And the Thunder Said DA: Stories of Dharma in the Mythology, Philosophy, and Religion of India. (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780595489343)

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.

Author: Ashok Kara
ISBN-10: 0595489346
ISBN-13: 9780595489343
Publisher: iUniverse
Language: English
Published: 10/22/2008
Pages: 428
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.38lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.95d