Tuladhara

Who Tuladhara is

Tuladhara was a merchant of Kashi who weighed goods honestly on his scales. The brahmin Jajali, proud of austerities so long that birds had nested in his matted hair, was told by a voice from the sky that he was not as righteous as Tuladhara. He went to the merchant, who welcomed him and explained his dharma: to be a friend to all creatures, to harm none in thought, word or deed, to keep equal scales for all, and to be unmoved by praise or blame. Jajali learned humility from him.

“My scales are even for everyone. Let us play a fair game.”

How Tuladhara plays chess

Even scales: perfectly balanced, fair play that weighs every move honestly.

The Classicist: Sound, balanced chess: develops, castles and takes what the position offers.

Opening repertoire: Symmetrical English (Fair) · Four Knights, Symmetrical (Fair) · Petrov, Symmetrical (Fair)

Defeat Tuladhara in a full game from the normal starting position to earn the achievement Even Scales and open the way to the next guardian.

Sources

• Mahabharata, Shanti Parva

Placement on the path reflects chess difficulty only — a game-design choice, not a ranking of anyone's spiritual standing.