Celestial Gatekeepers and their curse

 

Sanatkumaras visit to Vaikuntam

The Celestial Gatekeepers and their curse

 

Jaya and Vijaya were the gatekeepers for Sri Vishnu at Vaikunta. They were very proud of their work and sincere. One day Vishnu was in meditation and told them he was not to be disturbed.

At the time, the Sanat Kumaras who were in their quest for knowledge were roaming the realms of the universe. The Sanat Kumars are the scholars who were the first manasa (created from the mind) children of Brahma. Named Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanatkumar, they were very learned scholars though appearing as small children. Though Brahma created them to propagate mankind and populate the world, they refused as they wanted to pursue their quest for higher objectives.

These four learned Kumaras now reach the door of Vaikunta. They wanted to pay their respects to Mahavishnu. When they were at the doors of the sanctum, they saw their path obstructed by two guards. The Kumaras asked them who they were. The Guards replied “ We are Jaya and Vijaya, guardians of Vaikunta. Jaya is victory over the external and Vijaya is victory over oneself. Only those who have conquered the two can enter Vaikunta” The Kumaras explained that they were sons of Brahma in the quest of knowledge and wanted to pay their respects to Vishnu. Jaya and Vijaya still did not budge.

The SanatKumaras got angry and cursed them “God sees all and is not any one person’s possession. Vaikunta is a place of harmony and peace and you two are creating disharmony here. The same way you separate Vishnu from his devotees, you shall also be separated from him. You shall lose your celestial form and shall be born as a human.”

Jaya and Vijaya were aggrieved. They ran to their benefactor, Vishnu and told him what happened. Vishnu was sad that they disrespected the SanatKumaras. But taking pity on them, he said, “ I cannot undo the curse. But I can help you reduce the pain. You can either take seven births as my devotee or three births as my enemy. Once the period is over, you can come back to Vaikunta.”

Jaya and Vijaya said, “ Seven births is too long a period my lord. Even if we are against you and the world loathes us, give us three births where are evil so that we can come back to you faster.” They added.” We want an additional blessing Prabhu. In each of these births we want to be killed by your hand.”

Vishnu smiled and blessed them “Thatastu. (So be it”)

Hence Jaya and Vijaya were born as Hiranyakshan and Hiranyakashipu in Sathya Yuga. In Treta Yuga they were born as Ravana and Kumbakarna. In Dwapara Yuga, they were born as Shishupala and Dantavakra. In each of these avatars, Lord Vishnu, true to his promise killed them and saved the world from their atrocities.

Each of their avatars has a colourful story. Want to know?. Stay tuned.