Jaya

A gatekeeper of Vaikuntha who, in later Puranic tradition, was born as a demon and then as Ravana or Kumbhakarna.

Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Bhagavata Purana, with other tellings (Valmiki Ramayana) noted where relevant.

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Mahabharat →Puranic →Ramayana →

Traditional identity

Per tradition, not a genealogical relationship.

Incarnations

Shishupala

Introduction

Jaya is one of the two gatekeepers of Vishnu's heaven, Vaikuntha, together with Vijaya. In Puranic tradition, the two were cursed to be born on earth three times as enemies of Vishnu.

This story is not part of Valmiki's Ramayana.

The curse

According to the Bhagavata Purana, Jaya and Vijaya stopped the sages Sanaka and his brothers from entering Vaikuntha, and were cursed to be born on earth. They chose to be born as enemies of Vishnu, so that they would return sooner. In the second of their three births, they were born as Ravana and Kumbhakarna, and Rama ended their lives.

Sources

Bhagavata Purana (primary text)

This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above. Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.