IdeaSagar: June 2021

The Concept for the Development of a Digital Version of the Vaikuntapali Game (Version 1)

Somayajulu Karamchetty

19 June 2021

A word of caution: In my opinion, it is the worst idea to call it a game of “Snakes and Ladders.”

Let us continue to call it Vaikuntapali.

Yes! It is a game but its purpose is to teach children (and some grown-ups) the Adhyathmika, Vedic, and Daivika values.

Short-term goals and objectives:

Create interest in children in the game.

Instill the moral and ethical values in the children and some adults too.

Long-term goals and objectives:

Introduce them to Dharmic, Daivika, Adhyathmika, and Vedik values.

Introduce instruction and provide resources to learn about Dharmic knowledge.

Schedule:

These will be done by developing versions of the game over a 5 to 10 year period.

Reach:

Strat in Telugu language for Telugu speaking people initially and then dub it into Hindi and on to other Indian and foreign languages depending on resources and interest.

Medium:

Computer Graphics, text, audio, video, animations, and live Videos.

Number of Players:

Single versus Teams online.

History:

We need to do a literature search and find out who invented this game and when. One of the videos states that this game was invented some two centuries BC.

Brief Description about the Game:

In the old days, when paper is the only medium available, the game had certain limitations. They used words and pictures to teach players some spiritual and cultural values. The elders in the family and society explained deeper meanings or stories related to the pictures in the squares.

There are three types of squares on the game board. One type of square instructs, “You do good, and you move to (Oordhva gathi) higher levels.” The second type of square instructs, “You do bad, and you move downward (Adhogathi).” The third type of square instructs, “You do routine things, you move ok or stay there until your next turn of the Kalagathi (dice).”

The move is determined by (the throwing of) Dice (Kalagathi). In that sense, you cannot move arbitrarily at your own will. You have to bow down to the spin of the Kalachakram (Dice).

As you land in a square, it tells you what you have done and what the consequences are.

Thus, each square teaches a lesson. If a child is simply interested in winning the game, the very purpose of the game is lost. The game is a simulation exercise that teaches Dharmic values and good behavior. Win or lose the game, the lessons taught by each square should be absorbed by the players.

In the traditional set up, knowledgeable and experienced (older) players explained the lessons that the words and pictures in a square were imparting. With computerized game, there is no need for a human expert to impart the lessons. The game system can/should do that. Such a method preserves and perpetrates the original intention of the game developers.

With computer systems, it is possible to provide instructions in the form of words that players read, pictures they see, audio that they hear, and video that they watch.

It is possible to play the game online (in later versions) and pravachanakars can interact with players and explain some of the values and stories if we miss to capture them in the computer version.

There can be several versions of the game at the choice of the players.

1. A version that is purely for fun and to kill time. (This version is only to attract novices and should be removed after the later versions are introduced and the game become popular.)

2. A version that gives short lessons such that the game proceeds faster with minimal instruction of the values.

3. A version that gives basic lessons on actions (or behavior) and the results (or consequences).

4. Advanced versions with longer videos that go into details of the characteristics of our actions and the consequential returns with exemplary stories (puranic as well as social).

5. A version may provide links to puranic episodes and Vedic & Upanishadic sources so that interested people pursue such sources for deeper knowledge and understanding.

6. Each version is translated and dubbed into other Indian and foreign languages based on the availability of resources, interest, and markets.

From a business point of view, the versions try to get the player to view the game first and then to devote time to learn the deeper details. They try to interest them, hook them and then motivate them to learn the devotional and philosophical principles. Here is where links to the works of other writers, artists, and singers, dramatists, videos might be handy. (I am talking about long-term versions.)

From a social point of view, it should make the players familiar with the basic behavioral characteristics and teach the Daivik and Vedic precepts.

Development Team and Leaders:

(Legend: TBD = To be Designated and TBV = To Be Volunteered)

1. Chief Executive and Accomplisher (CEA) (Brahma of the Game): TBD/TBV

For the success of a project, there should be a person who will be the driving force behind the whole effort until the effort gets its own wings. He or she envisions and steers the project till it is handed over to an organization to run smoothly thereafter.

With the help of his/her team, the CEA will move the project by getting the necessary resources of all kinds and overcomes any hurdles and completes the project to take it to its goal(s).

One of our friends offered to be the person who will execute the Project. The project will be handed over to the CEA or Brahma as soon as possible once this discussion phase is finalized.

2. Chief Supporter and Cheer Leader (CSCL):

As the initiator of this concept (computerization together with the incorporation of the Dharma Sastra episodes as learning aspects into the game, Somayajulu Karamchetty, volunteers to fill the role initially and temporarily. It may not be possible for him to accomplish the goals owing to natural limitations. Of course, he will provide some modest resources towards the project.

Other Chief Supporters and Cheer Leaders (CSCL)’s are invited to volunteer their services and resources. Your commitment will move the project towards its goal faster and with efficiency.

3. Game Architect and Chief Designer (GACD) (Maya): TBD/TBV

Someone with software development skills is required to envisage the software architecture and design it. He/she will plan the various versions of the game.

In coordination with the Chief Executive (CEA), he/she will develop schedules, milestones, resource requirements, and personnel needs for the project.

4. Theme(s) Developers (TD): TBD/TBV

This person determines the themes for each square on the game board. There will be several knowledgeable persons who will be requested to contribute the themes for each square. The themes will be such that they can be converted into snippets, pictures, short and long textual stories, audios and videos of tiny, short, and long duration. Videos may also be animations.

The themes will be suitable for players of various age groups, different interests, and levels of patience.

The idea is to entice them into a game and get them eager to learn the themes with the hope that the ethics and morals that the episodes tell them will mold their behavior, attitude, and conduct.

There will be a Chief Theme Developer and several developers, script developers, editors, and authenticators.

As the development progresses, there will be translators (dubbing) the themes into different languages (essentially Indian and some foreign).

There will be a scrutinizer/content auditor, authenticator to ensure that the cultural and Dharmic sensitivities are preserved and not violated.

5. Chief Game Developer, Architect, and Implementer (CGDAI) (Viswakarma): TBD/TBV

This person will be in-charge of the software and communication architecture of the digital game board. He/she will lead a team of supporters that will design and layout an architecture for the game and carry out its implementation.

He/she determines the way the game progresses based on his/her architecture.

{The progression of the game is similar to any board game where the moves of the pawns are associated with the cast of the dice. I have not tried to describe those typical aspects.}

6. Chief Audio, Video Developer (CAVD): TBD/TBV

This person leads a team of people who convert the snippets for each square into textual, audio, and video presentations of various lengths and types for various versions of the game.

. Chief Financial Officer (Kubera) (CFO): TBD/TBV

This person manages the financial issues of the project in its various stages until the game is entrusted to the care of the Chief Maintainer (CM) (Vishnu) of the Game.

The funds needed for its development and maintenance in the initial stages is collected and administered by this person (CFO or Kubera) with a board of trustees (Dharmadhikaris).

8. Chief Marketing and Promotion Strategist (CMPS) (Narada): TBD/TBV

This person promotes the game in all its stages during its development until the Maintainers take charge of the game. His/her efforts will determine the popularity of the idea of the game during the initial stages and the fundraising efforts. He/she will realize that while financial support is critical to the success of the project, it is not the driving objective. The Dharmic aspects of the game are paramount. His/her commitment towards that goal and objectives are critical.

Any attempts to dilute the game for so called, Secular causes, should be resisted by this person. It is not the purpose of this game to convince others and to make the game popular with them.

9. Chief Maintainer (CM) (Vishnu) of the Game: TBD/TBV

This person or organization will be a nonprofit, Dharmic, Hindu Religious or Adhyatmic organization. They will take ownership and sustain the Game for generations. They will develop newer versions that may be required as novel technologies emerge and the Dharmic themes may have to be presented in novel forms.

10. Chief Auditor, Scrutinizer, and Authenticator (CASA) (Rudra):

This person ensures that the development and maintenance of the game does not violate any government regulations. He/she will formulate the rules and procedures of availability of the game so that the laws and regulations of the government are not violated while the Dharmic values are protected at all times. He/she will ensue that cheap imitations and copies of the game by detractors do not interfere with the goal and objectives of the primary game.

{It may be noted that the original Vaikuntapali game board had also been copied and diluted in content a evidenced by the various versions of the board seen on the Internet.}

Conclusion:

Vaikuntapali or Parama Pada Sopana Patham has been a traditional Dharmic game of the Bharata Varsha with sacred and cultural objectives and lessons for the players. It is the intention of the present initiators to perpetuate those objectives by undertaking this effort. With strong commitment from a willing and dedicated group of people, the game can be made popular again in the digital media and it will teach high morals and cultural values to children and adults.

t is possible to instill the meaning of Vaikuntam in the Adhvaithik tradition while utilizing the Daivik symbolism for visualization.

Recommendation:

The development of the game as described in the above should be supported wholeheartedly by all friends.

Success of the project and accomplishment of the goal is more important than personal gains in the development and sustenance of the game.

Appeal:

Please support the effort by volunteering your knowledge, time, and resources.

Reference Links for Vaikuntapali Game:

(13) Garikapati Narasimha Rao About Significance of Snake And Ladder | Nava Jeevana Vedam | Episode 1164 - YouTube

https://www.picuki.com/tag/vaikuntapali

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCHC5JIs1NU This video link has some good explanations.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/167266573631683848/ or (22) Pinterest

https://devullu.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Vaikuntapali_mohan-432x600.jpg (Please see the game board here.)

పరమపద సోపానం: పరమపద సోపానము (paramapadasopanam.blogspot.com)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yxQt_ooPtQ (Sri Garikipati Narasimha Rao garu points to Vaikuntapali at 4:10 minutes in this video. He explains the principles of human attitudes and behaviors and their consequences. I understand that Sri Garikapati Narasimha Rao garu described the narrations in his novel Vaikuntapali. We should procure the book from India.)

Text is OK. But, a picture is more powerful and a well-produced pleasant video is highly impactful on our minds. Stories will leave lasting memories on our minds. They can change our behaviors. The simpler aspects are the links between good and bad deeds and the outcomes. But, the important points that should come out are of Dharmic significance. It can be illustrated only when the stories and episodes from the Dharma Sastras are linked to each precept at the ladders and snakes on the game board.

https://www.telugubooks.in/collections/essays/products/vaikuntapaali-1) Sri Garikapati Narasimha Rao garu explains some points from the game in the video at the link at the bottom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec86G6V3bOc

Garikapati Narasimha Rao About Significance of Snake And Ladder | Nava Jeevana Vedam | Episode 1164

Feb 16, 2018 […]

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Concept for the development of a Digital version of the Vaikuntapali game