Dashavatar

Dashavatar refer to the ten primary avatars taken by Lord Vishnu. He takes an avatar everytime the cosmic order has to be rebalanced.

## History

### Origins

There was once a time, on earth, when corruption took over good deeds and asuras took over devas. It was then, that Bhudevi marched into the gates of Vaikuntha, when she could no longer tolerate the things happenig on earth. When Lord Vishnu heard her complaint, he consoled her, promising that, whenever there is an imbalance in the order of the universe, he will assume an avatar, to protect the good from the evil, the devas from the asuras and the innocent from the vicious. Therefore, he comes to Earth, everytime there needs to be a restoration in the cosmic order of the universe.

## Dashavataras

### Matsya

King Manu finds a little fish in the palm of his hands when performing a prayer to the sun god. Manu keeps the fish, which keeps growing, eventually releasing it into the ocean, realizing it is Vishnu. Vishnu informs Manu of the coming destruction of the world, by means of fires and floods, and instructs Manu to collect all creatures of the world and hide them safe on a boat built by the gods. When the pralaya occurs, Vishnu appears as a great fish with a horn, to which Manu ties the boat with the help of Vasuki, which leads them into safety.

Matsya also restored the Vedas, which were stolen by Hayagriva. He went to Patala and slayed Hayagriva, thereby restoring peace and order in the universe.

### Kurma

When the devas and asuras churn the ocean, in order to obtain the nectar of immortality, they use Mount Mandara as a churning rod and Vasuki as the churning rope. When the mountain constantly keeps sinking into the ocean, Lord Vishnu assumes the form of a giant tortoise, preventing it from sinking further below.

### Varaha

The asura, Hiranyaksha, wrecks havoc on all the three worlds, arrogant that no one can kill him as he has obtained a boon from Lord Brahma. He also abducts Bhudevi, the earth goddess. When Lord Vishnu learns of this, he assumes the form of a wild boar, slaying Hiranyaksha and lifting the Earth on his tusks, thus rescuing her.

### Narasimha

The asura brother of Hiranyaksha, Hiranyakashipu, in order to seek vengeance, performs and penance and obtaining a boon fron Lord Brahma. He, like his brother, wrecks havoc on the earth, thinking that he was immortal. Whike his son, Prahlada, is an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu, Hiranyakashipu plots many ways to kill him, only to fail. Finally, one day, Lord Vishnu appears before son and father, and kills Hiranyakashipu, through the loopholes in his boon. He then, crowns Prahlada the king and blesses him.￼

### Vamana

Mahabali, the grandson of Prahlada, was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He was very powerful, yet humble. He conquered all the worlds. When the devas go to Lord Vishnu for help, he refuses first, as Mahabali is his greatest devotee, but later agrees. He goes to the ceremony Mahabali is conducting, in the form of a dwarf brahmin, where he gives away gifts to many people in honour of his victory. Upon reaching the place￼, Vamana asks for three steps of land. Stunned Mahabali asks him to reconsider, but Vamana argues against it.

### Parashurama

Parashurama was born to the sage Jamadagni and his wife Renuka. He was a great warrior, as he had an axe, which was blessed by Lord Shiva himself.

One day, when Kartavirya Arjuna, abducted the holy cow, Surabhi, Parashurama was enraged. He marched to the king's palace gates and slayed Kartavirya Arjuna when he refused to give back Surabhi. Upon this insult, the sons of Kartavirtya Arjuna killed Parashurama's father, stabbing him 21 times. Parashurama, seeking vengeance, killed the three sons, and performed a massacre on the Kshatriya clan for 21 generations. Ater, when the gods calmed him, the left to the Himalayas.

### Rama

Rama was born, the son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kaushalya, of the Ikshvaku dynasty. He, and his brothers, were under the tutelage of Sage Vashishtha, the raja guru of Kosala.

After his education was over, Sage Vishwamitra came to Ayodhya to ask for a favour. Rama reluctantly agreed and went with Vishwamitra, along with his brother, Lakshmana, to the forest. The sage explained that there are demons nearby, who always disturb the yajnas performed by the sages. When Rama, along with Lakshmana, killed the asuras attacking the forest, Vishwamitra taught them more on how to handle divine weapons.

From there, the proceeded to Mithila, where the swyamvara of Sita was taking place. Rama successfully stringed the bow, winning Sita's hand in marriage. Delighted by the news, the priests suggested that, even the princes be married. The wedding took place, inviting many people from all over India. After the wedding, when it was time for the coronation, Queen Kaikeyi refused to let Rama rule, and got him exiled, making her son the king. Dasharatha, heartbreakingly, orders Rama to retire to forest, and not return until 14 years are over. So, Rama leaves to the forest, with his wife and brother.

On the way, they encounter many asuras, but kill them. One day, while residing in Panchavati, a woman appears out of nowhere and asks for Rama's hand in marriage. She was actually Shurpanakha, Ravan's sister, in disguise. Rama decline the offer, politely, as he already is married. She, then, goes to Lakshmana, who also rejects her. Now, filled with rage, she lunges for Sita. Lakshmana, acts on instincts, and cuts off her nose and ears. She leaves, humiliated.

When she complains to her brother, Ravan decides to teach the brothers a lesson. So he orders his uncle to assume he form of a golden deer, while he abducts Sita.

In their ashram, Sita spots and golden deer and wants it. Rama agrees, taking off towards the deer ￼and instructs Lakshmana not to leave Sita alone. When enough time has passed, Sita starts to worry. She requests Lakshmana to check if her husband is okay. But Lakshmana reassures her, when, a scream is heard. They recognised the voice. It belonged to Rama. He was crying for help. Sita orders Lakshmana to leave immediately. Lakshmana, draws a line around the hut, and tells her not to cross it, no matter what happens. Sita agrees, and Lakshmana leaves.

Then, a beggar, Ravana in disguise, appears and begs for food. When Sita brings food, she stays in the line, careful not to cross it. When he pleads for her to come and give the food, she crosses the line. Immediately, Ravan reveals himself, and abducts her. When Rama returns, he finds Sita missing.

Rama and Lakshmana search for her going further south until they reach Kishkinda. There, Rama helps Sugriva ￼win the throne in return for their help in the search of Sita. Ram meets Hanuman and they grow very close. When they meet an old vulture, Sampati, he instructs them to cross the ocean to reach Lanka, as that's where Ravan lives.

Hanuman leaves for Sita and returns proudly. He shows him the ring Sita gave and Ram is grateful for his help. Then, with the help of the vanaras, they build a bridge all rhe way to Lanka.

When they reach Lanka, Rama announces a war and slays Ravan. ￼He, then rescues Sita. He insisted that she has to go through the fire test, to test her purity. When she successfully completes, he welcomes her and they leave to Ayodhya, to rule the kingdom happily.

### Krishna

Krishna was born the eight son of Devaki and Vasudeva, who were arrested as it was prophecised that their eight son would kill Kansa, Devaki's brother. But, when Krishna was born, he was exchanged for a baby from Gokul, where Vasudeva's second wife lives. When the cries of the baby are heard, Kansa immediately arrives and kills the newborn. The newborn, being a girl, transforms into Yogamaya, and laughs at Kansa that his slayer is still alive and would one day come to kill him.

Meanwhile, in Gokul, Krishna is under the homepage of Nanda and Yashoda. He lives along with his brother, Balarama. Krishna slays many monsters, which were sent ny Kansa. He was also known for his stealing of butter and playing among pranks on the women of the village.

Once, the whole town moves to Vrindavan, due to lack of resources. When performing a puja in honour of Lord Indra, god of rains, Krishna tells them to pray for the Govardhan hill instead, as it gives them all the resources. Angered by this insult, Indra sends rain and thunder to Vrindavan. When the villagers panic, Krishna advises them to stay calm. He, then lifts the Govardhan hill in his little finger, sheltering al the villagers under that tree.

When the time comes, he is invited by King Kansa himself. He agrees and leaves with Balarama, bidding well to all the people he grew up with. When he reaches Mathura, he challenged Kansa to a duel and slays him. All the people of the city celebrate with joy.

He is also famous for his role in the Mahabharata, for helping the Pandavas win in the Kurukshetra war and also when he helped Draupadi, when she was disrobed in front of the whole court.

### Buddha

Buddha, born Siddhartha Gautama, was a very great spiritual leader. He renounced the ways of normal men. He encouraged men to live the life of a saint. He introduced Buddhism to the world.

### Kalki

Kalki is the last and final Avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is prophecised to be born to Vishnuyasa and Sumati in Shambhala. It is also told that he will be trained by Parashuarama. He will end Kali Yuga, and start a new cycle of yugas, making way to the maha pralaya (the great deluge).