Story 10: The Knowledge of the Vedas

 Story 10: The Knowledge of the Vedas

Rahul was sitting in class, thinking about the stories from the Gita. He was learning so much from them — how to find bad habits, how to control his mind and senses using his brain. He remembered how Grandpa explained the meaning of Dharma so clearly. He also learned when and how to take advice from elders, and how strange the soul is. Just like a tiny seed grows into a big tree because of the soul, and inside one fruit of that tree, there are many seeds, and many souls!

Rahul was thinking deeply when suddenly the teacher started speaking.

Teacher: "So, children, today we will learn about the Vedas. The Vedas are our oldest holy books. They were written in Sanskrit, and there are four Vedas: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda."

The teacher kept explaining, but Rahul found the topic a little difficult.

After coming home, Rahul finished his homework. At night, after dinner, he packed his school bag and ran to his Grandpa.

Rahul (entering the room): "Grandpa! Which Gita story will you tell me today? After the story about happiness and sadness, what comes next?"

Grandpa (smiling): "My dear, now Arjuna understands the soul. And you also understand it now, right, Rahul?"

Rahul: "Yes, Grandpa! I’ve been thinking about the soul since yesterday — where it is and how it works. But Grandpa, I’ll ask more about that later. First, tell me the next lesson. And look, I’ve already turned on the video!"

Grandpa: "So Rahul, now Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that even the Vedas say the duty of a warrior (Kshatriya) is to fight in a just war. If a warrior dies in the war, he goes to heaven. If he wins, he rules the kingdom. So Lord Krishna says — Arjuna, follow what the Vedas say. Do your duty as a warrior."

Rahul: "Wait a minute, Grandpa! Did you say Vedas?

Grandpa: "Yes, Rahul. Do you know about the Vedas?"

Rahul: "Grandpa, you won’t believe it — Our teacher also talked about the Vedas today in class! “Our teacher explained all about them."

Rahul (scratching his head): "Grandpa, are you also going to teach me about the Vedas now?"

Grandpa: "Yes, Rahul — if you want to learn!"

Rahul: "Okay Grandpa, if you teach me, I’ll understand it really well."

Grandpa: "Then let’s begin!"

(Grandpa opens a book and shows a picture of Lord Brahma.)

Grandpa: Rahul, tell me first — whose picture is this?

Rahul: That’s Lord Brahma… the one with three faces!

Grandpa: Good! But actually, he has four faces — there’s one on the back too. And can you see the book in his hand? What do you think it is?

Rahul: Umm… The Vedas?

Grandpa: Yes, these are the Vedas. They are the knowledge given by God.

Rahul: Just like Lord Krishna gave the knowledge of the Gita?

Grandpa: Exactly! It is said that when the universe was created, do you know who made the universe?

Rahul: Lord Brahma did!

Grandpa: Yes. Then, God gave the knowledge of the Vedas to Brahma because the Earth needed this knowledge. And the one who learns this knowledge is called a Brahmin.

Grandpa: So Rahul, now can you tell me — what are the Vedas?

Rahul: Yes, Grandpa! The Vedas are our oldest holy books. They were written a very long time ago when the universe was created.

Grandpa: Now tell me, what does the word Veda mean?

Rahul: I don’t know, Grandpa.

Grandpa: Oh, I already told you — Veda means “knowledge”. So, what did your teacher tell you about the Vedas today?

Rahul: Grandpa, she said the Vedas are written in Sanskrit mantras. And there are four Vedas.

Grandpa: Very good! Can you tell me their names?

Rahul: Oh no… I forgot the names, Grandpa.

Grandpa: That’s okay. Let me tell you — the four Vedas are: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda.

Rahul: Grandpa, what is written in the Vedas?

Grandpa: The Vedas teach us how to live a good life. They have knowledge about everything — about prayers, science, maths, medicine, and even astronomy (study of the stars and planets). Everything is written in great detail in the Vedas.

Rahul: But Grandpa, why are there four different Vedas?

Grandpa: Good question, Rahul! In the beginning, all the knowledge was in one big book. Later, a wise sage named Ved Vyas divided it into four parts with the help of other sages.

Rahul: Ved Vyas — the one who wrote the Mahabharata?

Grandpa: Yes, my child. He was a great sage. He also wrote our Puranas (ancient stories of Gods and the universe).

Rahul: Grandpa, what’s inside each of the four Vedas?

Grandpa: Okay, now listen carefully. The first Veda is:

Rigveda: It has prayers and hymns to praise the Demi-Gods (Devta).

Rahul: Demi Gods (Devta)? Who are they, Grandpa?

Grandpa: Like the Sun, Moon, Fire, Wind, Water, and Indra. These are all Demi-Gods (Devta). They are helpers of God and have special powers in their own departments. They give us so many things in life, so we call them Devtas (givers).

We must always be thankful to those who give —
“Jo deta hai, woh devta.”
(The one who gives is a God.)

Grandpa: And the second Veda is...

Yajurveda: It tells us how to do yajnas and puja (prayers and rituals).

Rahul: What is a yajna, Grandpa?

Grandpa: A yajna is when we light a sacred fire and put offerings into it to thank the Gods. It is done with the help of a Brahmin priest.

Rahul: Oh! Like what we see at weddings, Grandpa?

Grandpa: Yes, something like that. But each yajna has its own special mantras and ways of doing it.

Now, the third Veda is Samaveda.

It has Mantras that are sung like music. These are full of devotion and love for God. People sing them in a very beautiful way.

Rahul: And Grandpa, the fourth Veda is Atharvaveda, right?

Grandpa: Yes! The Atharvaveda has knowledge about medicine, science, Ayurveda, and how to protect life.

Rahul: Wow, Grandpa! The Vedas have everything — devotion, science, maths, medicine…
Have you read the Vedas?

Grandpa: No, my child. In our time, people didn’t ask us to read the Vedas. And it was hard to find the books, too.
But do you know? God says in the Gita that it has the summary of all the Vedas!

Rahul:  Does summary mean a short version?

Grandpa: Yes, in just a few verses, the Gita gives so much wisdom.
So first, understand the Gita well. After that, you can read the Vedas. Now everything is easy to find online — in both Hindi and English!

Rahul (smiling): Yes, Grandpa! But I also need someone like you to explain it to me.

Grandpa: You’re right, dear. That’s why Arjuna made Lord Krishna his teacher.

Rahul: Now I understand what the Vedas are, Grandpa.
Can you tell me now — what did God say to Arjuna?

Grandpa: God said, “Arjuna, the Vedas teach us one thing — just do your duty.
You are a Kshatriya, a warrior. So you must fight when needed.
Don’t listen to your senses — they can confuse you.”

Rahul: Senses are like horses, right, Grandpa?
The senses are like horses, and the soul is like the charioteer!

Grandpa (laughing):  Wow, Rahul! You are becoming like Arjuna now! So, God said, "Arjuna, do your duty as a warrior. Listen to your soul, follow the teachings of the Vedas, and get ready for the battle."

Rahul (happily): That’s right, Grandpa! And thank you for helping me understand the Vedas. Now I won’t forget their names, and I’ll also understand the Gita better.

[Rahul turns off the video, smiles, and walks back into the room.]