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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.

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 ''Bhagavata Purana'' lists the Kumaras among the twelve ''Mahajanas'' (great devotees or bhaktas) who although being eternally liberated souls from birth, still became attracted to the devotional service of Vishnu 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  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) who although being eternally liberated atmaas from birth, still became attracted to the devotional seva (सेवा | selfless service) of Vishnu 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  spiritual traditions, especially those associated with the worship of Vishnu and his avatar Krishna, sometimes even in traditions related to the god Shiva.

'''A fifth Kumara named Ribhu is sometimes added. Sometimes, the Kumaras are enumerated as six with Sana and Ribhu or Sanatsujata added.'''

'''A fifth Kumara named Ribhu is sometimes added. Sometimes, the Kumaras are enumerated as six with Sana and Ribhu or Sanatsujata added.'''

==  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]

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]

The ''Linga Purana'' describes that Shiva or his aspect Vamadeva will be born as a Kumara and then multiply into the four Kumaras in each kalpa (aeon) as sons of Brahma of that kalpa. In the 29th Kalpa, Swetha Lohita is the main Kumara; where they are named as Sananda, Nandana, Vishwananda and Upananadana of white colour; then in the 30th Kalpa, they are named as Virajas, Vivahu, Visoka and Vishwbhavana, all of red colour; and in the 31st Kalpa in yellow colour; and in the 32nd Kalpa, as of black colour.^[7]

The ''Linga Purana'' describes that Shiva or his aspect Vamadeva will be born as a Kumara and then multiply into the four Kumaras in each kalpa (aeon) as sons of Brahma of that kalpa. In the 29th Kalpa, Swetha Lohita is the main Kumara; where they are named as Sananda, Nandana, Vishwananda and Upananadana of white colour; then in the 30th Kalpa, they are named as Virajas, Vivahu, Visoka and Vishwbhavana, all of red colour; and in the 31st Kalpa in yellow colour; and in the 32nd Kalpa, as of black colour.<blockquote>चतुराशीतिसाहस्रमुत्सेधेन प्रकीर्तितः।। प्रविष्टः षोडशाधस्ताद्विंस्तृतः षोडशैव तु।। ४८.२ ।। (Ling. Pura. 1.48.2)<ref>Linga Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%99%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_-_%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AA%E0%A5%AE Purvabhaga Adhyaya  48])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>caturāśītisāhasramutsēdhēna prakīrtitaḥ।। praviṣṭaḥ ṣōḍaśādhastādviṁstr̥taḥ ṣōḍaśaiva tu।। 48.2 ।।</blockquote>The four sages Sanak,Sanandan,Sanatan,Sanat were learned Brahmins. They were the sons of Lord Brahma. They were very proud of their father, Brahma because he was the creator of the holy books, Vedas. They were aware of three Vedas,- Rigved, Yajurved, and Samveda and considered that the whole knowledge is complete in these three books.On the other hand, Sage Atharva approached Lord Shiva to get approval of his knowledge which he gathered from the universe using his divine powers. Lord Shiva, impressed by his creation and blessed Sage Atharva that his book of knowledge would constitute the list of Vedas and will be called as ‘Atharvaveda’. When this news reached the sons of Lord Brahma, they protested as according to them the other three Vedas was a complete set of knowledge and there was no need of fourth Veda. They argued with Lord Shiva and challenged his authority to certify a fourth Veda. Finally it was decided that whether to certify a fourth Veda or not depends upon the result learned debate. Goddess Saraswati was appointed as judge. The four Sages fired too much and too complicated questions to Lord Shiva and they were very confident of their victory as they underestimated Lord Shiva. But Shiva, who is the Lord of all the supreme knowledge, answered each and every question. The Sages accept their defeat gracefully and ask for forgiveness. Since then Artharva Veda was added to the list of Vedas, making the total four. The Sages went to their brother Prajapati Daksha who was bitter rival of Lord Shiva. On listening about the defeat of his four brothers, he cursed them to be small children. After that the four sages turned into small children. Since the sages were very learned, they thanked their brother for the curse because after becoming children their urge for learning would be greater.

 

The four sages Sanak,Sanandan,Sanatan,Sanat were learned Brahmins. They were the sons of Lord Brahma. They were very proud of their father, Brahma because he was the creator of the holy books, Vedas. They were aware of three Vedas,- Rigved, Yajurved, and Samveda and considered that the whole knowledge is complete in these three books.On the other hand, Sage Atharva approached Lord Shiva to get approval of his knowledge which he gathered from the universe using his divine powers. Lord Shiva, impressed by his creation and blessed Sage Atharva that his book of knowledge would constitute the list of Vedas and will be called as ‘Atharvaveda’. When this news reached the sons of Lord Brahma, they protested as according to them the other three Vedas was a complete set of knowledge and there was no need of fourth Veda. They argued with Lord Shiva and challenged his authority to certify a fourth Veda. Finally it was decided that whether to certify a fourth Veda or not depends upon the result learned debate. Goddess Saraswati was appointed as judge. The four Sages fired too much and too complicated questions to Lord Shiva and they were very confident of their victory as they underestimated Lord Shiva. But Shiva, who is the Lord of all the supreme knowledge, answered each and every question. The Sages accept their defeat gracefully and ask for forgiveness. Since then Artharva Veda was added to the list of Vedas, making the total four. The Sages went to their brother Prajapati Daksha who was bitter rival of Lord Shiva. On listening about the defeat of his four brothers, he cursed them to be small children. After that the four sages turned into small children. Since the sages were very learned, they thanked their brother for the curse because after becoming children their urge for learning would be greater.

== Other legends[edit] ==

== Other legends[edit] ==

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Vedanta]]

[[Category:Rishis]]

[[Category:Upanishads]]

[[Category:Mahabharata]]