Story 3: The True Meaning of Dharma (Gita short and easy stories)

  Story 3: The True Meaning of Dharma

Grandpa is sitting on a comfortable chair. On the table beside him, there is a copy of the Bhagavad Gita and his glasses. Rahul enters quickly, waving his mobile phone excitedly.

Rahul (excitedly): "Dada ji! Dada ji! Listen… Mom and Dad have said that from now on I can learn about the Gita from you every night and even record videos. So, please tell me quickly—what does your Gita say Dada ji?"

Grandpa (smiling): "Very well, So now you will come every day at this time to learn the Gita? Great! So first tell me—what have you learned so far?"

Rahul (jumping around playfully): "Dada ji, I’ve learned that Kauravas in vices form and Pandavas in virtues form reside within us. And our mind like Mom’s, our intelligence like Dad, our senses like  stubborn child," these three also resides within us..

Grandpa (happily): Very good, Rahul! Now tell me, before doing any work, whom should we ask?

Rahul: We should ask our charioteer- our intelligence(like Dad) and our mind (like Mom), , Dada ji."

Dada ji: Well done, my child! Now let’s begin today’s video.
(Grandpa picks up the Gita from the table and folds his hands in respect.)

Rahul (surprised): "Wait a minute, Dada ji—why did you greet the book by joining your hands?"

Dada ji:"Rahul, Gita is our sacred scripture , holy book. —. The Gita’s verses are God words, so we must show our respect."

Rahul: "Alright, Dada ji. Shall I also greet it with folded hands?"

Dada ji: "Yes, dear Rahul, You are very smart.
(Rahul joins his hands in greeting.)

Grandpa (opening the book): Today we will read the first verse of the first chapter. Repeat after me, Rahul.

Rahul: "But Dada ji, I don’t know Sanskrit.

Grandpa (laughing): "Just as you can sing Korean or Spanish songs, you can recite this verse as well. Remember, I taught you the Gayatri Mantra and the Hanuman Chalisa, didn’t I?"

Rahul: "Yes, Dada ji! I remember. Should I recite it now?"

Grandpa: Good, you can say it later. Right now, let’s read the verse—our video is being recorded!

(Both repeat the verse together)

Dhṛitarāśhtra uvācha
Dharma-kṣhetre kuru-kṣhetre  samavetā yuyutsavaḥ
māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāśhchaiva kimakurvata sañjaya 1.1

"Dhritarashtra said:
'In the holy land of Kurukshetra, where the great battle is set to unfold, what have my sons and the sons of Pandu done, O Sanjaya?' (1.1)"

Dada ji: Rahul, the very first word of the Gita’s opening verse is 'Dharma.' Do you know what Dharma means?"

Rahul: "Yes, Dada ji, Dharma means religion—like Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian."

Dada ji: "Not quite, Rahul. Dharma actually means duty."

Rahul (surprised): "Duty? How so, Dada ji?"

Dada ji: "Think about it—when you go to school, you are called a student. And what is a student’s duty? To study. So, what is your Dharma?"

Rahul: "My Dharma, my duty, is to study."

Dada ji: "Exactly right! At home, as a son, your duty is to obey your parents and fulfil your responsibilities.

Rahul: "Dada ji, what is my Dharma when I am outside?"

Dada ji: "Then, my dear, your Dharma becomes one of humanity—following the laws of society and the government, performing your tasks with discipline, helping others, and living harmoniously with everyone. That is the duty of humanity."

Rahul: "So, Dada ji, we all fulfil our Dharma by doing our duty, wherever we are. Dadaji, then what is “religion”? Is it not the same as dharma?

Dadaji: Rahul, religion means how we connect with God. You can call Him Bhagwan, Parmatma, Allah, or Jesus. whatever your heart feels. When we are born and grow old, we are called human beings. The duty of every human is dharma—to never forget God, no matter what age we are, whether boy or girl. This is the duty of every human—to stay connected with God.

Rahul: So making a relation with God is religion, Dadaji?

Dadaji: Yes, my child. That is the true meaning of religion. In our homes, we follow what our elders do. In the same way, we love God, have faith in Him, and pray to build our connection. Human dharma is to stay connected to God and to love all living beings created by Him.

 Rahul: Now I understand the true meaning of dharma, Dadaji. My first duty is human dharma—to love God. My second is being a good son, and my third is being a good student.

Dadaji: Well done, Rahul! Now tell me, what is going to happen in the Gita right now?

Rahul: A war is going to happen.

Dadaji: And what is the duty of soldiers in a war?

Rahul: To fight.

Dadaji: Correct. That is why it is said in the first verse—it is a place of dharma, meaning a place of duty.  And Rahul, this verse is spoken by Dhritarashtra. Do you know who he was?

Rahul: Yes, Dhritarashtra was a king and the father of the Kauravas.

Dada ji: "Dhritarashtra was not following Dharma because he did not follow his duty as a king properly. Even if he had performed his religious rituals, he would still have been considered Adharmi (unrighteous)."

Rahul: Adharmi means  not following our duty Dadaji ?

Dadaji: Yes, Rahul, you are right. Similarly, think of Ravana—he was a devotee of Lord Shiva, , yet he was religious but he failed to follow the duty of humanity. He kidnapped Sita ji.

Rahul: "And Dada ji, Ravana used to kill sages Muni too, he was adharmi, not dharmi."

Dada ji: "Thus, Adharm is defined by the failure to perform one’s duties, while Dharm is defined by faithfully upholding them. Do you understand, Rahul?"

Rahul: Yes, Dadaji. Now I understand the true meaning of dharma.

Dada ji: "Rahul, now complete your duty by going to sleep, and let me rest too."

Rahul: "Yes, Dada ji, may I sleep here with you?"

Dadaji: No, Rahul. You have school tomorrow. You must follow your duty as a student. Go and sleep in your room.

Rahul: Okay, Dadaji. Jai Shri Krishna!

And Rahul goes to his room and falls asleep.