Page 8 - Mayilpeeli December

DECEMBER 2020
MAYILPEELI
Monthly Newsletter
Ambadi
Kids Corner
BRAHMA’S LESSON
Srinand R. Nair
A long time ago, there were three species that inhabited the three worlds: the Devas from Heaven,
the Manavas (Humans) from Earth and the Asuras from Naraka. They were unhappy and always
fighting amongst one another. To resolve this conflict, each of them decided to send representatives to Brahma, the lord of creation, to give them a solution.
The first to go to him were the Devas. When they arrived,
Brahma was in deep meditation. As he finally opened
his eyes, Brahma saw the Devas in front of him and uttered a single letter: “Da”.
The Devas did not understand, so Brahma told them, “For you, the Devas, ‘Da’ stands for Damyata, or control. "You live in too much luxury and lavishness. Have more self-control.”
The next one to get an audience with Brahma were the Manavas, and as they approached him Brahma repeated “Da” to them as well. He told the humans that for them, “Da” stood for Danam, or charity. Brahma said that humans were selfish and greedy, and that he wanted them to become more generous and to not only think about themselves. The Manavas assembled before Brahma and agreed, and they promised to follow his instructions once they went back home.
Finally, the Asuras went to Brahma’s palace and asked him for advice. Once again, his voice boomed “DA”. The Asuras asked Brahma what he meant, and Brahma replied, “You asuras are powerful, but you are also cruel and merciless. I need you to have Daya, or mercy. Be more compassionate and less violent.”
After getting their answers, all three races of the world went back home. Brahma had compressed all their weaknesses into just one syllable:
“Da”. For each species, “Da” meant a unique principle that contrasted their weaknesses, whether it be self-control, generosity, or compassion. However, the inhabitants of the three worlds do not always remember to follow these principles. So when it rains, Brahma repeatedly reminds us to follow these principles by booming “DA” during the storm,
which we hear as the sound of thunder.