Jaya and Vijaya were the doorkeepers of Vaikunta. They were
the favorites of Hindu God Vishnu. Once Sanakadi Rishis – Sanaka, Sanandana,
Sanatana and Sanat Kumara – wanted to pay respects of Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha but
Jaya and Vijaya stopped them. The arrogance of doorkeepers resulted in the Sanakadi
Rishis cursing them to be born in Mrityu Lok as Rakshasas (demons) during three yugas.
In Vaikunta there is no aging or death. So the curse that be
born on earth – suffer and finally die.
Jaya and Vijaya were then born as Hiranyakashipu and
Hiranyaksha. Sri Hari Vishnu took the Avatar of Varaha and annihilated Hiranyaksha. As Narasimha Avatara, Sri Hari Vishnu killed Hiranyakashipu.
Jaya and Vijaya were then born as Ravana and Kumbhakarna.
This time, Vishnu took birth as Sri Ram and killed Ravana and Kumbhakarna.
Later they took birth as Shishupala and Dantavakra and Sri Krishna annihilated them.
Later they took birth as Shishupala and Dantavakra and Sri Krishna annihilated them.
This story symbolically suggests that all living beings are
good. It is due to ignorance that we become bad. When bad qualities reaches its
zenith and begins to harm other living beings, Sri Hari Vishnu appears to
remove the ignorance. This is symbolically performed by the killing. By killing,
Vishnu is freeing them from ignorance.