Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣat [5-2]
Brahmā/Prajāpati had three types of children - the gods, the humans and the demons. All three groups studied under their father.
The gods asked Prajāpati, "Sir, Teach us."
Prajāpati replied with a single letter, "da" and asked them, "Have you understood?"
The gods replied, "Yes, we have. da is dāmyata - have restraint." Prajāpati agreed that they had.
The humans asked Prajāpati, "Sir, Teach us."
Prajāpati replied with a single letter, "da" and asked them, "Have you understood?"
The humans replied, "Yes, we have. da is datta- give." Prajāpati agreed that they had.
The demons asked Prajāpati, "Sir, Teach us."
Prajāpati replied with a single letter, "da" and asked them, "Have you understood?"
The demons replied, "Yes, we have. da is dayadhvam- have compassion." Prajāpati agreed that they had.
The thunder in the sky goes "da da da" as if it were conveying this message to all of us: practise self-restraint, engage in charity and have compassion.
No comments:
Post a Comment