16-Brahmaa
There is a story
which shows that the same education is grasped at different levels based on
the students' inherent biases and intellect. Eg:
Once all gods, Asur
and human beings came to be educcated to Brahmaa Jee. Brahmaa Jee taught
them for some time. Then the day came when their education was complete, so
they all went to Brahmaa Jee again.
The gods on the
completion of their term, said - "Please instruct us."
Prajaapati told them the syllable ‘Da’ and asked - "Have you understood?"
The gods said - "Yes we have understood. You tell us to observe "Dam" -
to control ourselves."
Prajaapati said - "Yes, you have understood".
Then the men came and
said to Prajaapati - "Please instruct us."
Prajaapati told them the same syllable ‘Da’ and asked - "Have you understood?"
The men said - "Yes we have understood. You tell us "Daan" - to give."
Prajaapati said - "Yes, You have understood."
Then the demons (Asur)
said to Prajaapati - "Please instruct us."
Prajaapati told them the same syllable ‘Da’ and asked - "Have you understood?"
The demons (Asur) said - "Yes we have understood. You tell us to do "Dayaa"
- to have compassion."
Prajapati said - " Yes, you have understood."
And all three went
away with the last teaching to do the same in their lives.
Why the three understood Brahmaa's teaching in their own way?
--The gods are the inhabitants of happy regions in the Heavens. They gain
those regions as their rewards for leading meritorious and virtuous lives.
For them the pursuit of pleasure becomes the business of life. Unless they
avail themselves of the superior opportunity available there to attain the
knowledge of Brahm (Supreme Self), they would have dissipated all their
acquired merits and virtues in the indulgence of the senses, and they would
have to start again at the human level. For the gods, pleasures of the flesh
(senses) was the temptation and the control of the senses was their ally -
that is why they took "Da" as Dam so that they can keep up their
position.
--Men are generally avaricious, selfish, that is why human beings took "Da"
as Daan - to have charitable heart. Give of their ability, time, wealth,
service etc.
--Demons (Asur) are generally cruel and give to injuring others. They lack
compassion and therefore the demons took the letter "Da" that they
should learn about compassion and practice compassion (Dayaa).
REFLECTION
As you can see from the above, it is a case of "to each his own I" and as such
one would not wish to disturb or convince anybody against his beliefs and
understanding.
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