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==  Birth and Purpose ==

==  Birth and Purpose ==

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. 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. 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] 

The four Kumaras learnt the ''Veda''s at the age of four or five. 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. 

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]