Tāmasloka

Meaning

plane of inertia
Plane of lifelessness.
gloom
Partial or total darkness.
illusion
An instance of a wrong or misinterpreted perception of a sensory experience.

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Interpretation

“TāmaslokaIllusion”(In-action / inertia) is the experience when the player lacks a definite purpose.

Having experienced supreme satisfaction in sukhaloka, she feels that there is nothing more to be achieved. She, therefore, does not know “where to go” or “what to do”. This dilemma, in-turn, leads to in-activity / inertia.

The player is a seeker. She is therefore, in an advanced stage of life. She feels that she has come to an end of her “karmic responsibilities”. But karmic responsibilities can only end with liberation, with a union with cosmic consciousness.

The player on landing in this loka, is immediately pulled down into antarikṣa, nullity. She realises now that, she must act to be liberated. The importance of karma is revealed to her, with karmayoga (cell 19) just a throw of 6 away. She, now the wiser, must again make her way up towards the higher stages for liberation.

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Story

Tamashaloka is found in the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. In these texts, Tamashaloka is described as a dark and fearsome realm, where the souls of those who have committed evil deeds are punished. It is said to be filled with all the torments of the senses, such as pain, suffering, and fear.

In the later Vedic texts, Tamashaloka comes to be seen as a more complex concept. It is said that Tamashaloka is not just a place of physical punishment, but it is also a place of spiritual darkness. Those who reside in Tamashaloka are said to be trapped in a cycle of suffering, and they are said to be unable to escape.

The concept of Tamashaloka continues to be important in Hindu philosophy and practice. It is seen as a warning to those who would stray from the path of righteousness.

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On the game board

Tamasloka is the world of darkness. It is a place of ignorance and delusion. Those who are attached to Tamasloka will eventually be reborn in the world of darkness.

The game of Ludo snake and ladder is a reminder that Tamasloka is a major obstacle on the path to moksha. We can overcome Tamasloka by practicing self-awareness and by cultivating good qualities, such as wisdom and discernment.

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