Prajapati had three kinds of offspring: gods, men and demons. They lived with Prajapati, practising the vows of brahmacharins. After finishing their term, the gods said to him: "Please instruct us, Sir." To them he uttered the syllable da [and asked]: "Have you understood?" They replied: "We have. You said to us, 'Control yourselves (damyata).'" He said: "Yes, you have understood."
Then the men said to him: "Please instruct us, Sir." To them he uttered the same syllable da [and asked]: "Have you understood?" They replied: "We have. You said to us, 'Give (datta).'" He said: "Yes, you have understood."
Then the demons said to him: "Please instruct us, Sir." To them he uttered the same syllable da [and asked]: "Have you understood?" They replied: "We have. You said to us, 'Be compassionate. (dayadhvam)'" He said: "Yes, you have understood."
That very thing is repeated [even today] by the heavenly voice, in the form of thunder, as "Da," "Da," "Da," which means: "Control yourselves," "Give," and "Have compassion." Therefore one should learn these three: self-control, giving and mercy.
-Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
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