DASHAVATARA - KALKI AVATARA

One of the earliest mentions of Kalki is in the Vishnu Purana, which is dated generally to be after the Gupta Empire around the 7th century A.D.In the Hindu Trimurti, Vishnu is the preserver and sustainer of life, balancing the processes of creation and destruction. Kalki is also mentioned in another of the 18 major Puranas, the Agni Purana. Agni is the god of fire in the Hindu pantheon, and symbolically represents the spiritual fire of life and the processes of transformation. It is one of the earliest works declaring Gautama Buddha to have been a manifestation of Vishnu, and seems to draw upon the Vishnu Purana in its mention of Kalki. A later work, the Kalki Purana, a minor Purana, is an extensive exposition of expectations and predictions of when, where, and why it is said he will come, and what he is expected to do. A few other minor Purana also mention him.

The Agni Purana explains that when the evil men who pose as kings begin devouring men who appear righteous and feed on human beings, Kalki, as the son of Vishnuyasha, and Yajnavalkya as his priest and teacher, will destroy these evil men with His weapons. He will establish moral law in the form of the fourfold varnas, or the suitable organization of society in four classes. After that people will return to the path of righteousness. (16.7-9) The Agni Purana also relates that Hari, after giving up the form of Kalki, will go to heaven. Then the Krita or Satya Yuga will return as before. (16.10)

The Vishnu Purana also explains that, "When the practices taught in the Vedas and institutes of law have nearly ceased, and the close of the Kali age shall be nigh, a portion of that divine being who exists of His own spiritual nature, and who is the beginning and end, and who comprehends all things, shall descend upon earth. He will be born in the family of Vishnuyasha, an eminent brahmana of Shambhala village, as Kalki, endowed with eight superhuman faculties. By His irresistible might he will destroy all the mlecchas and thieves, and all whose minds are devoted to iniquity. He will reestablish righteousness upon earth, and the minds of those who live at the end of the Kali age shall be awakened, and shall be as clear as crystal. The men who are thus changed by virtue of that peculiar time shall be as the seeds of human beings, and shall give birth to a race who will follow the laws of the Krita age or Satya Yuga, the age of purity. As it is said, 'When the sun and moon, and the lunar asterism Tishya, and the planet Jupiter, are in one mansion, the Krita age shall return.'" (Book Four, Chapter 24)

The Padma Purana relates that Lord Kalki will end the age of Kali and will kill all the wicked mlecchas and, thus, destroy the bad condition of the world. He will gather all of the distinguished brahmanas and will propound the highest truth. He will know all the ways of life that have perished and will remove the prolonged hunger of the genuine brahmanas and the pious. He will be the only ruler of the world that cannot be controlled, and will be the banner of victory and adorable to the world. (6.71.279-282)

The Bhagavata Purana states, "At the end of Kali Yuga, when there exist no topics on the subject of God, even at the residences of so-called saints and respectable gentlemen , and when the power of government is transferred to the hands of ministers elected from the evil men, and when nothing is known of the techniques of sacrifice, even by word, at that time the Lord will appear as the supreme chastiser. (2.7.38) It further describes Lord Kalki's activities as follows: "Lord Kalki, the Lord of the universe, will mount His swift white horse Devadatta and, sword in hand, travel over the earth exhibiting His eight mystic opulences and eight special qualities of Godhead. Displaying His unequaled effulgence and riding with great speed, He will kill by the millions those thieves who have dared dress as kings." (12.2.19-20)

The Kalki Purana combines all of the elements from the puranas above. He is one who has power to change the course of time stream in the favour of the good. He will be one to whom the power to change the destiny of the world will be given.It states the evil family of the demon Kali will spring from the back of Brahma. They will descend to earth and cause mankind to turn towards depravity. When man stops offering yagna to the gods, Vishnu himself will descend to earth to rid the world of evil. He will be reborn as Kalki to noted Brahmin family in the city of Shambhala. As a young man, He will be mentored in the arts of war by Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu.[5] He will then set out across the world battling evil kings and false prophets. He finally defeats Kali and brings about the Satya yuga. Having completed His mission, He will assume his four-armed form and return to heaven as Vishnu.

Followers of Tibetan Buddhism have preserved the Kalachakra Tantra in which "Kalkin" is a title of 25 rulers of the mystical realm of Shambhala. The aims and actions of some of these are prophesied in portions of the work

Source : Wikipedia

LORD HANUMAN

PANKI HANUMAN KANPUR



HANUMAN GARHI AT NAIMISHARANYA

LORD KRISHNA

SRI KRISHNA AT DWARAKA



SRI KRISHNA AT BHET DWARAKA



UDUPI SRI KRISHNA MOOLA VIGRAHA

DASHAVATARA - BUDDHAVATARA

The Buddha is believed to be the ninth incarnation of Lord Vishnu because of His greatness, wisdom and compassion for all human beings.The birth of Pince Siddharth was a significant event in the history of mankind. He was born in 563 B.C. to King Suddhodana and Queen Maya in the royal grove of Lumbini between Devadaha and Kapilavastu.

He belonged to the Sakya clan of the Kshatriya caste of the solar race.. On the full moon day of Vaishakh 544 BC, Queen Mahamaya was journeying from the capital Kapilavastu to her parents in Devdaha. She stopped under the shade of two sal trees at Lumbini and gave birth to Buddha. Their kingdom Kapilvastu lay between the Nepalese foothills and the river Raptu.

The child was named Siddhartha. But even after enlightenment he was better known by his clan name— Gautam the Buddha. He was brought up by his mother’s sister, also his stepmother as his mother died soon giving him birth.
Gautam was a serious-minded child who instead of playing with other children often sat alone, lost in his own thoughts. Though Prince Gautam was a Kshatriya, he never hunted and instead tried to protect animals and birds. The King provided his son with all possible luxuries along with the best of education, taking care to protect him from any negative sight. In his youth, Prince Siddhartha married Princess Yasodhara who bore him a son, named Rahul. The king, had three palaces built for him, and at the age of sixteen gifted him forty thousand dancing girls. Yet thirteen years later Gautama left the mundane world in quest of, "The incomparable security of Nirvana free from birth and endless reincarnation."

During one of his excursions, Siddhartha sighted four incidences which made him aware of the harsh sufferings of life. He saw a frail man weary from age, a diseased man, a starving beggar and a dead body. The events forced him to search for the ultimate truth that eventually changed his life.

At the age of twenty-nine, he abandoned his home in search of the answers to his questions, leaving behind his wife and son, his father and a crown of power and glory. After leaving his homeland, Siddhartha made his way to the hermitage of renowned sages of that time. But found these teachers' range of knowledge was insufficient. He followed the path of self-mortification for six years but could not attain his desired goal.

Soon realizing the futility of such an endeavor which had weakened him, he took nourishing food. A woman Sujata offered him kheer and a grass cutter gave him a stack of grass to sleep on. Then he began intense meditation until he came to know the absolute truth. He meditated under the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya at the edge of the river Niranjana, in the present state of Bihar in India.

At the end, in just one night of Vaishakh(C. 528 B.C.), Siddhartha came to know about his previous lives, the cycle of birth and rebirth and how to end infinite sorrow. Siddhartha became Buddha or the Enlightened One on his thirty-fifth birthday. He then spread the message of practicing ahimsa or non-violence and detachment from worldly desires, for attaining inner-peace and true knowledge for the next forty-five years. He taught as the Buddha or Shakyamuni (the sage of the Shakaya).

His teachings formed the basis of the Buddhism religion. At a time when people were losing faith in humanity and religion while sinning along with violence and greed was commonplace, Buddha brought with him peace for mankind. This incarnation reflects the intellectual and spiritual progress of human civilization.

From Gaya, the Buddha proceeded to Sarnath near Varanasi. Here five men became his disciples. Teaching them the truths he had discovered, he formed the first sangha or order of monks. Thereafter, he journeyed extensively, preaching truth and gained a large following comprising of scholars, sanyasis, kings and ministers. His day was divided between itinerant preaching in the morning and receiving visitors for discussion at night, with the afternoons reserved for private meditation.

He also went home as a bhikshuor monk. His father, stepmother, wife and son joined his sangha. In 483 BC, on the same day that he was born, and had attained enlightenment, the Buddha attained Nirvana, as he was freed from birth and endless reincarnation. His death or parinibbana occurred around the age of eighty

DASHAVATARA - KRISHNAVATARA

Krishanavatara is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Ugrasena ruled Mathura. He had a daughter called Devaki who was married to Vasudeva. Devaki's brother Kamsa was driving the chariot with the newly wed couple. An asharira vani (divine voice) called out that the eighth child of Devaki would kill Kamsa. The outraged Kamsa rushed to kill Devaki, but Vasudeva pleaded, that since the trouble was from Devaki's children, he would hand over all her children to Kamsa. Kamsa put Devaki, Vasudeva and Ugrasena in prison. Kamsa mercilessly killed six of Devaki's children. Devaki was pregnant for the seventh time and this time it was Adisesha's amsham in her womb. Lord Vishnu arranged for this child to be transferred to the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva, who lived in Aayarpaadi. Rohini gave birth to a beautiful and powerful child who was named Balarama. Kamsa assumed that Devaki had lost her seventh child.
The eighth child was Lord Krishna. When Krishna was born Vasudeva, carried the child by God's grace from the locked prison through rain and floods to the house of Nandagopa and Yasodha in Aayarpaadi. On the way, Aadisesha covered the basket, protecting the child Krishna from the ravages of nature. Vasudeva left Krishna beside Yasodha and carried away her new born child (Parameswari, the maya child) to the prison.
Kamsa, on hearing the birth of Krishna rushed to the prison, grabbed the child and tried to kill the child. The child however, rose up to the skies and ridiculed kamsa, that his arch enemy was still alive elsewhere and vanished.

In Aayarpaadi, everybody was thrilled and overjoyed. There were great celebrations. Krishna grew up enjoying the love and affection showered by all. Kamsan started sending asuras in search of Krishna. Even as a child, Krishna killed several asuras such as Boodaki, Thirunavardha, Denuka, Baga, Sagadasura, and several others. He revealed to his mother Yasodha, the entire universe within his tiny open mouth. The mighty Kaalinga (snake) was subdued by him. He controlled the snake and danced on its head. He gave protection to the people of Gokulam for over a week from the heavy rains caused by Indra, by lifting the Govardana giri (mountain) and holding it as an umbrella. He killed Kamsa of Mathura. The Gopikas were thrilled by his venu gaanam (flute).
Krishna married Rukmini. (Rukmini's brother Rukmi wanted her to marry his friend Sisubaala. Krishna lifted Rukmini on to his chariot, swiftly reached Dwaraka and married Rukmini).
The day that Krishna killed Narakasura is celbrated as Deepavali. In the episode of obtaining the Syamantakamani, he married Jambavati, Jambavan's daughter and Satyabama Satrajit's daughter.
The pancha Pandavas were cheated of their kingdom by Duryodhana, his brothers and Duryodhana's uncle Sakuni. With Krishna by thier side, the Pandavas ultimately defeated the Kauravas and got back their kingdom. (In the war field Krishna advised Arjuna to do his duty only and not to worry about the consequences, when Arjuna worried over killing his relatives.) Geethopadesam to Arjuna by Lord Krishna is truly a way of living to be followed by all human beings

DASHAVATARA - SRI RAMAVATARA

The seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Rama is said to have taken birth on earth to annihilate the rampant evil forces of the TretaYuga. Ravana, the demonic ten-headed king of Lanka having pleased Brahma by his austere penance, attained the boon of being invulnerable from the wrath of the gods and now ruled the heavens, earth and the netherworlds. All deities ardently entreated Brahma to save them from the painful suffering of his tyranny. Brahma disclosed that arrogant Ravana had assumed only gods could subdue him and did not include man amongst those who could overpower him. When the gods reached Vishnu, the preserver and prayed for deliverance, He assured to descend as an avatara and kill Ravana by incarnating as the eldest son of Kosala's king Dasaratha.

Dasaratha's wives Kousalya, kaikeyi and Sumithira gave birth to Rama, Lakshmana, Baratha and Shatrugna. They grew up learning all the arts and enjoying great love and care.

At this stage, sage Viswamitra asked Dasaratha's help in slaying the demons who were giving him hindrance in his yagnas. Sage Visvamitra asked for Rama to accompany him to the forest to fight the demons, refusing the assistance of the huge army of soldiers that Dasaratha was ready to place at his disposal. Rama was too young and Dasaratha was agonised about sending his young son to fight against mighty demons.

But at Sage Viswamitra's insistence, Rama and Lakshmana accompanied him to the forest and there stood guard and helped him in successful completion of his yagas, slaying Thataki and all the demons who dared to interfere. The pleased Viswamitra took them to Mithila, where Rama lifted the Siva Dhanusu which could not even be moved by anybody else and married Sita devi, daughter of King Janaka.

They returned to Ayodhya and king Dasaratha wanted to crown Rama king. Rama's stepmother, Kaikeyi listening to the cruel advice of her servant Mandara, asked Dasaratha to grant her the two boons which he had granted her earlier during the war with Sambasuran. She asked that by one boon, Rama should be sent to the forests for 14 years and by the other boon for her son Baratha to be crowned king. Rama, ever obedient, gladly left to the forests accompanied by his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. On hearing this shocking news Dasaratha died of grief.

In the forests, Rama gained a good friend Guhan, a tribal chieftain who helped him cross the Ganga. Rama built a parnasala in Chitrakootam and lived happily in the peaceful surroundings.

Baratha, who had been at his grandparents' place during the whole proceedings, was extremely aggrieved to hear of his mother's doings. He reached the forest and pleaded with Rama to return to the kingdom and become king. But Rama refused to disobey his father's and mother's wishes. Thus Baratha returned to rule the kingdom on behalf of Rama, placing Rama's padukas on the throne. Rama reached the Dandakaranya forest area and lived happily there. Surpanaki, sister of Ravana, the asura king of Lanka, saw and fell in love with Rama. She begged Rama to marry her. Lakshmana angered, cut off her nose. Surpanaki rushed to complain to her brother Ravana and advised him to abduct and marry the beautiful Sita.

On Ravana's request Mareecha, his uncle took the form of a golden deer and roamed the forests near Sita's Parnasala. One day Sita saw and fell in love with the golden deer and asked Rama to get it for her. Rama went behind the deer leaving Lakshmana behind with Sita. As Rama's arrow pierced it, Mareecha cunningly cried out to Lakshmana for help in Rama's voice. Hearing this, Sita ordered Lakshmana to rush to his brother's aid. While Sita was alone, Ravana in the guise of a sadhu came begging for alms. He grabbed Sita and flew off in his Pushpaka Vimana. Enroute Jatayu, the king of the birds fought valiantly with Ravana, but was hurt badly. He informed Rama and Lakshmana, who had come in search of Sita.

Rama set off in search of Sita. On the way he met Sabari, his arch devotee. He then met Sugreeva, the vanara (monkey) king, his minister Hanuman and Vali's son Angadha. They agreed to help Rama rescue Sita. The mighty Hanuman flew across the ocean to reassure Sita that Rama was coming to rescue her. He gave her Rama's ring. Sita was overjoyed, blessed Hanuman and gave him her Choodamani (an ornament that adorned Sita's head) to give to Rama. Hanuman as a messenger conveyed Rama's wishes for Ravana to release Sita. Ravana laughed and insulted Hanuman. To teach Ravana a lesson and to prove the might of Rama, Hanuman set fire to the Ashokavanam and got back to Rama. They soon built a bridge of rocks across the ocean and reached Lanka. Vibeeshanan, Ravana's brother realising the might of Rama and ashamed of Ravana's misdeeds advised Ravana to release Sita. Ravana refused and prepared for war. The mighty army of Ravana was destroyed. Kumbakarna, Ravana's brother was killed. Indrajit, Ravana's son was killed next. Finally, Ravana himself came to fight with Rama. Rama killled him with his Ramabaanam. Vibeeshanan was crowned the king of Lanka. Rama thanked all his friends for their valuable help and returned to Ayodhya. Baratha welcomed him with great joy. Rama was crowned king and he ruled justly for a long time.

DASHAVATARA - PARASHURAMAVATARA

Parshurama is the fifth son of Renuka and Jamadagni. His original name was Jamadagnya. In his childhood ‘axe’ was his favourite toy and when he entered adulthood his ‘axe’ became his weapon. Growing up Parshurama had a lot of relationship problems with his parents and brothers. And this led to a lot of built up anger within him - and this led him to violence - to him this was the best outlet for his anger…

King Kaartaveerya-Arjuna ruled the area around where Jamadagni and his family lived. One day King Kaartaveerya-Arjuna and his troops ventured out on an expedition in the forest. Half way through the expedition they realised that they have run out of all water and food. They were all hungry and tired. Thankfully they came across a small beautiful house - this was Jamadagni’s house. They ask Jamadagni if they could get some food and water to drink. Jamadagni kindly agreed and he and his wife were good hosts. They prepared an elaborate meal for the King and his troops. The food was very delicious. The king was very impressed and asked the secret behind such a delicious meal. Jamadagni says that the entire credit goes to his divine cow, Kamadhenu. This cow has the power to make confer any favour instantly. The king got a bit jealous and greedy and demanded that the cow be given to him. Jamadagni refused. And so the king took the cow away forcibly.

Parashurama was away when this incident happened. On his arrival he learned of the King’s actions…He was furious…He took his axe and went straight to the palace….No one was able to stop him….He went straight to the king and beheaded him. When the king’s sons found out about their father’s murder, they went straight to Jamadagni’s house - looking for Parshuram. Parshuram was not in the house….Only his parents were in the house - The princes’ killed Jamadagni.

When Parshurama returns home, he finds his father dead and his mum crying. He is heart broken. As usual the fit anger of takes over him…He grabs his axe and rushes to the palace and kills all the princes…He is disappointed at all the unfit kings. Kings are supposed to their subjects and not kill them. So he goes on to kill 21 unfit kings - He thinks he has done a favour to the entire world by killing these Kings.