Shloka 37
Nārāyaṇa’s Impartiality, Absorption in Kṛṣṇa, and the Jaya–Vijaya Descent
Prelude to Prahlāda’s History
पञ्चषड्ढायनार्भाभा: पूर्वेषामपि पूर्वजा: । दिग्वासस: शिशून् मत्वा द्वा:स्थौ तान् प्रत्यषेधताम् ॥ ३७ ॥
pañca-ṣaḍḍhāyanārbhābhāḥ pūrveṣām api pūrvajāḥ dig-vāsasaḥ śiśūn matvā dvāḥ-sthau tān pratyaṣedhatām
Bien que ces quatre sages fussent plus anciens que d’autres fils de Brahmā tels que Marīci, ils paraissaient comme de petits enfants nus de cinq ou six ans. Les voyant vouloir entrer à Vaikuṇṭhaloka, les gardiens Jaya et Vijaya, les prenant pour des enfants ordinaires, leur interdirent l’entrée.
In this regard, Śrīla Madhvācārya says in his Tantra-sāra:
FAQs
Because the Kumāras appeared like naked five- or six-year-old boys, the gatekeepers mistook them for ordinary children and attempted to restrict their entry, setting the stage for the well-known offense and curse narrative.
This verse highlights that exalted beings may appear simple externally; spiritual vision requires humility and discernment rather than judging by age, dress, or outward form.
Do not dismiss sincere practitioners due to external differences; avoid gatekeeping and cultivate respectful behavior, since mistakes toward devotees can create serious obstacles in bhakti.