Shloka 25
The Lord’s Apology to the Kumāras and the Fall of Jaya and Vijaya
यं वानयोर्दममधीश भवान् विधत्ते वृत्तिं नु वा तदनुमन्महि निर्व्यलीकम् । अस्मासु वा य उचितो ध्रियतां स दण्डो येऽनागसौ वयमयुङ्क्ष्महि किल्बिषेण ॥ २५ ॥
yaṁ vānayor damam adhīśa bhavān vidhatte vṛttiṁ nu vā tad anumanmahi nirvyalīkam asmāsu vā ya ucito dhriyatāṁ sa daṇḍo ye ’nāgasau vayam ayuṅkṣmahi kilbiṣeṇa
O Lord, whatever punishment You wish to give to these two innocent persons—or even to us—we shall accept without duplicity. We understand that we have cursed those who were without fault.
The sages, the four Kumāras, now reject their cursing of the two doorkeepers, Jaya and Vijaya, because they are now conscious that persons who engage in the service of the Lord cannot be at fault at any stage. It is said that anyone who has implicit faith in the service of the Lord, or who actually engages in transcendental loving service, has all the good qualities of the demigods. Therefore, a devotee cannot be at fault. If sometimes it is found that he is in error by accident or by some temporary arrangement, that should not be taken very seriously. The cursing of Jaya and Vijaya is here repented. Now the Kumāras are thinking in terms of their position in the modes of passion and ignorance, and they are prepared to accept any kind of punishment from the Lord. In general, when dealing with devotees, we should not try to find faults. In Bhagavad-gītā also it is confirmed that the devotee who faithfully serves the Supreme Lord, even if found to commit a gross mistake, should be considered a sādhu, or saintly person. Due to former habits he may commit some wrong, but because he is engaged in the service of the Lord, that wrong should not be taken very seriously.
FAQs
This verse shows the Kumāras’ humility: they accept the Lord’s judgment as perfectly just and even offer to bear the punishment themselves, admitting their role in causing suffering to the blameless.
After cursing the two Vaikuṇṭha gatekeepers, the Kumāras recognize their own severity and, in the Lord’s presence, submit to His decision and express remorse for implicating the innocent doorkeepers in an offense.
Practice accountability: when others are harmed due to our harshness or misjudgment, admit it, make amends, and accept fair consequences rather than shifting blame.