Da to the power of 3

 

DA, DA, DA--DAMA, DAYA AND DAANA (BRIHADAARANYAKA UPANISHAD)

DA, DA, DA—DAMA, DAYA AND DAANA

(BRIHADAARANYAKA UPANISHAD)

 

(DISCOURSE BY N. R. SRINIVASAN)

Mahanarayan Upanishad includes the following Mantra on Austerity (Tapasa) the repetition of which ensures the attainment of qualities  of Austerity enumerated in the mantra. It is also an eulogy of the categories asserted as Tapas;

 

Ritam tapah satyam tapah srutam tapah saantam tapah damastapah samastapah daanam tappah yajnam tapah bhur bhuvah suvah brahmaitadupaasvai-tattapah ||

 

Right is Austerity. Truth is Austerity. Understanding of scriptures is Austerity. Subduing one’s senses is Austerity. Restraint of the body through such means like fast is Austerity. Cultivation of a peaceful disposition is Austerity. Giving gifts without selfish motives is Austerity.  Worship is Austerity. The Supreme Brahman has manifested Himself as Bhuh, Bhuvah and Suvah. Meditate upon Him. This is austerity par excellence. Of these Brihadaranyaka Upanishad has chosen Dama (Restaint) and Dana   (Charity) as important adding Daya (kindness) to the list. Elsewhere  in another Mantra it also glorifies Dana as Austerity.

 

All the eight items separately emphasized here  as Tapas (Austerity) practically include  all that is required for  a complete moral and spiritual discipline.  To these may be added Daya  (kindness). The term Tapas is derived from the root “tap” literally meaning to give Heat and Light. Tapas is often praised in the scriptures as the highest and best means for securing what is hard of attainment in this world and in the next. All physical, mental, moral and intellectual perfection are traced tis one source, namely Tapas, mainly consisting of self-restraint and whole-hearted devotion to a single purpose. Tapas implies an activity of mind or  body which demands keen concentration of thought or an effort requiring unusual and continuous physical strain and heat.  

 

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is one of the important among principal Upanishads. It is most significant on account of its size and contents. There are a number of prose passages in this Upanishad. Some important verses are also quoted in the middle. It is the concluding portion of the Satpata Brahmana of the Sukla Yajurveda and is a very lengthy treatise. This Upanishad contains one of the Mahavakyas “Aham Brahmasmi”—I am Brahman, which is the motto of Sringeri Sarada Math, a monastic center established by Jagadguru Sankaracharya and has the prayer finally chanted at the end of all religious ceremonies:
Asato maa sad gamaya
Tamaso maa jyotir gamaya
Mrityor maa amritam gamaya
“Lead me from evil to the good; darkness to light; and from death to immortality”
It incorporates in itself the central teachings of all principle Upanishads. The fifth chapter details a number of forms of meditation on Brahman.

It also includes an important message “da, da, da” to all in whatever state of mind they may be—Satvic (state of serenity); rajasic (state of activity); and taamasic (state of inertia). It emphasizes that every one should practice three C’s—Control of self (damam); Charity (daanam); and Compassion (dayaa).

In mantra 5-2-1, the Devas, first among the three groups of students approach Prajaapati:
“The three classes of Prajaapati’s sons lived as students with their father Prajaapati. They were devas (gods), men and asuras (demons). After completion of studies the gods said, please instruct us. He told them the syllable ‘da’ and asked ‘Have you understood?’ They said “yes”. Prajaapati said, yes, you have understood”.

The gods were the first to approach Brahma saying, “Please O Lord, give your instruction!” Brahma merely said “da” and asked, “Do you understand?” “Yes, said the gods—we gods are given to all forms of celestial pleasures. Da stands for dama which means self-control. We must control the mind and the senses and develop detachment in order to attain Self realization”. Brahma was very pleased with their reply and said, “very well, you have understood rightly”. In the state of serenity or satvic tendency, one must be vigilant and control one’s outgoing tendencies through the practice of enquiry, japa and meditation. Devas here represent those who are predominantly Satvik in nature.

In the next mantra, 5-2-2 ‘men’ group of students approach Prajaapati:
“Then the men said to Him, ‘please instruct us!” He told them the same syllable, “Da” and asked, “Have you understood?” They said, “We have understood. You tell us to give”. Prajaapati said, “You have understood”.

Then ‘men’ approached and requested, “O Lord, now please instruct us!” Brahma again replied, “Da” and asked if they had understood the implication of the term. “Yes” replied men. The second “Da” means “Daana” or charity. We men have the tendency towards indulgence, greed and attachment. We must learn to share what we have with others in order to purify our hearts and thereby attain self-realization”. “Rightly so” said Brahma. In the state of Activity or rajasic nature in us, we must share what we have with others and involve ourselves in the selfless service of humanity.

In the following mantra 5-2-3, Asuras approach Prajaapati;
“Then Asuras said to Him, “Please instruct us”. He told them the same syllable “da” and asked them, “Have you understood?” They said “We have. You tell us to have compassion by the repetition of the letter ‘da’ for the third time.” Prajaapati said: “Yes, you have understood”. In the state of inertia or Taamasic nature one must adopt compassion and non-violence and stay away from “gross” activities.

Therefore the simple mystic utterance of Brahma in the form of “da” was interpreted by gods (men predominantly Saatvic in nature) to mean “damana” or control of the senses and the mind; by men (predominantly of Rajasic nature) to mean “daana” or charity and by demons ( men with predominantly Taamasic in nature) to mean “dayaa”, mercy or compassion. Devas do not possess enough control over their senses; humans are possessive and, the asuras (demons) are cruel by nature as Puranas project. Hence the  difference.

The same instruction or advice yields different meanings in different states of evolution. When inertia overpowers the mind, one is a demon. When activity is predominated, one is a man. When purity, serenity and harmony prevail, one is divine. Truth is one, but is expressed and interpreted differently in different stages of one’s progress. Therefore, thoughtful person should never bring about conflict and dissension in the name of the religion and in the interpretation of scriptures. The wise seek to know Brahman through the study of the Vedas, sacrifices, charity and austerity.