nourish, help ourselves and others improve. The right way is personal, but the duties must be in synch with what is needed for social stability and upliftment. The hierarchy of duties starts with self and family and it extends to one’s neighbourhood, society, country, mankind, and to all that exists in the universe. Unsurprisingly, conduct in the right way is a ladder to the realization of one’s ultimate duty – just a step away from the Moksha.
SKY (आकाश)
The Pancha Mahabhoota that symbolizes space is Sky. Space holds everything in it. Space is outside and inside things too. Even the densest substances, even smallest things like atoms have space within them. The sky encompasses our world. A clear sky makes us makes us feel optimistic, whereas a dark grey can kill our enthusiasm. Like the other Pancha Mahabhootas, the Sky element has a profound influence on our well-being.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
37 SKY
Describe your sky-high dream as if it is already real.
38
INSPIRATION (प्रेरणा)
Inspiration sets our imagination free. Only what we imagine can become a reality. Therefore inspired minds and inspired efforts have limitless potential. All innovation and inventions are possible only because of inspiration. Anyone can receive an inspiration or an idea. It is just a flash. However only a few act on it. Long and rigorous self-study prepares us for acting on inspiration.
RESILIENCE (सहनीयता)
The strength of our character and body is best displayed by our resilience in facing difficulties. It helps us bear the hardships inherent in learning, meeting our goals, and achieving anything worth our while. Our resilience lets us be empathetic and compassionate toward others in adverse situations. It lets us avoid distractions and resist temptations of escaping the hardships. Our resilience lets focus on our path – our duty. Building physical, emotional, and intellectual resilience is a fundamental part of one’s duty.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
39 RESILIENCE
Leap to the square just ahead of the player before you. If you are already in the front, share a challenge you overcame.
40
DONATE (दान)
Readiness to donate what one has to others who need it, is a praiseworthy trait in humans, because taking away things from others is not sustainable. Giving builds relations, families, communities, nations, and the world. Donating without expecting anything in return - not even credit or Punya - frees the giver of disappointment or pride. Donating without any expectations elevates one’s mind and connects one with one’s higher self. It aligns one’s actions with the path to heaven.
SERVICE (सेवा)
Service is an act of giving what is needed by the recipient. Strong or weak, rich or poor, able-bodied and infirm, intelligent or dull – everyone can spend a part of one’s life providing service. Service done with humility and dedication uplifts those engaged in it. Selfless service offered to the best of one’s ability is like tapa—it purifies the one who serves. This path of spiritual growth is open to all.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
41 SERVICE
Roll the dice and move another player forward by that number. OR Do a small act of service right now.
42
PURITY (शुद्धि)
Everyone understands purity. But purity of purpose is difficult to grasp. When an act is done without fear or favour, without any expectation of reward and without any desire to own its result, the purpose behind it is pure. Such purity propels us forward toward our goals. People are attracted to those who have purity of purpose – for example, saints. Every act of performing one’s duty with purity helps build our skills, strength, and resilience. Achieving purity is a very important stage in one’s development.
EARTH (पृथ्वी)
One of the Pancha Mahabhutas, earth gives us substance and support. It gives us the environment to live. Earth’s atmosphere and water in the rivers and oceans make life possible. Its water-vapour and Carbon dioxide – Oxygen cycles are essential for life. Earth sustains us through food. At a psychological level, earth keeps us grounded in reality. It teaches us to strike roots and draw from the wisdom revealed by the sages over millennia. It teaches us to be realistic and humble. Regular contact with the earth is essential for our health and all-round development.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
43 EARTH
Discuss and share 3 ways to protect the Earth. OR Describe your current mood using nature terms.
44
DESIRE (कामना)
Desires are necessary for life. But desires beyond what we need to live and fulfil our duty, trap us in an unending swamp of attachment. Hindu Dharma philosophy recognizes such wayward or excessive desire to be one of the six enemies that pull us away from the path of achieving our worldly and spiritual goals.
45
DETACHMENT (वैराग्य)
To have resources, possessions, and power, and to use them for one’s duty and growth—yet remain unattached to them—is true detachment. According to the Karma Yoga taught in Bhagvad Gita, detachment is not from one’s actions. Detachment is from the expectation of their results and from the desire to possess the fruits. The very act of living involves action but staying detached from their fruits is our ladder to true and unblemished happiness.
RELIABILITY (विश्वसनीयता)
Trust comes from reliability. Reliability comes from sticking to your commitments and fulfilling them. But you can’t be reliable if you are not competent and focused. Good intentions aren’t enough to be reliable. Years of learning, self-regulation, and a keen sense of duty are essential to be considered reliable because if you can rely on yourself, others can rely on you. Therefore, reliability must be within and it is a stepping stone for your progress.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
46 RELIABILITY
Describe who or what you can count on, and why.
SELF CONTROL (आत्मसंयम)
It is said that one who controls oneself, gains the power to influence others and surroundings. Self-control helps one to overcome enemies like bad habits, anger, greed, and desire. Self-control helps one stay on the straight and narrow right way, fulfil one’s duty, and remain detached. It comes from patient practice. Yoga helps one develop self-control.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
47 SELF-CONTROL
In your next turn, roll twice but move forward only by the lower number.
48
DISCERNING (विवेक)
Ability to zero down on what one needs to do when faced with conflicting demands is discernment. Discerning people quickly resolve paradoxes, cut through complex emotions, and distill the essence of what is at stake. The power to discern the precise nature of one’s duties in every situation comes from arduous effort, fulfilling one’s duty, and meditation. Such people overcome procrastination because they are able to understand the inherent hierarchy of duties toward self, family, society etc., and duties that depend on stages in their lives like being a student, adult, a spouse, a parent, being in an occupation, etc. A discerning person is a wise person. Discernment provides a ladder to wisdom.
49
JOY (हर्ष)
A pleasant experience makes us joyous. Simple things like a flower, a musical tune, or a smile give us joy. You get overjoyed when the pleasant experience is unexpected. Moments of joy keep us going and make it easier to face difficulties. The joy of learning something new or achieving a new milestone is special because one has earned it by resisting momentary pleasures. Hard work and focus make it sweeter.
50
BLISS (आनंद)
In true acts of generosity, a sense of calm envelops us. All efforts seem to vanish. There is a feeling of oneness with the world. One can attain bliss by performing one’s duty, practicing self-regulation, and being detached from the fruits of one’s work. The blissful state may or may not last for long, depending on one’s spiritual attainment. The Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagvad Geeta, Yoga Sutra and other Hindu Dharmic texts guide us in our journey to attain bliss and beyond.
HATRED (द्वेष)
Experiences of injustice, harm, insults - whether real or perceived - can cause hatred. Prejudices and a sense of superiority or inferiority can also cause hatred. Hatred makes us blind and impairs our judgment. Hatred leads to violence. While performing one’s duty, one may need to defend or claim what is just. But it must be done without a sense of revenge, arrogance, or hatred.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
51 HATRED
Move back 4 spaces. OR Talk about how you can transform hatred into something positive.
52
VIOLENCE (हिंसा)
There can be many reasons for violence - hate, greed, anger, revenge, etc. Violence can physical or mental (insult, humiliate etc.). Every violent act invites a reaction and can trigger an unending cycle of violent acts. Victories are temporary and there is no escape from stress of anticipated reaction from the other side. Violence therefore makes one descend into hellish experience. Violence retards one’s spiritual progress. Violence necessitated by self-defence is recognised as necessary in many legal systems. Hindu Dharma differentiates violence in course of discharging one’s duties (self-defence is one of them) from violence arising out of hatred, greed, arrogance, or revenge.
RESOLVE (संकल्प)
Learning anything new, improving one’s skills or health, fulfilling one’s duty, or achieving anything worthwhile requires firm and enduring resolve. Resilience, self-regulation, and self-control are essential for maintaining resolve. Knowing that one is following the right way makes the resolve stronger. Staying resolute in the face of obstacles builds strong character. Resolute people have a reputation for reliability.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
53 RESOLVE
Determination inspires everyone. Roll the dice. Everyone moves forward by that number.
DIVISIVE (बांटनेवाला)
Divisive behaviour is marked by harping on self versus others, and us versus them, with a narrow and selfish agenda. Divisiveness feeds on itself. It hurts teams and larger goals. Divisiveness causes hatred and violence. Ignorance of the eternal and universal truth - what you send out comes back to you manifold - causes divisiveness
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
54 DIVISIVENESS
Divide your score by two, round up, and move back that many squares. Let this remind you that being divisive sets you back more than you realize. (Example: You roll a 5. Divide it to get 2.5 (rounded up to 3) and move back 3 squares.) OR Whisper something controversial, then let the players vote silently with thumbs up or thumbs down. Move back one space for each vote against. Reflect on the experience. How did it feel to divide?
55
EGO (अहंकार)
Ego gives us an instinct for self-preservation and growth. It sustains and amplifies our self-view. Ultimately, the understanding that our ego is an expression of the eternal and universal truth helps us take further steps in our spiritual journey. Misdirected ego, however, pulls us down into arrogance. Ego is a powerful force, and it is up to us to direct it toward performing our duty.
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DISRESPECT (अनादर)
Disrespect comes from wrong notions about oneself and others. Feeling superior, greedy, hateful, or angry leads to disrespect. On a practical level, disrespect places hurdles in one’s path. Spiritually, showing disrespect to others is like dishonoring the divine creation itself. One can learn to avoid disrespectful behaviour through conscious effort and following the path of spiritual development that many sages have shown us.
LIE (असत्य)
A lie is a speech or a belief that is contrary to the facts. Lies are often used to mislead others for gain. The habit of lying separates us from others and from our own good. Incomplete or partial truth is also a lie. Our senses, even when augmented dramatically by scientific techniques, can’t tell us the whole truth. Progressing on the path of spiritual development opens our minds to higher and more profound truth.
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
57 LIE
Skip your next turn. Talk about one harmless and one harmful lie you have told. OR Say one truth and one lie about yourself. If most players correctly guess what the lie is, skip your turn. If not, play on.
POWER (शक्ति)
Power is the ability to bring about a change - physical or mental. One must develop one’s powers through learning and practice. Like intellect, power is inherently neutral. It can do good or cause harm. One’s physical, mental, and spiritual powers must be used to perform one’s duties, stay on the right way, and practice self-regulation. They need to be harnessed to stay away from bad company, and enemies of our progress like arrogance, envy, anger, etc.
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RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
58 POWER
You are powerful, and so have gotten a big ego. Move forward 5 squares.
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GOOD HABITS (सदाचार)
Our upbringing and examples set by parents and teachers help us acquire good habits in our formative years. Good habits are their gifts that last a lifetime. As we grow up, the influence of our parents and teachers wanes. Good company is crucial for young adults because it provides the best way to acquire good habits. Good habits like hard work, staying focused, and improving continuously help us in achieving our goals. Our daily habits have the power to change our lives for better or worse. Therefore, it is important to avoid bad habits and build on our good habits.
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EQUANIMITY (समत्व:)
Staying calm and focused on one’s duties regardless of the situation is equanimity. Success or failure, praise or criticism, love or hate, adversity or favourable situation don’t affect a person who is equanimous. Such people are beacons of light to others. They dispel confusion. Equanimity is a great spiritual quality. An equanimous person is close to attaining supreme bliss.
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LAZINESS (आलस्य)
Unwillingness to act despite having the ability to act is laziness. Not acting due exhaustion or confusion is not laziness. Rest after exertion is not laziness. Laziness is an attitude or a habit. It a harmful habit because it prevents learning and fulfilment of one’s duties. Laziness causes lack of attention to detail and disregard for quality which leads to carelessness. A lazy person is a burden on others.
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HAPPINESS (सुख)
A pleasing news or experience makes us happy. Such happiness fades after a while. But there is another kind of happiness that comes from performing day-to-day activities and our duties with detachment. Such happiness lasts longer because there is no fear of losing anything. Happiness that comes from discharging one’s duties without expecting anything in return is a sign of our progress in life
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ILLUSION (माया)
Illusion arises from incomplete information and limited experience. Our senses and intellect can only grasp part of reality—they miss what is too far, too small, or too subtle. This limited view creates illusion, and illusion leads to confusion. Hindu Dharma teaches us to go beyond surface appearances. It encourages self-inquiry, openness, and inner clarity. By following this path, we begin to see things as they truly are—and slowly, confusion gives way to understanding.
PROGRESS (प्रगति)
The urge to improve, overcome obstacles, and control the surroundings separates humans from animals. For a child, improvement can mean getting higher marks. An adult strives for progress of his or her family. Some people work for social change. Life is all about movement and progress. Setbacks, exhaustion, despair, and defeats can pause movement temporarily but the urge to improve always resurfaces. That is life. According to the Hindu Dharma, progressing to attain Moksha through various stages of life is every human’s right and responsibility.
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RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
64 PROGRESS
Roll and move forward by double the count. (Only move forward if you throw a 1, 2, 3 or 4. Otherwise, stay on the same square.) OR Share one recent progress you’ve made in life.
65
WISDOM (ज्ञान)
Wisdom is much more than intelligence, knowledge, or expertise. Wise people take a holistic view when dealing with any situation. They understand the limits of their knowledge and abilities. They are curious and patient at the same time. Their counsel to others is valuable because their experience and empathy offer an entirely different perspective. A profound meaning of wisdom is an ability to discern one’s duties when confronted with conflicting demands. This comes from an ability to discern the truth from illusion.
GRATITUDE (कृतज्ञता)
Even animals show gratitude. Gratitude makes day-to-day interactions easier and more pleasant. When we get the benefit of work done by others, expressing gratitude is a good practice. This is true even if the work was done as a part of their duties. Gratitude comes from the realization that we always depend on others and that no success or failure is entirely due to our individual efforts. Our very existence depends on factors beyond our control or on people we don’t even know. A deep sense of gratitude is essential to keep ourselves grounded.
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RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
66 GRATITUDE
Roll again. Stay on the square and thank that many players with a specific reason. OR Talk about why you are grateful to someone or something
SOUL (आत्मन)
Soul (Atman in Sanskrit) is the essence of one’s being. It is constant through cycles of birth and death. The Atman acquires a different form in every cycle of life. According to the Bhagavad Gita, the soul cannot be destroyed. Soul cannot be understood intellectually. It is formless. According to the Advaita (Non-dualism) philosophy, it is the same as the universal self (Brahman in Sanskrit).
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
67 SOUL
Imagine and talk about yourself in one of your past or future lives. OR Share what you think is special about yourself, and how this has helped you.
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SUPREME BLISS (परम आनंद)
Supreme bliss (Paramananda in Sanskrit) arises from spiritual awakening and realizing one’s true nature (the soul) and interconnectedness of all life forms. It is not a fleeting feeling like ordinary bliss. Arduous effort, resolve, and equanimity, while performing one’s duty take an individual on the path to experience the supreme bliss. Wisdom and mastery over various impediments like anger, greed, laziness, and others are essential in one’s spiritual journey.
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TEMPTATION (मोह)
One of the most entrenched enemies of progress is temptation. Temptation pushes us into bad deeds and rushes us into making unwise decisions. It harms us in day-to-day life—for example, by making us fall prey to scams. Even great yogis and munis have succumbed to temptation. It stunts both material and spiritual progress and traps us in further cycles of karma (the chain of cause and effect).
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HEAVEN (स्वर्ग)
Heaven is not some distant place. One can find heaven here on earth. Scenic beauty, magnificent mountains, a child’s smile and such experiences can be heavenly. But these are fleeting moments. Experiences like teaching someone and seeing them learn, or making someone happy can also be heavenly - and they last a bit longer. Fulfilling one’s duties with the spirit of donating the outcomes brings a heavenly sense of peace and joy. Yet, like many other experiences, even this heavenly feeling is temporary.
ULTIMATE DUTY (परम धर्म)
One’s duty depends on one’s unique circumstances. Duties vary based on life stages, family, social roles, responsibilities, and even the responsibilities one willingly takes on. Discharging these duties without expectation and without attachment to the fruits of the work is the right way. By following this way, one gradually comes to understand the ultimate duty that transcends specific situations.
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RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
71 ULTIMATE DUTY
You have a higher responsibility now. In the next round, if any player lands at the mouth of a snake, you may choose to save them from sliding down. You get only one chance to do this, so use it wisely. Keep playing on your turn until you roll 1 and can reach Moksha.
MOKSHA (मोक्ष)
TLiberation from the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth is Moksha. According to Hindu philosophy, attaining Moksha is the right and responsibility of every individual. The Sanatana Hindu Dharma, or the eternal way of life, guides us in our quest for Moksha. There are several paths available to an individual for attaining Moksha – for example, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga. Bhagavad-Gita and several granthas like the Dnyaneshwari are our guiding lights on the paths to be followed.
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RULE FOR THIS SQUARE
72 MOKSHA
You have to throw the exact number in the dice to reach the last square, Moksha. But the game only ends when every player reaches Moksha. Once a player reaches the Moksha square, they stay there but continue to roll the dice - not for themselves, but to help others. They may give their dice score to any player of their choice. The dice score has to be accepted by the player and cannot be declined.
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