JAY AND VIJAY

Photo: THE GATEKEEPERS OF VISHNU ....................................................... JAY AND VIJAY Jay and Vijay were the gatekeepers at the heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu. Wanting to spend some undisturbed moments with his wife Lakshmi, Vishnu once instructed Jay and Vijay not to allow any visitors. It so happened that the four Sanakas dropped in to meet Vishnu. They were the sons of Brahma created from his mental powers. Though they were eternally young, they were very learned and highly respected. When Jay and Vijay refused to let them in, they promptly let loose a curse on the gatekeepers. Jay and Vijay would have to take birth twelve times on earth as mortals. Jay and Vijay protested stating that they were only following their master's instructions and a commotion ensued. Vishnu was forced to leave an enraged Lakshmi and come to the gate. He reprimanded the gatekeepers for letting the situation get out of hand but also ignored the visitors indicating his displeasure at their hasty action. Realising that Jay and Vijay were not at fault he offered them a partial reprieve. They would have to take birth only three times instead of twelve but there was a string attached. In these births they would be evil demons. Vishnu himself would appear on earth and kill them. Jay and Vijay accepted their master's proposal. Jay and Vijay first took birth as twin demon brothers, Hirnyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. Hirnyaksha was killed by Vishnu in his Varaha (Boar) incarnation. This incensed Hiranyakashipu, who banned all forms of prayers and worship. However, his own son Prahlada became an ardent devotee of Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu went to the extent of attempting to kill Prahlada and Vishnu had to intervene as Narasimha (Lion-Man). He killed Hiranyakashipu with his claws. Jay and Vijay then took birth as Ravana, the evil king of Lanka, and Kumbhakaran, his younger brother. During this period Vishnu took birth as Rama, the prince of Ayodhya. Ravana abducted Sita, Rama's wife and in the battle that ensued Rama killed both Ravana and Kumbhakaran. Finally, Jay and Vijay took birth as Shishupal and Dantavakra during Vishnu's incarnation as Krishna. They played relatively minor characters. One theory is that the effect of the curse was wearing of and they were being born as progressively less evil characters. Both were first cousins of Krishna, born to two sisters of Krishna's father. When Shishupal was born, he had horns and four arms. His mother Shrutushravaa was horrified and wanted to kill him, but there was a prophecy that said that the extra protuberances would fall of when a certain person took Shishupal in his lap. However that person would eventually slay Shishupal. When Krishna went to see his young cousin and took the baby Shishupal on his lap the extra appendages fell off. Shrutushravaa was aghast that her nephew would kill her son. She pleaded with Krishna. Krishna said that he was powerless against destiny, but would forgive a hundred offences before letting the prophecy take effect. Dantavakra was born with protruding and jagged teeth. Dantavakra literally means "crooked teeth". His mother Shrutudevaa too was aghast at his ugliness but was hopeful that his deformity would be rectified in due course.THE GATEKEEPERS OF VISHNU .......................................................


Jay and Vijay were the gatekeepers at the heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu. Wanting to spend some undisturbed moments with his wife Lakshmi, Vishnu once instructed Jay and Vijay not to allow any visitors. It so happened that the four Sanakas dropped in to meet Vishnu. They were the sons of Brahma created from his mental powers. Though they were eternally young, they were very learned and highly respected. When Jay and Vijay refused to let them in, they promptly let loose a curse on the gatekeepers. Jay and Vijay would have to take birth twelve times on earth as mortals. Jay and Vijay protested stating that they were only following their master's instructions and a commotion ensued. Vishnu was forced to leave an enraged Lakshmi and come to the gate. He reprimanded the gatekeepers for letting the situation get out of hand but also ignored the visitors indicating his displeasure at their hasty action. Realising that Jay and Vijay were not at fault he offered them a partial reprieve. They would have to take birth only three times instead of twelve but there was a string attached. In these births they would be evil demons. Vishnu himself would appear on earth and kill them. Jay and Vijay accepted their master's proposal.
Jay and Vijay first took birth as twin demon brothers, Hirnyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. Hirnyaksha was killed by Vishnu in his Varaha (Boar) incarnation. This incensed Hiranyakashipu, who banned all forms of prayers and worship. However, his own son Prahlada became an ardent devotee of Vishnu. Hiranyakashipu went to the extent of attempting to kill Prahlada and Vishnu had to intervene as Narasimha (Lion-Man). He killed Hiranyakashipu with his claws.
Jay and Vijay then took birth as Ravana, the evil king of Lanka, and Kumbhakaran, his younger brother. During this period Vishnu took birth as Rama, the prince of Ayodhya. Ravana abducted Sita, Rama's wife and in the battle that ensued Rama killed both Ravana and Kumbhakaran.
Finally, Jay and Vijay took birth as Shishupal and Dantavakra during Vishnu's incarnation as Krishna. They played relatively minor
characters. One theory is that the effect of the curse was wearing of and they were being born as progressively less evil characters. Both were first cousins of Krishna, born to two sisters of Krishna's father. When Shishupal was born, he had horns and four arms. His mother Shrutushravaa was horrified and wanted to kill him, but there was a prophecy that said that the extra protuberances would fall of when a certain person took Shishupal in his lap. However that person would eventually slay Shishupal. When Krishna went to see his young cousin and took the baby Shishupal on his lap the extra appendages fell off. Shrutushravaa was aghast that her nephew would kill her son. She pleaded with Krishna. Krishna said that he was powerless against destiny, but would forgive a hundred offences before letting the prophecy take effect. Dantavakra was born with protruding and jagged teeth. Dantavakra literally means "crooked teeth". His mother Shrutudevaa too was aghast at his ugliness but was hopeful that his deformity would be rectified in due course

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  • Hare Krishna Banke Prabhu! Thank you for posting such a wonderful past time of Krishna. We heard about Jay and Vijay many time from different exalted devotees. I have a humble question regarding your posting without hurting or disobeying you. My question is: How is it possible that Vishnu didn't know that the four Sanaks or Kumaras would visit at that time?  Krishna knows everything and He is always engaged in work. Krishna clearly stated in Bhagavad Gita chapter 3 verses 22 and 24. 

    na me parthasti kartavyam 
    trisu lokesu kincana 
    nanavaptam avaptavyam 
    varta eva ca karmani (BG 3.22)

    O son of Prtha, there is no work prescribed for Me within all the three planetary systems. Nor am I in want of anything, nor have I need to obtain anything--and yet I am engaged in work.

    utsideyur ime loka 
    na kuryam karma ced aham 
    sankarasya ca karta syam 
    upahanyam imah prajah (BG 3.24)

    If I should cease to work, then all these worlds would be put to ruination. I would also be the cause of creating unwanted population, and I would thereby destroy the peace of all sentient beings.

    My small fund of knowledge can't find the answer. Please provide me the authentic reference of this statement so that I can have a clear understanding.

    I would appreciate your guidance and help in this regard.

    Hare Krishna!

    Amal 

    • Hare Krishna,

      I hear somewhere that it is lords desire to which they come to fulfill on earth, in spiritual world lord doesn't fights nor there are demons ... so fullfil this desire of lord, Jay and Vijay took birth as twin demon brothers and serve the lord by fight with him. Sanat Kumar are the pure devotee of Lord, a curse from a devotee is also blessing so it is lords actual which for which they come to serve...

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