Friday, June 26, 2009

THE UPANISHADS - What the Thunder Said

The children of Prajapati, the Creator - gods, human beings, and asuras, the godless - lived with their father as students. When they had completed the allotted period the gods said, "Venerable One, please teach us " Prajapati answered with one syllable: "Da"

"Have you understood?" he asked.
"Yes," they said. "You have told us damyata, be self-controlled."
Then the human beings approached.
"Venerable One, please teach us."
Prajapati answered with one syllable. "Da."
"Have you understood?" he asked.
"Yes." they said. "you have told us datta, give."
"You have understood," he said.
Then the godless approached. "Venerable One, please teach us."
Prajapati answered with the same syllable: "Da."
"Have you undestood?" he asked.
"Yes," they said. "you have told us dayadhvan, be compassionate."
"You have understood." he said.

The heavenly voice of the thunder repeats this teaching. Da-da-da!

Be self-controlled! Give! Be compassionate!

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Part of our training will include a review of the Upanishads. This hymn is from the
- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Chapter V, What the Thunder Said

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