It is said that Jaya and Vijaya were the divine guards at the gate of Vaikuntha Dhaam, the celestial abode of Vishnu. Once the Sanat Kumars (sages portrayed as 4 little boys) wanted to meet with Vishnu but Jaya and Vijaya repeatedly stopped them from going in. Incensed at the repeated insult, the Sanat Kumars told them that Vishnu was always available to meet His devotees and cursed Jaya and Vijaya to forever be antagonized with their Lord whom they were guarding so diligently. The curse meant that Jaya and Vijaya would forever be on the side opposed to Vishnu. Lord Vishnu gets to know what happened and realizing that it was no one’s fault apologized to the Sanat Kumars on the behalf of his guards. But the curse had been spoken so Vishnu resolves to take Avatars to redeem Jaya and Vijaya in each of their births. He offers to Jaya and Vijaya two choices
- one of taking seven births on earth and live out their lives in the same miseries and happiness as all humans or
- second to take only 3 births each as the enemies of Vishnu and to be delivered by Him at the end of their time.
To everyone’s surprise Jaya and Vijaya chose the second option. Their logic?
- One: This would mean fewer births, and
- second and more importantly even enimity is a relationship that involves and consumes both parties.
Jaya and Vijaya replied “It is better O Lord to perhaps be connected with you even if this be the means rather than to not know you at all. If we can’t be related to you in any other way but this, then we will take this too for atleast in this manner, you will constantly think of us. Everyone who is born has to die and what better way to go than to be relieved of the earthly existence by You, our Lord”.
