The Srimad Bhagavatam is filled with intriguing events that offer profound wisdom and help one increase devotion to God. One such event is of Jaya and Vijaya, the two celestial gatekeepers who were cursed to become demons, thus setting the stage for the series of incarnations of Lord Narayan. This blog details the events surrounding Jaya and Vijaya’s error, their curse, their first birth as demons, and the divine purpose behind the incarnation of Lord Varaha. Through this, the intricate workings of Divine intervention, the nature of life and death, and the concept of good and evil are brought to light.
The Divine Play: The Curse of Jaya and Vijaya
From Celestial Gatekeepers to Demons
The story of Jaya and Vijaya begins in Vaikuntha, the divine abode of Lord Narayan, where they serve as the gatekeepers. One fateful day, the four Kumaras, enlightened sages who always had their minds absorbed in God, came to Vaikuntha. Despite their pure intentions, the four Kumaras were stopped at the gates by Jaya and Vijaya, who, adhering to the rules of Vaikuntha, did not allow anyone to enter especially those without proper attire. This action deeply insulted the four Kumaras, who, in their anger, cursed Jaya and Vijaya to be born as demons.
When Lord Narayan saw that Jaya and Vijay had been cursed by the four Kumaras, he pleaded with the sages for mercy, asking them to reduce the severity of their punishment. The four Kumaras offered the gatekeepers a choice: to be devotees for seven lifetimes or demons for three lifetimes. The gatekeepers, preferring a shorter duration due to the painful conditions of the earth, chose to be demons for three lifetimes.
The Role of God in the Curse
While it might seem that the four Kumaras' curse was harsh and unjust, the answer lies in God’s grand cosmic play. By sitting in the hearts, God inspired Jaya and Vijaya to stop the Kumaras, and then inspired the four Kumaras to curse them. Through this curse, God orchestrated the necessary conditions for his incarnations.
Jaya and Vijaya incarnated three times as demons: first, as Hiranyaksh and Hiranyakashipu, then as Ravan and Kumbhakarna, and finally, as Shishupal and Dantavakra. Lord Narayan, seeing the need for divine intervention, decided that since his servants were taking three incarnations, it was also his responsibility to descend. As a result, he incarnated in four forms: Varaha, Narasimha, Ram, and Krishna, to restore balance, defeat the demons in each of their lifetimes and perform pastimes.
The Rebirth of Jaya and Vijay
After Jaya and Vijaya were cursed by the four Kumaras, a suitable womb was needed for their incarnation. Diti, the wife of Sage Kashyap, desired to conceive in the evening during dusk. Sage Kashyap warned that the time was improper due to the presence of the Devatas, but Diti insisted. Consequently, two powerful demons, Hiranyaksh and Hiranyakashipu, were conceived. When Diti noticed inauspicious signs and learned that demons were growing in her womb, she was troubled. She attempted to keep them inside for as long as possible, but eventually, released them.
Hiranyaksh and Hiranyakashipu were born, embodying the very essence of greed and hatred. Just as greed knows no bounds and grows endlessly without ever being satisfied, these two brothers also began to grow more powerful by the day. Their strength increased to such an extent that they soon began to tyrannize the entire Universe.
The Divine Leela: The Incarnation of Lord Varaha and Hiranyakashipu's Revenge
The incarnation of Lord Varaha
Lord Brahma instructed Manu and Shatarupa to continue with the creation process, but Manu expressed concern about the earth being out of place, as it had moved away from its orbit. Lord Brahma, pondering the issue, caused a small creature to manifest from his nostril. This tiny being grew rapidly until it took the form of a divine boar, Lord Varaha. Lord Varaha manifested with a specific purpose: to restore the earth. He immediately set off toward the Garbhodaka Samudra, located at the bottom of the universe, where the earth had fallen, to restore it.
The Battle Between Lord Varaha and Hiranyaksh
Hiranyaksh was searching for an opponent to fight when he encountered Narad, who suggested he challenge Lord Varaha instead. Lord Varaha, at the time, was carrying the earth on his nose, preparing to return it to its orbit. Hiranyaksh called out to Lord Varaha, insulting him and demanding a fight, but Lord Varaha ignored him and completed his task of restoring the earth. Afterward, Lord Varaha turned to face Hiranyaksh, and a fierce battle ensued. The fight, which spanned across different constellations and galaxies, appeared to be an even contest, as Hiranyaksh was immensely powerful. However, in the end, Lord Varaha defeated Hiranyaksh effortlessly, slapping him with ease, and bringing the battle to a swift conclusion.
Hiranyakashipu's Hatred and Austerities
After his brother Hiranyaksh's death, Hiranyakashipu consoled his brother's wives, teaching them that the body is temporary but the soul is immortal, and encouraging them not to mourn. His grief quickly turned to intense hatred towards Lord Narayan, who had killed his brother. Seeking revenge, Hiranyakashipu decided to undertake severe austerities to gain power and settle scores with Vishnu. This set the stage for the incarnation of God as Lord Narasimha later on.
Conclusion
The story of Jaya and Vijaya’s transformation from divine gatekeepers to demons and the subsequent incarnations of Lord Narayan is a powerful reminder of the divine plan that governs the universe. Their story is not just one of punishment, but also a demonstration of God's omnipresence in orchestrating events for a greater purpose. Through the various incarnations, the eternal struggle between good and evil continues, bringing about balance and restoring harmony. Ultimately, this narrative exemplifies the deeper truth that every event in the Universe is part of the divine Leela, designed to fulfill the larger cosmic purpose.
Call to Action
To learn more about the fascinating incarnations of God and their divine purpose, listen to Swami Mukundananda's Srimad Bhagavatam series on YouTube. Continue to deepen your spiritual wisdom, cultivate inner peace and transform your life by attending in-person events led by Swami Mukundananda in India and USA.
FAQs
- Why were Jaya and Vijaya cursed by the four Kumaras?
Jaya and Vijaya were cursed by the four Kumaras after they stopped them from entering Vaikuntha, despite the Kumaras' pure intentions. Their refusal to allow entry, based on the rules of Vaikuntha, angered the sages, leading them to curse the gatekeepers. - What choice did Jaya and Vijaya have after being cursed?
The four Kumaras gave Jaya and Vijaya a choice: to be devotees for seven lifetimes or demons for three lifetimes. The gatekeepers chose to be demons for three lifetimes, as they believed it would be less painful. - What was the purpose of Lord Narayan's incarnations in this story?
Lord Narayan's incarnations, including Varaha, Narasimha, Ram, and Krishna, were part of a divine plan to restore balance in the universe by defeating the demons incarnated from Jaya and Vijaya. These incarnations were a result of the curse and the need to eliminate the demons in their various lifetimes. - How did Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu come into existence?
After Jaya and Vijaya were cursed, they were reborn as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. Their mother, Diti, conceived them after insisting on an improper time, despite warnings. This led to the birth of two immensely powerful demons who embodied greed and hatred. - What led to the battle between Lord Varaha and Hiranyaksha?
Hiranyaksh, seeking a worthy opponent, was advised by Narad to challenge Lord Varaha. Lord Varaha, who was restoring the earth to its proper place, eventually faced Hiranyaksh in a fierce battle. Despite Hiranyaksh's immense power, Lord Varaha effortlessly defeated him, ending the battle swiftly.
Resources
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