Two gatekeepers of Vaikuntha who barred the four child-sages at the seventh gate and fell into three births as demon brothers.
Appears in
The four Kumaras and the gatekeepers of Vaikuntha — Skandha 3, adhyayas 15-16 — Four ancient sages who look like naked five-year-olds are barred at Vaikuntha's seventh gate, and their curse sends two guards to earth.
The duel in the cosmic ocean — Varaha and Hiranyaksha — Skandha 3, adhyayas 18-19 — Holding the Earth on his white tusks, the cosmic Boar meets Hiranyaksha's club, outlasts his dark magic, and fells him with a slap.
Embodies
Pride humbled — Brahma, Indra and the sage Durvasa each try to measure the Lord, and each one ends up on his knees asking pardon.
The descents of the Lord — Boar, man-lion, dwarf and fish: the Lord comes down in whatever form the age needs, and Krishna is the Lord himself (1.3.28).
Questions to explore
Why did Vishnu accept the Kumaras' curse on his own gatekeepers instead of undoing it?
Which three pairs of demons were Jaya and Vijaya born as across the ages?
Why did three births as the Lord's enemies bring them back faster than seven births at peace?
