Can Traditional Board Games Help Us Understand the Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita?

The Bhagavad Gita addresses the concepts of dharma and yoga, among others, and it has been widely commented upon by various philosophers and scholars.

Shri Krishna: The Preceptor of the Universe

Shri Krishna is not just a deity but a universal teacher (jagadguru), a preceptor who guides us through the maze of life, much like a seasoned player guiding a novice through a complex board game. His teachings in the Bhagavad Gita are not just philosophical musings but practical tools for life—a playbook, if you will, for how to live a meaningful, purposeful life.

Wisdom of the Gita through the Games

At Roll the Dice, we believe that traditional Indian board games like Chowka Bara, Aadu Huli, Pagade, Navakankari, and Sholo Gutti are not just games but life lessons packed in a board. Each move you make, each strategy you employ, and each obstacle you overcome is a lesson in patience, strategy, and morality—values that Shri Krishna espoused in the Gita.

Karma Yoga in Aadu Huli and Pagade

The principle of Karma Yoga, or the yoga of action, teaches us to perform our duties without any attachment to their outcomes. In games like Aadu Huli and Pagade, you learn to make your moves without being overly concerned about winning or losing, focusing instead on the strategy and skill involved.

Dharma and Righteousness in Navakankari

Navakankari teaches us about Dharma, or righteousness. Just as Krishna advises Arjuna to follow his Dharma as a warrior, players must follow the rules of the game, make ethical moves, and respect their opponents.

The Unity of All Paths in Sholo Gutti

Shri Krishna teaches that there are many paths to the divine. Sholo Gutti, with its variations and modes, echoes this teaching by showing that there are many strategies to win, yet all are valid.

The Gitopadesha Jigsaw Puzzle

As we celebrate the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, we invite you to experience the Gitopadesha through our specially designed jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle captures the essence of that divine conversation between Arjuna and Krishna, allowing you to piece together their dialogue in a unique and interactive way.

Experience Oneness with Dashavatara Puzzles

If you wish to delve deeper into the teachings of Shri Krishna, we invite you to solve all the Dashavatara puzzles. Each puzzle represents a different avatar of Lord Vishnu, of whom Krishna is the eighth. By solving these puzzles, you're not just engaging in a fun activity but also experiencing a form of oneness with the divine.

So, this Teachers' Day, let's pay homage to the greatest teacher of all—Shri Krishna—and may we all continue to learn life's greatest lessons, one game, one move, and one puzzle at a time.

Disclaimer: The above thoughts about wisdom from the games have been put out here as points for contemplation only, as students of the greatest master ever.