And the Thunder Said DA

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.