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Four Kumaras

January 21, 2023

For Sanat Kumara from Theosophy, see Sanat Kumara.

The Kumaras are four sages (rishis) from the Puranic texts of Hinduism who roam the universe as children,[1][2] generally named Sanaka kumara, Sanatana kumara, Sanandana kumara and Sanat kumara. They are described as the first mind-born creations and sons of the creator-god Brahma. Born from Brahma's mind, the four Kumaras undertook lifelong vows of celibacy (brahmacharya) against the wishes of their father. They are said to wander throughout the materialistic and spiritualistic universe without any desire but with purpose to teach.[1] All four brothers studied Vedas from their childhood, and always travelled together.[3]

The Four Kumaras
Other namesSanakadika Rishis
AffiliationChildren of Brahma
Devotees of Vishnu
AbodeBrahmaloka
Personal information
ParentsBrahma
SiblingsChitragupta, Narada and Daksha

The Bhagavata Purana lists the Kumaras among the twelve Mahajanas (great devotees or bhaktas)[4] who although being eternally liberated souls from birth, still became attracted to the devotional service of Vishnu from their already enlightened state.[5] They play a significant role in a number of Hindu spiritual traditions, especially those associated with the worship of Vishnu and his avatar Krishna, sometimes even in traditions related to Lord Shiva.

Names

The group is known by various names: "Kumaras" (the boys/male children/young boys), "Chatursana" or "Chatuh Sana" (the four with names starting with Sana) and "Sanakadi" (Sanaka and the others).[6] Individual names usually include Sanaka (Ancient), Sanatana (Eternal), Sanandana (Ever Joyful) and Sanatkumara (Ever Young).[1][2][7] Sometimes, Sanatana is replaced by Sanatsujata. A fifth Kumara named Ribhu is sometimes added. Sometimes, the Kumaras are enumerated as six with Sana and Ribhu or Sanatsujata added.[8]

Though in Mahabharata, a total of seven sons is mentioned, namely: Aniruddha, Sana, Sanatsujata, Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumara, Kapila, and Sanatana and further mentions that, "Knowledge comes to these seven rishis, of itself (without being dependent on study or exertion). These seven are wedded to the religion of Nivritti (inward contemplation).[9]

Sanatkumar

Sanatkumara in Sanskrit means "eternal youth".[10] He is the author of the Sanatkumara Samhita, which is part of the Shiva Purana, and has 59 chapters. It is also taken as a part of the Pañcaratra, Vaishnavite devotional texts. He taught Bhishma the mental and spiritual sciences.

The Chandogya Upanishad, Chapter seven, is about Sanatkumara's Instructions on Bhuma-Vidya to celestial sage Narada,[11][12] Sanatkumara finds mention across Mahabharata, as a great sage, who dispels doubts[13][14] and the preceptor in all matters affecting Yoga[15]

Also mentioned is the Tirtha of Kanakhala near Gangadwara or Haridwar, where through extensive tapas, he attained great ascetic powers.[16]

Birth and mission

The four Kumaras are the eldest sons of the creator-god Brahma.[17] When Brahma undertook the task of creating the universe, he first created some beings from different parts of his body to aid him. The Kumaras were the first such beings. They were created from his mind and appeared as infants. Brahma ordered them to aid in the creation, but as manifestations of Sattva (purity), and uninterested in worldly life, they refused and instead devoted themselves to God and celibacy, against the wishes of their father.[6][17] The Bhagavata Purana narrates further that their refusal made Brahma angry and his wrath manifested into the god Rudra, also known as Lord Shiva.[1] As per a variant, Brahma practised austerities (tapas) and pleased the Supreme God Vishnu, so he appeared in the form of the four infant Kumaras as Brahma's sons.[17] Some texts like the Devi Bhagavata Purana and the Bhavishya Purana narrates the four Kumaras appeared even before the Brahma of the present age. (In a cycle of time, some texts say that a Brahma dies and is reborn.)[6]

The four Kumaras learnt the Vedas at the age of four or five.[17] They thus became great jnanis (learned beings), yogis and Siddhas (the perfect enlightened ones). The Kumaras remained in form of children due to their spiritual virtues. The age of the sages varies in various sacred texts. While five is the most popular, they are also mentioned as being five-year-old boys.[18] They practised the vow of renunciation (Sannyasa) and celibacy (brahmacharya) and remained naked. They wander together throughout the materialistic and spiritualistic universe without any desire but with a purpose to teach.[1][6][17] They are sometimes included in the list of Siddhars (Tamil equivalent to Siddha).[19]

The four Kumaras are said to reside in Jana Loka or Janar Loka (loka or world of the intellectuals in the present parlance) or in Vishnu's abode Vaikuntha.[17][20] They constantly recite the mantra Hari sharanam ("God the Redeemer our Refuge") or sing Vishnu's praises. These hymns and glories of Vishnu serve as their only food.[17] Another son of Brahma, the sage Narada, who is described as their disciple, extolls their virtues in the Padma Purana. Narada says though they appear as five-year-old children, they are the great ancestors of the world.[17]

They are possessed also of deep knowledge of the Sankhya philosophy. They are preceptors of the scriptures on duty and it is they that introduce the duties of the religion of Nivritti (inward contemplation), and cause them to flow in the worlds".[21]

Discourses

 
Four Kumaras preaching in the Mahabharata

The discourses of the four Kumaras are found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata as well as the Bhagavata Purana.[17]

The Shanti Parva book of the Mahabharata describes the discourse given by the four Kumaras to the demon king Vritra and his guru – the sage Shukra. The king and his guru worship the Kumaras and then Shukra asks them to describe the greatness of Vishnu. Sanat-kumara starts by describing Vishnu as the creator and destroyer of all beings. He equates Vishnu's body parts with parts of the universe and the elements, for example, the earth is Vishnu's feet and water is his tongue. All gods are described as being Vishnu. Then Sanatkumara categorizes all beings into six colours depending upon the proportion of the three gunas: Sattva (pure), Rajas (dim) and Tamas (dark). From the lowest to the foremost beings, the colours are dark (Tamas is high, Rajas is mid, Sattva is low), tawny (Tamas is high, Sattva is mid, Rajas is low), blue (Rajas is high, Tamas is mid, Sattva is low), red (Rajas is high, Sattva is mid, Tamas is low), yellow (Sattva is high, Tamas is mid, Rajas is low) and white (Sattva is high, Rajas is mid, Tamas is low). (The Vishnu Purana gives non-living things, lower animals and birds, humans, Prajapatis, gods and the Kumaras are respective examples of the above colours.) Sanat-kumara elaborates further how a Jiva (living entity) journeys from dark to white in his various births, ultimately gaining moksha if he does good deeds, devotion and yoga.[22][23]

The Bhagavata Purana narrates the visit of the four Kumaras to the court of King Prithu, the first sovereign in Hindu mythology and an avatar of Vishnu. The king worships the sages and asked them about the way of emancipation (moksha) that can be followed by all people who caught in the web of worldly things. Sanat-kumara tells the king that Vishnu is the refuge to all and grants liberation of the cycle of births and rebirths. His worship frees one from material desires and lust. One should be freed from material objects, lives a simple life of non-violence and devotion of Vishnu and follows the teachings of a good guru and undergo Self-realization. One should realize that all living things are forms of God. Without devotion and knowledge, humans are incomplete. Out of four purusharthas ("goals of life"), only moksha is eternal, while religious duty, wealth and pleasure decay with this life. While all beings are subject to destruction, the soul and God in our bodies are eternal. So it is paramount that one surrenders to God (as Vishnu or Krishna), said Sanat-kumara ending his counsel. Prithu worships the Kumaras again, who blessed him.[24]

The first section or Purvabhaga of Naradiya Purana, an upapurana has 4 padas or sections, each told by the four Kumaras respectively to Narada.[25] Brahma, who had received the knowledge of the Puranas from Vishnu, imbibed this to his Four Kumaras, who then taught the Puranas to Narada. Narada transmitted it to Vyasa, who scripted them into the Puranic texts. The Vishnu Purana is recorded in two parts, the Vishnu Purana and Naradiya Purana. The teachings of Sanaka of the Kumara brothers are contained in the Naradiya Purana which is also divided into two parts, the first part containing the teachings of Sanaka and others. [26]

Visit to Vaikuntha

 
Jaya and Vijaya obstruct the Kumaras from entering Vaikuntha as Vishnu rushes to the spot

The four Kumaras roamed around at their free will with their cosmic powers all over the universe. During one of their sojourns, they arrived at Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu. The city, with the residence of Vishnu located at the center of seven circular walls, is considered as a place of bliss and purity. It has seven gates of entry. The four Kumaras passed through the first six gates without any hindrance. The seventh gate was guarded by Jaya and Vijaya, the two dvarapalas (door-guards) of Vishnu's palace. The angry guardians stopped the four Kumaras and laughed at them since they looked like children and were also naked, and did not permit them to enter through the seventh gate. The four Kumaras were perplexed by the behaviour of the gatekeepers as they had not faced such a situation and ridicule anywhere else. They expected Jaya and Vijaya to be like their master Vishnu, who does not differentiate among beings. Enraged, the Kumaras cursed them to be born on earth thrice, as three villains with characteristics of "lust, anger and greed". The gatekeepers accept the curse and bow to the Kumaras and beg for their forgiveness. Lord Vishnu who learnt of the incident, appeared before the Kumaras in all his glory with his retinue. The four Kumaras, who were on their first visit to Vaikuntha, took in by the sight and the glittering divine figure of Vishnu. With deep devotion, they appealed to him to accept them as his devotees and allow them to offer worship at his feet for all time to come and let his feet be their final emancipation. Vishnu complied with their request and also assured Jaya and Vijaya that they will born as demons on earth but will be released from all births (killed) by an avatar of Vishnu. The two guards were dismissed by Vishnu to go and suffer the curse of the Kumaras on earth and then only return to his abode, after the end of the curse. The two banished guards were then born on earth in Satya Yuga at an inauspicious hour, to the sage Kashyapa and his wife Diti (daughter of Daksha) as asuras. They were named Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha. Lord Vishnu undertook the Varaha Avatar to kill Hiranyaksha, and the Narasimha avatar to kill Hiranyakasipu.[2][27]

In the second life, during the Treta Yuga, they were born as Ravana and Kumbhakarna and defeated and killed by Rama avatar as mentioned in the epic Ramayana. Finally, in their third and final life in Dvapara Yuga, they were born as Sishupala and Dantavakra during the time of Krishna avatar and got killed by him, which is also mentioned in epic Mahabharatha.

In Shaiva traditions

Shiva had assumed the form of Dakshinamurti, the great teacher and meditating facing South observing a vow of silence. The four Kumaras approached Shiva for self-realization. He taught them about the Supreme reality – Brahman by making the chin mudra gesture with his hand. The index finger is touched to the thumb, indicating the union of Brahman and jiva. Thus, Shiva made the Kumaras as his disciples.[28]

The Linga Purana describes that Shiva or his aspect Vamadeva will be born as a Kumara and then multiply into the four Kumaras in each kalpa (eon) as sons of Brahma of that Kalpa. In the 29th Kalpa, Swetha Lohita is the main Kumara; where they are named as Sananda, Nandana, Vishwananda and Upananadana of white colour; then in the 30th Kalpa, they are named as Virajas, Vivahu, Visoka and Vishwbhavana, all of the red colour; and in the 31st Kalpa in yellow colour; and in the 32nd Kalpa, as of black colour.[8]

The four sages Sanak, Sananda, Sanatan, Sanat were learned Brahmins. They were the sons of Lord Brahma. They were very proud of their father, Brahma because he was the creator of the holy books, Vedas. They were aware of three Vedas,- Rigved, Yajurved, and Samveda and considered that the whole knowledge is complete in these three books. On the other hand, Sage Atharva approached Lord Shiva to get an approval of his knowledge which he gathered from the universe using his divine powers. Lord Shiva, impressed by his creation and blessed Sage Atharva that his book of knowledge would constitute the list of Vedas and will be called as ‘Atharvaveda’. When this news reached the sons of Lord Brahma, they protested as according to them the other three Vedas was a complete set of knowledge and there was no need for a fourth Veda. They argued with Lord Shiva and challenged his authority to certify the fourth Veda. Finally, in all humble fairness and peaceful reverence for not blemishing the value of the wealth of knowledge, the decision whether to certify a fourth Veda or not was mutually agreed to purely depend upon the results of a Knowledge-debate (Jyan-Vivad) amongst them (i.e. 4 Kumaras' & Lord Shiva). Goddess Saraswati was appointed as a judge. The four Sages addressed very complicated questions to Lord Shiva and were very confident of their victory. But Shiva, who is the Lord of all the Supreme Knowledge, answered each and every question. The Sages accepted their defeat gracefully and asked for forgiveness. Since then Atharva Veda was added to the list of Vedas, making the total four. The Sages went to their brother Prajapati Daksha who was a bitter rival of Lord Shiva. On listening about the defeat of his four brothers, he cursed them to be small children. After that, the four sages turned into small children. Since the sages were very learned, they thanked their brother for the curse because after becoming children their urge for learning would be greater.

Other legends

An incident about the meeting of the four Kumaras with Vishnu's avatar Rama is narrated in the Uttarakanda of the Ramcharitmanas. The Kumaras once stayed in the hermitage of the sage Agastya, who told them about the glory of Rama. So to meet Rama, they went to a forest grove where Rama with his brothers and disciple Hanuman had come. Rama and his brothers were so pleased with meeting the four enlightened sages that they paid obeisance to them. The sages were wonderstruck looking at the divinity of Rama that they prostrated before him and out of great ecstasy started shedding tears of happiness. Rama looking at the sages was deeply impressed and asked them to be seated and praised them for their great achievements and their erudite knowledge of the Vedas and Puranas. The four Kumaras were also delighted to hear the words of praise showered on them by Rama. They in turn extolled his great virtues in a hymn.[29]

In Kumara Sampradaya

Vaishnavism (the devotees that worships Vishnu as the Supreme) is divided into four sampradayas or traditions. Each of them traces its lineage to a heavenly being. The Kumara Sampradaya, also known as the Nimbarka Sampradaya, Catuḥ Sana Sampradaya and Sanakadi Sampradaya, and its philosophy Dvaitadvaita ("duality in unity") is believed to be propagated in humanity by the four Kumaras. The swan avatar of Vishnu Hamsa was the origin of this philosophy and taught it to the four Kumaras, who in turn taught Narada, who finally passed it to the earthy Nimbarka, the main exponent of the sampradaya.[30]

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e . Vedabase.net. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  2. ^ a b c D Dennis Hudson (25 September 2008). The Body of God:An Emperor's Palace for Krishna in Eighth-Century Kanchipuram: An Emperor's Palace for Krishna in Eighth-Century Kanchipuram. Oxford University Press. pp. 355–. ISBN 978-0-19-536922-9. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  3. ^ James G. Lochtefeld (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: Volume Two. The Rosen Publishing Group. pp. 592–. ISBN 978-0-8239-3180-4. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  4. ^ . Vedabase.net. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  5. ^ Alain Daniélou (1 December 1991). The Myths and Gods of India: The Classic Work on Hindu Polytheism from the Princeton Bollingen Series. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-89281-354-4. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 682. ISBN 978-0-8426-0822-0.
  7. ^ Bhag-P 3.15.12 Bhagavata Purana 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine "Lord Brahma said: My four sons Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana and Sanatkumara, who were born from my mind"
  8. ^ a b The Vishńu Puráńa: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition. Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. 1840. pp. 38–39. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  9. ^ "The Vedic dharma (religion) is verily twofold, characterized by Pravritti (social action) and Nivritti (inward contemplation), designed to promote order in the world; this twofold dharma has in view the true social welfare and spiritual emancipation of all beings."-Adi Shankaracharaya (A.D. 788–820).
  10. ^ Sage Sanatkumara
  11. ^ Part Seven Chapter I – Dialogue between Narada and Sanatkumara by Swami Nikhilananda.
  12. ^ Chapter Three: Sanatkumara's Instructions on Bhuma-Vidya by Swami Krishnananda, The Divine Life Society, Shivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, India.
  13. ^ Markandeya continued.. The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883 –1896), Book 3: Vana Parva: Markandeya-Samasya Parva, Section: CLXXXIV. p. 372 "Markandeya continued, 'On hearing this, the great-mind Munis went instantly to Sanatkumara who was well versed in religion to clear their doubt...
  14. ^ Sanatkumara The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883–1896), Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section: CCLXXX. p. 295."While they were thus conversing with each other there came unto them the great sage Sanatkumara of the righteous soul for the purpose of dispelling their doubts. Worshipped by the prince of Asuras and by the sage Usanas, that foremost of sages sat down on a costly seat.".
  15. ^ Narada The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883–1896), Book 2: Sabha Parva: Lokapala Sabhakhayana Parva, section: XI. p. 25 And Daksha, Prachetas, Pulaha, Marichi, the master Kasyapa, Bhrigu, Atri, and Vasistha and Gautama, and also Angiras, and Pulastya, Kraut, Prahlada, and Kardama, these Prajapatis, and Angirasa of the Atharvan Veda, the Valikhilyas, the Marichipas; Intelligence, Space, Knowledge, Air, Heat, Water, Earth, Sound, Touch, Form, Taste, Scent; Nature, and the Modes (of Nature), and the elemental and prime causes of the world, – all stay in that mansion beside the lord Brahma. And Agastya of great energy, and Markandeya, of great ascetic power, and Jamadagni and Bharadwaja, and Samvarta, and Chyavana, and exalted Durvasa, and the virtuous Rishyasringa, the illustrious Sanatkumara of great ascetic merit and the preceptor in all matters affecting Yoga..."
  16. ^ Kanakhala The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883–1896), Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section: CXXXV. "Here, O king, before thee is the Kanakhala range, the favourite resort of sages. 'And yonder is the mighty river Ganga. Here, in ancient times, the holy sage Sanatkumara attained ascetic success. O scion of the Ajamidha race, by performing thy ablutions here in this river, thou wilt be freed from all thy sins."
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i Chandan Lal Dhody (1 January 1995). The Adhyātma Rāmāyaṇa: Concise English Version. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 274. ISBN 978-81-85880-77-8. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  18. ^ Dalal p. 215
  19. ^ Dalal p. 407
  20. ^ Dalal p. 224
  21. ^ Vaisampayana continued... The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (1883 -1896), Book 12: Santi Parva, Part 3, Section: CCCXLI. p. 147 "The puissant Lord who is charged with the creation of all the worlds is called Aniruddha, Sana, Sanatsujata, Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatkumara, Kapila, and Sanatana numbering the seventh,--these seven Rishis are known as the spiritual sons of Brahman. Their knowledge comes to them of itself (without being dependent on study or exertion). These seven are wedded to the religion of Nivritti. They are the foremost of all persons conversant with Yoga. They are possessed also of deep knowledge of the Sankhya philosophy. They are preceptors of the scriptures on duty and it is they that introduce the duties of the religion of Nivritti and cause them to flow in the worlds.
  22. ^ Mahabharata Published by Geeta Press in Gorakhpur. Written in Hindi.
  23. ^ The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Santi Parva translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli [published between 1883 and 1896]
  24. ^ "Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Srimad Bhagavatam 4.22". Vedabase.net. Retrieved 22 December 2012. Click individual verses for explanatory notes
  25. ^ Dalal p. 273
  26. ^ Deshpande 2005, pp. 66–69.
  27. ^ Swami Venkatesananda; Venkatesananda (Swami.) (1989). The Concise Śrīmad Bhāgavataṁ. SUNY Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-7914-0149-1. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  28. ^ V. Ravi (2010). Lalita Sahasranama. MANBLUNDER. pp. 432–3. GGKEY:BH0QHZDKYK6. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  29. ^ Tulasīdāsa; R. C. Prasad (1 January 1999). Tulasīdāsa's Śrī Rāmacaritamānasa: The Holy Lake of the Acts of Rāma. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 713–. ISBN 978-81-208-0762-4. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  30. ^ Dalal p. 129

Sources

  • Dalal, Roshen. Hinduism an Alphabetical Guide. Penguin. ISBN 978-0143414216.
  • Deshpande, Aruna (2005). India: A Divine Destination. Crest Publishing House. pp. 66–69. ISBN 81-242-0556-6.

External links

  • Kumāra sampradaya
  • Kumaras
  • Pravritti-Nivritti, The religion of Pravritti Dharma and Nivritti Dharma

January 21, 2023
four, kumaras, sanat, kumara, from, theosophy, sanat, kumara, kumaras, four, sages, rishis, from, puranic, texts, hinduism, roam, universe, children, generally, named, sanaka, kumara, sanatana, kumara, sanandana, kumara, sanat, kumara, they, described, first, . For Sanat Kumara from Theosophy see Sanat Kumara The Kumaras are four sages rishis from the Puranic texts of Hinduism who roam the universe as children 1 2 generally named Sanaka kumara Sanatana kumara Sanandana kumara and Sanat kumara They are described as the first mind born creations and sons of the creator god Brahma Born from Brahma s mind the four Kumaras undertook lifelong vows of celibacy brahmacharya against the wishes of their father They are said to wander throughout the materialistic and spiritualistic universe without any desire but with purpose to teach 1 All four brothers studied Vedas from their childhood and always travelled together 3 The Four KumarasOther namesSanakadika RishisAffiliationChildren of Brahma Devotees of VishnuAbodeBrahmalokaPersonal informationParentsBrahmaSiblingsChitragupta Narada and DakshaThe Bhagavata Purana lists the Kumaras among the twelve Mahajanas great devotees or bhaktas 4 who although being eternally liberated souls from birth still became attracted to the devotional service of Vishnu from their already enlightened state 5 They play a significant role in a number of Hindu spiritual traditions especially those associated with the worship of Vishnu and his avatar Krishna sometimes even in traditions related to Lord Shiva Contents 1 Names 1 1 Sanatkumar 2 Birth and mission 3 Discourses 4 Visit to Vaikuntha 5 In Shaiva traditions 6 Other legends 7 In Kumara Sampradaya 8 References 8 1 Citations 8 2 Sources 9 External linksNames EditThe group is known by various names Kumaras the boys male children young boys Chatursana or Chatuh Sana the four with names starting with Sana and Sanakadi Sanaka and the others 6 Individual names usually include Sanaka Ancient Sanatana Eternal Sanandana Ever Joyful and Sanatkumara Ever Young 1 2 7 Sometimes Sanatana is replaced by Sanatsujata A fifth Kumara named Ribhu is sometimes added Sometimes the Kumaras are enumerated as six with Sana and Ribhu or Sanatsujata added 8 Though in Mahabharata a total of seven sons is mentioned namely Aniruddha Sana Sanatsujata Sanaka Sanandana Sanatkumara Kapila and Sanatana and further mentions that Knowledge comes to these seven rishis of itself without being dependent on study or exertion These seven are wedded to the religion of Nivritti inward contemplation 9 Sanatkumar Edit Sanatkumara in Sanskrit means eternal youth 10 He is the author of the Sanatkumara Samhita which is part of the Shiva Purana and has 59 chapters It is also taken as a part of the Pancaratra Vaishnavite devotional texts He taught Bhishma the mental and spiritual sciences The Chandogya Upanishad Chapter seven is about Sanatkumara s Instructions on Bhuma Vidya to celestial sage Narada 11 12 Sanatkumara finds mention across Mahabharata as a great sage who dispels doubts 13 14 and the preceptor in all matters affecting Yoga 15 Also mentioned is the Tirtha of Kanakhala near Gangadwara or Haridwar where through extensive tapas he attained great ascetic powers 16 Birth and mission EditThe four Kumaras are the eldest sons of the creator god Brahma 17 When Brahma undertook the task of creating the universe he first created some beings from different parts of his body to aid him The Kumaras were the first such beings They were created from his mind and appeared as infants Brahma ordered them to aid in the creation but as manifestations of Sattva purity and uninterested in worldly life they refused and instead devoted themselves to God and celibacy against the wishes of their father 6 17 The Bhagavata Purana narrates further that their refusal made Brahma angry and his wrath manifested into the god Rudra also known as Lord Shiva 1 As per a variant Brahma practised austerities tapas and pleased the Supreme God Vishnu so he appeared in the form of the four infant Kumaras as Brahma s sons 17 Some texts like the Devi Bhagavata Purana and the Bhavishya Purana narrates the four Kumaras appeared even before the Brahma of the present age In a cycle of time some texts say that a Brahma dies and is reborn 6 The four Kumaras learnt the Vedas at the age of four or five 17 They thus became great jnanis learned beings yogis and Siddhas the perfect enlightened ones The Kumaras remained in form of children due to their spiritual virtues The age of the sages varies in various sacred texts While five is the most popular they are also mentioned as being five year old boys 18 They practised the vow of renunciation Sannyasa and celibacy brahmacharya and remained naked They wander together throughout the materialistic and spiritualistic universe without any desire but with a purpose to teach 1 6 17 They are sometimes included in the list of Siddhars Tamil equivalent to Siddha 19 The four Kumaras are said to reside in Jana Loka or Janar Loka loka or world of the intellectuals in the present parlance or in Vishnu s abode Vaikuntha 17 20 They constantly recite the mantra Hari sharanam God the Redeemer our Refuge or sing Vishnu s praises These hymns and glories of Vishnu serve as their only food 17 Another son of Brahma the sage Narada who is described as their disciple extolls their virtues in the Padma Purana Narada says though they appear as five year old children they are the great ancestors of the world 17 They are possessed also of deep knowledge of the Sankhya philosophy They are preceptors of the scriptures on duty and it is they that introduce the duties of the religion of Nivritti inward contemplation and cause them to flow in the worlds 21 Discourses Edit Four Kumaras preaching in the Mahabharata The discourses of the four Kumaras are found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata as well as the Bhagavata Purana 17 The Shanti Parva book of the Mahabharata describes the discourse given by the four Kumaras to the demon king Vritra and his guru the sage Shukra The king and his guru worship the Kumaras and then Shukra asks them to describe the greatness of Vishnu Sanat kumara starts by describing Vishnu as the creator and destroyer of all beings He equates Vishnu s body parts with parts of the universe and the elements for example the earth is Vishnu s feet and water is his tongue All gods are described as being Vishnu Then Sanatkumara categorizes all beings into six colours depending upon the proportion of the three gunas Sattva pure Rajas dim and Tamas dark From the lowest to the foremost beings the colours are dark Tamas is high Rajas is mid Sattva is low tawny Tamas is high Sattva is mid Rajas is low blue Rajas is high Tamas is mid Sattva is low red Rajas is high Sattva is mid Tamas is low yellow Sattva is high Tamas is mid Rajas is low and white Sattva is high Rajas is mid Tamas is low The Vishnu Purana gives non living things lower animals and birds humans Prajapatis gods and the Kumaras are respective examples of the above colours Sanat kumara elaborates further how a Jiva living entity journeys from dark to white in his various births ultimately gaining moksha if he does good deeds devotion and yoga 22 23 The Bhagavata Purana narrates the visit of the four Kumaras to the court of King Prithu the first sovereign in Hindu mythology and an avatar of Vishnu The king worships the sages and asked them about the way of emancipation moksha that can be followed by all people who caught in the web of worldly things Sanat kumara tells the king that Vishnu is the refuge to all and grants liberation of the cycle of births and rebirths His worship frees one from material desires and lust One should be freed from material objects lives a simple life of non violence and devotion of Vishnu and follows the teachings of a good guru and undergo Self realization One should realize that all living things are forms of God Without devotion and knowledge humans are incomplete Out of four purusharthas goals of life only moksha is eternal while religious duty wealth and pleasure decay with this life While all beings are subject to destruction the soul and God in our bodies are eternal So it is paramount that one surrenders to God as Vishnu or Krishna said Sanat kumara ending his counsel Prithu worships the Kumaras again who blessed him 24 The first section or Purvabhaga of Naradiya Purana an upapurana has 4 padas or sections each told by the four Kumaras respectively to Narada 25 Brahma who had received the knowledge of the Puranas from Vishnu imbibed this to his Four Kumaras who then taught the Puranas to Narada Narada transmitted it to Vyasa who scripted them into the Puranic texts The Vishnu Purana is recorded in two parts the Vishnu Purana and Naradiya Purana The teachings of Sanaka of the Kumara brothers are contained in the Naradiya Purana which is also divided into two parts the first part containing the teachings of Sanaka and others 26 Visit to Vaikuntha Edit Jaya and Vijaya obstruct the Kumaras from entering Vaikuntha as Vishnu rushes to the spot The four Kumaras roamed around at their free will with their cosmic powers all over the universe During one of their sojourns they arrived at Vaikuntha the abode of Vishnu The city with the residence of Vishnu located at the center of seven circular walls is considered as a place of bliss and purity It has seven gates of entry The four Kumaras passed through the first six gates without any hindrance The seventh gate was guarded by Jaya and Vijaya the two dvarapalas door guards of Vishnu s palace The angry guardians stopped the four Kumaras and laughed at them since they looked like children and were also naked and did not permit them to enter through the seventh gate The four Kumaras were perplexed by the behaviour of the gatekeepers as they had not faced such a situation and ridicule anywhere else They expected Jaya and Vijaya to be like their master Vishnu who does not differentiate among beings Enraged the Kumaras cursed them to be born on earth thrice as three villains with characteristics of lust anger and greed The gatekeepers accept the curse and bow to the Kumaras and beg for their forgiveness Lord Vishnu who learnt of the incident appeared before the Kumaras in all his glory with his retinue The four Kumaras who were on their first visit to Vaikuntha took in by the sight and the glittering divine figure of Vishnu With deep devotion they appealed to him to accept them as his devotees and allow them to offer worship at his feet for all time to come and let his feet be their final emancipation Vishnu complied with their request and also assured Jaya and Vijaya that they will born as demons on earth but will be released from all births killed by an avatar of Vishnu The two guards were dismissed by Vishnu to go and suffer the curse of the Kumaras on earth and then only return to his abode after the end of the curse The two banished guards were then born on earth in Satya Yuga at an inauspicious hour to the sage Kashyapa and his wife Diti daughter of Daksha as asuras They were named Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha Lord Vishnu undertook the Varaha Avatar to kill Hiranyaksha and the Narasimha avatar to kill Hiranyakasipu 2 27 In the second life during the Treta Yuga they were born as Ravana and Kumbhakarna and defeated and killed by Rama avatar as mentioned in the epic Ramayana Finally in their third and final life in Dvapara Yuga they were born as Sishupala and Dantavakra during the time of Krishna avatar and got killed by him which is also mentioned in epic Mahabharatha In Shaiva traditions EditShiva had assumed the form of Dakshinamurti the great teacher and meditating facing South observing a vow of silence The four Kumaras approached Shiva for self realization He taught them about the Supreme reality Brahman by making the chin mudra gesture with his hand The index finger is touched to the thumb indicating the union of Brahman and jiva Thus Shiva made the Kumaras as his disciples 28 The Linga Purana describes that Shiva or his aspect Vamadeva will be born as a Kumara and then multiply into the four Kumaras in each kalpa eon as sons of Brahma of that Kalpa In the 29th Kalpa Swetha Lohita is the main Kumara where they are named as Sananda Nandana Vishwananda and Upananadana of white colour then in the 30th Kalpa they are named as Virajas Vivahu Visoka and Vishwbhavana all of the red colour and in the 31st Kalpa in yellow colour and in the 32nd Kalpa as of black colour 8 The four sages Sanak Sananda Sanatan Sanat were learned Brahmins They were the sons of Lord Brahma They were very proud of their father Brahma because he was the creator of the holy books Vedas They were aware of three Vedas Rigved Yajurved and Samveda and considered that the whole knowledge is complete in these three books On the other hand Sage Atharva approached Lord Shiva to get an approval of his knowledge which he gathered from the universe using his divine powers Lord Shiva impressed by his creation and blessed Sage Atharva that his book of knowledge would constitute the list of Vedas and will be called as Atharvaveda When this news reached the sons of Lord Brahma they protested as according to them the other three Vedas was a complete set of knowledge and there was no need for a fourth Veda They argued with Lord Shiva and challenged his authority to certify the fourth Veda Finally in all humble fairness and peaceful reverence for not blemishing the value of the wealth of knowledge the decision whether to certify a fourth Veda or not was mutually agreed to purely depend upon the results of a Knowledge debate Jyan Vivad amongst them i e 4 Kumaras amp Lord Shiva Goddess Saraswati was appointed as a judge The four Sages addressed very complicated questions to Lord Shiva and were very confident of their victory But Shiva who is the Lord of all the Supreme Knowledge answered each and every question The Sages accepted their defeat gracefully and asked for forgiveness Since then Atharva Veda was added to the list of Vedas making the total four The Sages went to their brother Prajapati Daksha who was a bitter rival of Lord Shiva On listening about the defeat of his four brothers he cursed them to be small children After that the four sages turned into small children Since the sages were very learned they thanked their brother for the curse because after becoming children their urge for learning would be greater Other legends EditAn incident about the meeting of the four Kumaras with Vishnu s avatar Rama is narrated in the Uttarakanda of the Ramcharitmanas The Kumaras once stayed in the hermitage of the sage Agastya who told them about the glory of Rama So to meet Rama they went to a forest grove where Rama with his brothers and disciple Hanuman had come Rama and his brothers were so pleased with meeting the four enlightened sages that they paid obeisance to them The sages were wonderstruck looking at the divinity of Rama that they prostrated before him and out of great ecstasy started shedding tears of happiness Rama looking at the sages was deeply impressed and asked them to be seated and praised them for their great achievements and their erudite knowledge of the Vedas and Puranas The four Kumaras were also delighted to hear the words of praise showered on them by Rama They in turn extolled his great virtues in a hymn 29 In Kumara Sampradaya EditVaishnavism the devotees that worships Vishnu as the Supreme is divided into four sampradayas or traditions Each of them traces its lineage to a heavenly being The Kumara Sampradaya also known as the Nimbarka Sampradaya Catuḥ Sana Sampradaya and Sanakadi Sampradaya and its philosophy Dvaitadvaita duality in unity is believed to be propagated in humanity by the four Kumaras The swan avatar of Vishnu Hamsa was the origin of this philosophy and taught it to the four Kumaras who in turn taught Narada who finally passed it to the earthy Nimbarka the main exponent of the sampradaya 30 References EditCitations Edit a b c d e Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Srimad Bhagavatam 3 12 Vedabase net Archived from the original on 2 March 2013 Retrieved 22 December 2012 a b c D Dennis Hudson 25 September 2008 The Body of God An Emperor s Palace for Krishna in Eighth Century Kanchipuram An Emperor s Palace for Krishna in Eighth Century Kanchipuram Oxford University Press pp 355 ISBN 978 0 19 536922 9 Retrieved 22 December 2012 James G Lochtefeld 2002 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism Volume Two The Rosen Publishing Group pp 592 ISBN 978 0 8239 3180 4 Retrieved 17 December 2012 Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Srimad Bhagavatam 6 3 20 21 Vedabase net Archived from the original on 4 February 2012 Retrieved 22 December 2012 Alain Danielou 1 December 1991 The Myths and Gods of India The Classic Work on Hindu Polytheism from the Princeton Bollingen Series Inner Traditions Bear amp Co p 165 ISBN 978 0 89281 354 4 Retrieved 26 December 2012 a b c d Mani Vettam 1975 Puranic Encyclopaedia a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature Motilal Banarsidass Publishers p 682 ISBN 978 0 8426 0822 0 Bhag P 3 15 12 Bhagavata Purana Archived 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine Lord Brahma said My four sons Sanaka Sanatana Sanandana and Sanatkumara who were born from my mind a b The Vishnu Purana A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland 1840 pp 38 39 Retrieved 22 December 2012 The Vedic dharma religion is verily twofold characterized by Pravritti social action and Nivritti inward contemplation designed to promote order in the world this twofold dharma has in view the true social welfare and spiritual emancipation of all beings Adi Shankaracharaya A D 788 820 Sage Sanatkumara Part Seven Chapter I Dialogue between Narada and Sanatkumara by Swami Nikhilananda Chapter Three Sanatkumara s Instructions on Bhuma Vidya by Swami Krishnananda The Divine Life Society Shivananda Ashram Rishikesh India Markandeya continued The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli 1883 1896 Book 3 Vana Parva Markandeya Samasya Parva Section CLXXXIV p 372 Markandeya continued On hearing this the great mind Munis went instantly to Sanatkumara who was well versed in religion to clear their doubt Sanatkumara The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli 1883 1896 Book 12 Santi Parva Mokshadharma Parva Section CCLXXX p 295 While they were thus conversing with each other there came unto them the great sage Sanatkumara of the righteous soul for the purpose of dispelling their doubts Worshipped by the prince of Asuras and by the sage Usanas that foremost of sages sat down on a costly seat Narada The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli 1883 1896 Book 2 Sabha Parva Lokapala Sabhakhayana Parva section XI p 25 And Daksha Prachetas Pulaha Marichi the master Kasyapa Bhrigu Atri and Vasistha and Gautama and also Angiras and Pulastya Kraut Prahlada and Kardama these Prajapatis and Angirasa of the Atharvan Veda the Valikhilyas the Marichipas Intelligence Space Knowledge Air Heat Water Earth Sound Touch Form Taste Scent Nature and the Modes of Nature and the elemental and prime causes of the world all stay in that mansion beside the lord Brahma And Agastya of great energy and Markandeya of great ascetic power and Jamadagni and Bharadwaja and Samvarta and Chyavana and exalted Durvasa and the virtuous Rishyasringa the illustrious Sanatkumara of great ascetic merit and the preceptor in all matters affecting Yoga Kanakhala The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli 1883 1896 Book 3 Vana Parva Tirtha yatra Parva Section CXXXV Here O king before thee is the Kanakhala range the favourite resort of sages And yonder is the mighty river Ganga Here in ancient times the holy sage Sanatkumara attained ascetic success O scion of the Ajamidha race by performing thy ablutions here in this river thou wilt be freed from all thy sins a b c d e f g h i Chandan Lal Dhody 1 January 1995 The Adhyatma Ramayaṇa Concise English Version M D Publications Pvt Ltd p 274 ISBN 978 81 85880 77 8 Retrieved 25 December 2012 Dalal p 215 Dalal p 407 Dalal p 224 Vaisampayana continued The Mahabharata translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli 1883 1896 Book 12 Santi Parva Part 3 Section CCCXLI p 147 The puissant Lord who is charged with the creation of all the worlds is called Aniruddha Sana Sanatsujata Sanaka Sanandana Sanatkumara Kapila and Sanatana numbering the seventh these seven Rishis are known as the spiritual sons of Brahman Their knowledge comes to them of itself without being dependent on study or exertion These seven are wedded to the religion of Nivritti They are the foremost of all persons conversant with Yoga They are possessed also of deep knowledge of the Sankhya philosophy They are preceptors of the scriptures on duty and it is they that introduce the duties of the religion of Nivritti and cause them to flow in the worlds Mahabharata Published by Geeta Press in Gorakhpur Written in Hindi The Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa Santi Parva translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli published between 1883 and 1896 Bhaktivedanta VedaBase Srimad Bhagavatam 4 22 Vedabase net Retrieved 22 December 2012 Click individual verses for explanatory notes Dalal p 273 Deshpande 2005 pp 66 69 Swami Venkatesananda Venkatesananda Swami 1989 The Concise Srimad Bhagavataṁ SUNY Press p 53 ISBN 978 0 7914 0149 1 Retrieved 25 December 2012 V Ravi 2010 Lalita Sahasranama MANBLUNDER pp 432 3 GGKEY BH0QHZDKYK6 Retrieved 26 December 2012 Tulasidasa R C Prasad 1 January 1999 Tulasidasa s Sri Ramacaritamanasa The Holy Lake of the Acts of Rama Motilal Banarsidass pp 713 ISBN 978 81 208 0762 4 Retrieved 17 December 2012 Dalal p 129 Sources Edit Dalal Roshen Hinduism an Alphabetical Guide Penguin ISBN 978 0143414216 Deshpande Aruna 2005 India A Divine Destination Crest Publishing House pp 66 69 ISBN 81 242 0556 6 External links EditKumara sampradaya Kumaras Pravritti Nivritti The religion of Pravritti Dharma and Nivritti Dharma Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Four Kumaras amp oldid 1122723549, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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