What the Thunder Said

Acrylic on Canvas

The children of Prajapati, the Creator — gods, human beings and ‘asuras’, the godless — lived with their
father as students. When they had completed thealloted period of study the gods said, “Venerable One,
please give us instruction”. Prajapati answered withone syllable: “Da”.
“Have you understood?” he asked.”Yes”, they said, “You have told us ‘damyata’, be self-controlled”.”Very good.
You have understood”, he said.
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”.”Very good. You have understood,” he said.
Then the ‘asuras’, the godless ones, approached.”Venerable One, please teach us”.
Prajapati answered with the same syllable: “Da”. “Have you understood?”, he asked.
“Yes”, they said. “You have told us ‘dayAdhvam’, becompassionate”. “Very good. You have understood”, he said.
The heavenly voice of the thunder too repeats this teaching: “Da-Da-Da!”.
Be self-controlled! Give! Be compassionate!