In Bhagwat Gita Shri Krishna declares that God himself incarnates to eradicate the evil, to put an end to the chaos that prevailed in a peaceful society. Incarnations or the Avtaras is a core concept of Hinduism and are are associated with Lord Vishnu. According to the ''Bhagwat Purana'', Vishnu had innumerable Avtaras in unlimited universes, though there are ten major incarnations, known collectively as Dasavataras. This concept is not treated as mere mythological or religious stories but is deep rooted in Indian society. The stories of Dasavataras open up a vast world of Indian belief systems, culture and philosophy as well as answers the metaphysical question of ''How it all began'' and ''How is it going to end".
The depiction of Dasavataras on many ancient Indian coins, is further evidence of this acceptance since ancient times and keeps the philosophy alive.
Matsya. In Sanskrit, Matsya means a fish. During the early phase of Satya Yuga, a fish appeared in front of king Manu and warned him about a Pralay (flood) that could destroy the universe. The section 1.8.1 of the Shatapatha Brahmana (Yajur Veda) is the earliest extant text to mention Matsya and the flood myth in Hinduism. The tale also appears in sec.186 of Book 3 (the Vana Parva) of the epic Mahabharata. The fish instructed Manu to build a boat that would contain the Seven Sages (Sapt Rishis), seeds of all plants, one animal of each species. The prediction was true. After seven days huge floods came, and the boat sailed. The fish appeared again and propelled the boat and saved those on it. This was the first Avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Saurashtra Janapada, 400-300 BC, weight 0.91 gm, Dia 19 mm, Fish on Obverse,
Pandyas of Madurau, copper coin of Jatavarman Sundara Pandya (1251-1238 AD), Ganesh Tamil Nadu, weight 4.4 gm, Obverse: Stylized standard man, Tamil letter Su to right, Reverse: Pair of fish, Tamil legend Ellantalaiyanan around.
The Matsyavatar of Vishnu is narrated as ''Flood being the end of the world'', myth which is common across most cultures. It can be compared to the Genisis narrative of Abrahamic tradition, commonly known as Noah's Ark.
Kurma. The Sanskrit word Kurma means Tortoise and Turtle. The second Avatara. This is mentioned in the Bhagvata Purana and Yajur Veda. In this form Vishnu took the form of a giant tortoise to support the mountain Mandara during the churning the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to retrieve the nectar immortality (amrita).
The Kurma Avatar holds a very deep and significant philosophy behind it. The Avatar symbolizes the importance of stability and support in achieving great tasks. The tortoise with its sturdy shell, represents the idea of a strong foundation.
Varaha. The third incarnation was the Varaha or the boar. The word Varaha is found in the Rig Veda and the epic Ramayana. Lord Vishnu took the incarnation and rescued the Mother Earth which had submerged in the ocean and brought the earth out by lifting it on two tusks from the ocean after killing the demon, Hiranyaksha. Varaha Avatara represents the transformation of materialistic desires into spiritual desires. It signifies a positive turning point that comes in the life of everyone which helps to outgrow materialism and yearn for spiritual awakening.
Narasimha. In his fourth incarnation Vishnu appeared as Narasimha. The Asura king Hiranykashipu obtained a boon of invincibility from lord Brahma that he would die neither indoors nor outdoors, neither on earth nor on heaven, neither during day nor night, neither by fire nor by water or any weapon. He soon turned into a tyrant. When he became a nuisance, Vishnu appeared as Narasimha, half lion and half human. The lion represents courage and power, while the man represents intelligence and compassion. He arrived at dusk, in the courtyard and tore the Asurya apart with his nails, which were not termed as a weapon. In South Indian art, sculptures and paintings, Narasimha is one of the most chosen themes.
Vamana. Vishnu took the form of a dwarf Brahmin to subdue King Bali. The story goes like this, King Bali was a mighty demon who had assumed control of heaven, earth and the netherworlds that threatened the position of Indra as the king of Gods. Vishnu appeared in front of Bali when he was performing a sacrifice. Vamana went to Bali and asked him three steps of land, to which Bali laughed and said that he should have asked for many luxurious things in Dakshina. Vamana showed his true identity and grew so large, that one foot size could cover the earth and the other the whole heaven and his step claimed the netherworlds. Since there was nowhere else to step on, Bali offered his head. Vamana spared Bali's life and granted him the netherworlds. Lord Vishnu regained the heaven for Indra. Hidden behind this Avatara is the message conveying humility and unlike other forms, Vishnu overcame this problem with intelligence, not violence or weapons.
Parshuram. Lord Vishnu took birth to restore peace disturbed by injustice and tyranny of the kings. The birth name of Parshuram was Bhargava Rama. He had received an axe (Parsu) from Lord Shiva after undertaking terrible reparation. Hence, he came to be known as Parshuram. He killed Arjuna Kartavirya, the king of Haihaya kingdom and his entire clan. After the killings he travelled to the south to seek penance for his deeds and reached the western ghats. At that time land ended there and ocean began. Parshuram called upon Varuna (God of ocean) to recede. Varuna agreed to recede as far west as Parshuram's arrow would go. The arrow was shot from today's Sahyadris (Chiplun) and landed in Bannali, modern day Goa. This land comprises regions of Konkan, coastal Karnataka and Kerala, and the inhabitants owe their lineage to Parshuram.
Commemorative Stamp, Parshuram, 2023.
Venad Cheras, 1118-1180 AD, Copper Kasu, Battle Axe type, Grantha ''Ra'' above.
Rama. The seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu was a personification of righteousness and human values that appeared in Treta Yuga. He is the central figure of the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, a text historically popular in the South Asian and Southeast Asian cultures. He is one of the major deities of India and has been honoured on numerous coins. The whole journey of Rama's life is a lesson for mankind.
Krishna. The eight Avatara of Lord Vishnu appeared in Dvapara Yuga as Krishna. The preacher of the world's biggest doctrine Bhagwat Gita and the Sarathi (charioteer) of the greatest archer of his age, Krishna is one of the most popular and attractive gods of the sub-continent. Many of his forms are depicted on coins.
Buddha. The ninth Avatar appeared in Kaliyuga, the most notorious phase of the existence of the universe. When the world had lost real understanding of the scriptures and was stooped in ignorance, Buddha an enlightened man restated the importance of self-realization and self-effort in realizing oneself. The adoption of Buddha as one of the Avatars was a catalyzing factor in assimilation during the Gupta period, between 330 and 550 BC. By the 8th century AD, the Buddha was declared an Avatar of Vishnu in several Puranas. Some Vaishnavas do not accept Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu and gave Balarama as the eight and Krishna as the ninth Avatars.
Kalki. The tenth Avatara of Visnu is yet to appear. Kalki appears in Mahabharata, over verses 3.188.85-3.189.6. Kalki incarnation is found in Maha Puranas such as Vishnu Puran, Matsya Puran and Bhagvat Puran. The redemption which we as yet await, will be that of Kalki, who will come as a Silver Stallion, all evils will perish at the coming of this Kalki. He is said to appear at the end of Kal Yuga, one of the four periods in the endless cycle of existence. He ends the darkest period. Kali is not portrayed on coins, but an India Post in 2008, issued a special stamp depicting a blue skinned man sitting on a white horse and slaying evil around him.
Interesting information
ReplyDelete