The Yoga of Snakes and Arrows - The Leela of Self-Knowledge

Aug 2, 2026

The Yoga of Snakes and Arrows presents Leela, a universal game of cosmic energy in which players enact roles shaped by karma. The work explains how the game mirrors the life of names and forms, describing the role of consciousness in revealing the patterns behind one’s persona. Through structured rules, symbolic journeys, and extensive commentary, it connects spiritual concepts with practical self-understanding, culminating in further reading for continued exploration.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages146

Reading Time6 h 8 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Rules of Play

Meaning of the Game

Numerology of the Game

The Commentaries

First Row: The Fundamentals of Being

Second Row: The Realm of Fantasy

Third Row: The Theater of Karma

Fourth Row: Attaining Balance

Fifth Row: Man Becomes Himself

Sixth Row: The Time of Penance

Seventh Row: The Plane of Reality

Eighth Row: The Gods Themselves

Further Reading

# THE YOCA oF SNAKES AMD ARROWS INCLUDESFULL-COLOR [OLDOUT GAME BOARD ## THEYOGA 0FSNAKESANDARROWS Other Books by Harish Johari Attunements for Dawn and Dusk(Audio)Attunements for Day and Night(Audio) Ayurvedic Healing Cuisine Ayurvedic Massage Breath,Mind,and Consciousness Chakras Dhanwantari The Healing Power of Gemstones Numerology The Planet Meditation Kit Sounds of Tantra(Audio) Sounds of The Chakras(Audio) Tools for Tantra THE YOGA 0FSNAKESANDARROWS ## THE LEELA OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE Harish Johari Destiny BooksRochester,Vermont Destiny BooksOne Park Street Rochester,Vermont 05767www.DestinyBooks.com Destiny Books is a division of Inner Traditions International Copyright ⑥1975,1993,2007 by Harish Johari Originally published in 1975 by Coward,McCann &Geoghegan under the title Leela: ## The Game of Self-Knowledge Second edition published in 1993 as a boxed set with game board by Destiny BooksThird edition published in 2007 by Destiny Books under the title The Yoga of Snakesand Arrows All rights reserved.No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any formor by any means,electronic or mechanical,including photocopying,recording,or byany information storage and retrieval system,without permission in writing from thepublisher. The Library of Congress has cataloged a previous edition of this book as follows: Johari,Harish,1934-1999 Leela:the game of self-knowledge/Harish Johari p. cm. Reprint.Previously published:New York:Coward,MeCann &Geoghegan,[1975]Includes bibliographical references.ISBN 0-89281-419-5 1.Leela(Game)1.Title.[GV1469.L44J621993|794—dc2093004565 ISBN of current title The Yoga of Snakes and Arrows:ISBN-13:978-1-59477-178-1 ISBN-10:1-59477-178-2 Printed and bound in the United States by Lake Book Manufacturing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Text design by Virginia L.Scott Bowman This book was typeset using Sabon with Agenda and Agenda Condensed as the displaytypefaces Contents PrefaceIntroduction1 Rules of Play82 Meaning of the Game113 Numerology of the Game23 IX1 The Commentaries 4 First Row:The Fundamentals of Being 28 1.Genesis (janma)28 2.Ilusion(maya)29 3.Anger (krodh)32 4.Greed (lobh)34 5.Physical plane (bhu-loka) 35 6.Delusion (moha)37 7.Conceit (mada)38 8.Avarice (matsar or matsarya)40 9.Sensual plane (kama-loka) 41 ### 5 Second Row:The Realm of Fantasy 43 10.Purification (shuddhi)43 11.Entertainment (gandharvas)45 12.Envy(eirsha)46 13.Nullity (antariksha) 47 14.Astral plane (bhuvar-loka) 48 15.Plane of fantasy(naga-loka) 49 16.Jealousy (dwesh)50 17.Mercy(daya)51 52 18.Plane of joy (harsha-loka) ### 6 Third Row:The Theater of Karma 54 19.Plane of action (karma-loka) 54 20.Charity (daan)55 21.Atonement (saman paap)57 22.Plane of dharma (dharma-loka) 57 59 23.Celestial plane (swarga-loka) 24.Bad company (ku-sang-loka) 60 25.Good company(su-sang-loka) 61 26.Sorrow (dukh)62 27.Selfless service(parmarth)64 ### 7 Fourth Row:Attaining Balance 66 28.Apt religion (sudharma)66 29.Irreligiosity (adharma)68 30.Good tendencies(uttam gati)70 31.Plane of sanctity(yaksha-loka) 71 32.Plane of balance (maha-or mahar-loka) 72 33.Plane of fragrance (gandha-loka) 75 34.Plane of taste (rasa-loka) 76 35.Purgatory (narka-loka) 7778 36.Clarity of consciousness (swatch) ### 8 Fifth Row:Man Becomes Himself 79 37.True awareness (gyana;traditionally,jnana) 79 38.Plane of life energy (prana-loka) 81 39.Plane of elimination (apana-loka) 83 40.Plane of circulation (vyana-loka) 84 41.Human plane (jana-loka) 85 42.Plane of fire(Agni-loka) 87 43.Birth of man (manushya-ianma) 88 44.Ignorance (avidya) 89 45.Right knowledge (suvidya)90 ### 9 Sixth Row:The Time of Penance 92 46.Conscience(vivek)92 47.Plane of neutrality (Saraswati)94 48.Solar plane (Yamuna)95 49.Lunar plane(Ganges or Ganga)97

FAQs

What is Leela in The Yoga of Snakes and Arrows?

Leela is described as the universal play of cosmic energy, a game in which each person acts out a role. It is divine play that manifests the world of names and forms.

How does karma relate to a player’s life role in the game?

Once a player assumes a persona and identity within the game, the moves are said to be decided by the karma die. This connects the unfolding role to karmic patterns.

What role does consciousness play in self-knowledge within the book?

The text explains that moments of clear consciousness reveal patterns in the player’s life role. These insights help uncover the deeper realities behind one’s adopted persona.

Aug 2, 2026

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