Sharing Stories.

As I read Tracy's Blog on Destroyers and Builders I was reminded of a story I enjoyed as a child. I didnt understand the philosophy behind it then. I do now. Here I am sharing it with you.

Among the numerous Religious Texts of Hinduism, is the Purana. Purana is a Sanskrit word that literally means "Of Times Before" or "Of Ancient Times".  According to the Sanskrit Lexicographer, Amarasinha, a Purana covers one or all of these five characteristic topics-
1.Creation of the Universe
2. Destruction or restoration of the Universe
3. Geneology of Gods and Patriarchs
4. Reign of Manu's(The head of a particular Epoch within the Hindu Time cycle)
5. History of the Solar and Lunar Dynasty of Kings.

All of the above topics are presented as Instruction from Guru/Sage to Student. In earlier times, villages had what was called Katha sessions during the day or the evenings where the Priest/Brahmin would read from the purana or tell the stories to the gathered people.

There are 18 Main Puranas of which Bhagavata Purana is one of them. This is also called the Shrimad Bhagavatam and focuses primarily on the Incarnations of Vishnu, the Lord of Preservation. It has 12 Chapters. The story below is part of the 3rd Chapter.

Brahma, the Creator has four Sons born of the mind, hence known as Manasa Putra named Sanaka, Sananda, Sanatana and Sant Kumara. They were always known together as the Kumara Rishi. One day they came to visit the Vaikunta-the abode of Vishnu. Vaikunta is described as an Ocean of Milk where Adhi-Sesha, the cosmic 5 headed snake, lays coiled. Its coiled body is where Vishnu rests, meditates and meets other gods and beings. There are 9 doorways that lead up to Vaikunta, the last doorway has two gatekeepers named Jaya and Vijaya.  When the Kumaras arrived at the Gate, they were refused entry as Vishnu was Meditating and did not wish to be disturbed. Usually this wasnt a big deal cause the guest would be waited on with great hospitality while they wait for the Host.  But in this particular instance the Kumaras felt insulted and in the course of their argument with the Gatekeepers, they curse the Gatekeepers into  living on earth so that they will never see Vishnu, the Lord they are devoted to. The Gatekeepers fall to their knees begging the Kumaras to modify the curse so that there is a way to return to Vaikunta. The Kumaras now regretting their haste, say that only Lord Vishnu could modify it. The nature of a Sage's Curse is such that once the words are out, it will happen, such was the power of their word.  Hearing the commotion outside the door, Vishnu awakens from his meditation and comes out. Listens to what happened and gives the gatekeepers a choice - a hundred births as Devotees of Vishnu or 3 births as Enemies of Vishnu, dying by his hand. They choose the later and were born as the Asuras(Demons) Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashyapu in the Satya yuga(part of the Hindu time cycle) and are killed by Vishnu, incarnated as Varaha and Narasimha, as Ravana and Kumbhakarna in the Treta yuga and Killed by Rama (Ramayana) in the War and as Shishupala and Dantavakra in the Dwapara Yuga and Killed by Krishna. In the time of their incarnation as demons they bring what we perceive as death and destruction, but they pave the way for changes that are part of our existence.

The essence of this story is that Even those who are seemingly Evil to our perception have a purpose to serve in the Drama of our life on Earth.  Everything has a reason for being there, for being percieved. All are part of our duality or multiplicity in the Whole.