The Curse of Jaya and Vijaya

The Curse of Jaya and Vijaya – A Divine Prelude to the Lord’s Incarnations

Once, the Sanakādi sages—Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanātana, and Sanatkumāra, the mind-born sons of Brahmā—resolved to behold Mahāviṣṇu in His eternal abode, Vaikuṇṭha.

The vision of Vaikuṇṭha is exceedingly rare. Only those who have conquered desire, surrendered wholly to the Supreme, and worshipped Him through righteous conduct are blessed with true and eternal bliss. It is for such pure devotees that Ādi Nārāyaṇa, embodying unmixed sattva, eternally resides in Vaikuṇṭha.

Empowered by yogic strength and consumed by longing for the Lord’s darśana, the Sanakādi sages reached Vaikuṇṭha. Indifferent to its celestial splendour, they passed swiftly through six divine gateways and approached the seventh and innermost gate, eager only to behold the Lord.

At the Seventh Gate

Guarding the entrance stood two resplendent beings adorned with divine ornaments—Jaya and Vijaya, the eternal gatekeepers of Vaikuṇṭha.

So intense was the sages’ yearning for the Lord that they scarcely noticed the guardians and moved forward to enter the final gate. Astonished, Jaya and Vijaya observed that these sages appeared like five-year-old children, unclothed, free from all worldly conventions—yet radiating spiritual brilliance and fearless innocence.

Mistaking their appearance and behaviour, the gatekeepers, overcome by pride in their duty, blocked their path with raised weapons.

Enraged at being denied the Lord’s darśana, the Sanakādi sages spoke sternly: “O gatekeepers! By the merit of serving the Supreme Lord, you dwell in this exalted realm. Those who reside here must embody the Lord’s own vision of equality. Yet such wisdom is absent in you. The Lord harbours no enmity toward anyone; therefore, suspicion has no place in Vaikuṇṭha. Though you serve the Lord, your understanding remains clouded. For this offence, you must accept its consequence. Leave this sacred abode and be born in sinful realms ruled by desire, anger, and greed.”

Thus, they pronounced their curse.

The Gatekeepers’ Repentance

Terrified, Jaya and Vijaya trembled. The curse of a brāhmaṇa is irrevocable, beyond the power of any weapon. Moreover, Lord Viṣṇu Himself holds the brāhmaṇas in the highest reverence.

Falling at the sages’ feet, they pleaded humbly:

“O revered ones! We have indeed committed a grave offence. Your curse is just. Ignorant of the Lord’s will, we acted wrongly. May this punishment cleanse us of our sin.

Yet, we beg one grace—though born in low forms, may we never lose remembrance of the Supreme Lord.”

The Lord Intervenes

At that very moment, Śrīmannārāyaṇa, accompanied by Śrī Devī, arrived, having learned of the transgression committed by His servants.

Overwhelmed with bliss upon beholding the Lord, the Sanakādi sages forgot their anger, praised Him fervently, and bowed in devotion.

They then addressed the Lord: “O Supreme Master! You are the ruler and protector of all worlds, yet You approach us with such humility. All creation exists within Your divine play. Whether You punish Your servants or reward them is entirely Your will—we accept it completely. Even if You choose to punish us for cursing them, we shall gladly accept it.”

Pleased with their devotion, the Lord replied: “O great sages! Jaya and Vijaya acted in ignorance of your greatness. The punishment you have decreed is agreeable to Me. Indeed, consider this curse as arising from My own divine will. They shall take birth as demons, live in intense hostility toward Me, and through that enmity attain liberation and return to Me.”

The Divine Secret Revealed

After beholding Vaikuṇṭha and worshipping the Lord, the sages circumambulated Him and departed joyfully, glorifying His greatness.

Turning to Jaya and Vijaya, the Lord said compassionately: “Do not fear. Though I am all-powerful, I do not disregard the brilliance of brāhmaṇas. Once, while I rested in yogic slumber, you obstructed even Goddess Lakṣmī from entering, and she too cursed you. As a result of these curses, you shall be born as demons, oppose Me, and through that opposition be freed from the curse and return to Me.”

Thus, the divine gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya, by the curse of the Sanakādi sages, descended from Vaikuṇṭha and entered the womb of Diti, taking birth as demons—becoming instruments in the Lord’s cosmic play and paving the way for His celebrated incarnations.