Kusaṅgati

Meaning

bad company
Accompanied by unwanted people.

---

Interpretation

Kusagati,Bad company(bad / wrong company) is bad company. What is bad company? How do you differentiate between good company and bad company? Why is good company “good” and bad company “bad”? Well, what is not “morally good” is bad. Just a couple cells away was “dharma”, everything that is not in accordance with dharma is not “morally good”. Friends who indulge in sensual pleasures encourage what is not “moksha dharma”, friends who preach to hoard food and riches take the player away from “dāna dharma”, friends who praise physical beauty and high station in society encourage the player away from “bhāgwata dharma” and those that encourage relaxation and inactivity hinder the “raja dharma” of the player. All these are therefore, “bad company” and “bad company corrupts good character” as the Bible famously says.

---

Story

Nalakuvera, the son of Kuvera – the keeper of the celestial treasures and wealth, is a very colourful character in our mythology. He is the husband of Rambha. Rāvana, being the brother of Kuvera is therefore the uncle of Nalakuvera and is believed to have raped Rabha, and it is her curse that Rāvana will die if he consumates another woman without her consent.

Nalakuvera is also the court musician of the King of Benaras, and indulges in a sexual relationship with the Queen (Kakati) when she was abducted by Garuda and he was tasked to find her.

Nalakuvera and his brother Manigriva are enjoying the company of wine and women. Their father Kuvera has been blessed by Lord Shiva of infinite material opulence, and they therefore are enjoying the means thus provided. Being of extraordinary beauty as well, born as demigods, they are drunk and frolicking in a lake at the base of mount Kailāsa, when Nārada happens to pass by. The women as a mark of respect immediately cover their bodies and leave. However, Nalakuvera and Manigriva are too drunk to care and be conscious of his presence.

Out of pity for their condition of pride and intoxication, Narada “curses” them that they become trees for a 100 years before they are redeemed by the Lord Vishnu himself in one of his avatārs.

Thus Krishna, as a child pulling the wooden mortar behind him, releases the divine, handsome personalities. As part of his discourse to them he says – “It was already known to Me that My great devotee Nārada Muni had shown his causeless mercy by saving you from the abominable condition of pride due to possessing extraordinary beauty and opulence in a family of demigods. He has saved you from gliding down into the lowest condition of hellish life.

---

On the gameboard

The cell for the 3rd snake of the game,draws the player down to “abhimāna”. Looking six places ahead,the player sees the cell of good habits (“uttam gati”) as a possible redemption from her condition.The next cell,“susaṅgati” encourages the player to look for the right company.The cells of idleness (“antarikṣa”) below and oppulance(“yakshaloka”) above remind her of the vulnerabilities of her condition.This is the experience where the player is deceived into believing that her actions are in accordance with “dharma” ,and others are the reason to the problems she is experiencing. The player experiences a fall in her energy levels, which is aptly represented by the snake.

---