*SKANDHA III., CHAP. 14.*
Diti, the daughter of Daksha, approached one evening her husband
Kasyapa, son of Marichi. She was overpowered with the passion of love
and became importunate. Kasyapa asked her to wait. Rudra was presiding
over sunset. His astral attendants, the Bhutas and Pishachas, were
roaming over the Universe. With His three eyes representing the Sun,
Moon and fire he could see every thing. His hesitation to yield to Diti
was of no avail, and the Muni had to yield. There Diti became ashamed of
her weakness. She was afraid she had offended Rudra and she helplessly
prostrated herself at the feet of Kasyapa praying for his forgiveness.
"Thou hast disobeyed me," said Kasyapa, "and hast shown disrespect to
the companions of Rudra, thy mind is impure and so is the time of
Evening (Sandhya). These four evils will cause the birth of two wicked
sons from thee. They will oppress the Triloki and the Lokapalas
(Preservers of the three Lokas). When their inequities exceed all
bounds, Vishnu will Himself incarnate to kill them."
For one hundred years Diti conceived her twin sons. Even from within the
womb they shed lustre all round, which even overpowered the Lokapalas.
The Devas went to Brahma to ascertain the cause of this disaster. He
related to them the following story.
"My Manasa-putras, Sanaka and others were once in Vaikuntha, the abode
of Bhagavan. Impatient to see Bhagavan the Kumaras hurriedly passed
through the six portals (Kaksha). At the seventh portal, they found two
doorkeepers of equal age with clubs in their hands, richly adorned with
golden crowns and other ornaments. They had four hands and looked
beautiful in their blue colour. The Kumaras heeded them not, but opened
the gate with their own hands as they had opened the other gates. The
door keepers stopped them with their clubs. The Kumaras were put out by
this unforeseen obstruction and addressing the doorkeepers gave vent to
their feelings thus: -- 'What mean you by making this distinction? In
Him the Lord of Vaikuntha, there is no difference whatsoever. The whole
of this Universe is in Him. Do you dread any danger to Him, as to a
common being, and why will you admit some and not others? But you are
His servants. So we do not intend to be very hard on you. But you must
descend from this elevated plane and take your birth where passion,
anger and greed prevail'."
"The door-keepers became terrified at this curse and fell at the feet of
the Kumaras. All that they prayed for was that while passing through the
lowest births, they might not have Moha, beclouding their recollection
of Bhagavan. Bhagavan knew what had transpired outside. He hastened on
foot with Lakshmi by His side to where the Munis stood. The Kumaras
prostrated themselves before Him Whom they had so long meditated upon in
their hearts. With intent eyes they looked steadily on Him and longed to
see Him again and again. The Kumaras lauded Him with words full of
import. Bhagavan addressing them said: -- 'These my door-keepers are by
name Jaya and Vijaya. They have slighted you, and it is right that you
have cursed them. I sanction that curse. For they are my servants, and I
am indirectly responsible for their deeds. I always respect Brahmanas,
as my glory is derived from them. These door-keepers did not know my
regard for you, and they therefore unintentionally slighted you. But
they shall instantly reap the fruit of their evil deeds and come back to
Me when their punishment is over. Please therefore decide where they are
to go.' The Kumaras knew not what to say. They thought they had not done
right and they asked to be excused. 'It is all right for Thee to extol
the Brahmanas in this way, for Thou art the Preserver of Dharma and Thou
teachest others what to do. But if, really, we have done wrong, let us
be punished and let not our curse visit these innocent door-keepers.'
Bhagavan replied: -- 'It is I who have uttered the curse through your
mouths. My will shall be done. These door-keepers shall be born as
Asuras, but they shall come back to Me speedily.' These two
door-keepers, O Devas, have now appeared in Diti's womb. I have no power
to overcome them. But when the time comes for the prevalence of Satva,
Bhagavan Himself will do what is needed."
The Devas went away and waited for events. The two Daityas Hiranyaksha
and Hiranyakasipu were born of Diti, after a conception of one hundred
years. Hiranyaksha though elder by birth was younger by conception.