Dashdharma The curse of the Sanathkumaras
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We have seen earlier the story
of Sukeshi who went to the ashram of the sages in the Magadh forest and learnt
many dharmic concepts. (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/02/pious-asuras-and-worried-gods). Amongst the many things he
learnt from the sages, he also got the knowledge of the ten basic principles of
Dharma that is common to all people irrespective of their occupation (varnas).
We had already covered two of these Dharmas through relevant stories. Please
see the link below.
Dasha Dharma
1. Dhṛti
– Patience (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/02/dashdharma-patience-shabari.html; https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/02/dash-dharma-patience.html)
2. Kṣhamā
– Forgiveness (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/03/dashadharma-story-of-kaakasura-from.htmll)
3. Damo
- Calmness
4. Asteyaṃ
- Not coveting/ stealing (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/05/story-of-tumburu-viradha.html)
5. Saucam
– Cleanliness (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/04/dashadharma-story-of-shitala-ma.html)
6. Indriya
nigraha – Control of senses (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/04/narada-understands-power-of-maya.html)
7. Dhīr
– Righteous Action (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/03/dashadharama-kacha-and-devayani.html)
8. Vidya
– Pursuit of knowledge (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/05/the-krishnabhakti-of-gopis.html)
9. Satyam
– Truthfulness (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/03/harishchandra-test-and-triumph.html.)
10. Akrodho
– Control of anger
daśakaṃ dharmalakṣaṇam।।
Story on Akrodho
– Control of anger
The curse of
the Sanathkumaras
Lord Brahma was in deep meditation. He had been
given the task of creation. He was meditating to decide how and where he would
start from. In his deep meditative state, Lord Brahma desired children who
Brahma was happy that now there were these four
children who could further the cause of creation. He told them “My sons, you
can help me in the cause of creation. I want you to help me in populating the
Brahmand (universe) by having a family. “ . Much to his surprise, the
Chaturasana folded their hands and said “We are grateful that you gave us life.
But we do not want to be stuck in the confines of life, death, affection and
maya. We want to pursue the cause of learning and spread Bless us in this more
important endeavour.”
Lord Brahma kept telling them that he had created
them with the purpose of fathering children and populating the world. But the
four were unmoved and firm in their resolve. Finally, Brahma had to give in. He
blessed them in their pursuit of knowledge. They asked an additional boon of Lord
Brhama “Bless us, father that we may never age. We should have the curiosity of
children in receiving and spreading knowledge forever.” He blessed them and
they went their way.
They wandered the Brahmand for many many yugas in their pursuit of knowledge. They kept their child like physical appearance and were often mistaken for children wherever they went. Once their wandering took them to the gates of Vaikunta, the abode of Lord Vishnu.
Having come to Vaikunta, they wanted to pay their
respects to Lord Vishnu. They went to the gatekeepers of Vaikunta, Jaya and
Vijaya. Jaya and Vijaya were sworn to do only what their Lord Vishnu tells them
to do. They did not recognise anyone or anything else. While very obedient to
Lord Vishnu, they were also proud of their positions as gate keepers.
Sometimes, Lord Vishnu used to tell them that
he was not to be disturbed. Normally, it means that the Lord is going into a
state of yoda nidra. While very diligent normally, Jaya Vijaya were extra careful
and protective of their Lord’s privacy during these times.
The time the Chaturasana visited Vaikunta was
one such time when Lord Vishnu was in youga nidra. The four child like sages,
the Chaturasana reached the gates of Vaikunta. They go the gatekeepers and tell
them “We are the Chaturasana, the sons of Lord Brahma. We are here to meet Lord
Vishnu.”
The Chaturasaana were used to being mistaken
for children and do not take offence. They again said “We are the sons of Lord
Brahma. We were born many yugas earlier. We wander the universe
Jaya and Vijaya were now getting slightly
irritated. They told the Kumaras, “Why are you wasting our time giving so many
details. We only obey our Lord Vishnu. We cannot let you in. You need to leave.
Otherwise, we will be forced to send you out.”
The Chaturasana were taken aback by this
display of rudeness and arrogance. They said “Why don’t you just go tell the
Lord? Tell him the Kumaaraas are here. If he still wants us to leave and come
some other time, we will.”
Jaya and Vijaya were really angry by now. They
started going towards the Kumaaras in a threatening fashion. They said “We have
told you that we will not let you enter. Our Lord is resting. We cannot allow
anyone to disturb him. Please leave or we will throw you out. As you can see,
we are strong and powerful. You are but children. Do not make us use force
against you.”
The Chaturasana were now really angry at the
insult and the threats. They curse Jaya and Vijaya “You are drunk with power
and arrogance. Despite being in a divine place like Vaikunta, you are not
having any maturity. You are slaves of human emotions such as
Cursing Jaya and Vijaya, the Kumaaras left in
anger. Now Jaya and Vijaya got worried. They were indeed rude and arrogant
towards visitors despite being told many times to recheck. They were very
distressed. Not knowing what to do, they waited for their Lord Vishnu to get up
from the yoga nidra.
Vishnu finally got up and called them. They
entered his chambers and were looking sad and worried. The all-knowing Vishnu
asked them innocently, “Who came when I was in yoga nidra? Did anyone important
come? Hope you were able to politely tell them to come later.”
Jaya and Vijaya fell at Lord Vishnu’s feet and
narrated the incident. Vishnu smiled and said “You were given a responsibility.
It was not power. You should have dealt with the Kumaaras with respect and tact
and could have told them the same thing. Getting angry and violent does not
help. Anyway, the damage is done.”
Lord Vishnu said “I cannot undo the curse of the
Kumaaras. Since you prevented their entry because of my instructions, I shall
give you a choice. You can take hundred births as humans and live a pious life
praying to me. Or you can take three births as Asuras and spend your life
fighting and hating me. Let me know what would you prefer.”
Jaya and Vijaya looked at each other and said
“Lord, we have learnt our lesson. We let anger and arrogance get the better of
us. We cannot bear to stay away from you for long. If the curse has to come
true, we would prefer to do it in three short births even if it means thinking
about you as an enemy all the time. Give us the boon of three births as Asuras
so that we can come back to Vaikunta fast.”
Lord Vishnu blessed them and said “So be it. In
all the three briths, you will remember me, but as an enemy. I will come myself
and end your life in battle” Jaya and Vijaya thanked the Lord for his kindness
and left.
So, were they born as Asuras? Yes, they are the
famous Asuras that we all know about. In their first birth in the Satya Yuga,
they were Hiranyakshan and Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakshan was killed by Lord
Varaha and Hiranyakashipu was killed by Lord Narasimha.
In the second birth in the Treta Yuga, they
were born as Ravana and Kumbakarna and both were killed by Lord Rama. In the
Dvapara Yuga, they took their third birth as Sishupala and Dantavakra and were
killed by Krishna.
Of course, each of these colourful characters
have many stories.
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