Story

Da, Da, Da: Prajapati's Three Teachings

verses
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book
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chapter
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What the texts say

In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Da, Da, Da: Prajapati's Three Teachings tells how the gods, humans and asuras, children of Prajapati, serve their teacher in disciplined study. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.1 When the gods ask for instruction, he gives one syllable, "da", meaning master yourselves. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.1 Humans ask next, and they take the same syllable as a call to be generous and give. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.2 When the asuras ask, described as forces of ego and darkness, the same sound holds restraint, generosity and compassion. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.3 Even thunder, the text says, proclaims this threefold practice to the world. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.3

Where the story is told

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2

Begins at 5.2.1
  1. 5.2

Where to read

Every verse that tells the story, book by book.

  1. Upanishads

    3 verses · 1 chapter

    Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

    • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.1

      有三类众生隶属生主（Prajāpati）——诸天、人类与阿修罗——与其父生主同住，修梵行学徒之道。修学既毕，诸天说：“尊者，请为我们开示。”他对他们说出这一音节：“da”。“你们明白了吗？”“我们明白了。”他说：“Dāmyata——当自制。”又说：“唵，你们已明白。”

    • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.2

      随后人类对他说：“尊者，请为我们开示。”他也对他们说出同一音节：“da”。“你们明白了吗？”“我们明白了。”他说：“Datta——当施与，当布施。”又说：“唵，你们已明白。”

    • Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 5.2.3

      于是阿修罗对他说：“尊者，请为我们开示。”他只对他们说了这一音节：“da”。他问：“你们明白了吗？”他们说：“我们明白了。你所说的是：‘当怀悲悯’（dayadhvam）。”他答：“是的，你们已明白。”天启之声——雷霆——也重复同一教诲：“da da da”，其义为：“当自制（dāmyata），当施与（datta），当怀悲悯（dayadhvam）。”因此应当学习这三法：自制、布施、慈悲。