Paramapada Sopanam: Reviving Ancient Indian Board Games for Modern Pedagogy: Pedagogical methods in Sanatana Dharma
Abstract
Paramapada Sopanam: Reviving Ancient Indian Board Games for Modern Pedagogy: Pedagogical methods in Sanatana Dharma
P. Jaya Krishna Babu, Gentela Srikruti
The study delves into the historical trend of the popular traditional Indian board game Paramapada Sopanam, popularly known as Snakes and Ladders, against modern education and life. Traditionally, Paramapada Sopanam served as an educational tool. It’s a simple yet profound format-virtues as ladders, vices as snakes—that imparts lessons on moral decisions, consequences, and personal growth. The interactive, hands-on elements of the game provide special benefits for overall development in an age where digital technology and virtual instruction are the norms. Playing the game in groups builds social relationships, patience, and moral thinking, while also enhancing mental abilities such as numeracy, planning, and strategic skills. By giving abstract concepts like karma and dharma a real and applicable form, Paramapada Sopanam serves as a mediator between cultural heritage and value-based education in the modern age. It contends that incorporating such forms of games in the traditional sense will ensure cultural continuity, assist in filling gaps in experiential and moral education, and enable pupils to be well-rounded individuals. The applicability and advantages of reactivating Paramapada Sopanam as a pragmatic and useful tool for the imparting of values and life skills in the fast-changing world of today are underscored in the conclusion of the study.
Keywords: Paramapada Sopanam, Snakes and Ladders, virtues, cultural heritage, value-based education.