Learning-Living [learning-living.com]: VEDIC WISDOM - BRIHADARANYAKA UPANISHAD: WHAT THE THUNDER SAYS -- DA DA DA

2015-43 Vedic Wisdom - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad:
What the thunder says -- Da Da Da or The Three Great Disciplines

What the thunder says -- Da Da Da [BU 5.2.1 - 5.2.3]
or The Three Great Disciplines

Prajapati, the creator had three kinds of offspring: gods, men and demons.
They lived with Prajapati, practising the vows of brahmacharins.

After finishing their term, the gods said to him: "Please instruct us, Sir."
To them he uttered the syllable da and asked: "Have you understood?"

They replied: "We have. You said to us, ‘Control yourselves (damyata).’
He said: "Yes, you have understood."

Then the men said to him: "Please instruct us, Sir"
To them he uttered the same syllable da and asked: "Have you understood?"

They replied: "We have. You said to us, ‘Give (datta).’
He said: ‘Yes, you have understood.

Then the demons said to him: "Please instruct us, Sir."

To them he uttered the same syllable da and asked: "Have you understood?"

They replied: "We have. You said to us: ‘Be compassionate (dayadhvam).’
He said: "Yes, you have understood."

That very thing is repeated even today by the heavenly voice, in the form of thunder, as "Da," "Da," "Da," which means: "Control yourselves," "Give," and "Have compassion."

Therefore one should learn [and practice] these [three great disciplines]:
self-control [dama], giving [datta] and compassion [daya].