3. There is a beautiful story in the Upanishads which is relevant here. Once the devas (bright gods), the danavas (dark gods) and the men, all went to Prajapati (the Creator) for advice, Prajapati gave all three of them the same word of advice, the one syllable "da". The bright gods said, "We devas are self-indulgent; the taste for sensual pleasures has taken hold for us.

So Brahma, by the sound 'da' has told us to acquire 'damana' (self-control)." The dark gods said, "We danavas are now very prone to anger, and hard-hearted; the Creator has advised us, by the sound 'da', to cultivate 'daya' (compassion)." The men said, "We men are given to greed, and have become mad after piling up wealth; by saying 'da' Prajapati has advised us to practice 'dana' (giving of gifts).

" The Creator approved of all their interpretations, because they had arrived at their meaning in terms of the Gita. We should bear in mind this story from the Upanishads.

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