Is it true that Ravana and Kumbhakarna were once the gatekeepers of Vishnulok?
Hidden within the vast tapestry of the Hindu Mythology lies one of the most unknown stories though surprisingly few have heard of it.
It serves more as an underlying thread to the entire epic, offering deeper insight into the grand workings of the universe and the subtle ways in which karma binds together vast pieces of the cosmic puzzle. It is, of course, the story of— Jaya and Vijaya, the two gatekeepers (Dwarapalakas) of the abode of Vishnu (Vaikuntha Lok).
As described in the Bhagavata Purana, the Four Kumaras, the divine ‘Chatursana’—Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, and Sanatkumara—manifested from the mind by the pure desire (manas) of Brahma and are honoured as his Manasaputras.
When the Four Kumaras came into existence, they radiated the essence of purity and divinity. They bore no trace of negative tendencies such as pride, anger, attachment, lust, or material desires (i.e. Kaam, Krodh, Lobh, Moh, Ahankaar, etc.).
Lord Brahma had brought the Four Kumaras into being with the intention that they would assist in the sacred task of creation. Yet, the Kumaras gently declined his command to procreate and instead dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to God and to the path of celibacy (Brahmacharya). With humility, they sought a boon from their father—to remain eternally five years old, preserving their childlike purity forever. By the grace of the boon bestowed by their father Brahma and through the power of their profound tapa, the Four Kumaras retained the appearance of divine five-year-old children.
While wandering across the worlds in their eternal quest for truth, one day they were inspired to visit Narayana, —the supremely compassionate form of Lord Vishnu who reclines upon the majestic Shesh naga.
Upon arriving in Vaikunthalok, the Sanat Kumaras approach Jaya and Vijaya, the two gatekeepers (Dwarapalakas) of the abode of Vishnu (Vaikuntha Lok) and ask to be let in. Jaya and Vijaya halted the Kumaras at the entrance, assuming that they were just children. They informed the Kumaras that Sri Vishnu was resting and could not be approached at that moment. Offended by this restriction, the Kumaras asserted that Vishnu is always accessible to his devotees and stated,” You cannot stop us from seeing our beloved Lord.” However, Jaya and Vijaya failed to understand—their divine words and persisted in arguing with them for an extended period.
Although the Sanat Kumaras are supremely pure and untouched by the trigunas of Maya (Sato, Rajo, Tamo), by the divine will of the Lord—who wished to impart a lesson to his gatekeepers allowed a spark of anger to arise within the otherwise immaculate hearts of the Sanat Kumaras.
The enraged Sanat Kumaras pronounced a solemn curse upon the Dwara Palas, the sacred gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya, decreeing that— they must relinquish their divine form and take birth on Earth as mortals.
When Lord Vishnu awakened and came to know of these events, he felt compassionate for his devoted doorkeepers who had been cursed by the exalted Kumaras while merely fulfilling their duty. Appearing before them in all his radiance, Shri Vishnu listened as Jaya and Vijaya humbly requested him to free them from the curse.
With infinite grace, the Lord explained that— the decree of the Sanat Kumaras could not be undone. Yet in his boundless mercy, He assured his doorkeepers that— He would remain with them through every step of their journey across the cycles of birth and death. Though unable to nullify the curse, Shri Vishnu offered them two divine paths to choose from, promising his eternal support in whichever course they embraced.
Before them lay— two powerful destinies. One offered seven earthly lives as devoted servants of Lord Vishnu. The alternative involved three incarnations in which they will be born as His enemies. After completing either of these paths, they would once again return to Vaikuntha and stay with the Lord forever.
Unable to endure the thought of being separated from their beloved Lord for seven long lifetimes, Jaya and Vijaya chose the second option—to be born as His enemies.
In their first birth as of Lord Vishnu, Jaya and Vijaya were born in the Satya Yuga as Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyaksha, born to Diti and the sage Kashyapa, became an Asura who plunged the Earth into the depths of the Cosmic Ocean.
To restore balance, Lord Vishnu manifested as the divine boar, Shri Varaha, and descended into the vast waters. With His boundless strength, He lifted the Earth upon His tusks and, after a battle lasting a thousand years, liberated Hiranyaksha from his mortal form.
Hiranyaksha’s elder brother, gained immense power through severe penance, becoming nearly invincible except under rare conditions.
Vishnu then descended again as ferocious Narasimha, the half-lion, half-man avatar to tear apart his pride and restore cosmic harmony.
In the unfolding of Treta Yuga, destiny cast Jaya and Vijaya into the world as the formidable Ravana and Kumbhakarna.
Their power shook the heavens—yet their fate awaited them at the hands of Lord Vishnu Himself, who walked the Earth as the heroic Ram, ending their chapter with His divine arrows.
At the close of the Dwapara Yuga, Jaya and Vijaya took their third and final birth on Earth as Shishupala and Dantavakra—both powerful rulers, bound by destiny to stand against Lord Krishna.
Though allied with Jarasandha and united in enmity toward the Lord, their hostility was but a part of the divine plan. In His supreme compassion, Shri Krishna, accompanied by His elder brother Balarama, appeared before them and granted them liberation by ending their earthly lives, thus preparing their return to Vaikuntha.
Thus, the cycle came to its destined end and Jaya and Vijaya finally attained liberation, completing their three earthly births and returning to the eternal abode of the Lord.
It was fascinating read and the pictures complement the story beautifully. 💯💯
Thank you so much