Principles of ‘DA’ By Naithrupan
Introduction:
Brihadaranya Upanishad meaning ‘Big Forest’ is a longest upanishad. It can reasonably be called as Yajnavalka’s Upanishad because many of the concepts and principles explained in this upanishad are as enunciated by the sage Yajnavalka. The dialogues about Creations, Brahman, Self, Birth, Death, Meditation, Gunas and Salvations are enunciated in this upanishad and symbolisms are very much evident therein. Yajnavalka’s dialogues with his consort Maitreyi and also with Gargi Vachaknavi, a woman saint in the court of Janaka are full of wisdom. The theories of DA(see below) and Neti, Neti (Not this, Not this -ariving at the Truth by negation) are also in this Upanishad.
A few of these wonderful and lasting wisdom will be dealt with in a manner so that everyone could understand the in-depth meaning of these principles.
In this article, the theory of ‘DA’ is explained. The two letters ‘DA’ denote Damyatta (Control pertaining to Devas), Datta (Charity pertaining to Men) and Dayadhvam (Compassion pertaining to Demons).
Article:
There were a teacher and three students. He taught psychology to the students. At the end of the session, the teacher said that the entire lesson contained in this two letters – “WA”.
First Student understood the letters “WA” as the word “WAIT”.
The Second Student understood the letters “WA” as the word “WATCH”.
The Third Student understood the letters “WA” as the word “WANDER”.
The teacher was the same and the lessons taught in the class were also the same. But, the understandings of the students had varied. Why? It was because of their human natures or gunas. We could call them loosely as different natures of attitudes due to their environments, food, culture etc.
The First Student was Dependant Nature (Wait). He would not venture himself first, but, wait for someone else to lead him. He was more or less a follwer than a leader.
The Second Student was Independant Nature (Watch). He was always on alert and would choose his own path.
The Third Student was, however, of Inter-Dependant Nature (Wander) – i.e. he was characterised with the combination of characteristics of both students. He would assess the situations by collecting the information and experience of others by ‘wandering himself’ without simply ‘waiting’ or ‘watching’.
The above situations are purely my imagination only a prelude to make meaning of the theory of ‘DA’ as narrated in the Brihadaranya Upanishad explicit and clear.
Now, let us narrate what is in the Brihadaranya Upanishad.
There were threefold offspring of Prajapati, the Creator. They were Devas, Men and Demons. They were taught by Prajapati, their father. Their studenship had come to an end.
As a final and summary of what all he preached, Prajapati had uttered the syllable “Da” and asked them whether they had understood. For this, all had said, ‘We have understood.’
But, their understandings were different. Let us analyse their understandings one by one.
Let us now take the case of Devas. Devas’ natures were always to have the supremacy over all – men and demons. They were actually power mongers and were anxious to rule all in this world. Hence, his father wanted them to practise self control. His father’s syllable ‘DA’ was understood by them as the word – “DAMYATA” – meaning - control yourselves. Prajapathi, their father, wanted his sons Devas to exercise ‘Control’ in their lifes.
Men’s natures were greedy and possessive. They would not part with their wealth easily. They were by nature avaricious. His father, hence, wanted them to share their wealth with others. His father’s syllable ‘DA’ was understood by them as the word – “DATTA – meaning - give i.e. charity.
Demons’ nature were cruel and injuring others and even killing them without any reason or rhyme. Their father’s ambition was to make them kind towards men and devas. His father’s syllable ‘DA’ was understood by them as the word – ‘DAYADHVAM’ – meaning - be compassionate.
Control for Devas, Charity for Men and Compassion for Demons were to be their respective characteristics and these were the sum and substance of their father’s ultimate advice to his sons to be practised.
The very advices of Prajapati were repeated by the heavenly voice of thunder as ‘Da’, ‘Da’, ‘Da’: ‘Control yourself’, ‘Give’, and ‘Have Compassion’.
It was not enough if only the students of Prajapati practised these qualities as preached by their father Prajapathi.
The upanishad declared that everyone should practise the same triad – Control, Charity and Compassion.
Brihadaranya Upanishad meaning ‘Big Forest’ is a longest upanishad. It can reasonably be called as Yajnavalka’s Upanishad because many of the concepts and principles explained in this upanishad are as enunciated by the sage Yajnavalka. The dialogues about Creations, Brahman, Self, Birth, Death, Meditation, Gunas and Salvations are enunciated in this upanishad and symbolisms are very much evident therein. Yajnavalka’s dialogues with his consort Maitreyi and also with Gargi Vachaknavi, a woman saint in the court of Janaka are full of wisdom. The theories of DA(see below) and Neti, Neti (Not this, Not this -ariving at the Truth by negation) are also in this Upanishad.
A few of these wonderful and lasting wisdom will be dealt with in a manner so that everyone could understand the in-depth meaning of these principles.
In this article, the theory of ‘DA’ is explained. The two letters ‘DA’ denote Damyatta (Control pertaining to Devas), Datta (Charity pertaining to Men) and Dayadhvam (Compassion pertaining to Demons).
Article:
There were a teacher and three students. He taught psychology to the students. At the end of the session, the teacher said that the entire lesson contained in this two letters – “WA”.
First Student understood the letters “WA” as the word “WAIT”.
The Second Student understood the letters “WA” as the word “WATCH”.
The Third Student understood the letters “WA” as the word “WANDER”.
The teacher was the same and the lessons taught in the class were also the same. But, the understandings of the students had varied. Why? It was because of their human natures or gunas. We could call them loosely as different natures of attitudes due to their environments, food, culture etc.
The First Student was Dependant Nature (Wait). He would not venture himself first, but, wait for someone else to lead him. He was more or less a follwer than a leader.
The Second Student was Independant Nature (Watch). He was always on alert and would choose his own path.
The Third Student was, however, of Inter-Dependant Nature (Wander) – i.e. he was characterised with the combination of characteristics of both students. He would assess the situations by collecting the information and experience of others by ‘wandering himself’ without simply ‘waiting’ or ‘watching’.
The above situations are purely my imagination only a prelude to make meaning of the theory of ‘DA’ as narrated in the Brihadaranya Upanishad explicit and clear.
Now, let us narrate what is in the Brihadaranya Upanishad.
There were threefold offspring of Prajapati, the Creator. They were Devas, Men and Demons. They were taught by Prajapati, their father. Their studenship had come to an end.
As a final and summary of what all he preached, Prajapati had uttered the syllable “Da” and asked them whether they had understood. For this, all had said, ‘We have understood.’
But, their understandings were different. Let us analyse their understandings one by one.
Let us now take the case of Devas. Devas’ natures were always to have the supremacy over all – men and demons. They were actually power mongers and were anxious to rule all in this world. Hence, his father wanted them to practise self control. His father’s syllable ‘DA’ was understood by them as the word – “DAMYATA” – meaning - control yourselves. Prajapathi, their father, wanted his sons Devas to exercise ‘Control’ in their lifes.
Men’s natures were greedy and possessive. They would not part with their wealth easily. They were by nature avaricious. His father, hence, wanted them to share their wealth with others. His father’s syllable ‘DA’ was understood by them as the word – “DATTA – meaning - give i.e. charity.
Demons’ nature were cruel and injuring others and even killing them without any reason or rhyme. Their father’s ambition was to make them kind towards men and devas. His father’s syllable ‘DA’ was understood by them as the word – ‘DAYADHVAM’ – meaning - be compassionate.
Control for Devas, Charity for Men and Compassion for Demons were to be their respective characteristics and these were the sum and substance of their father’s ultimate advice to his sons to be practised.
The very advices of Prajapati were repeated by the heavenly voice of thunder as ‘Da’, ‘Da’, ‘Da’: ‘Control yourself’, ‘Give’, and ‘Have Compassion’.
It was not enough if only the students of Prajapati practised these qualities as preached by their father Prajapathi.
The upanishad declared that everyone should practise the same triad – Control, Charity and Compassion.
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