Brahma created four sons: Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, and Sanatkumara. They are called 'Kumaras' because they always remain in childhood. They could travel freely anywhere.

One day, they went to Vaikuntha to meet Mahavishnu. To reach Him, they had to cross seven gates. After crossing six gates, they reached the seventh. There, the gatekeepers, Jaya and Vijaya, stopped them, saying, 'Your clothes are not proper.'

The Kumaras replied, 'We are the sons of Brahma. We have come to see Mahavishnu. Do not stop us.' Jaya harshly said, 'Do not argue. If you cause trouble, we will throw you out.'

This insult angered the Kumaras. They cursed Jaya and Vijaya, saying, 'You do not deserve to stay in this holy place. Be born as asuras on Earth.' Jaya and Vijaya realized their mistake and begged for forgiveness.

Mahavishnu and Mahalakshmi appeared there. The Kumaras praised them. Jaya and Vijaya prayed to Mahavishnu to free them from the curse. Mahavishnu asked the Kumaras to reconsider the curse.

The Kumaras asked Jaya and Vijaya, 'Do you want hundred births as devotees of Bhagavan or three births as His enemies?' Jaya and Vijaya chose three births as enemies to return quickly to Bhagavan.

Thus, they were born as demons on Earth three times.

• First birth: Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu.
• Second birth: Ravana and Kumbhakarna.
• Third birth: Shishupala and Dantavakra.

In all these births, they were enemies of Mahavishnu. Bhagavan, through His avatars as Varaha, Narasimha, Sri Rama, and Sri Krishna, killed them and freed them from the curse.

Lessons:

1. Jaya and Vijaya's pride and disrespect toward the Kumaras led to their curse and punishment. Humility is important.
2. Despite being enemies in demon births, their connection with Bhagavan eventually led to their salvation. Maintaining a bond with God is essential.
3. Jaya and Vijaya chose three births as Bhagavan’s enemies to return quickly to Him. Wise decisions can reduce hardships.

Knowledge Bank

Why Balarama killed Romaharshana?

Romaharshana was sitting in brahma-sthana of the yajna. He was not supposed to get up. When Balarama came everybody else got up except Romaharashana. Balarama thought it was out of disrespect, got offended, and killed Romaharshana.

What is Adrishtabhaya?

Adrihstabhaya means unexpected danger. It is the name of a curse. Sarama is the female dog of Swargaloka. Her son was beaten up at a yaga- vedi of King Janamejaya. When Sarama confronted Janamejaya and his brothers about this, they could not give any justification for what they had done. Then she cursed them that some unexpected danger would befall upon them.