{"product_id":"and-the-thunder-said-da-stories-of-dharma-in-the-mythology-philosophy-and-religion-of-india-9780595489343","title":"And the Thunder Said DA: Stories of Dharma in the Mythology, Philosophy, and Religion of India.","description":"Prajapati, the Creator, had three kinds of offspring: gods, men, and demons. They lived with Prajapati as brahmacharins (celibate students) practicing austerities. At the end of their term, the gods requested him saying: \"Please instruct us, Sir.\" Prajapati uttered the syllable Da and he asked: \"Have you understood?\" The gods replied: \"Yes. You have said to us, control yourselves (Damyata).\" Prajapati responded: \"Yes, you have understood.\" Then men spoke to him: \"Please instruct us, Sir.\" Prajapati uttered the syllable Da and he asked: \"Have you understood?\" The men replied: \"We have. You have said give (Datta).\" Prajapati responded: \"Yes, you have understood.\" Then the demons spoke to him: \"Please instruct us, Sir.\" Prajapati uttered the syllable Da and he asked: \"Have you understood?\" The demons replied: \"Yes. You have said to us, be compassionate (Dayadhvam).\" Prajapati responded: \"Yes, you have understood.\" That very thing is repeated by the celestial voice in the form the thunder that speaks to us: \"Da, Da, Da\" which means, \"control yourselves,\" \"give,\" \"be merciful.\" In other words, writes Kara, the instruction to comprehending the ultimate mystery begins from an ethical injunction. He who is self-controlled, charitable, and merciful is given proximity to the gods. Ethics takes precedence over epistemology and ontology.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e iUniverse\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/22\/2008\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780595489343\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 428\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.38lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.95d","brand":"Ashok Kara","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51990814130357,"sku":"9780595489343","price":22.91,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/and-the-thunder-said-da-stories-of-dharma-in-the-mythology-philosophy-and-religion-of-india-9780595489343","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}