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THEEPIC GAMERAMAYANA & MAHABHARATAINSTRUCTION MANUAL
The overwhelming love and encouragement received by The Epic Game have inspired us to bring you this Second Edition. What began as a deck of cards featuring three exciting games has now grown into a collection of ten unique card games, all played using the same set of cards. This expanded edition offers greater variety, fresh challenges, and countless hours of fun while taking players on an engaging journey through the world of our epics. As you play, you will naturally discover the remarkable characters, unforgettable stories, and timeless values that have inspired generations. Every game is designed not only to entertain but also to deepen your understanding of our epic heritage. The names of all the games and the specially chosen badges are meaningful and purposeful. Each reflects an important idea, quality, or episode from the epics. This booklet explains their significance, helping you appreciate their deeper meaning and, through them, gain a richer understanding of the epics themselves. Whether you are exploring these epics for the first time or rediscovering them with a fresh perspective, The Epic Game promises an enjoyable and enriching experience for players of all ages. We hope these games bring families and friends together, spark curiosity about our rich traditions, and create countless moments of learning, laughter, thoughtful discussions, and lasting memories. Happy Gaming and enjoy your journey through the Epics!PREFACE
1. 56 Cards of Ramayana and Mahabharata - There are 52 character cards each of Ramayana and Mahabharata, in which the main characters and places from the epics are given. Besides, there are 4 power cards which will be used in the games as and when required.BOX CONTENTS2. Instructions Manual and Information booklet - Instructions for the 10 games that can be played using these cards are given in the instructions manual. Each and every rule or reference material for each game is provided in this manual. The information about the characters that have been included in the cards of Ramayana and Mahabharata is given in the Information booklet. Their role and importance in the epics can be understood using this booklet.4. Bookmark3. Sand clock - A 1 minute timer used in the games to keep the time.
5. Badges - The badges are the prizes that the players get after winning the games. Each game has its own rule to decide which badge is to be given to whom. Following are the specifications of the 6 badges -1. Brahmāstra - Brahmastra is the most powerful astra any warrior can have. It is created by Brahma & it can only be wielded by highly skilled warriors. It is one of the most destructive weapons in Hindu mythology and never misses its target. When unleashed, the sky cracks open, the earth trembles, and all water bodies near the impact zone evaporate. The heat generated is compared to twelve suns rising simultaneously.
Game 1Game 11Objective : Listen carefully to the story and be the first player to place all your character cards in the correct story sequence. Players : This game can be played by 3 or more players. All players compete individually. One player is chosen as the Story Teller. Game Setup : 1. Choose either the Ramayana or Mahabharata card deck. 2. Shuffle the cards and deal them equally among all players. 3. Select one player to be the Story Teller. 4. The Story Teller reads the story from the instruction booklet. How to Play : 1. As the Story Teller reads the story, players listen carefully. 2. Whenever a character mentioned in the story matches a card in a player's hand, that player immediately places the card face up in the center. 3. Continue until the Story Teller finishes reading the story or all possible cards have been played. 4. Players must pay close attention to the story to place their cards at the right time. Winning the Game : The first player to place all of their cards is the winner and receives the Winner Badge. The second player to finish receives the Runner-up Badge.
2Remember : Listen carefully to the Story Teller. Place your card only when that character is mentioned in the story. Speed and attention are the keys to winning!OUTCOME Strengthen the understanding of the sequence of events in the Ramayana or Mahabharata.
Game 2Game 23Objective : Identify as many characters as possible from the clues within the given time. Players : For 2 or more players . To be played in 2 teams. Game Setup : 1. Choose either the Ramayana or Mahabharata card deck. 2. Shuffle the cards thoroughly. 3. One player gives clues, while the other player guesses. 4. If you are playing this game in teams, one person should pick a card and, using the clues on it, get their own team members to identify the character. 5. Set a 1-minute timer. How to Play : 1. The clue-giver picks a card without showing the picture. 2. They read the clues on the card. 3. The other player tries to guess the character. OR 4.One person from a team should read out the clues, and members of the same team should provide the answers. 5. Each correct answer earns 1 point. 6. Continue with new cards until the 1-minute timer ends. 7. After one round, switch roles and repeat. Winning the Game : The player or team that correctly identifies the most characters within 1 minute wins the game.
4Achievement Badge : #Fastest and correctly identified the most characters player Remember : 1. Do not show the picture while giving clues. 2. Use only the clues printed on the card. OUTCOME Enhances knowledge of characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Increases familiarity with the relationships, roles, and characteristics of epic personalities
Game 3Game 35Objective : Be the first player to place all your cards by correctly identifying where they belong in the character hierarchy. Players : This game can be played by 3 or more players. All players compete individually. Game Setup : 1. Shuffle the cards thoroughly. 2. Deal all cards equally among the players. 3. Characters are divided into three categories: Positive Characters Neutral Characters Negative Characters 4. Within each category, every character has a rank number based on its position in that hierarchy. How to Play : 1. The player holding the last card places it face up in the center. 2. Identify whether the card belongs to the Positive, Neutral, or Negative category. 3. Separate rows are formed for each category. 4. Players take turns placing cards that come immediately before or after the visible card in that category's numerical sequence. 5. When a player believes they have a matching card, they place it in the appropriate row . 6. As more cards are added, the three category rows gradually grow into complete sequences. 7. Players must use their knowledge of the characters to determine where their cards belong within the hierarchy.
Winning the Game : The first player to place all of their cards and have no cards remaining in hand is the winner. The first player to place all of their cards wins the Badge. The second player to finish receives the Badge. The third player to finish receives the Badge. Remember : Three separate rows will be formed: Positive, Neutral, and Negative. Think carefully before placing a card. Knowledge of the characters is the key to victory! OUTCOME : Develop a deeper understanding of the characters of the Ramayana or Mahabharata. Learn to distinguish between Positive, Neutral, and Negative characters based on their roles and qualities6
Game 4Game 47Objective : Collect the maximum number of cards by matching characters based on their categories. Players : This game is played individually in a group. It can be played by 3 or more players. Game Setup : 1. Shuffle the cards thoroughly. 2. Deal all the cards equally among the players. 3. Players must not look at their cards. 4. The player who receives the last dealt card places it face up in the center to begin the game. How to Play : 1. Players take turns placing the top card from their pile face up on the table. 2. If the newly placed card and the previous card belong to the same category (Positive, Neutral, or Negative), they form a match. 3. The player who placed the matching card collects all the cards in the center pile. 4. If there is no match, play continues with the next player. 5. Continue until all the cards have been played. Winning the Game : The player who collects all the cards (or the highest number of cards by the end of the game) wins the Champion Badge
Remember : Do not look at your cards before playing. Match cards based on their categories. Stay alert—one matching card can win the entire center pile! OUTCOME Develop the ability to identify and classify characters into Positive, Neutral, and Negative categories. Strengthen their understanding of the roles and qualities of characters from the Ramayana or Mahabharata.8
Game 5Game 59Objective : Be the first player to complete all your character sets based on their categories. Players : This game is played by 3 or more players. Game Setup : 1. Shuffle the cards thoroughly. 2. Deal 7 cards to each player. 3. Place the remaining deck face down in the center. 4. Players arrange their cards into three category sets: 4 cards of the same one category (either Positive, Neutral, or Negative) 2 cards of another category (either Positive, Neutral, or Negative) 1 card of the remaining category (either Positive, Neutral, or Negative) The sets do not need to be complete at the beginning. How to Play : 1. On your turn, draw one card from the deck. 2. If the drawn card helps complete one of your sets, keep it and discard one unwanted card. 3. If the drawn card does not help, place it face up next to the draw pile. The next player may take this face-up card if they need it; otherwise, they should draw from the draw pile. 4. Continue taking turns until a player completes all three category sets. Winning the Game : The first player to complete all three sets wins the Badge .
10Final Challenge : After the game, each player must explain why their cards belong to each category (Positive, Neutral, or Negative). If a player is unable to correctly justify their sets, the sets are considered invalid. Remember : Think carefully before keeping or discarding a card. Knowledge of the characters and their categories is the key to winning. OUTCOME Develops the ability to classify characters into Positive, Neutral, and Negative categories based on their qualities and actions.
Game 6Game 6Objective : Create the maximum number of character pairs by identifying connection between characters. Players : This game can be played by 2 or more players. All players compete individually. Game Setup : 1. Shuffle all the cards. 2. Spread the cards face up on the floor or table so that all character pictures are visible. 3. Ensure that every player can easily see and reach the cards. How to Play : 1. When the game starts, players simultaneously look for characters that are related to each other. 2. A player forms a pair by picking two cards that share a meaningful connection. 3. Once a pair of cards is formed, the cards go to the person who matched them. 4. Players continue making pairs until all possible cards have been used or no more pairs can be formed. 5. Each valid pair earns 2 points. Winning the Game : The player who creates the highest number of valid pairs wins the game.11
Final Discussion : After the game ends, each player must explain the connection behind the pairs they created. Examples of connections may include : Family relationships Friends or allies Rivals or enemies King and minister Guru and disciple OUTCOME Enhances understanding of the relationships between characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.12
Game 7Game 7Objective : Identify the connection between two character cards and collect the maximum number of pairs. Players : This game is played individually in a group. It can be played by 3 or more players. Game Setup : 1. Shuffle the cards thoroughly. 2. Deal 3 to 5 cards to each player. How to Play : 1. The first player places one card face up. 2. The next player places one card beside it. 3. The first player to correctly explain the connection between the two characters wins the pair. The game continues between consecutive players sitting in the circle. 4. Continue the game with the next two cards until all cards have been played. 5. If the two players are unable to state the connection between the cards, then the next player gets the chance to explain the connection and wins the points. Scoring : Brahmastra, Narayanastra, Paashupatastra, Agneyastra, Varunastra & Vajrastra 4 Points – Direct connection between the characters. 3 Points – Indirect connection between the characters. 2 Points – Connection based only on the clues printed on the cards.13
Winning the Game : The player with the highest score at the end of the game is the winner of toppest badge. Remember : Think quickly and explain the connection clearly. The stronger the connection, the higher the score. Knowledge of the characters is the key to winning.14
15Game 8Game 8Objective : Give creative clues to help others identify the character without using the four clue words printed on the card. Players : This game can be played individually in a group, or between two teams. How to Play : 1. Players take turns drawing one card from the deck. 2. The player must not use the four clue words printed on the card. 3. Instead, they must give 2–3 different clues based on their own knowledge of the character. 4. The other player or team tries to guess the character. 5. The game continues until everyone has had a turn or for the decided number of rounds. Winning & Badges : Brahmastra, Narayanastra, Paashupatastra, Agneyastra, Varunastra & Vajrastra The 3 players who give the best and most effective clues each receive 1 Badge. The 3 players who identify the characters the fastest each receive 1 Badge. The player who gives the best and most effective clues receives a Badge. The player who identifies the characters the fastest receives a Badge.Important Rules : Players must not use the four printed clue words, the character's name, or direct hints that reveal the answer immediately.
Game 9Game 9Objective : Create authentic stories using the character cards. Every story must be based only on the original events from the Ramayana or Mahabharata—no fictional stories are allowed. Players : This game is played individually in a group. Game Setup : Shuffle the chosen deck (Ramayana or Mahabharata). Deal 3 cards to each player. Keep the deck in the centre. Place a space next to the deck for discarded face-up cards. Round 1–3 Card Story : 1. Each player receives 3 cards. 2. Try to create one authentic story/event where all 3 characters were present. 3. If you can create a valid story immediately, you win the round and earn 1 Badge. 4. If not, draw one card from the deck. If the new card helps complete the story, keep it and discard one. If it doesn't help, place it face-up beside the deck. 5. During the round, each player gets one chance to exchange one card with another player. The exchange must be mutual (both players agree). 6. Once three players complete their stories the game goes to round 2.16
7. The first 3 players to complete a correct story earn 1 Badge each and receive one additional card-exchange opportunity in the next round. Round 1–3 Card Story : 1. Players now create a story using 4 cards. 2. The same drawing and exchange rules apply. 3. The first 2 players to complete a correct story each earn 1 Badge and receive one extra card-exchange opportunity in the final round. Round 3 – 5 Card Challenge : Players now create a story using 5 cards. The same drawing and exchange rules apply. The first player to complete a correct story earns a Badge and is the winner of the game! Winner : The first player to successfully complete the final round is declared the Top Winner of the game and receives the Topmost Badge. ‘Brahmhastra’ Important Rule : All stories must strictly follow the original Ramayana or Mahabharata. Fictional, altered, or self-created stories are not allowed.17
18Game 10Game 10Objective : Be the first player to get rid of all your cards by making correct character–clue connections before the timer runs out. Players : 3 or more players. This game is played as one group (not in teams). Game Setup : 1. Choose either the Ramayana or Mahabharata card deck. 2. Shuffle the cards thoroughly. 3. Deal 5 cards to each player. 4. Place the remaining cards face down in the center as the Draw Deck 5. Turn over the top card from the Draw Deck and place it face up to start the game. 6. Keep a sand timer (or 30–60 second timer) ready. How to Play : 1. The player next to the one who placed the first card starts the game. 2. The player checks whether one of their 5 cards matches the face-up card on the table. 3. A match is valid if : The clues match, OR The character on one card matches a clue on the other card. 4. If a valid match is found, the player places that card on top of the pile. 5. After playing a matching card, the player turns the timer over and immediately passes it to the next player.
6. The next player must play before the timer runs out. 7. If a player cannot make a match, they draw one card from the Draw Deck. 8. If the drawn card also does not match, the player keeps it in their hand and the turn passes to the next player. 9. The game continues in the same manner until one player has no cards left. Special Calls (Mahabharata Deck) : When a player has 2 cards left, they must say “Jai!” When only 1 card remains, they must say “Jai Bharat!” When a player plays their last card, everyone says “JAI MAHABHARAT!” Special Calls (Ramayan Deck) : When a player has 2 cards left, they must say “Jai!” When only 1 card remains, they must say “Jai Shri Rama!” When a player plays their last card, everyone says “JAI RAMAYAN!” Winning the Game : The first player to discard all their cards correctly wins the game. Achievement Badges Fastest Player Best Connection Maker Remember : Only valid character–clue connections are allowed. The timer must be turned over after every successful move. If no match is possible, draw one card from the deck. Play continues clockwise until a winner is declared.19
OUTCOME : 1. Identify important characters from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. 2. Understand the relationships and connections between different characters.20
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