The Exquisiteness of the Supreme Lord

A concise summary of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 15

The four sons of Lord Brahma (Kumaras) once upon a time went to Vaikuntha, the spiritual region that is beyond matter and outside the purview of material energy. The Kumaras are experts in Ashthanga Yoga and are self-realized. They used their yogic expertise to reach Vaikuntha region.

Description of Vaikuntha

• Vaikuntha means the place of no misery

• All liberated souls possess a spiritual body similar to Lord Vishnu and are engaged in the service of the Lord

• The Lord form is all spiritual without a tinge of matter; it is pure consciousness

• It is full of beautiful parks encompassing wish-fulfilling trees and plants with beautiful flowers that never deteriorate

• The wind has an enchanting fragrance

• The peacocks sing the Kirtans of Lord Hari

• It is crowded with aerial cars made of Lapiz Lazuli and Emerald

• There is an abundance of Tulsi plants

• Lakshmi Devi has a permanent residence in this place

The four Kumaras were overjoyed when they saw the wonderful and magnamious Vaikuntha. It is said that Vaikuntha attracts even the self-realized souls. These Kumaras turned to the path of devotion later when they got a glance of the Supreme Lord’s beauty and effulgence.

They crossed 6 gates of Vaikuntha and reached the 7th gate where they were stopped by two spiritual beings, Jaya and Vijaya.

Jaya and Vijaya, the door keepers of Lord Hari, laughed and made mockery of Kumaras, who were completely nude.

The Kumaras got angry because they were prohibited from getting the vision of the Supreme Lord. They are self realized but got angry. Becoming self realized does not necessitate losing one’s sensual activities. Sense activities continue even in the self realized stage. The difference is, however, that sense activities in self realization are accepted only in connection with the Supreme, whereas sense activities in the material platform are enacted for personal satisfaction.

The Kumaras told Jaya and Vijaya that Vaikuntha is a place free of discrimination and the entire universe is the belly of Lord Vishnu. They cursed Jaya and Vijaya that they will go from Vaikuntha, the place which is free of suffering to the place full of suffering, the Earth where they will take birth as demons. Jaya and Vijaya begged forgiveness.

Lord Hari who is in the heart of everyone realized this incident. He appeared there with his consort, Lakshmi Devi. The Kumaras seeing the Lord, who is the object of meditation sang his glories:

Exquisiteness of Lord Hari:

• Possesses an All-Attractive personality

• The reservoir of all desirable qualities

• Never separated from Lakshmi Devi

• Wears a shining gridle

• Wears yellow garments

• Rests his one hand on Garuda

• Whose effulgence surpasses lightning

• The Lord’s form is factual and not imaginary

• Present in everyone’s heart

• Loves devotees who are in the path of Bhakti

• He gives liberation by removing ego

• Never visible to persons with uncontrolled senses

The Kumaras bowed down to the Supreme Lord but they couldn’t take their eyes away from the Lord.