Gyana Chaupar, Snakes and Ladders, Jain

Description

This is a print of a Gyana Chaupar old manuscript, upon which the western game of Snakes and Ladder is based. This one has jain origins from Rajasthan. It shows the journey of the jiva, the soul, through various lokas, worlds, before finding enlightenment at the top.

Their are 9X9 cells plus three extra cells at 1, 56 and 66. One progresses through the board with nothing but the chance of dice throws. Opposed to the concept of the free will this game emphasizes upon fate or kismat. Meanwhile teaching which qualities would take one higher and which will bring oneself lower. The column right after the last numbered cells shows the worlds, starting at the Narki-dwar, or hell. The final goal is mukti, the space beyond the moon crescent which shows the mukti-kshetra. Where two doormen stand in welcome at any new entrants.

Some buyers want this for decoration. While some want this to play with. The prices for the just the prints, or including the pair of brass dice and coins is different. Please choose according to your need.

The dice is not the usual cuboid 6 faced one. There are two long dice with four faces each. These four faces have 1,2,3 and a blank face. This makes it possible for someone to have a score of zero, when they play. With the six faced dice the minimum score one can get is 1. Also the chances of getting a six, get slimmer. With the cube dice the chances of a 6 is 1/6. While with these two dice, it is 1/4 x 1/4, 1/16. Just starting the game might take some time, for six to come.

P.S.
The size of the A4 print (printed area) is 7.9 inches by 10.6 inches.

The size of the A3 print (printed area) is 11.4 inches by 14.5 inches.

The paper is glossy and pasted over a paper board. The canvas edges are hand sewn with fabric piping. The dice and coins are hand made and may have small errors, making the dice, not strictly “true”. This goes alongwith the spirit of the game, which is the message that you may control almost all aspects of your life, but still there is always this unknown, uncontrollable variable. Call it chance or fate.

p.s.2.
The language in this to my knowledge is ancient prakrit. but language really doesn’t matter as the cell names are ‘place’ names. Some words do have English equalents like heaven and hell. But even these are many different types. Close to impossible to “translate”. There are books put there about Jain cosmology which would be better suited for a detailed study. I have transliterated (not translated) the words into English, which I can send to anyone interested (no need for purchase, just contact). There is also a shared Google doc file where I am putting links as and when I find them about these words when I find an online resource. Anyone is welcome to that as well. I would hope that this game can act as a catalyst to inspire you to read and learn more.