Vishnu, the preserver of the universe has incarnated on Earth many times to end the unjust adharma and re-establish dharma (the cosmic law and order). Whenever religious and moral laws on the orb have declined, Vishnu has incarnated in distinct avatars to safeguard dharma. Lord Krishna has validated the incarnations of Vishnu in a shloka of Bhagwad Gita that “Yada yada hi dharmasya glaanir bhavati bhaarat Abhyutthanam adharmasya tadaatmanam srijaamyaham Paritranaay sadhunaam vinaashaay cha dushkritaam Dharm sansthaapanaarthaay sambhavaami yuge yuge”. It means that whenever malicious overpowers the Earth, almighty himself would take birth and rescue dharma from adharma.
Lord Vishnu has incarnated on earth from time to time in every Yuga. He is believed to have taken 24 avatars which include Adi Purush, Narada, Char Kumars, Kapil, Nara Narayana, Yagna, Rishabha, Dattatreya, Prithu, Dhanvantri, Hayagriva, Mohini, Vyasa, Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Vamana, Narasimha, Rama, Parashurama, Balarama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki. The last avatar is said to be Kalki who will be born at the end of Kalyug and will liberate the world from the adharma or injustice of evil people. Let us know more about Kalki, the last avatar of Vishnu in this blog.
Read more about Vedic stories of Krishna
How would Kalki Look?
It is mentioned in Hindu scriptures that Kalki will be born in a Brahmin family of Shambhala village at the end of Kali Yuga. His father and mother's names will be Vishnu Yash and Sumati respectively. Different sculptures describe Kalki differently. In pictures, he is shown on a white horse named Devdatta and a sword. As per some legends, at the end of the Kali Yuga, his horse with his right foot stamp the Earth due to which the tortoise supporting the world on its back will drop deep down. It is then that god will reinstate dharma on the Earth.
He will marry Padma and his wife’s name is Padma. She will be the daughter of the king of Simhala Island whose king would be Brihadratha and whose queen will be Kaumudi. In Agni Puran it is said that sage Yajnavalkya will be his guru. His arrival is mentioned in various Puranas like Brahma vaivarta Puran, Kalki Puran, Ling Puran, Aagni Puran, Barahmanad and Bhagwad Gita.
Objectives of Kalki Avatar
The real objective of the birth of Kalki Avatar is to diminish the adharma which is anticipated to be at its peak at the end of Kali Yuga. This last Avatar of Lord Vishnu aims to remove the wicked people involved in misdeeds. It is also said that to complete the cycle of yugas which involves 4 yugas, Kalki will be taking birth to pave the way for Satyug in which only honesty and love prevails. The incarnation of Kalki signifies the end of Kali Yuga and the beginning of the sinless age, the Satyug. On accomplishing his task, Kalki would transfer the dynasty of Earth to Devapi and Maru. These two will be the most honest and religious kings of Kalyug.
Also Read: 16 Kalas of Lord Krishna
The story behind the incarnation of Vishnu as Kalki
According to Indian Scriptures, Lord Vishnu once faced the anger of Saint Bhrigu who was eventually cursed by him. Once upon a time, saint Bhrigu gave shelter to demons (Asuras). One day Maharishi Bhrigu and the Guru of demons were out of their ashram. Deities and the king of heaven, King Indra invaded Asuras who were resting in the ashram and were unarmed. All demons managed to escape and urged Kavya mata, wife of saint Bhrigu for protection.
The lady with cosmic or yogic powers put out of action Indra and other deities by making him paralyzed or immobilized. The Devas ran to Lord Vishnu to find a way to safeguard themselves from the rage of wife of sage Bhrigu. Vishnu decided to enter the body of Kavyamata. She got annoyed and decided to burn herself if he didn’t escape from her body. King Indra plotted a conspiracy to put her to death by compelling lord Vishnu to use Sudarshan chakra on her. Vishnu Bhagwan aimed the Sudarshan chakra on the wife of saint Bhrigu and separated her head from her body.
When Sage Bhrigu saw her wife in two parts, he got furious and cursed lord Vishnu that he would have to take birth numerous times and would go through the agony of painful deaths of people close to his heart. In every incarnation, Lord Vishnu has gone through the pain that a common man goes through whether of losing loved ones, untimely deaths of their close ones, separation, and a throbbing death. Kalki is written to be the last incarnation of lord Vishnu close to the end of Kali Yuga when Earth will be ruled by demons in the form of humans. Only good human beings were left and the rest all will be killed by the last incarnation of Lord Vishnu to have the Yuga of Satya back.
Also Read: Gita Jayanti: Spiritual teachings of Bhagwad Gita
Facts about Kalki Avatar
The time of arrival of Lord Kalki is also mentioned in many legends and holy books. It is believed that Lord Kalki will arrive on Earth on the 12th day of the full moon day during the month of Baisakha. Kalyuga is expected to have duration of 432,000 years. It is said that Kalyuga started 5,125 years after Lord Krishna was born. This indicates that the probable time of arrival of Kalki is 426, 875 if the above theory is pertinent.
Hindu Scriptures with the prediction of Kalki
Few may call it a fantasy, but ancient Hindu scriptures clearly state the arrival of Lord Kalki. The Bhagavat Puran, Garuda Puran, Bhagavad Gita, Kalki Puran, Padma Puran and Vishnu Puran predict the advent of Kalki, the 10th incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
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