Words, Meanings, and Perceptions

During the ancient Pauraanic era, humanity was divided into three groups - 

Dev, Daanav, and Maanav.

There is a short story in one of the Puranas that once upon a time, all three communities - Devs, Daanavs, and Maanavs sent their representatives to Prajapita Brahma for some guidance. 

When they arrived there, Prajapita was about to leave his place.
Nonetheless, they paid their respects, obeisance - and requested him to give them some Updesh - some precept - some instructions for their respective communities so they may be able to improve their life.
Prajapita looked at them and said only one word - just one letter and left.
And that letter was - D - pronounced in Hindi as 'The.
Everyone was confused - they did not understand the response, but since Prajapita had already left - they also went back to their places. 

When the people of their communities asked them what Upadesh and instructions Prajapita had given them - they replied 'D (The) is all he said.
The community leaders thought there must be some hidden meaning behind it.
The scholars - leaders of each of those communities, came up with their own meanings.

Devs or Devtaas thought they were always indulged in luxuries and pleasures - so Prajapita's instruction must be - Daman - to suppress - to control the desires for excessive pleasures. 

Daanavs thought - we are too cruel and evil.
Our actions are usually to harm people - to inflict pain on others.
Prajapita's Upadesh - precept for us is Daya - Compassion. 

On the other hand, Maanavs thought they were always running after worldly possesions - selfishly keeping and saving everything for themselves. The message of Prajapita must be Daan - Charity - giving and helping others.

Everyone drew their own meanings from a single word - according to their own understanding and perception.
Three different and distinctive words were taken by scholars from various backgrounds from a single letter D - Daman, Daya, and Daan.

Similarly, when we hear something from the Gurus, Saints, and elders, we tend to draw our own meanings according to our own understanding and background. 

Each individual might be facing different circumstances and going through different phases of life. 

Therefore, instead of arguing about which meaning is right or wrong - we should adopt whatever helps us personally to move forward and improve our lives.

                                  ' Rajan Sachdeva '