All beings are the Children of the Prajaapathi, the Creator. The living beings can be categorized into three groups – the Devas, the Manushyaas and the Asuras.

The first group, the Devas are the Celestials who are the denizens of Paradise where they enjoy all sorts of pleasures.

The second group, the Manushyaas are the Human Beings who live in this Earth.

The third group, the Asuras are the demons who are extremely cruel. All three groups of beings studied at the feet of Prajaapathi.

After their studies under him all the three groups of children approached Prajaapathi, one group at a time, and asked him for a final teaching.

When Devas approached Him and said ‘Please teach us Father’, He said to them the single syllable ‘Da’. Then He asked ‘Did you understand?’ They said ‘Yes. We have understood what you said. It is ‘Daamyata – Control Yourselves’’. He said ‘Yes. You have understood it’.

When Manushyaas approached Him and said ‘Please teach us Father’, He said to them the single syllable ‘Da’. Then He asked, ‘Did you understand?’ They said ‘Yes. We have understood what you said. It is ‘Datta – Be charitable’’. He said ‘Yes. You have understood it’.

When Asuras approached Him and said ‘Please teach us Father’, He said to them the single syllable ‘Da’. Then He asked, ‘Did you understand?’ They said ‘Yes. We have understood what you said. It is ‘Dayathvam – Be Merciful’’. He said ‘Yes. You have understood it’.

Then there was loud thunder with the sound ‘Da Da Da’ which reflected in the minds of Devas, Manushyaas and Asuras as ‘Daamyata, Datta, Dayathvam’ respectively.

Will we remember this Sermon whenever the thunder goes ‘Da Da Da’?

This story occurs in the Brihad Aaranyaka Upanishad.