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----- bhagap038.html
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 over-
powered 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 Vai-
kuntha, 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 orna-
ments. 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 stop-
ped them with their clubs. The Kumaras were put out by this unfore-
seen 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 pass-
ing through the lowest births, they might not have M6ha, 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
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