Jaya-Vijaya - Revision history

NickiStpierre68 at 15:11, 7 October 2025

2025-10-07T15:11:31Z

->Hemant Dabral at 21:08, 6 November 2021

2021-11-06T21:08:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:38, 7 November 2021
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	[[File: Gate keepers of Vaikunda prevent the saints from entering and they were cursed. Vishnu is rushing to the spot.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Gate keepers, Jaya and Vijaya of Vaikuntha prevent the saints from entering and Jaya-Vijaya were cursed. Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi is rushing to the spot]]		[[File: Gate keepers of Vaikunda prevent the saints from entering and they were cursed. Vishnu is rushing to the spot.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Gate keepers, Jaya and Vijaya of Vaikuntha prevent the saints from entering and Jaya-Vijaya were cursed. Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi is rushing to the spot]]
	According to a story from [[Bhagavata Purana]], the [[Four Kumaras]], [[Sanaka]], [[~~Four Kumaras\|~~Sanandana]], [[Sanatana]], and [[Sanatkumara]] who are the ~~[[manasputra]]s~~ of [[Brahma]] (sons born from the mind or thought power of Brahma), visited [[Vaikuntha]], the abode of [[Vishnu]], to see him.		According to a story from [[Bhagavata Purana]], the [[Four Kumaras]], [[Sanaka]], [[Sanandana]], [[Sanatana]], and [[Sanatkumara]] who are the manasaputras of [[Brahma]] (sons born from the mind or thought power of Brahma), visited [[Vaikuntha]], the abode of [[Vishnu]], to see him.<ref>{{Cite web\|date=2014-06-12\|title=Story of three births of Jay and Vijay who were gatekeepers of Vaikuntha Lok\|url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/story-of-three-births-of-jay-and-vijay-who-were-gatekeepers-of\|access-date=2021-11-01\|website=ISKCON Desire Tree {{!}} IDT}}</ref>

	Due to the strength of their ''[[Tapas (Indian religions)\|tapas]]'', the four Kumaras appear to be mere children, though they are of great age. Jaya and Vijaya, the gatekeepers of the [[Vaikuntha]] interrupt the Kumaras at the gate, thinking them to be children. They also tell the Kumaras that Vishnu is resting and that they cannot see him now.<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/vidweshabhakti/article5131936.ece\|title=Vidwesha-bhakti\|date=2013-09-16\|work=The Hindu\|access-date=2019-12-14\|language=en-IN\|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The enraged Kumaras replied Jaya and Vijaya that Vishnu is available for his devotees any time, and cursed both the keepers Jaya and Vijaya, that they would have to give up their divinity, be born as mortals on the ''[[Earth]]'', and live like normal human beings. Vishnu appeared before them, and the gatekeepers requested Vishnu to lift the curse of the Kumaras. Vishnu said that the curse of the Kumaras cannot be reversed. Instead, He gives Jaya and Vijaya two options. The first option is to take seven births on Earth as a devotees of Vishnu, while the second is to take three births as His staunch enemies. After serving either of these sentences, they can re-attain their stature at Vaikuntha and be with Him permanently. Jaya and Vijaya cannot bear the thought of staying away from Vishnu for seven lives. As His enemies, the Lord would have to incarnate on Earth 3 times to vanquish them. Thus they would meet Him in each of their births. As a result, they choose to be born three times on earth even though it would have to be as enemies of [[Vishnu]].		Due to the strength of their ''[[Tapas (Indian religions)\|tapas]]'', the four Kumaras appear to be mere children, though they are of great age. Jaya and Vijaya, the gatekeepers of the [[Vaikuntha]] interrupt the Kumaras at the gate, thinking them to be children. They also tell the Kumaras that Vishnu is resting and that they cannot see him now. The enraged Kumaras replied Jaya and Vijaya that Vishnu is available for his devotees any time, and cursed both the keepers Jaya and Vijaya, that they would have to give up their divinity, be born as mortals on the ''[[Earth]]'', and live like normal human beings. Vishnu appeared before them, and the gatekeepers requested Vishnu to lift the curse of the Kumaras. Vishnu said that the curse of the Kumaras cannot be reversed. Instead, He gives Jaya and Vijaya two options. The first option is to take seven births on Earth as a devotees of Vishnu, while the second is to take three births as His staunch enemies. After serving either of these sentences, they can re-attain their stature at Vaikuntha and be with Him permanently. Jaya and Vijaya cannot bear the thought of staying away from Vishnu for seven lives. As His enemies, the Lord would have to incarnate on Earth 3 times to vanquish them. Thus they would meet Him in each of their births. As a result, they choose to be born three times on earth even though it would have to be as enemies of [[Vishnu]].<ref>{{Cite web\|date=2020-07-26\|title=Story of Jaya-Vijaya\|url=https://www.templepurohit.com/story-jaya-vijaya/\|access-date=2021-11-01\|website=TemplePurohit - Your Spiritual Destination {{!}} Bhakti, Shraddha Aur Ashirwad\|language=en-US}}</ref>

	In their first life during [[Satya Yuga]], they were born as [[Hiranyaksha]] (Vijaya) and [[Hiranyakashipu]] (Jaya) to [[Diti]] (daughter of Daksha Prajapati) and sage [[Kashyapa]]. Hiranyaksha was killed by [[Varaha]] (boar [[avatar]]) and later Hiranyakashipu was killed by [[Narasimha]] (man-lion avatar). In their second life during the [[Treta Yuga]], they were born as [[Ravana]] (Jaya) and [[Kumbhakarna]] (Vijaya), and both were killed by [[Rama]]. In their third life during [[Dvapara Yuga]], they were born as [[Shishupala]] (Jaya) and [[Dantavakra]] (Vijaya) and both were killed by [[Krishna]]. In their first two births they were brothers, in their final birth they were cousins.		In their first life during [[Satya Yuga]], they were born as [[Hiranyaksha]] (Vijaya) and [[Hiranyakashipu]] (Jaya) to [[Diti]] (daughter of Daksha Prajapati) and sage [[Kashyapa]]. Hiranyaksha was killed by [[Varaha]] (boar [[avatar]]) and later Hiranyakashipu was killed by [[Narasimha]] (man-lion avatar). In their second life during the [[Treta Yuga]], they were born as [[Ravana]] (Jaya) and [[Kumbhakarna]] (Vijaya), and both were killed by [[Rama]]. In their third life during [[Dvapara Yuga]], they were born as [[Shishupala]] (Jaya) and [[Dantavakra]] (Vijaya) and both were killed by [[Krishna]]. In their first two births they were brothers, in their final birth they were cousins.<ref>{{Cite news\|date=2013-09-16\|title=Vidwesha-bhakti\|language=en-IN\|work=The Hindu\|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/vidweshabhakti/article5131936.ece\|access-date=2021-11-01\|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

	It has been noted by many that the strengths of Jaya and Vijaya gradually declined with each subsequent birth due to yuga effect.		It has been noted by many that the strengths of Jaya and Vijaya gradually declined with each subsequent birth due to yuga effect.
	In their first birth they are born as [[Asuras]] who captured and ruled Prithvi lok individually. In their second birth they are born as [[Rakshasas]] ruling another territory. In the third birth they are born as humans further in Shri [[Krishna]]'s extended family itself. Moreover Vishnu incarnated two avatars to kill Hiranyaksha (Varaha) and Hiranyakashipu (Narasimha) in Satya Yuga. Born as Rama in Treta Yuga, he was able to vanquish both [[Ravana]] and [[Kumbhakarna]]. In the Krishna avatar during Dvapara Yuga, the killing of [[Dantavakra]], [[Shishupala]] is not the main focus~~. Rather~~ they are killed to reduce the "Bhubhara" (the burden on [[Bhumi (goddess)\|Bhumi]] due to too many sinners and non-truthful people).		In their first birth they are born as [[Asuras]] who captured and ruled Prithvi lok individually. In their second birth they are born as [[Rakshasas]] ruling another territory. In the third birth they are born as humans further in Shri [[Krishna]]'s extended family itself. Moreover Vishnu incarnated two avatars to kill Hiranyaksha (Varaha) and Hiranyakashipu (Narasimha) in Satya Yuga. Born as Rama in Treta Yuga, he was able to vanquish both [[Ravana]] and [[Kumbhakarna]]. In the Krishna avatar during Dvapara Yuga, the killing of [[Dantavakra]] and [[Shishupala]] is not the main focus, but rather they are killed to reduce the "Bhubhara" (the burden on [[Bhumi (goddess)\|Bhumi]] due to too many sinners and non-truthful people).

	==Door-keepers of Vishnu temples==		==Door-keepers of Vishnu temples==

49.207.198.59 at 22:36, 27 August 2021

2021-08-27T22:36:09Z

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{{short description|Two gatekeepers in Hinduism}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2014}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2014}}
{{multiple image
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| image1 = Sculpture of Jaya, guardian to the entrance of the sanctum of Vishnu in Chennakeshava temple at Belur.jpg
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| image2 = Sculpture of Vijaya, guardian to the entrance of the sanctum of Vishnu in Chennakeshava temple at Belur.jpg
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| footer = Jaya-Vijaya guarding the sanctum of the Vishnu temple, [[Chennakesava Temple]].
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In Hindu religion, '''Jaya''' and '''Vijaya''' are the two gatekeepers or ''[[Dvarapala|Dwarapalakas]]'' of the abode of [[Vishnu]], known as [[Vaikuntha]] (meaning ''place of eternal bliss'').<ref>{{cite book|title=Legends of Devi|page=16|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=1998|author=Bhattacharji, Sukumari}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Ashtanga Yoga The Intermediate Series: Mythology, Anatomy, and Practice|page=34|publisher=New World Library|author=Gregor Maehle|year=2012}}</ref> Due to a curse, they were forced to undergo multiple births as mortals who would be subsequently killed by various avatars of Vishnu. They were incarnated as [[Hiranyakashipu]] and [[Hiranyaksha]] in [[Satya Yuga]], [[Ravana]] and [[Kumbhakarna]] in [[Treta Yuga]], and finally [[Shishupala]] and [[Dantavakra]] in [[Dvapara Yuga]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-06-12|title=Story of three births of Jay and Vijay who were gatekeepers of Vaikuntha Lok|url=https://iskcondesiretree.com/profiles/blogs/story-of-three-births-of-jay-and-vijay-who-were-gatekeepers-of|access-date=2021-05-14|website=ISKCON Desire Tree {{!}} IDT}}</ref>

== Genealogy ==
According to the [[Brahmanda Purana]], Jaya and Vijaya were the sons of [[Kali (demon)|Kali]] a demon, and Kali, in turn, was one of the sons of [[Varuna]] and his wife, Stuta (Sanskrit (स्तुत, meaning 'praise'). The brother of Kali (and uncle of Jaya and Vijaya) was Vaidya.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/BrahmandaPuranaG.V.TagarePart3|title=Brahmanda Purana – English Translation – Part 3 of 5|last=G.V.Tagare|date=1958|pages=[https://archive.org/details/BrahmandaPuranaG.V.TagarePart3/page/n77 794]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/stuta|title=Stuta, Stutā: 5 definitions|last=www.wisdomlib.org|date=2017-10-09|website=www.wisdomlib.org|access-date=2020-01-15}}</ref>

==Iconography==
Jaya is depicted as a four armed demi-god with the Chakra in his upper left hand, a [[Shankha]] in his upper right hand, a [[Gada (mace)|mace]] in his lower left hand and a [[sword]] in his lower right hand. Vijaya is depicted in the same method except that He holds a Chakra in his upper right hand, a [[Shankha]] in his upper left hand, a [[Gada (mace)|mace]] in his lower right hand and a [[sword]] in his lower left hand. They hold three weapons that Vishnu holds namely the Chakra, the Shankha and the mace but have a sword in their fourth hands wheareas Vishnu holds a lotus in his fourth hand.

==Curse of the four Kumaras==

[[File: Gate keepers of Vaikunda prevent the saints from entering and they were cursed. Vishnu is rushing to the spot.jpg|thumb|left|Gate keepers, Jaya and Vijaya of Vaikuntha prevent the saints from entering and Jaya-Vijaya were cursed. Vishnu and his wife Lakshmi is rushing to the spot]]
According to a story from [[Bhagavata Purana]], the [[Four Kumaras]], [[Sanaka]], [[Four Kumaras|Sanandana]], [[Sanatana]], and [[Sanatkumara]] who are the [[manasputra]]s of [[Brahma]] (sons born from the mind or thought power of Brahma), visited [[Vaikuntha]], the abode of [[Vishnu]], to see him.

Due to the strength of their ''[[Tapas (Indian religions)|tapas]]'', the four Kumaras appear to be mere children, though they are of great age. Jaya and Vijaya, the gatekeepers of the [[Vaikuntha]] interrupt the Kumaras at the gate, thinking them to be children. They also tell the Kumaras that Vishnu is resting and that they cannot see him now.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/vidweshabhakti/article5131936.ece|title=Vidwesha-bhakti|date=2013-09-16|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-12-14|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The enraged Kumaras replied Jaya and Vijaya that Vishnu is available for his devotees any time, and cursed both the keepers Jaya and Vijaya, that they would have to give up their divinity, be born as mortals on the ''[[Earth]]'', and live like normal human beings. Vishnu appeared before them, and the gatekeepers requested Vishnu to lift the curse of the Kumaras. Vishnu said that the curse of the Kumaras cannot be reversed. Instead, He gives Jaya and Vijaya two options. The first option is to take seven births on Earth as a devotees of Vishnu, while the second is to take three births as His staunch enemies. After serving either of these sentences, they can re-attain their stature at Vaikuntha and be with Him permanently. Jaya and Vijaya cannot bear the thought of staying away from Vishnu for seven lives. As His enemies, the Lord would have to incarnate on Earth 3 times to vanquish them. Thus they would meet Him in each of their births. As a result, they choose to be born three times on earth even though it would have to be as enemies of [[Vishnu]].

In their first life during [[Satya Yuga]], they were born as [[Hiranyaksha]] (Vijaya) and [[Hiranyakashipu]] (Jaya) to [[Diti]] (daughter of Daksha Prajapati) and sage [[Kashyapa]]. Hiranyaksha was killed by [[Varaha]] (boar [[avatar]]) and later Hiranyakashipu was killed by [[Narasimha]] (man-lion avatar). In their second life during the [[Treta Yuga]], they were born as [[Ravana]] (Jaya) and [[Kumbhakarna]] (Vijaya), and both were killed by [[Rama]]. In their third life during [[Dvapara Yuga]], they were born as [[Shishupala]] (Jaya) and [[Dantavakra]] (Vijaya) and both were killed by [[Krishna]]. In their first two births they were brothers, in their final birth they were cousins.

It has been noted by many that the strengths of Jaya and Vijaya gradually declined with each subsequent birth due to yuga effect.
In their first birth they are born as [[Asuras]] who captured and ruled Prithvi lok individually. In their second birth they are born as [[Rakshasas]] ruling another territory. In the third birth they are born as humans further in Shri [[Krishna]]'s extended family itself. Moreover Vishnu incarnated two avatars to kill Hiranyaksha (Varaha) and Hiranyakashipu (Narasimha) in Satya Yuga. Born as Rama in Treta Yuga, he was able to vanquish both [[Ravana]] and [[Kumbhakarna]]. In the Krishna avatar during Dvapara Yuga, the killing of [[Dantavakra]], [[Shishupala]] is not the main focus. Rather they are killed to reduce the "Bhubhara" (the burden on [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhumi]] due to too many sinners and non-truthful people).

==Door-keepers of Vishnu temples==
[[File: Jagannath Temple, Puri 02.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of Vijaya at the entrance of the [[Jagannath Temple, Puri]]]]
In the modern era, known in [[Sanskrit]] as the [[Kali Yuga]], Jaya and Vijaya are free from their curse, and they can be seen as gatekeepers in Vishnu temples and temples affiliated with [[Vaishnavism]]. Statues of Jaya-Vijaya stand in the temple of [[Venkateswara]] in [[Tirumala]], the temple of [[Jagannath]] in [[Puri, Orissa|Puri]], and the temple of [[Ranganatha]] in [[Srirangam]].

==See also==
*[[Bhagavata Purana]]
*[[Nio]]
*[[Shankha]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category: Vaishnavism]]
[[Category: Characters in the Bhagavata Purana]]
[[Category:Characters in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category: Salakapurusa]]