Square 8: Avarice (Matsarya) – The Poison of Envy

The eighth square in your Leela journey is Matsarya, meaning "avarice" or "envy." Situated within the foundational Root Chakra (Muladhara), Matsarya represents the emotional poison of envy—an insidious feeling that arises from comparing yourself unfavorably to others, leading to dissatisfaction and resentment.

What is Matsarya?

In Sanskrit, Matsarya directly translates as "envy," "jealousy," or "avarice." It arises from a sense of lack or inadequacy, fueling a desire to possess what others have, be it material goods, success, relationships, or qualities. Left unchecked, envy disrupts inner peace and prevents authentic self-realization.

In the Leela game, Matsarya challenges you to confront these destructive comparisons and instead cultivate genuine self-acceptance and contentment.

Symbolism of Matsarya in Leela

Landing on Matsarya invites you to:

Recognize Envy: Acknowledge moments when you compare yourself to others in ways that create discontent.
Shift Your Focus: Redirect your energy from external comparisons to internal growth, focusing on your own unique path.
Cultivate Gratitude: Use gratitude as a powerful antidote to envy, embracing appreciation for your unique gifts and circumstances.

Matsarya urges you to transform envy into self-awareness, motivating positive change rather than resentment or bitterness.

Key Insights from Matsarya

Reflecting deeply on envy yields important lessons:

Comparison as Illusion: Comparing yourself to others is inherently flawed—each individual's journey is unique, and appearances rarely reflect true happiness or fulfillment.
Inner Fulfillment: Genuine satisfaction comes from within, from recognizing and nurturing your own strengths and journey rather than pursuing others' paths.
Gratitude and Abundance: Gratitude shifts your perspective, helping you appreciate what you have, dissolving envy into joy and abundance.

Reflective Exercise: Transforming Envy into Gratitude

Use this mindful exercise to explore and release envy gently:

Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
Recall a situation where you felt envy or dissatisfaction when comparing yourself to another person.
Acknowledge these feelings without judgment.
Now consciously shift your thoughts toward appreciation and gratitude. Silently affirm:

"I honor my unique journey. I am grateful for my gifts and opportunities."
Allow gratitude to fill your heart, replacing feelings of envy with peace and appreciation.

Journal Prompt for Avarice (Matsarya):

Describe a recent situation in which you felt envy. What triggered these feelings?
How does envy typically affect your mood, decisions, or self-image?
List three unique qualities, strengths, or aspects of your life that you genuinely appreciate. How can reflecting on these help counteract envy?

Moving Forward in the Game

Acknowledging and overcoming Matsarya allows you to experience deeper joy, fulfillment, and self-awareness on your spiritual journey. Understanding envy prepares you to engage consciously with your desires and sensory experiences in the next square, the Sensual Plane (Kama-Loka).

Square Navigation

Current Position

Current Square: 8 - Avarice (Matsarya)
Chakra: Muladhara (Root Chakra)
Previous: Square 7: Conceit (Mada)
Next: Square 9: Sensual Plane (Kama-Loka)

Muladhara Chakra Squares

Progress Through the Game

Current Position: Square 8 of 72
Current Chakra: Muladhara (1 of 8)
Chakra Progress: 8/9 Squares

Roll the dice once more, now with gratitude and an open heart.

Namaste.