And the Thunder Said DA

About the Book

Prajapati, the Creator, had three kinds of offspring: gods, men, and demons. They lived with Prajapati as brahmacharins (celibate students) practicing austerities. At the end of their term, the gods requested him saying: "Please instruct us, Sir." Prajapati uttered the syllable Da and he asked: "Have you understood?" The gods replied: "Yes. You have said to us, control yourselves (Damyata)." Prajapati responded: "Yes, you have understood."

Then men spoke to him: "Please instruct us, Sir." Prajapati uttered the syllable Da and he asked: "Have you understood?" The men replied: "We have. You have said give (Datta)." Prajapati responded: "Yes, you have understood."

Then the demons spoke to him: "Please instruct us, Sir." Prajapati uttered the syllable Da and he asked: "Have you understood?" The demons replied: "Yes. You have said to us, be compassionate (Dayadhvam)." Prajapati responded: "Yes, you have understood."

That very thing is repeated by the celestial voice in the form the thunder that speaks to us: "Da, Da, Da" which means, "control yourselves," "give," "be merciful."

In other words, writes Kara, the instruction to comprehending the ultimate mystery begins from an ethical injunction. He who is self-controlled, charitable, and merciful is given proximity to the gods. Ethics takes precedence over epistemology and ontology.

About the Author

Ashok Kara is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Memphis, TN. After paying homage to the power of deconstruction in his The Ghosts of Justice Dr. Kara has turned his attention to the power of Dharma or Justice in the texts of his native India.