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Kalki Avatar: Vishnu's Apocalyptic Form

The meaning of the word 'kalki' is the one who destroys filth, ignorance and confusion. It is a popular name for women these days but according to Hindu scriptures, the Kalki avatar of Vishnu will be the harbinger of death and destruction. The tenth and the final incarnation of Lord Vishnu is supposed to be called Kalki. He will be the apocalyptic horse rider who will bring the close to the existing Kali Yuga.

Gods And Their Incarnation:


The Hindu Gods maintain the cycle of the 4 mythological eras, Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali yugas in tandem. They also uphold some basic principles that eventually, good reins victorious over evil. To end the evil, the Hindu Gods take avatars or incarnations in human or animal forms. For example, Gautam Buddha too is an incarnation of Vishnu to clean up the hierarchy and widespread corruption in Hinduism.

The Avatar's Of Lord Vishnu:

The incarnation of Vishnu (the Preserver of the Universe) always come at the delicate junctures of history when one era merges with the other. Krishna for example, was born in the transition period between Dvapara Yuga and the Kali Yuga. He brought about the battle of Kurukshetra described in the Mahabharata and ended evil in the form of the Kauravas.


The Prophecy Of The Kalki Avatar:

The Vishnu Purana, which is strewn with gospel like stories about Lord Vishnu's life, prophecies the advent of the Kalki Avatar. The prophecy is exact in terms of time, place and characteristics. This Vishnu Avatar will be born in a village named Shambhala in the house of the most eminent Brahmin who resides there. Some references to this purana state that the name of the Brahmin will be Vishnu Yasa.

This miraculous birth will take place in the 432,000th year of Kali Yuga. So, we are a good 420,000 years away from this breathtaking spectacle when the last incarnation of Vishnu brings upon the destruction of corruption and dementia, by-products of the Kali Yuga.

Mythical Elements of The Kalki Avatar:

The white horse that Lord Kalki will be riding is one of the most critically mythical element of this story. A horse is a symbol of destruction. The tearing speed of a horse signifies apocalypse. Also, the fact that Kalki will be born in a Brahmin family shows that he will be high born and thus uphold the varna system (caste system).

Story first published: Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 18:04 [IST]
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