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Buddhi Yoga (Samskrit : बुद्धियोगम्) is a game related to the commonly found game called Moksha Sopanam (Samskrit : मोक्ष-सोपानम्) or Snakes and Ladders (Samskrit : सर्प-सोपानम्) but uniquely interwoven with the concepts of [[Purushartha Drshti (पुरुषार्थदृष्टिः)|Purushartha]], [[Dharma Is Not the Same as Religion|Dharma]], [[Ashrama Dharma (आश्रमधर्मः)|Ashramas]] and other Vedic concepts into each cell of the gameboard. This unique game has found mention in many Bharatiya texts and possibly has originated in Bharatavarsha. Today, countless number of people play this game all over the globe. In this series of articles presented here we bring forward to you the evolution of this game along with Jnana integrated within it since ancient times.    

 

Buddhi Yoga (Samskrit : बुद्धियोगम्) is a game related to the commonly found game called Moksha Sopanam (Samskrit : मोक्ष-सोपानम्) or Snakes and Ladders (Samskrit : सर्प-सोपानम्) but uniquely interwoven with the concepts of Purusharthas, Dharmas, Ashramas and other Vedanta concepts into each cell of the gameboard. This unique game has found mention in many Bharatiya texts and possibly has originated in Bharatavarsha. Today, countless number of people play this game all over the globe. In this series of articles presented here we bring forward to you the evolution of this game along with Jnana integrated within it since ancient times.  

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः॥ Introduction ==

== मोक्ष-सोपानम् ॥ Moksha Sopanam ==

== मोक्ष-सोपानम् ॥ Moksha Sopanam ==

Buddhi Yoga (c) is the ancient version of the Snakes and Ladders game that we use in the present day. Based on the Moksha Sopanam, this design encodes ancient wisdom comprising of three knowledge paths or Margas of Moksha (मोक्षमार्गः) namely     

Buddhi Yoga is the ancient version of the Snakes and Ladders game that we use in the present day. Based on the Moksha Sopanam, this design encodes ancient wisdom comprising of three knowledge paths or Margas of Moksha (मोक्षमार्गः) namely     

# Tantra (तन्त्रम्) or Jnana (ज्ञानमार्गः)     

# Tantra (तन्त्रम्) or Jnana (ज्ञानमार्गः)     

# Karma (कर्ममार्गः)     

# Karma (कर्ममार्गः)     

# Bhakti (भक्तिमार्गः)     

# Bhakti (भक्तिमार्गः)     

This design comprises of 72 cells with each cell of the game board inscribed with terms from the vedanta shastras which are very relevant to the present day life. The placement of the specially inscribed words depicts the life of man, in different ashramas, at different mental and physical states taking different paths all within the framework of the Purusharthas, in their journey to understand life and attain Moksha. In a grand perspective, the gameboard represents the Kshetra (location), the player is the Manifestated Form (Man, the Jivatma embodied in an Upadhi '''formed from''' Prakrti) and the snakes represent a person's '''weaknesses (passions)''' and susceptibilities.  '''The players being a form of Prakriti are therefore referred to in the female gender during the discussion on the game.'''    

This design comprises of 72 cells with each cell of the game board inscribed with terms from the vedanta shastras which are very relevant to the present day life. The placement of the specially inscribed words depicts the life of man, in different ashramas, at different mental and physical states taking different paths all within the framework of the Purusharthas, in their journey to understand life and attain Moksha. In a grand perspective, the gameboard represents the Kshetra (location), the player is the "manifestated form" (Man, the Jivatma embodied in an Upadhi formed from Prakrti) and the snakes represent a person's weaknesses (passions) and susceptibilities.  The players being a form of Prakriti are therefore referred to in the female gender during the discussion on the game.     

The snake in last cell suggests that the game was played differently than the "race to win" game that we know today.  The rules of play as mentioned by Harish Johari in Leela and first hand encounters with some learned people in Varanasi helped in formulating the rules of play for Buddhi Yoga.    [[File:Buddhi Yoga.png|thumb|292x292px|Fundamental principles of the philosophy of Tantra.]]

The snake in last cell suggests that the game was played differently than the "race to win" game that we know today.  The rules of play as mentioned by Harish Johari in Leela and first hand encounters with some learned people in Varanasi helped in formulating the rules of play for Buddhi Yoga.    [[File:Buddhi Yoga.png|thumb|344x344px|Fundamental principles of the philosophy of Tantra.]]

== Tantra (तन्त्रम्) or Jnana Marga (ज्ञानमार्गः) ==

== Tantra (तन्त्रम्) or Jnana Marga (ज्ञानमार्गः) ==

The words on the game board are also beautifully arranged to embed within them the foundations of the path of knowledge, and inspire the player to inquire and "insplore" (search within).  

The words on the game board are also beautifully arranged to embed within them the foundations of the path of knowledge, and inspire the player to inquire and "insplore" (search within).  

For example, the cells of ''jnana'' and ''suvidya'' are on opposite ends of the first row of ''vanaprastha''.  While suvidya takes the player directly to rudraloka the abode of Shiva, jnana takes the player to anandaloka revealing to him the sat-chit-ananda nature of the brahman.  Just above ''suvidya'' is viveka.  This arrangement reminds the player of the belief in the [[wikipedia:Kaula_(Hinduism)|kaula tradition]] that there are two paths to knowledge, that of ''jnana'' which is gained through ''shabda'' and that of ''viveka'' which is gained through insight from within<ref>Shaktism, ([[wikipedia:Jnana_yoga|Jnana Yoga]])</ref>.   There are many such interesting patterns on the board game which the curious player can explore.

For example, the cells of ''jnana'' and ''suvidya'' are on opposite ends of the first row of ''vanaprastha''.  While suvidya takes the player directly to rudraloka the abode of Shiva, jnana takes the player to anandaloka revealing to him the sat-chit-ananda nature of the brahman.  Just above ''suvidya'' is viveka.  This arrangement reminds the player of the belief in the [[wikipedia:Kaula_(Hinduism)|kaula tradition]] that there are two paths to knowledge, that of ''jnana'' which is gained through ''shabda'' and that of ''viveka'' which is gained through insight from within<ref>Shaktism, ([[wikipedia:Jnana_yoga|Jnana Yoga]])</ref>. There are many such interesting patterns on the board game which the curious player can explore.  Specially beautiful, in the context of the 67th verse of Saudarya Lahari is the position of prakriti, rudraloka, the 3 guna's (satta, raja, tama) and aham or ahamkara and the subsequent snake to maya, describing the reflection of Shambhu (Para-Shiva) in Prakriti (Para-Shakti) giving rise to "aham" the seed of the world of names and forms.

== Karma Marga () ==

== Karma Marga (कर्ममार्गः) ==

The path of unselfish action is the karma marg to moksha.  We act in the context of our social role.  There are four stages (आश्रम) in our life; the student (ब्रह्मचर्याश्रम), the householder (गृहस्थाश्रम), the retired (वानप्रस्थाश्रम) and the renunciate (सन्यास).  These stages are represented by two rows each on the game board in the above sequence.  Thus the first two rows or eighteen cells represent the stage of the student, the next eighteen cells represent the stage of the householder and so on.   

The path of unselfish action is the karma marg to moksha.  We act in the context of our social role.  There are four stages (आश्रम) in our life; the student (ब्रह्मचर्याश्रम), the householder (गृहस्थाश्रम), the retired (वानप्रस्थाश्रम) and the renunciate (सन्यास).  These stages are represented by two rows each on the game board in the above sequence.  Thus the first two rows or eighteen cells represent the stage of the student, the next eighteen cells represent the stage of the householder and so on.   

Such and many other secrets inspire the player to discover them and in-turn learn about the nuances of karmayoga in her life.

Such and many other secrets inspire the player to discover them and in-turn learn about the nuances of karmayoga in her life.

== Bhakti Marga ==

== Bhakti Marga (भक्तिमार्गः) ==

Bhakti marga or Bhakti Yoga is conspicuous by the absence of any other supporting cell other than the cell of bhakti itself.  Narada (son of Brahma), had in his Bhakti Sutra, famously proclaimed that bhakti begets itself, or bhakti is it's own fruit (स्वयं फलरूपतेति ब्रह्मकुमारः)<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra (Sutra [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/नारदभक्तिसूत्रम् 30]) </ref>.  It is very uniquely positioned on the tri-guna side of the game board signifying that bhakti applies to the believers of saguna (सगुण) devotion.  

Bhakti marga or Bhakti Yoga is conspicuous by the absence of any other supporting cell other than the cell of bhakti itself.  Narada (son of Brahma), had in his Bhakti Sutra, famously proclaimed that bhakti begets itself, or bhakti is it's own fruit (स्वयं फलरूपतेति ब्रह्मकुमारः)<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra (Sutra [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/नारदभक्तिसूत्रम् 30]) </ref>.  It is very uniquely positioned on the tri-guna side of the game board signifying that bhakti applies to the believers of saguna (सगुण) devotion.  

=== Game Board ===

=== Game Board ===

The ladder from Bhakti leads directly to Vaikuntha, which is also the starting point of this game, revealing that bhakti is eternal (अमृतस्वरूपा च).  Narada in his Bhakti Sutra, defines the nature of Bhakti to be the nature of immortality.  Vaikuntha is a special cell on the game board.  The player can only leave this cell on a throw of 6 which signifies her engagement with the six passions (षड्रिपु).  Thus, she is in an eternal state of bliss until she throws a six.  The Sutra's 4-6 describe her divine experience ( यल्लब्ध्वा पुमान्सिद्धो भवत्यमृतो भवति तृप्तो भवति ॥४॥ यत्प्राप्य ना किञ्चिद्वाञ्छति न शोचति न द्वेष्टि न रमते नोत्साही भवति ॥५॥यज्ज्ञात्वा मत्तो भवति स्तब्धो भवत्यात्मारामो भवति ॥६॥).  Swami Chinmayananda in his commentary writes - "Having gained this Supreme Devotion, the devotee attains perfection and immortality adn becomes extremely satisfied [4].  Having attained which (Devotion) she cares for nothing, never grieves never hates, never delights in anything and she finds no urge or enthusiasm for sense enjoyment [5].  Having known which (Devotion) one becomes intoxicated, silent, and enjoys in the Self [6]."  Thus is the nature of Bhakti beautifully enunciated.

The ladder from Bhakti leads directly to Vaikuntha, which is also the starting point of this game, revealing that bhakti is eternal (अमृतस्वरूपा च).  Narada in his Bhakti Sutra, defines the nature of Bhakti to be the nature of immortality.  Vaikuntha is a special cell on the game board.  The player can only leave this cell on a throw of 6 which signifies her engagement with the six passions (षड्रिपु).  Thus, she is in an eternal state of bliss until she throws a six.  The Sutra's 4-6 describe her divine experience ( यल्लब्ध्वा पुमान्सिद्धो भवत्यमृतो भवति तृप्तो भवति ॥४॥ यत्प्राप्य ना किञ्चिद्वाञ्छति न शोचति न द्वेष्टि न रमते नोत्साही भवति ॥५॥यज्ज्ञात्वा मत्तो भवति स्तब्धो भवत्यात्मारामो भवति ॥६॥).  Swami Chinmayananda in his commentary writes - "Having gained this Supreme Devotion, the devotee attains perfection and immortality and becomes extremely satisfied [4].  Having attained which (Devotion) she cares for nothing, never grieves never hates, never delights in anything and she finds no urge or enthusiasm for sense enjoyment [5].  Having known which (Devotion) one becomes intoxicated, silent, and enjoys in the Self [6]."  Thus is the nature of Bhakti beautifully enunciated.

Bhakti is the last cell on the 6th row and the last landing point in the vanaprastha ashram (वानप्रस्थाश्रम). It is also the "gate to sanyas" (सन्यास आश्रम).  Narada's Bhakti Sutras 10-12 beautifully encode this experience of the player (अन्याश्रयाणां त्यागोऽनन्यता ॥१०॥ लोकवेदेषु तदनुकूलाचरणं तद्विरोधिषूदासीनता च ॥११॥ भवतु निश्चयदाढ्यादूर्ध्वं शास्त्ररक्षणम् ॥१२॥लोकोऽपि तावदेव भोजनादिव्यापारस्त्वाशरीरधारणावधि ॥१४॥)<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra (Sutra [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D 10-12])</ref> Swami Chinmayananda in his commentary writes - "Reununciation of all other supports is whole-heartedness (in Devotion) [10].  To perform all secular and religious functions that are congenial to Him and (to have) total indifference to all actions that are hostile to Him.. (that is "indifference") [11]. After having thus decided to live the life of whole hearted devotion, let there be protection of the Scriptural teachings [12]. The worldly duties in the various social contexts are also to be performed only to that extent (so long as the consciousness of the external world continues with us), but activities such as eating, etc., indeed will continue as long as the body exists [14]." Having thus conditioned the player, the Sutra's insist that the devotee should be fully conscious of her physical body and entirely aware of it's conditions.  she must obey faithfully, the strict injuctions of the Sastras (शास्त्र).  This will help her grow in her inner devotion and total dedication to the Lord<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra - Discourses by Swami Chinmayananda, 3rd Edition 1979, pages 18-22.</ref>.  The Lord Himself, insists  upon this when he says "तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ। ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि।"<ref>Gita Super Site (Bhag. Gita. [https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad?htrskd=1&httyn=1&htshg=1&scsh=1&choose=1&&language=dv&field_chapter_value=16&field_nsutra_value=24 16.24])</ref>

Bhakti is the last cell on the 6th row and the last landing point in the vanaprastha ashram (वानप्रस्थाश्रम). It is also the "gate to sanyas" (सन्यास आश्रम).  Narada's Bhakti Sutras 10-12 beautifully encode this experience of the player (अन्याश्रयाणां त्यागोऽनन्यता ॥१०॥ लोकवेदेषु तदनुकूलाचरणं तद्विरोधिषूदासीनता च ॥११॥ भवतु निश्चयदाढ्यादूर्ध्वं शास्त्ररक्षणम् ॥१२॥लोकोऽपि तावदेव भोजनादिव्यापारस्त्वाशरीरधारणावधि ॥१४॥)<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra (Sutra [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D 10-12])</ref> Swami Chinmayananda in his commentary writes - "Reununciation of all other supports is whole-heartedness (in Devotion) [10].  To perform all secular and religious functions that are congenial to Him and (to have) total indifference to all actions that are hostile to Him.. (that is "indifference") [11]. After having thus decided to live the life of whole hearted devotion, let there be protection of the Scriptural teachings [12]. The worldly duties in the various social contexts are also to be performed only to that extent (so long as the consciousness of the external world continues with us), but activities such as eating, etc., indeed will continue as long as the body exists [14]." Having thus conditioned the player, the Sutra's insist that the devotee should be fully conscious of her physical body and entirely aware of it's conditions.  she must obey faithfully, the strict injunctions of the Sastras (शास्त्र).  This will help her grow in her inner devotion and total dedication to the Lord<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra - Discourses by Swami Chinmayananda, 3rd Edition 1979, pages 18-22.</ref>.  The Lord Himself, insists  upon this when he says "तस्माच्छास्त्रं प्रमाणं ते कार्याकार्यव्यवस्थितौ। ज्ञात्वा शास्त्रविधानोक्तं कर्म कर्तुमिहार्हसि।"<ref>Gita Super Site (Bhag. Gita. [https://www.gitasupersite.iitk.ac.in/srimad?htrskd=1&httyn=1&htshg=1&scsh=1&choose=1&&language=dv&field_chapter_value=16&field_nsutra_value=24 16.24])</ref>

In the very next Sutra Sri Narada warns of the consequences if this condition is not followed.  He says "अन्यथा पातित्यशङ्कया"; "Or else there is the fear of a fall (from the Spiritual path)"<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra (Sutra [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D 13])</ref><ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra - Discourses by Swami Chinmayananda, 3rd Edition 1979, page 22</ref>.  The snake of ahankara (अहङ्कारः) immediately above the cell beautifully encodes this warning, dropping the player down to maya.   

In the very next Sutra Sri Narada warns of the consequences if this condition is not followed.  He says "अन्यथा पातित्यशङ्कया"; "Or else there is the fear of a fall (from the Spiritual path)"<ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra (Sutra [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D 13])</ref><ref>Narada Bhakti Sutra - Discourses by Swami Chinmayananda, 3rd Edition 1979, page 22</ref>.  The snake of ahankara (अहङ्कारः) immediately above the cell beautifully encodes this warning, dropping the player down to maya.   

The cell of viveka (विवेक) and the opposite end of the 6th row encodes the narrative of Udhava and the Gopis of Vrindavan, and many more stories related to bhakti are hidden in different cells of the game board.

The cell of viveka (विवेक) and the opposite end of the 6th row encodes the narrative of Udhava and the Gopis of Vrindavan, and many more stories related to bhakti are hidden in different cells of the game board.

== References ==

== References ==

<references />

<references />