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The '''Kumaras''' are the four rishis, who are eternally in the form of children, named Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana and Sanatkumara. Many upanishads and puranas describe the legends around these four rishis. They are described as the first mind-born creations and sons of the creator-god Brahma. Born from Brahma's mind, the four Kumaras undertook lifelong vows of celibacy (brahmacharya) against the wishes of their father. They are said to wander throughout the materialistic and spiritualistic universe without any desire but with purpose to teach.  All four brothers are enlightened with Vedic knowledge and always travel together.

The '''Kumaras''' are four sages (''rishi''s) who roam the universe as children from the Puranic texts o Hinduism,^[1][2] generally named Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanandana and Sanatkumara. They are described as the first mind-born creations and sons of the creator-god Brahma. Born from Brahma's mind, the four Kumaras undertook lifelong vows of celibacy (brahmacharya) against the wishes of their father. They are said to wander throughout the materialistic and spiritualistic universe without any desire but with purpose to teach.^[1] All four brothers studied Vedas from their childhood, and always travelled together.^[3]

The ''Bhagavata Purana'' lists the Kumaras among the twelve ''Mahajanas'' (great devotees or bhaktas)^[4] who although being eternally liberated souls from birth, still became attracted to the devotional service ofVishnu from their already enlightened state. It also mentions them as being an avatar of Vishnu.^[5] They play a significant role in a number of Hindu spiritual traditions, especially those associated with the worship of Vishnu and his avatar Krishna, sometimes even in traditions related to the god Shiva.

The ''Bhagavata Purana'' lists the Kumaras among the twelve ''Mahajanas'' (great devotees or bhaktas)^[4] who although being eternally liberated souls from birth, still became attracted to the devotional service ofVishnu from their already enlightened state. It also mentions them as being an avatar of Vishnu.^[5] They play a significant role in a number of Hindu spiritual traditions, especially those associated with the worship of Vishnu and his avatar Krishna, sometimes even in traditions related to the god Shiva.

== Contents ==

== The Four Kumaras ==

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The group is known by various names: "Kumaras" (the boys/male children/young boys), "Chatursana" or "Chatuh sana" (the four with names starting with Sana) and "Sanakadi" (Sanaka and the others).^[6] Individual names usually include Sanaka (ancient), Sanatana (eternal), Sanandana (joyful) andSanatkumara (Ever Young).^[1][2] Sometimes, Sanatana is replaced by Sanatsujata. '''A fifth Kumara named Ribhu is sometimes added. Sometimes, the Kumaras are enumerated as six with Sana and Ribhu or Sanatsujata added.^[7]'''

* 2Birth and mission

== Names[edit] ==

== Birth and mission ==

 

== Birth and mission[edit] ==

The four Kumaras are the eldest sons of the creator-god Brahma.^[8] When Brahma undertook the task of creation of the universe, he first created some beings from different parts of his body to aid him. The Kumaras was the first such beings. They were created from his mind and appeared as infants. Brahma ordered them to aid in creation, but as manifestations of Sattva (purity), and uninterested in worldly life, they refused and instead devoted themselves to God and celibacy, against the wishes of their father.^[6][8] The ''Bhagavata Purana'' narrates further that their refusal made Brahma angry and his wrath manifested into the god Rudra, also known as Lord Shiva.^[1] As per a variant, Brahma practised austerities (''tapas'') and pleased the Supreme God Vishnu, so he appeared in the form of the four infant Kumaras as Brahma's sons.^[8] Some texts like the ''Devi Bhagavata Purana'' and the''Bhavishya Purana'' narrates the four Kumaras appeared even before the Brahma of the present age. (In a cycle of time, some texts say that a Brahma dies and is reborn.)^[6]

The four Kumaras are the eldest sons of the creator-god Brahma.^[8] When Brahma undertook the task of creation of the universe, he first created some beings from different parts of his body to aid him. The Kumaras was the first such beings. They were created from his mind and appeared as infants. Brahma ordered them to aid in creation, but as manifestations of Sattva (purity), and uninterested in worldly life, they refused and instead devoted themselves to God and celibacy, against the wishes of their father.^[6][8] The ''Bhagavata Purana'' narrates further that their refusal made Brahma angry and his wrath manifested into the god Rudra, also known as Lord Shiva.^[1] As per a variant, Brahma practised austerities (''tapas'') and pleased the Supreme God Vishnu, so he appeared in the form of the four infant Kumaras as Brahma's sons.^[8] Some texts like the ''Devi Bhagavata Purana'' and the''Bhavishya Purana'' narrates the four Kumaras appeared even before the Brahma of the present age. (In a cycle of time, some texts say that a Brahma dies and is reborn.)^[6]

The four Kumaras learnt the ''Veda''s at the age of four or five.^[8] They thus became great ''jnani''s (learned beings), yogis and ''Siddha''s (the perfect enlightened ones). The Kumaras remained in form of children due to their spiritual virtues. The age of the sages varies in various sacred texts. While five is the most popular, they are also mentioned as being fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youths.^[9] They practised the vow of renunciation (''Sannyasa'') and celibacy (brahmacharya) and remained naked.They wander together throughout the materialistic and spiritualistic universe without any desire but with purpose to teach.^[1][6][8] They are sometimes included in the list of Siddhars (Tamil equivalent for Siddha).^[10]

The four Kumaras learnt the ''Veda''s at the age of four or five.^[8] They thus became great ''jnani''s (learned beings), yogis and ''Siddha''s (the perfect enlightened ones). The Kumaras remained in form of children due to their spiritual virtues. The age of the sages varies in various sacred texts. While five is the most popular, they are also mentioned as being fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youths.^[9] They practised the vow of renunciation (''Sannyasa'') and celibacy (brahmacharya) and remained naked.They wander together throughout the materialistic and spiritualistic universe without any desire but with purpose to teach.^[1][6][8] 

The four Kumaras are said to reside in ''Jana Loka'' or ''Janar loka'' (loka or world of the intellectuals in the present parlance) or in Vishnu's abodeVaikuntha.^[8][11] They constantly recite the mantra ''Hari sharanam'' (Vishnu – "God the Redeemer our Refuge") or sing Vishnu's praises. These hymns and glories of Vishnu serve as their only food.^[8] Another son of Brahma, the sage Narada, who is described as their disciple, extolls their virtues in the''Padma Purana''. Narada says though they appear as five-year-old children, they are the great ancestors of the world.^[8]

The four Kumaras are said to reside in ''Jana Loka'' or ''Janar loka'' (loka or world of the intellectuals in the present parlance) or in Vishnu's abodeVaikuntha.^[8][11] They constantly recite the mantra ''Hari sharanam'' (Vishnu – "God the Redeemer our Refuge") or sing Vishnu's praises. These hymns and glories of Vishnu serve as their only food.^[8] Another son of Brahma, the sage Narada, who is described as their disciple, extolls their virtues in the''Padma Purana''. Narada says though they appear as five-year-old children, they are the great ancestors of the world.^[8]

== Discourses[edit] ==

== Discourses ==

 

The discourses of the four Kumaras are found in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata'' as well as the ''Bhagavata Purana''.^[8]

The discourses of the four Kumaras are found in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata'' as well as the ''Bhagavata Purana''.^[8]

The first section or ''Purvabhaga'' of ''Naradiya Purana'', an upapurana has 4 ''pada''s or sections, each told by the four Kumaras respectively to Narada.^[15]Brahma, who had received the knowledge of the Puranas from Vishnu, imbibed this to his Four Kumaras, who then taught the Puranas to Narada. Narada transmitted it to Vyasa, who scripted them into the Puranic texts. The ''Vishnu Purana'' is recorded in two parts, the Vishnu Purana and Naradiya Purana. The teachings of Sanaka of the Kumara brothers are contained in the Naradiya Purana which is also divivided in two parts, the first part containing the teachings of Sanaka and others.^[16]

The first section or ''Purvabhaga'' of ''Naradiya Purana'', an upapurana has 4 ''pada''s or sections, each told by the four Kumaras respectively to Narada.^[15]Brahma, who had received the knowledge of the Puranas from Vishnu, imbibed this to his Four Kumaras, who then taught the Puranas to Narada. Narada transmitted it to Vyasa, who scripted them into the Puranic texts. The ''Vishnu Purana'' is recorded in two parts, the Vishnu Purana and Naradiya Purana. The teachings of Sanaka of the Kumara brothers are contained in the Naradiya Purana which is also divivided in two parts, the first part containing the teachings of Sanaka and others.^[16]

== Visit to Vaikuntha[edit] ==

== Visit to Vaikuntha ==

 

The four Kumaras roamed around at their free will with their cosmic powers all over the universe. During one of their sojourns, they arrived at Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu. The city, with the residence of Vishnu located at the center of seven circular walls, is considered as a place of bliss and purity. It has seven gates of entry. The four Kumaras passed through the first six gates without any hindrance. The seventh gate was guarded by Jaya and Vijaya, the two dvarapalas(door-guards) of Vishnu's palace. The angry guardians stopped the four Kumaras and laughed at them since they looked like children and were also naked, and did not permit them to enter through the seventh gate. The four Kumaras were perplexed by the behaviour of the gatekeepers as they had not faced such a situation and ridicule anywhere else. They expected Jaya and Vijaya to be like their master Vishnu, who does not differentiate among beings. Enraged, the Kumaras cursed them to be born on earth thrice, as three villains with characteristics of "lust, anger and greed". The gatekeepers accept the curse and bow to the Kumaras and beg for their forgiveness. Lord Vishnu who learnt of the incident, appeared before the Kumaras in all his glory with his retinue. The four Kumaras, who were on their first visit to Vaikuntha, took in by the sight and the glittering divine figure of Vishnu. With deep devotion, they appealed to him to accept them as his devotees and allow them to offer worship at his feet for all time to come and let his feet be their final emancipation. Vishnu complied with their request and also assured Jaya and Vijaya that they will born as demons on earth but will be released from all births (killed) by an avatar of Vishnu. The two guards were dismissed by Vishnu to go and suffer the curse of the Kumaras on earth and then only return to his abode, after the end of the curse. The two banished guards were then born on earth, at an inauspicious hour, to the sage Kashyapa and his wife Diti as asuraswho were named Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha.^[2][17]

The four Kumaras roamed around at their free will with their cosmic powers all over the universe. During one of their sojourns, they arrived at Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu. The city, with the residence of Vishnu located at the center of seven circular walls, is considered as a place of bliss and purity. It has seven gates of entry. The four Kumaras passed through the first six gates without any hindrance. The seventh gate was guarded by Jaya and Vijaya, the two dvarapalas(door-guards) of Vishnu's palace. The angry guardians stopped the four Kumaras and laughed at them since they looked like children and were also naked, and did not permit them to enter through the seventh gate. The four Kumaras were perplexed by the behaviour of the gatekeepers as they had not faced such a situation and ridicule anywhere else. They expected Jaya and Vijaya to be like their master Vishnu, who does not differentiate among beings. Enraged, the Kumaras cursed them to be born on earth thrice, as three villains with characteristics of "lust, anger and greed". The gatekeepers accept the curse and bow to the Kumaras and beg for their forgiveness. Lord Vishnu who learnt of the incident, appeared before the Kumaras in all his glory with his retinue. The four Kumaras, who were on their first visit to Vaikuntha, took in by the sight and the glittering divine figure of Vishnu. With deep devotion, they appealed to him to accept them as his devotees and allow them to offer worship at his feet for all time to come and let his feet be their final emancipation. Vishnu complied with their request and also assured Jaya and Vijaya that they will born as demons on earth but will be released from all births (killed) by an avatar of Vishnu. The two guards were dismissed by Vishnu to go and suffer the curse of the Kumaras on earth and then only return to his abode, after the end of the curse. The two banished guards were then born on earth, at an inauspicious hour, to the sage Kashyapa and his wife Diti as asuraswho were named Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha.^[2][17]

== In Shiva traditions[edit] ==

== In Shiva traditions ==

Shiva had assumed the form of Dakshinamurti, the great teacher and meditating facing South observing a vow of silence. The four Kumaras approached Shiva for self-realization. He taught them about the Supreme reality – Brahman by making ''chin mudra'' gesture with his hand. The index finger is touched to the thumb, indicating the union of Brahman and jiva. Thus, Shiva made the Kumaras as his disciples.^[18]

Shiva had assumed the form of Dakshinamurti, the great teacher and meditating facing South observing a vow of silence. The four Kumaras approached Shiva for self-realization. He taught them about the Supreme reality – Brahman by making ''chin mudra'' gesture with his hand. The index finger is touched to the thumb, indicating the union of Brahman and jiva. Thus, Shiva made the Kumaras as his disciples.^[18]

# '''Jump up^''' 

# '''Jump up^''' 

# '''Jump up^''' Dalal p. 129

# '''Jump up^''' Dalal p. 129