Interpretation of Scriptures

Brahma created Devas (Gods), Asuras (demons) and men and sent them to inhabit the heaven, the nether regions and the earth respectively. The very next day a delegation from each of the three groups waited on the creator (Brahma) and told him, “Each one of the three groups has specific characteristic qualities thoroughly distinct and different from the other groups. Please give us one formula by adopting which we could all one day reach the ultimate bliss.” Brahma repeated three times the syllable ‘Da’. All the supplicants nodded their heads in satisfaction and thanked Brahma for his instruction.

Brahma took the Head of the Devas aside and asked him what he understood, he replied “By ‘Da’ you meant ‘Damadhwam’, i.e. we should exercise control over our senses from time to time. Otherwise as by nature we are all given to unlimited enjoyment of sensual objects like good food, excellent music, dance etc., if we continue to follow this path we will all go down in the spiritual scale and never reach the Supreme Lord. Control over our senses is essential for spiritual progress.”

When Brahma put the same question to the leader of the Asuras, the latter answered – “Sir, by ‘Da’ you obviously meant ‘Dayadhwam’ (exercise compassion). By nature, we are cruel and of sadistic temperament and if we continue in that path we shall become miserable and be consigned to the Hell ultimately. If we can show some compassion to the fellow beings, we shall be uplifted.

Lastly, in answer to a similar query, the leader of men answered Brahma – “Sir, we are by nature given to ‘parigraha’ i.e. accumulation of more and more worldly possessions. We do not feel like throwing away even the empty cans of tinned fruits or even an old broomstrick which has become thin with use. Such a vasana (conditioning) is sure to pull us down. The only way to escape is by parting with money or other possession by giving it away to the poor and deserving people. By ‘Da’ you surely meant Data *or Dana– “Give away in charity.”

Brahma told all the three groups that they were absolutely correct in their respective interpretation of his mono-syllabled instruction. Among men themselves some have Divine and Godly qualities, some have demoniacal qualities and the rest have human qualities. Each group tends to interpret the divine revelation in the scriptures in terms of their own vasanas (latent tendencies) and definitely it will be suitable for respective group in order to eliminate the vasanas predominant in that group. This is why texts like Bhagavad Gita have numerous commentaries with widely differing interpretations and each one of them is correct and appropriate for a particular type of aspirants
*Data – The giver (From ‘Maitreem Bhajata’ song sung by M.S. Subbulakshmi the United Nations as composed by the Sri Kanchi Swamigal)