The Story of Jaya and Vijaya

In King Parikshit’s court, the silence had become so deep that even if a pin had fallen, everyone would have heard it. An unknown fear seemed to have entered every heart. The courtiers sat motionless. No one knew for certain whether a curse would truly fall upon the mighty king of the Kuru line. But all were sure of one thing: if anything did happen, it would be terrible.

No one there knew the young sage Gourmukh. Yet the moment they saw him, they understood that he had not come with good news. Worry spread through the court like a shadow.

But King Parikshit himself showed no sign of fear. Calm and steady, he sat looking at the young sage’s face.

Gourmukh respected this kind, righteous, and just king. Because of that, he hesitated to speak the painful message he had brought.

"King Parikshit," he said softly, "I am only the messenger of sage Shamik. I have come to you by his order."

Parikshit answered gently, "Do not hesitate so much, young sage. Speak without fear. I am waiting to hear what you have come to say."

Gourmukh lowered his eyes. "You hung a dead snake around the neck of sage Shamik while he was deep in meditation, Maharaj. Seeing that, his son Shringi became terribly angry and cursed you. Shringi is very young. He becomes angry very quickly. He has no one except his father. So this event has deeply shaken him. Shringi has said that within the next seven days, you will die from the bite of the serpent Takshak."

At once the silence of the court broke.

"What is this! A curse! Such a heavy punishment for such a small sin!"

"What disaster! Now, now what will happen?"

"Oh, you are worrying for nothing. What harm can come from the curse of a boy?"

"No, no, no, nothing will happen to the king. Nothing at all will happen."

But Gourmukh spoke firmly now. "Let me tell you clearly, though Shringi is young in age, his penance and spiritual power are not small. His power is greater than that of many great sages. His words will not become false. That is why I came to give you this message on the order of sage Shamik, Maharaj."

Cries rose from every side.

"How terrible! How terrible! What a disaster! What is happening! O Lord, save us! Save the king!"

"What are you saying, son of a sage! Without the king, we will become helpless!"

"Alas, alas! What are these words!"

Yet Parikshit remained peaceful. He said, "I expected some terrible punishment like this, young sage. The wrong I did to sage Shamik truly cannot be forgiven. I deserve this punishment."

Gourmukh quickly replied, "Sage Shamik has taken no offense at your action. He sees no fault in you. He does not know how to be angry. Among men, he thinks of the king as equal to Narayan. He also knows of all your good qualities, Maharaj."

Parikshit shook his head. "No, young sage. After insulting sage Shamik while he was in deep meditation, I myself can no longer see any good quality in me. My sin has no end."

"Kumar, Maharaj," said Gourmukh, "sage Shamik has also said that what you did without knowing was not your fault. But when Shringi cursed you, sage Shamik was not there. After hearing everything from Shringi’s mouth, he rebuked his son."

Parikshit answered quietly, "What was to happen has already happened."

"Yes, Maharaj, that is true," Gourmukh said. "A Brahmin’s curse never fails. There is no way to stop it. Even sage Shamik himself cannot do that."

One of the courtiers cried out, "And, and Shringi? Tell me, can he not take back his curse?"

Gourmukh replied, "Shringi has heard everything about you from his father. After hearing it all, he has felt great sorrow. He is crying in grief. But even Shringi cannot make his own curse fail. He does not have that power. This curse will surely come true. For your good, let me say one more thing, Maharaj. Do not keep any anger or hurt feelings toward the sages."

Parikshit folded his hands. "I am deeply pleased to know that sage Shamik has forgiven me, Kumar. When you return to the hermitage, offer him my full prostrations. No, Kumar, do not worry. I do not feel even the smallest bitterness toward the sages. I do not even have such boldness. I accept their punishment as a blessing on my head. Please take with you a small gift from me for the service of holy men, young sage. If sage Shamik and his son accept these, I will feel blessed."

When the young sage Gourmukh took his leave, Parikshit looked at the grief-stricken courtiers. Then in a deep voice he said, "For a long time I have ruled on the throne of the Kuru line. With all your help and by the grace of God, my kingdom is now safe in every way. There is no chance of attack from outside enemies. Inside the kingdom too, there has never been rebellion, plague, or any other disaster. Now the time has come for me to leave my throne. I will renounce everything and go for penance. Please give me your permission."

At once the chief minister spoke through tears. "Maharaj, you are our guardian. You are our protector. Without you, what will happen to the future of this Kuru empire, Maharaj? Who will look after it?"

Parikshit answered, "Do not be anxious, chief minister. I will not go anywhere after leaving you all in danger. I believe my eldest son Janamejaya is a worthy heir. Arrange for Janamejaya’s coronation at once, chief minister. I now declare him the next king."

In his heart, Parikshit felt that the curse of the young sage Shringi was actually a blessing. Family life, kingdom, relatives—these were only temporary. Now he would turn away from all attachment and seek liberation. He no longer felt any pull toward worldly pleasure. He had no desire even for heaven. He had taken full shelter of Shri Krishna. Knowing Him to be the highest goal of life, Parikshit thought of Him day and night. He no longer felt bound by duty to kingdom, subjects, or family.

With body and mind made pure, Parikshit came to the bank of the Ganga. The sacred Ganga carries on her breast the dust of the path where Shri Krishna once walked. So she destroys the sins of all.

Parikshit knew that death was standing over his head. Therefore he decided to spend his remaining days on the bank of the Ganga. He brought no one from the kingdom with him. He did not allow even his relatives to come near. Nothing pulled him back now. There was only penance before him.

His companions were renunciation, patience, devotion, and celibacy. Supported by these, he began his worship of Krishna.

In his heart he thought, My birth has become meaningful today. Among kings I am blessed. I was born in a royal line. I spent my life in luxury and pleasure. But surely I gathered some merit even in that life of luxury. Otherwise why would so many great sages come to bless me?

Soon many holy sages gathered there. Seeing them, Parikshit bowed low and said, "O Brahmarishis, I bow to you with deep respect."

They blessed him and said, "Accept our blessings. King Parikshit, we are greatly pleased to see your goodness, pure nature, and calm state."

Parikshit said with humility, "I have received the punishment for my wrongdoing. But I know that the curse of sage Shringi is really a blessing to me. My eyes have opened. Fate itself has made me a beggar on the road and yet given me a great treasure. O great souls, please stay here for a few days. I will be blessed by your holy touch. My fear of death will go away."

One of the sages said, "Royal sage Parikshit, your line is the holiest in the world. You are a worthy descendant of King Pandu’s line. Like him, you too have left the royal throne and come for spiritual practice. We can see the shadow of that great soul Pandu in you, Maharaj."

Parikshit bowed again. "I offer hundreds of crores of salutations to my forefathers. O great soul, please tell me whether they are all well. Where are they?"

The sage answered, "Your forefathers are all happy in their own heavenly worlds, Maharaj. When such a worthy descendant is born in a family, what sorrow can remain for them? Until you are fully absorbed at the holy feet of Shri Hari, we will stay with you, Maharaj."

Parikshit’s heart filled with gratitude. Ah, the endless grace of Shri Hari! Otherwise who could gain such company? Today I feel like bowing to my own fortune. It is beyond the power of ordinary people to see great yogis like you. Yet you yourselves have come and blessed me with your presence and company.

Then another sage said, "King Parikshit, you have received the grace of Shri Hari himself. Lord Shri Krishna gave you life with his own hands. Among men you are a rare jewel. That is why we have come to see you."

Parikshit looked at Maharshi Vasistha and said, "Oh, this is beyond my dreams. Bless me. Bless me, Maharshi Vasistha. I do not know where the fruits of my actions will take me in my next birth. But, but let me have devotion at Govinda’s feet even in that birth. May I never forget him. May I serve only him in body, mind, and speech."

Vasistha said kindly, "You are filled with saintly feeling. This saintly nature of yours will always protect you. O King, you have been blessed by the touch of God himself. What is there for you to worry about? Maharaj, look there, the gods are showering flowers from the sky to honor your goodness and your penance. May all your wishes be fulfilled, Maharaj. In the end may you attain that highest state, this is my prayer."

Parikshit bowed and said, "O Maharshi Vasistha, in this world you yourself dwell in the form of the Vedas. You are a resident of Satyaloka. All the mantras and knowledge of the world shine within you. You also know my future. Whether ascetic or king, nothing is dearer to a person than life. I will live only seven more days. Please show me such a path that I no longer fear death. I, I want to be able to die slowly and peacefully."

Vasistha smiled. "Very noble words. But we will not give you what you ask for. Because the one who is coming to you is far more worthy than we are. We can see this with the eye of the mind. He will be your teacher, O King."

Parikshit said in distress, "You are trying to comfort me, O great sage. You will say nothing to me because I am not worthy. Then, then how will I be saved, O best of sages? Who can be more worthy than you on this earth? I cannot see anyone like that anywhere on earth."

Vasistha raised his hand and said, "Great soul, I am not only comforting you... He, Maharaj, he has arrived. Look there, toward the distant road. Do you recognize the one who is coming? There, there, look, countless children are surrounding him. See how joyfully he is coming among them. King Parikshit, do you know whom you are seeing? That great person for whose sight gods, demons, yakshas, and rakshasas wait. That great person. Even great souls are blessed by the touch of his feet. That great soul Shukadeva is coming, Maharaj. Look there, his body is as soft as that of a sixteen-year-old youth. Ah, look at his two eyes, Maharaj, long like lotus petals. Broad shoulders, wide chest, long arms, and a sweet smile on his face. Such beauty is truly rare even among the gods. He is the greatest among great souls. In radiance he is equal to Vishnu himself. In all creation there is no man wiser than him, Maharaj. He for whose sight one must do penance for a lifetime, that Shukadeva is coming to you, Maharaj. He will destroy your fear of death. We are all blessed by seeing him. Come, Maharaj, let us all together welcome Brahmarishi Shukadeva."

Parikshit rose at once. With folded hands and deep humility, he welcomed the sage.

"O Brahmin, O knower of Brahman, O Brahmarishi Shukadeva," he said, "though I am low and full of great sins, you have kindly come before me, Lord. By the touch of your feet, this bank of the Ganga has become a holy place. Just as demons die when Lord Vishnu stands before them, in the same way people’s sins are destroyed when you appear before them. Purify me, purify me, Lord. I am now a traveler on the path of death. What should be done in this state? I do not know it myself. Please instruct me about my duty, Lord."

The assembled sages also bowed and said, "Brahmarishi Shukadeva, accept our salutations. Only by great fortune does one gain your sight. Unless you yourself allow it, no one can see you. We have come with great fortune. Now that we have seen you with our own eyes, please stay among us for a while, Brahmarishi. King Parikshit, descendant of King Pandu, is near death. He is deeply righteous. O Lord, please answer the questions of this great soul at his final hour. Bless him."

Shukadeva looked upon the king with compassion and said, "I am pleased by your prayer. King Parikshit, your selfless nature has moved me. Even at the time of death you did not wish to go to heaven. You want to know what a person should do and what he should not do. Very well, I will answer all those questions for you."

Parikshit bowed low. "Your grace is endless, Lord. My life is blessed, my family line is blessed. I bow to you, Lord."

Then Shukadeva began.

"Listen, Parikshit, human life is very small, but human attachment is very great. This attachment swallows the whole of that small life. Attachment to wife, children, wealth, food, and drink keeps a person endlessly busy, Parikshit. There is no easy escape from its hand."

Parikshit asked, "Can this attachment ever make anyone happy, revered teacher?"

Shukadeva said, "No, King, that is the wonder. Even while drowning in this attachment, a person does not know his true nature. He thinks he is truly happy. He does not know that death is very near."

"What is the result of attachment, O Brahmarishi?"

"Weakness. Attachment makes a person weak, O King. These weak-minded householders never find peace, Parikshit. After death they return again to this pit of attachment. Birth after birth passes. But they do not get free from attachment."

Parikshit asked, "Lord, is there no way at all to be free from attachment?"

"There is," Shukadeva replied. "But it is a very difficult path, O King. Only those whose lives hold knowledge, devotion, dharma, and surrender can attain liberation after death."

Then he said, "You had asked about duty, Parikshit. The only true duty is to shape life in such a way that one remembers God at the time of death."

Parikshit asked, "Then can the actions spoken of in the Vedas not bring liberation, revered teacher?"

"Vedic rituals are very difficult, Parikshit. Not everyone can walk that path. Even sages who know Brahman set aside ritual acts and worship Shri Hari. Because God is easily attained through devotion. The path of devotion is the path of joy. The scriptures themselves say this. By taking God’s name at the time of death, one can easily gain liberation."

Parikshit thought deeply and then asked, "If a person has spent his whole life sunk in pleasure and desire, and then calls on God at the time of death, can he still be liberated?"

Shukadeva said, "Have you not heard the name of royal sage Khatvanga, Parikshit? He spent his whole life in comfort and wealth. But when he learned that his end had come near, two days before death that man changed completely. He gave up all attachment and became absorbed in worship of God. That detachment of royal sage Khatvanga brought him liberation, Parikshit."

Parikshit asked, "Is it really possible for a person to gain such strange detachment? Please tell me by what path such detachment can be gained, Lord."

"It is very difficult to gain detachment, O King. For that one must go through long practice. One should not enjoy more than what is needed to keep the body alive. Without building this habit, a seeker cannot gain success."

"Everything in the world seems to pull a person toward enjoyment, O Brahmarishi. Can one truly be freed from their hold?"

Shukadeva answered, "Nothing in the world lasts forever, O King. Things come and go. This world itself has no lasting substance. A seeker knows this. So he is never careless. If one can sleep happily on the ground, then what need is there for an expensive bed? Do you understand, O King?"

"Yes, revered teacher. Now I understand."

"And again," said Shukadeva, "one ripe fruit is enough to fill a person’s stomach. Then what need is there for rich food? Before doing any action, it is necessary to know its purpose, Parikshit."

Parikshit asked, "How does a seeker on the path of liberation meet his needs? Please tell me, Brahmarishi."

"A seeker knows the purpose of his life. He also knows how that purpose is fulfilled. So he does not indulge much in meeting daily needs. For example, there is river water to quench thirst, caves to live in, and Shri Hari himself to protect with love. Then why should one falsely go and flatter the rich? A seeker knows this, Maharaj."

Then Shukadeva said plainly, "Without meditation on God, liberation is impossible."

Parikshit bowed and said, "But, but the mind is very restless, Lord. How shall I make it steady?"

"It is truly very difficult to steady the restless mind, O King. This cannot be done in one day. But let me tell you one way. Listen. From the holy feet of Shri Krishna up to his face, imagine one limb at a time. Then try to see that image with the eye of the mind. In this way the mind of the seeker becomes steady on each limb of his form. The more the mind becomes steady on any limb, the more brightly that limb shines in the heart. This is how one should meditate on Shri Hari, Parikshit."

Parikshit said, "But I have never seen Shri Krishna with my own eyes, Lord. How shall I imagine his beautiful form? What is he like? Please tell me, revered teacher."

Shukadeva answered, "The form of Shri Krishna is very sweet. His face is deeply peaceful. His two large eyes are beautiful like lotus petals. He wears yellow cloth like the kadamba flower. On his four hands are priceless golden ornaments. Around his neck is the Kaustubha gem. On his head is a wonderful jeweled crown. Earrings in his ears, gem rings on his fingers, a belt at his waist. His two feet are soft and red like blooming lotuses. His thick curly hair is tied up. His color is gentle dark blue, shining like a cloud. His face is very lovely, and it seems honey falls from his smile. He is filled with joy. In his two eyes is endless compassion. Think of him in this way, Parikshit."

Parikshit asked, "How long should I meditate on Shri Krishna, revered teacher?"

"Until death. Meditate on him until love for him is born in your heart, Maharaj. In your mind, hold his pair of feet tightly to your chest. There is no joy equal to that state. The scriptures call that the highest abode of Shri Hari."

Parikshit then asked, "What does it mean to serve him in body, mind, and speech, O sage?"

Shukadeva explained, "Kaya means body. Mind means the inner heart. Speech means words. He must be served with all three. Human birth is very precious. It is in this birth that Shri Hari can be served. But the head that has never bowed at Krishna’s feet is only like a burden. The ears that have never heard the stories of Hari are only two holes. The eyes that have never seen Krishna’s play are only darkness. The feet that have never gone to the places of Krishna’s play are as lifeless as a tree."

After listening with full attention, Parikshit asked another question.

"O Brahmarishi Shukadeva, God himself is beyond all qualities. He is not ruled by the three qualities—sattva, rajas, and tamas. But creation needs qualities. Then why is God called the creator? Please tell me about his creation, Lord."

Shukadeva nodded and said, "The divine sage Narada asked this same question to Prajapati Brahma. He wished to know the secret of creation. So let me tell you that story, Parikshit."

He began the ancient narration.

The divine sage Narada was a mind-born son of Brahma. Bowing to his father, he asked, "O Prajapati Brahma, I bow to you. A special question has made my mind restless, Lord. Until I get the answer to that question, I cannot be at peace."

Brahma said, "Speak, divine sage. What question is it that has made even the greatest of devotees like you think so deeply?"

Narada said, "Please do not take offense, Lord. This whole universe knows you as the creator. You, you yourself created the world, living beings, and non-living things. Then why is Lord Narayan worshipped as the original creator?"

Brahma replied, "Divine sage Narada, until God is truly known, this confusion remains in human beings. The Supreme Lord is pure consciousness itself. By his will this universe appears. And if he wills, this creation dissolves back into him. When he desires creation, then I too am created. I arise from within him."

Narada asked, "Then are you not the creator, Father?"

Brahma said, "No, my son, I do not create. The power of Shri Hari works through me. Everything of creation that you see happens only through his power. He is the seer, the controller, and the soul of all beings. I myself remember that Lord of sacrifice, Vasudeva."

Narada asked, "Lord Narada, then why can ordinary beings not know that God is the root cause of all creation and dissolution?"

Brahma answered, "It is not easy to know God, Narada. He has covered himself with maya. When he himself wishes to become many from one, creation begins through the power of that will."

Narada said, "How does creation happen, Lord?"

Brahma replied, "One by one are created the three times, the three qualities, the principle of action, mind, intellect, consciousness, ego, and so on. From there arise space, sound, air, life force, water, fire, earth, and so on. Intellect, the senses of knowledge, the senses of action, and the rest also arise from that Supreme Self."

Narada then prayed, "Please tell me the full secret of creation, Father."

Brahma said, "Only yogis know that secret. They meditate on God as the creator. They know that the great divine body of that cosmic being has two parts. From the feet up to the waist are the seven lower worlds. From the waist up to the head are the seven higher worlds. These are very secret matters, divine sage. This is for meditation."

Narada said, "All right, Lord, please also tell me how the four varnas were created."

Brahma answered, "Listen, Narada. From the great mouth of Shri Hari came the Brahmins, from his arms the Kshatriyas, from his thighs the Vaishyas, and from his feet the Shudras. From the lotus of that great Lord of sacrifice arose I myself."

Narada asked, "Then is sacrifice another one of his forms? Is that why you called him the Lord of sacrifice, Father?"

Brahma said, "He himself is the form of sacrifice, and sacrifice is also performed for him. That is why he is Yajneshwar. When I was created, I could see nothing anywhere except his limbs. I found the materials from his limbs and performed sacrifice. He himself was also the deity of that sacrifice. By his power I create. Rudradev destroys, and he himself in the form of Vishnu sustains the world."

Narada asked, "You call him the sustainer, Father. Does that mean this whole universe remains established in him?"

Brahma replied, "From him the universe is born. And he himself, in the form of consciousness, lives in all things. This is what is called sustenance, my son. To protect creation, he must descend into creation. That descended being is called an avatar. He who descends to save living beings is an avatar."

Narada said, "Please tell me about the avatars of Shri Hari, Lord."

Brahma answered, "Shri Hari is infinite. His avatars are also infinite. The scriptures speak of ten avatars of Shri Hari. They are Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Buddha, and Kalki."

Narada asked, "All right, Father, in which avatar did that Supreme Person receive the name Hari?"

Brahma replied, "No, my son, this name does not belong to any avatar. God was born as the son of a sage named Ruchi and his wife Akuti. At that time there was no joy in creation. There was much more sorrow. Because he removed that sorrow, his name became Hari. Besides that, he also removes the sorrow of the world in the form of the Nara-Narayan avatar."

Narada said, "Tell me about the Nara-Narayan avatar, Father. I have never heard of it."

Brahma answered, "Nara and Narayan are two sages. Shri Hari himself performs penance in the forms of these two sages. They come age after age as avatars. Narayan descends, and Nara comes as his chief companion. Just as Arjuna came with Shri Krishna."

Narada then asked, "Then how were these two great sages born?"

Brahma said, "Whenever God wishes, he creates himself from himself. But in play, he takes birth in the house of some holy seeker. Murti, the wife of Dharma, was the daughter of Daksha. In her womb were born Nara and Narayan. In the three worlds they are the purest and most holy. There is no ascetic equal to them. Neither Kamadeva nor any celestial nymph could corrupt them."

Narada listened with delight and said, "The story of endless avatars is truly wonderful. It is like honey pouring into the ears. In what other avatar forms has Lord Shri Hari appeared? Please tell me."

Brahma continued, "Have you heard of King Vena, my son? To save him, God himself appeared in the form of his son Prithu. Again, in the womb of Queen Sudevi, wife of a king named Nabhi, he was born as Rishabhadeva. That Rishabhadeva always remained in deep meditation. In the three worlds there was no one wiser than him."

Then Brahma asked, "Have you heard of the Hayagriva avatar, Narada?"

Narada said, "No, not before. Who is he? Please tell me."

Brahma answered, "The mantras I recite when I perform sacrifice once took on a form. Ah, what a wonderful form it was. I do not have the power to describe it in words. He was Hayagriva. By seeing him I became blessed. Hari himself is infinite. With the help of his power of maya, in what form and where he reveals himself—even the gods cannot fully know."

Shukadeva then turned back to Parikshit’s question.

Parikshit listened in awe and said, "Brahma himself cannot fully speak of him. The divine sage Narada himself cannot fully know him. Then how can I know of him with this small and low human life, O sage? Then how did Maharshi Vedavyasa learn these deep teachings of the Bhagavata? Please teach me that yoga too, Lord."

Shukadeva replied, "The stories of Hari are told by Hari himself, King Parikshit. If he does not reveal them, they cannot be known on their own. At Brahma’s prayer, Shri Hari himself told him the Bhagavata teaching. Brahma then told those words to Narada. When my father was absorbed in meditation on Brahman on the bank of the river Saraswati, the divine sage Narada gave him that great knowledge. Then my father himself taught me the truth of Lord Narayan."

Parikshit asked, "Please tell me how the Lord came to be called Narayan, revered teacher."

Shukadeva said, "When the formless Supreme Lord took a form, he searched for the purest place to stay. But no such place was found anywhere. Then by his own will-power he created water. Nothing is purer than that. Since the water came from that cosmic man, or great person, its name became Nara. And because he took shelter in that water for a thousand years, his name became Narayan."

Parikshit asked, "What happened to him after a thousand years? Please tell me, O sage."

Shukadeva answered, "After a thousand years, he awoke from yogic sleep. Then he looked all around and saw that there was nothing anywhere. Everything was empty. Then the desire for creation arose in his mind. With the help of his own maya power, he began creation by dividing himself into many parts."

Parikshit asked, "God himself revealed himself as this world of creation. But what other form does he have beyond this? Please tell me, Brahmarishi."

Shukadeva answered, "This created world is the gross form of God. Besides this, he has a subtle form too. But that form cannot be described in words. It has no beginning and no end. Know one true thing, O King. As all the forms and names of the world, that God alone exists, no one else. All the actions of the world are also he. And beyond all name and form, he still remains. He cannot be bound within any limit."

Then Parikshit asked another deep question. "O Brahmarishi, I have a question. God himself is the image of forgiveness. When one remembers him, he forgives everyone’s sins. He comes to give fearlessness to life. But how does that merciful God, when he comes as an avatar, kill living beings? He is not cruel."

Shukadeva said, "Who is there in this world apart from God, Parikshit? He himself has taken all forms. If you understand that, then no one is truly other than him. He himself protects himself, and he himself kills himself. This is the central truth. But if you want to hear the story of his divine play, then that is different."

Parikshit said eagerly, "I am eager to hear that divine play, Lord. Please tell me. I will be blessed to hear it."

Shukadeva replied, "At the root of God’s descents as avatars are Jaya and Vijaya. They are the greatest devotees of Shri Hari. Yet they return again and again in the form of God’s greatest enemies. So to destroy them, he too must come."

Parikshit was astonished. "What a strange thing you have said, Brahmarishi! How did the greatest devotees of God become his enemies? Is this some divine illusion?"

Shukadeva said, "It is indeed maya. Listen, Parikshit. Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanatkumara, and Sanandana—these four ancient sages were the greatest devotees of Narayan. No thought except God ever found a place in their minds. Though they were very ancient, they looked just like little boys. Like God himself, they wandered unclothed. One day they wished to bow to Shri Hari. So the four sages came to Vaikuntha. But Narayan’s two gatekeepers, Jaya and Vijaya, did not recognize them. Narayan was then resting in yogic absorption. Blocking the path of the young sages with the staffs in their hands, Jaya and Vijaya said,

"O boys, who are you? What do you want?"

The four sages answered, "We wish to see the Lord. We want to offer our salutations at his holy feet."

But the gatekeepers said harshly, "These four boys will not go into Vaikuntha. O boys, you cannot enter Vaikuntha. Go, go back each to your own home."

At these arrogant words, the childlike sages blazed with anger.

"How dare you! You are standing in our way! Listen, gatekeepers, the arrogance with which you stopped us will bring about your destruction. You will be driven out of Vaikuntha. By our curse, you will take birth through death. You have no right to stay in this Vaikuntha."

At once Jaya and Vijaya understood their terrible mistake. They fell at the sages’ feet and cried, "Forgive us, forgive us. We did not recognize you. You, you must surely be great sages. Seeing your childlike form, we were confused. Forgive us, Lord. Forgive us. Leaving the Lord, leaving Vaikuntha, where shall we go, Lord? Where shall we go?"

But the sages said, "Our curse will not become false. You must indeed go through death. You must receive the punishment for insulting sages."

At that moment Lord Narayan himself appeared.

He said, "What you say is true, O sage. I too believe wrongdoing toward a Brahmin deserves punishment. If my gatekeepers have insulted you, that means I have insulted you. This act is most shameful. I myself ask your forgiveness."

Jaya and Vijaya wept bitterly. "Lord, Lord, how will we live separated from you, Lord? How will we live? How will we live without seeing you? What will become of us, Lord? What will happen?"

The four sages trembled with shame and said, "O Creator, O Narayan, O Supreme Soul, you, you yourself have come to us. You, you yourself are asking forgiveness. We, we will fall low, Lord. We will fall low. Without knowing, we cursed Jaya and Vijaya. Forgive us, Lord. Forgive us."

But Narayan said, "I cannot allow a Brahmin’s curse to fail, holy one. Neither you nor they have committed any fault. Know that this event is of my own making. Jaya and Vijaya must indeed go to the mortal world. They will take birth on earth as my enemies. This birth is unavoidable. Even I will not stop it."