A game. Scriptures suggest that it holds the power to destroy a man’s life like liquor, women and hunting.

Once the Ashwinis were banned by Indra and were not allowed to consume soma. They approached Chyavana for help, and he conducted a yajna to help them get it. Indra didn’t appreciate this and aimed his vajra at the sage, but he froze Indra’s arms and an asura named Madan arose from the sacrificial fire. Indra begged for mercy and the sage split Madan into four parts and put one part each into dice, women, hunting and liquor as per Devibhagavata Saptamaskanda.