Hindu Scriptures

Four Yugas in Hinduism

Each yuga is an age with specific characteristics in which incarnations of Krsna

appear. The four yugas make up a cycle called divya-yuga, which lasts 4,320,000
years. One thousand of these yugas equal one day of Brahma, which is called a
kalpa. Brahma's lifespan is 100 years of his time. In each yuga there is a specific
process of self-realization (yuga dharma).

Satya Yuga

Amongst the four era’s, the Satya yuga is the first and the most
significant one. This era began on Sunday, Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya
day which is also known as Akshaya Tritiya. This extends up to
17,28,000 years. God incarnated in four forms i.e. Matsya,
Kurma, Varaha and Narsimha in this era. Knowledge,
meditation and penance would hold special importance in this era.
The average height of people was more than what it is today.
Every king would attain the pre-determined attainments and would
experience bliss. All the four pillars of religion i.e. truth, penance,
yagya (religious sacrifice) and charity were present in totality. The
only text which was considered credible and was followed was
Manu’s Dharma Shastra. Satya yuga shall be established by Kalki
again after the Kali yuga. The average life expectancy of a human
being in Satya yuga was approximately 4000 years.

At the end of this era when the Sun, Moon, Jupiter together enter
Pushya Nakshatra that is the Cancer Zodiac then the Satya yuga
shall begin. During this time the stars/constellations shall become
auspicious and radiant. As a result it shall accrue in the well being
of all creatures and the health will ameliorate. It is during this
auspicious time that Vishnu’s Incarnation Kalki shall take birth in a
Brahmin family. This incarnation shall be mighty, intelligent and
valiant. He shall engage in good of all benefactors. At the spun of
the moment, no sooner he thinks he shall be armed with all the
weapons, armours and an army, he shall be coronated king who
shall know no enemy. He shall be benevolent and a radiant
Brahmin and shall be the one who shall emancipate the ones in
misery.

He shall be the one and only one to destroy the Kaliyuga and
initiate the holy and divine Satya yuga. Bhagwan Kalki in the Satya
yuga shall destroy all the dacoits and robbers. He shall perform
the Ashwamedha Yagya and shall donate this entire world to the
Brahmins. His success and deeds will be divine and sublime. He
shall establish the auspicious ideals and principles propounded by
Lord Brahma after which he shall go to the forest to practice
penance.

After this all the generations to come shall follow the ideals
established by Bhagwan Kalki and shall engage in religious
activities. Accordingly on the advent of the Satya yuga all people
shall engage assiduously in good, sublime deeds.

One shall witness the emergence of beautiful gardens,

Dharmashalas (Resting Inns) and majestic temples. One shall see
the execution of many a huge yagyas. Brahmins, sages, ascetics
according to their nature shall be absorbed in penance. Ashrams
shall be devoid of the wicked and the deceits. This era shall usher
better agriculture and one shall be able to grow all foodgrains in all
seasons. People shall generously donate and will follow all the
rules and regulations mentioned. The kings shall protect their
subjects and earth very sincerely.

The Vaishya (traders) of this era shall engage in trade and

business very justly and honestly. Brahmins shall be engaged
continually in religious sacrifices, study, teaching, charity etc. The
Kshatriya (warriors) shall be inclined towards exhibition of valiance
and might. The Shudras shall sincerely serve the Brahmins,
Kshatriyas and Vaishyas. This form of religion shall remain intact
and absolute in the Satya yuga.

One shall witness the total establishment of Sanatan Dharma

(eternal religion). During the Satya yuga, the child was not ruined
when the father or mother expired. All the gods, demons,
Gandharvas, Yaksha would give up their hatred and differences.
The Rik, Sama and Yajurveda were not separate and demarcated.
This era was devoid of agricultural activities or rather any other
type of activity. Just by mere contemplation one would beget
desired results. The only religion that was relevant was- the
renunciation of vested interests. People in this era would never fall
ill. No one would try to point out faults or demerits in anyone’s
personality. The personality was not plagued by demerits alike
ego, sorrow, violent thought (aggression), jealousy, hatred,
backbiting, fear, anger and lethargy.

At that time, the colour of the Supreme cosmic soul that was
situated in the heart of one and all and the saviour of all the sages
was white.

All the people that are Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras
were embellished with all the good qualities. At that time, the only
saviour of all the people was God. People would practice
austerities and penance to attain God. All would be inclined
towards the supreme knowledge and all actions performed would
be in the intention of attaining celestial bliss.

In this way all these divine people would be bestowed with sublime
faith and piousness. Albeit, people were segregated on the basis of
Varnashram method, they would all reponse their faith in the
Vedas and the Sanatan Dharma.Because these people were devoid
of selfishness, they would effortlessly attain sublimity or union with
God, which is a salient feature of Satya yuga.Very valiant, mighty,
intelligent and people gifted with all good qualities would take
birth in this era. They would surprisingly give birth to thousands of
children. Great sages embellished with divinity would take birth in
this era.

TRETA YUGA

One sees the advent of religious sacrifices i.e. Yagyas in the Treta
yuga. One pillar of the four pillars of religion meets its end. The
colour of Bhagwan Achyut becomes red. People in this era will be
truthful and would perform all the religious ceremonies according
to the sacrifices. It is the Treta yuga where one can see the
overtures of Yagyas, religion and allied activities. People would
beget desired fruits by performing actions, donations mentioned in
the Vedas and by taking resolutions

All people in this era were assiduous and active. The main religion
of Brahmins was truth that is truthful speech, good conduct and
love towards all creatures. The common religion of all the
Brahmins was Yagya, self-study and donation. The primary aim of
Shudras was service towards Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas.
The duties of Kshatriyas and Vaishyas were the protection of
people and agriculture, trade and poultry respectively. All people
would sincerely adhere to their respective duties and as a result
they would be blessed with celestial bliss

The average life expectancy of a human in the Treta yuga was

approximately 3000 years. All the Kshatriyas born in this era were
valiant, zealous, big thinkers, pious, truthful, beautiful, suitable to
be blessed, revered and the protectors of all people. The Vedas,
religious sacrifices and Varnashram were adhered to very strictly
in the Satyayuga and the Treta yuga

DWAPAR YUGA

There are only two pillars left of religion in the Dwapar yuga. Here
Bhagwan Vishnu assumes yellow colour. Here the Vedas are
categorized into four parts that is Rik, Sama, Yajur and
Atharvaveda. During those times the Brahmins were
knowledgeable of two, some of three and some others have
studied all the four Vedas thoroughly. Accordingly because of this
categorization, even different actions and activities came into
existence

People were engaged only in penance and charity. They were

kingly and pleasure seeking. In this era, the divine intellect ceased
to exist, hence seldom anyone would be truthful. Consequently
people were plagued by ailments, diseases and various types of
desires. After suffering from these ailments people would perform
penance. Some would also organize Yagya for material benefits as
well as for divinity.

In this era, the Brahmins were involved in Yagya, self-study,

donation and teaching activities. The duties of Kshatriyas were
protection of subjects and the duty of Vaishyas was trade, poultry
and agriculture. The duty of Shudras was to serve all these three
classes.

The Kshatriyas in this era were humble and performed their duties
by controlling their senses. The king would avail to the advice of
the learned scholars and accordingly would maintain law and order
in his empire. The king who was addicted to vices would definitely
end up defeated. One or two or all from Sama, Dama, Danda, Bhed
and Upeksha would be brought into use and would attain the
desired. Kings were diligent in maintaining public decorum and
order.

Kings would plan many a conspiracy surreptitiously along with the

scholars. Strong people would execute work where execution of
policies was involved.The king would appoint priests etc to perform
religious activities, economists and ministers to perform monetary
activities, impotents to take carte of women and cruel men to
execute heinous activities

Brahmins would attain celestial bliss by engaging in penance,

religion, control of senses, restraint, Yagya etc. Vaishya would
attain higher planes through charity and hospitality.The Kshatriyas
would honestly execute all policies of law and order without being
angry, cruel and being devoid of greed and consequently attained
bliss.The average life expectancy of humans in Dwapar was 2000
years. All people in this era were zealous, valiant, courageous and
competitive by nature

One sees that the life expectancy began to fall in this era because
of neglect of Varnashram, Vedas and Yagyas. Vedas became
inactivated during the Dwapar and Kali yuga. At the end of Kali
yuga somewhere they shall be seen and some places they shall be
seen and some places they shall not be seen

Kali Yuga

At the end of the Dwapar Yuga, when Lord Shri Krishna renounced
the world and went to Goloka, at that time Kali Yuga, the source of
all chaos took birth in the minds of the ignorant. When king
Yudhishtir realized the advent of the Kali Yuga that is chaos, greed,
violence, debauchery and lies, he expressed a desire to go to the
forest and do penance. Accordingly, he abdicated the throne and
coronated his grandson Parikshit as the king.

When Kali Yuga met king Parikshit, he was shivering with fear and
said humbly:" O king! Brahma created 4 eras that are Satya, Treta,
Dwapar and Kali Yuga. Satya Yuga enjoyed his reign for 17,28,000
years and went away. Treta Yuga enjoyed his reign for 12,96,000
years and Dwapar Yuga enjoyed his reign for 8,64,000 years and
passed away. Now the time for me has come to reign which is
4,32,000 years and you tell me to get out from your empire. You
rule over the entire world. Where should I go after all? O king!
What is once proposed by the Gods cannot be erased or
eliminated."

Kali Yuga told Parikshit that:" You point your fingers on my flaws
and demerits but do not see my merits and positive aspects. I am
embellished with sublime merits. That is the reason I request you.

During the Satya Yuga if any one inadvertently committed a wrong

deed the entire kingdom had to bear the punishment. During
Treta, if any one committed a wrong deed, the people of that town
had to bear the punishment. During Dwapar Yuga, if anyone
happened to commit a wrong deed, the entire family had to bear
the punishment, but in Kali Yuga, he shall only bear the
punishment who has committed the wrong deed. I am not
concerned about anyone else."

Unlike the other eras where one had to inevitably bear the
punishment for a wrong and bad thoughts, In my era, this shall
cease to happen but one shall be bestowed with good fruits who
thinks good."

Even after listening to this, King Parikshit did not relent, Kali Yuga
said that he was endowed with yet another sublime merits. He
said:" One could fulfill all ones wishes and desires in the Satya
Yuga only after practicing penance for 10,000 years. Similarly in
the Treta Yuga and the Dwapar Yuga, one had to collect a lot of
money and perform Yagyas and had to engage in charity,
penance, vows and worship for a 100 years respectively to fulfil
ones desires. Unlike the others, in this era, if one even prays to
God for sometime with total faith and devotions and sings the
praises of the Lord, he shall fulfill all his desires within no time. He
shall be liberated from all his sins and shall consequently attain
salvation."

Listening to this King Parikshit was pleased. King Parikshit finally

allowed Kali Yuga to stay and allowed him four places where he
could stay, liquor and wine, where a prostitute stays, where there
is animal slaughter and where gambling would be allowed. Kali
Yuga humbly pleaded that his family was very big that is it
comprises of members like lust, anger, greed, ego, jealousy, lies
etc.

How shall all of them fit in these allotted places? On this king
Parikshit said that they should all then dwell in gold. In this way,
Kali Yuga resides in the 5 places allotted by king Parikshit. Those
people who yearn for higher ideals should not even go near these
five things.

In the Kali Yuga, by seeking the blessings of Lord

Jagannath Puri, one shall attain salvation. In the Kali Yuga,
there is no average life expectancy of humans. Even a child in the
womb can die inspite of his mother and father living..

Humans taking birth in this era will usually be radiant, bad

tempered, greedy and untruthful. The personality will be plagued
by flaws such as jealousy, ego, anger, pleasure, instinct, desires
and greed.There shall be only one pillar of religion in the Kali Yuga.
Here the idol of Bhagwan Vishnu has assumed a black colour
because of the inherent chaos and delusion. Vedic conduct,
religion, Yagya and Karma all cease to exist.

All types of problems such as ailments, lethargy, anger, mental

diseases and hunger, thirst tend to aggravate. Gradually even
happiness and comforts of humans become decadent and morbid.
In this era Brahmins do the work of a Shudra and the Shudras alike
the Vaishyas amass wealth or alike Kshatriyas engage in allied
activities and earn their livelihood.

In Kali Yuga, Brahmins shall renounce self-study, contemplation

and shall eat every thing that is prohibited. They will no more be
inclined towards penance and on the contrary Shudras shall take
interest in recitation of Vedic chants.

In this way when hypocrisy reaches the zenith, it initiates the final
annihilation. Many a king of the inferior category shall reign the
earth who shall be sinners, unfaithful and wicked. Kings of places
such as Andhra, Shaka, Pulunda, Yavan, Kamboj, Bahrhik and other
wealthy Aamir shall become kings. No Brahmin in this age shall
earn his daily bread and butter honestly.

Kshatriyas and Vaishyas shall engage in all duties other than

those, which are coveted. All shall become less valiant, they shall
be short lived, will lack energy and strength. Humans shall be
short in height and shall seldom speak the truth. All the directions
will have snakes and animals. Some people shall meaninglessly
talk of Brahma Jnana. Shudras shall criticize the Brahmins while
the Brahmins shall praise and eulogize the Shudras.

Many a creatures, insects etc. shall take birth in Kali Yuga. All
things that ought to have fragrance shall not be that fragrant, and
food shall relatively become tasteless. Women shall be short and
have many children. Women in this era shall be immoral and
licentious by nature. Most people shall be traders of food while
Brahmins shall sell the Vedas. Most of the women shall engage in
prostitution. In the Kali Yuga, there will be very less milk in the
udders of the cow. Seldom will there be fruits and flowers on trees.
There will be excessive number of crows in comparison to other
birds. Brahmins will engage in killing and shall take donation from
kings inspite of lying. Brahmins as a whole shall be imposters and
feign to be very pious and pure. They will harass the common
people for alms etc.

Householders shall indulge in robbery because they will be unable

to pay up their taxes. They shall disguise in the form of sages,
ascetics and earn their livelihood. Even people who are celibates
shall give up their purity and engage in intoxication and shall have
illicit sex. People will engage in all those material activities that
ushers physical energy only. All Ashrams shall be a haven of all
imposters and they shall be totally dependent on food from others.
During this time, seldom shall it rain and even the yield,
production of grain will not be satisfactory. People will be
aggressive by nature and consequently unholy and impure. The
ones indulging in irreligious and blasphemous acts shall emerge
powerful and prosperous. Those who are righteous shall be in
penury.

Just by amassing a little amount of wealth one shall become proud

and they despite having wealth shall have an eye on others wealth
and property. In Kali Yuga, girls, 8-10 years old shall become
pregnant while boys of the age of 10-12 years shall have
children. On the sixteenth year itself the hair will turn
white. Youth shall become alike old men and old men shall
become energetic and youthful. Women will engage in sex
with inferior men, servants and animals inspite of having a
good husband.

Religion, truth, thoughts, pity, age, energy, memory all shall get
gradually emaciated and drained. People will love only their own
children and family and will not hesitate to deceive their own
friends, benefactors.Judges of events shall favor the wealthy and
the impoverished shall be denied justice. One who constantly
blabbers shall be called a saint and one who is in a miserable state
will be called an imposter.

Any lake or reservoir situated far away will be referred as a holy

shrine. Growing hair will be an indication of beauty. People will
 take interest in religious actions so as to become prosperous and
successful. He who subdues the others shall be self-proclaimed
king. Subjects to protect their families shall seek refuge in caves
and caverns and will lead a miserable life.

People will be plagued with all types of extreme climatic

conditions. Average life expectancy of a human being in Kali Yuga
will be approximately 20 to 30 years only.As the delusion will
aggravate people will become weak and devoid of radiance,
medicines and food will plummet and all the four stages
(Varnashrams) will be represented by Grihastashram
(householder’s duty). By the end of the Kali Yuga, The God shall
reincarnate to protect religion and to destroy all evil. Lord
Vishnu shall incarnate and shall give refuge to all that are
good and righteous.

When Sun, Moon and Jupiter together enter the Pushya Nakshatra
and cancer zodiac at that time by the inspiration of time, a divine
and strong child named Vishuyasha Kalki shall take birth in a
Brahmin family in a village known as Sambhal.

He shall be the saviour of one and all and he will possess weapon
on the spur of the moment. He shall emancipate this world from all
miseries and create happiness. He will put an end to the Kali Yuga
and shall create a novel Satya Yuga embellished with truth and
beauty. Bhagwan Kalki shall recoronate all the Brahmins as the
rulers and will massacre all the outcastes and inferior (barbarians)

Understanding the timescale of Kali Yuga.

It is apparent that many people do not understand the Vedic timescale.
Many new agers believe that the age of Kali will end in 2012. I do not know where they got
the idea.

From the vedic scriptures regarding the timescale of Yugas....

o 1 year of humans = 1 day of the devā-s.

o 1 year = 365 days ( some use 360 to match a perfect circle in
degrees º ) = 1 day of the
o devā-s.
o Hence 4,800 devā years X 365 days in a human year = 1,752,000
human years.
o Now if we multiply by 360 we get the classical 1,728,000 human
years typically associated with kṛta or satya yuga.
o kṛta or satya yuga = 4/4ths = 1,728,000 human years
o tretā = 3/4ths or .75 x 1 ,728 ,000 years = 1 ,296 ,000 years
o dvāpara is 2/4th or .5 x 1 ,728 ,000 years =864 ,000 years
o kali or 1/4th or .25 x 1 ,728 ,000 years = 432 ,000 years

The origins of the numbers ( from the mahābhārata, śrīmad bhāgavatam,

etc.) and the mathematics to the classical 1,728,000 human years that is then
decreased for each yuga by 1/4th ( and is considered 1/4th of dharma that
erodes down to kali yuga).

Descriptions of Kali Yuga (wikipaedia)

Kali Yuga : (Devanāgarī: किलयुग [kəli juɡə], lit. "age of (the female demon) Kali",
or "age of vice") is the last of the four stages that the world goes through as
part of the cycle of yugas described in the Indian scriptures. The other ages
are Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga and Dvapara Yuga. According to the Surya
Siddhanta, an astronomical treatise that forms the basis of all Hindu and
Buddhist calendars, Kali Yuga began at midnight (00:00) on 18
February 3102 BCE [1] in the proleptic Julian calendar, or 23 January 3102
BC in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. This date is also considered by many
Hindus to be the day that Krishna left earth to return to his abode. Most
interpreters of Hindu scriptures believe that earth is currently in Kali Yuga.
Some, such as Swami Sri Yukteswar,[2] and Paramhansa Yogananda[3]
believe that it is now near the beginning of Dvapara Yuga. The Kali Yuga is
traditionally thought to last 432,000 years.

So Kali Yuga began in 3102 BCE.

It lasts for 432,000 years.
This is why Kali Yuga will not end in 2012.
 AVATARS OF LORD VISHNU

Hinduism, also known as the Sanatan Dharma (Eternal Religion), is essentially

henotheistic in nature; it believes in one supreme God, the Brahman, while
recognizing other Gods (and Goddesses) as different forms or manifestations of
that Supreme Being. At the same time, interestingly, It can also be considered as
Trinitarian because Brahman is conceived as Trimurti, a triad of three entities:
Brahma, the Creator of the universe; Vishnu, the Preserver (of the creations); and
Shiva, the Destroyer, symbolizing the cycle of birth, life and death in cosmic
balance.

The concept of an infinite cycle of creation, destruction and regeneration of the universe
on a cosmic time scale (1 Kalpa or Cosmic Cycle = 1000 Chaturyugas = 4.32 billion
years = 1 day of Brahma) is unique to the Hindu religion. So is the concept of successive
Yugas (epochs) or periods of time, such as Satya yuga (or Kreta yuga), Treta yuga,
Dwapara yuga and Kali yuga; the world being created, destroyed and recreated every
Mahayuga, a cycle of the four Yugas within, in turn, a bigger cycle of creation,
destruction and recreation of the universe. The world is presently considered to be
around 5000 years into the final 432,000 year Kali yuga phase of the current Mahayuga.

Vishnu, considered the peace-loving deity of the Hindu Trinity (and the most important to
many Hindus), is the preserver of the universe and the sustainer of life on earth on the
principles of righteousness, truth and order. The importance of Vishnu increased rapidly
during the Vedic period. From being a minor deity in early Aryan religion, Vishnu became
one of the most important in the pantheon of gods, by the end of the Vedic period.
Vishnu, meaning ‘the All-Pervading one’ (from the Sanskrit root ‘viś’ meaning ‘to enter or
pervade’ and the suffix ‘nu’), is considered to be omniscient and omnipotent.

In Hindu mythology Vishnu resides in Vaikuntha (the abode of gods) and his vehicle is
Garuda, a giant winged eagle with a human-shaped figure and a beaked nose. Vishnu is
depicted as a dark (a dark blue color analogous to the color of the infinite sky) majestic
kinglike figure with four hands bearing, respectively, a conch shell (shankha), a discus or
a spinning wheel (chakra), a club or mace (gada) and a lotus flower (padma).

The shankha, held in the upper left hand, represents the primeval sound of the five
elements – air, water, fire, earth and sky – the building blocks of creation. The chakra,
held in the upper right hand, called the ‘Sudarshan chakra’ is the celestial disc of the sun
for dispelling darkness and restoring peace on earth; derived from the Sanskrit words
‘su’ meaning ‘good’ and ‘darshan’ meaning vision, it symbolizes a weapon for
overcoming one’s mind-set and ego to be able to visualize the eternal truth. The gada,
held in the lower left hand, is called the ‘Kaumodaki’ and signifies the God’s absolute
prowess to destroy evil, while the padma, in the lower right hand, symbolizes purity, truth
(satya) and knowledge (gyan); the building blocks of the rules of conduct (dharma).

The most common representation of Vishnu shows him floating on the infinite space of
the cosmic ocean reclined on the coils of the hydra-headed serpent-deity Shesh-Nag
(also known as Ananta, the timeless). The other common depiction is of Vishnu, with his
four hands, standing on the waves. As long as order prevails in the universe, Vishnu
sleeps on the coils of Ananta Nag. However, when this order is disturbed Vishnu either
mounts his vehicle Garuda to go and fight the forces of evil and chaos or sends one of
his Avatars (incarnations) to save the world.

The notion of an Avatar is an important aspect of Hindu mythology and theology. It is

based on the premise that whenever ignorance and evil are ascendant and threaten the
moral order, the Supreme Being incarnates itself in some form, or descends to earth, to
defeat the forces of evil and restore equilibrium.

There are differing source data in Hindu mythology and religious scriptures (Puranas and
Upanishads) on the number of Avatars of Vishnu. The Garuda Purana and the
Bhagavata Purana both mention twenty-two, with a proviso in the latter, that the
incarnations of Vishnu are many; the Matsya Purana, on the other hand, refers to twelve
incarnations. However, it is generally accepted that there are ten incarnations of Vishnu.
Of these ten universally accepted Avatars, nine are said to have manifested themselves
(each at a different time and era) while the tenth is yet to appear in this world. Each
manifestation has a related legend which essentially demonstrates the restoration of
righteousness and Dharma in the world, through the divine intervention of Vishnu. The
ten incarnations are:

1. MATSYA (Fish) Avatar: (Satya Yuga). During the deluge before the latest re-
creation of the universe, the four Vedas (the holy scriptures) which were required by
Brahma for the re-creation, were drowned deep in the waters. Vishnu took the form of a
fish to retrieve the sacred scriptures. Another legend has it that Vishnu in his Matsya
Avatar instructed Manu (the progenitor of mankind in each creation) to build a huge boat
and gather samples of all species in it. The Matsya then pulled the ark to safety through
the deluge and floods to enable Brahma to start the work of re-creation.

2. KACHYUP or KURMA (Tortoise) Avatar: (Satya Yuga). The gods (Devas),

suddenly lost their immortality due to the curse of a sage, soon after the new creation of
the universe. Afraid of the Asuras (Demons), they turned for help to Vishnu who advised
them to churn the ocean to obtain Amrita (Ambrosia), which would restore their power.
The churning had to be done with the Mandara Mountain as the churning stick. Vishnu
then assumed the form of a Kachyup (tortoise) to hold up the mountain on his back to
enable the churning to be done. The help of Vishnu in restoration of immortality of the
Devas is another example of the upholding of the dominance of Dharma.

3. VARAHA (Boar) Avatar: (Satya Yuga). The earth (prithvi or goddess Bhudevi) was
swamped deep under the cosmic ocean at the end of the deluge before the re-creation of
the present universe. At this time, Hiranyaksha, an Asura (demon) who had attained
extraordinary powers through penance, was wreaking havoc among the Devas (gods).
On the request of Brahma, who needed the earth for his work of recreation, and of the
Devas, who needed succor from Hiranyaksha, Vishnu assumed the form of a Varaha
(boar). He carried the earth from the bottom of the ocean on his tusks in this Avatar; also
slaying the rampaging Asura in the process.

4. NARASIMHA (half-man half-lion) Avatar: (Satya Yuga). Hiranyakashipu, a demon

king and a tyrant, had through severe penance, obtained a boon from Brahma that no
natural-born man or animal could kill him; nor could he be killed in heaven or earth, by
any weapon, either during day or night. He started considering himself as the supreme
God and banned the worship of gods; even trying to kill his own son Prahlada, who was
a Vishnu devotee. Vishnu assumed the form of Narasimha (neither man nor animal);
emerged from a pillar (not natural born); during evening (neither day nor night); laid the
demon-king across his thighs (neither heaven nor earth) and tore his entrails out with
bare claws (no weapon).

5. VAMANA (Dwarf) Avatar: (Treta Yuga). The legend associated with this Avatar
has it that the valorous demon- king Bali, a descendant of Hiranyakashipu, empowered
by severe penance, defeated Indra, the king of the Devas and conquered the whole
world. Fearing that he would overcome all three worlds ( Swarga, Marta and Patala or
heaven, earth and the nether worlds), the Devas appealed to Vishnu. Taking birth in a
Brahmin family and growing up to be a dwarf, Vishnu approached Bali for alms when the
latter was performing a religious sacrifice. Bali, in an expansive mood promised him
whatever he wanted – which was as much land as he could cover in three strides.
Vishnu then covered heaven and earth in two strides to emancipate the Devas and
banished Bali to the nether world.

6. PARASHURAM Avatar: (end of Satya Yuga or in the Treta Yuga as per different
scholars). Vishnu took birth as a Brahman (priest) in this Avatar to free the Brahmans
from the depredations of the Kshatriyas (warrior caste) who had become arrogant
oppressors of the Brahmans. His name derives from the axe-like weapon (Parsu) he
carried - a gift from Shiva. He annihilated the Kshatriyas in battles twenty-one times.
Parashuram and Rama, the seventh Avatar, are generally depicted as living at the same
time even though the former is said to have appeared in this world before Rama.

7. RAMA Avatar: (Treta Yuga). Vishnu, in this Avatar, incarnates himself as Rama,
the Kshatriya king central to the Ramayana epic. By far one of the most popular heroes
(along with Krishna) of Hindu mythology, Rama exemplifies the ideal, son, king, father
and man. The legend, on the one hand, is a romantic exploit of good triumphing over evil
(the slaying of Ravana, the demon-king, by Rama). On another plane, it is a complex
dissertation on love, war, brotherhood, fidelity, societal customs and traditions etc.

8. KRISHNA Avatar: (Dwapara Yuga). Vishnu, in this Avatar, incarnates himself as

Krishna, one of the central figures in the epic Mahabharata. The epic, while being a tale
of two warring clans of cousins, the Pandavas and the Kauravas, is also a discerning
study of human nature, human weaknesses, statesmanship, war and politics. Krishna is
also the friend, philosopher and guide to Arjuna, the Pandava prince in the Kurukshetra
war in the epic. His philosophical discourse to Arjuna on the eve of the war, in response
to the latter’s reluctance to wage war on his own kin, is revered as a sacred Hindu
scripture – the Bhagavad Gita.

9. BALARAMA Avatar: (Dwapara Yuga). Balarama is the ninth Avatar according to

Puranic (Puranas are part of Vedic scriptures) view. Balarama was the elder brother of
Krishna and is said to have ably supported the latter in his fight with the evil king Kamsa
whom Krishna killed. Balarama also killed the feared Asura (demon) Dhenuka, among
others, thus upholding righteousness over evil. His principal weapon was the plough
(Hal).

BUDDHA Avatar: (Kali Yuga). Certain schools of thought hold the view that Balaram is
not an Avatar of Vishnu but that of Shesh Nag on whom Vishnu reclines. These schools
consider Gautama Buddha, the founder of the Buddhist religion to be the ninth
incarnation of Vishnu.

10. KALKI Avatar is the tenth and final Avatar of Vishnu. This Avatar is yet to appear.
As per prophesy, this Avatar will manifest itself at the end of the present Kali Yuga which
will also be the end of the current Mahayuga. He will ride a white winged horse and have
a blazing sword in his hand. He will preside over the destruction of this world and all the
evil-doers in it for the next cycle of re-creation.

A careful analysis of the ten Avatars, from lower to higher forms of life, shows a close
resemblance to modern theories of evolution. The first three, from Matsya to Varaha,
symbolize the development of protoplasm and invertebrates and the gradual evolution
through amphibian to the mammalian stage. The Narasimhan and the Vamana may well
depict the sub-human ape-like and incompletely developed pre-historic man.
Parashuram indicates the evolution of the modern man with the ability to use tools, while
Rama, Krishna and Buddha represent mans intellectual and social development.

The timing of the Avatars also appears significant. While the first four in the Satya yuga
represent the early evolution of life, the incarnation as Rama coincides with the pinnacle
of monarchy in the Treta yuga. Similarly, notions of code of conduct and social justice
were honed in the Dwapar yuga with the advent of the Krishna Avatar.