The thirty-fourth hymn of the tenth mandala of the Rig Veda,
a Collection of religious hymns dating back to 4000 BCE,
is known as the gambler´s hymn.
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Rig_Veda/Mandala_10/Hymn_34

Thanks for posting this Dane [smiley]skype/yes.gif[/smiley]

"most beautiful among the non–religious poems of the Rig Veda"

"Considering that it is the oldest composition of the kind in existence, we cannot but regard this poem as the most remarkable literary product"

As seen in quotes at the wiki page, which is also filled with curious facts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambler's_Lament

(Dice seemed to be the top game at the time [smiley]skype/blush.gif[/smiley])

Quote from: VLS on July 08, 2014, 12:24:30 PM
Thanks for posting this Dane [smiley]skype/yes.gif[/smiley]

"most beautiful among the non–religious poems of the Rig Veda"

"Considering that it is the oldest composition of the kind in existence, we cannot but regard this poem as the most remarkable literary product"

As seen in quotes at the wiki page, which is also filled with curious facts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambler's_Lament

(Dice seemed to be the top game at the time [smiley]skype/blush.gif[/smiley])

I  had read a Danish translation of the text in a book on compulsive gambling.
So I guessed that in the age of Google this text must be available in English too.
And now you have found more! Thanks!
The Vedas might be almost impossible to date and to understand completely.
And we might not have learned much in the last few milleniums!
This poetic piece in particular deserves attention from more than a few dice players!
I could not find a section on COMPULSIVE GAMBLING
and no section on GAMBLING IN LITERATURE