Divine Avatars

 Krishna assures in the Bhagwad Gita, “For the protection of the good, for the destruction of evil forces and the firm establishment of dharma, I am born in every age.” It is believed that God manifests periodically in every age as an avatar. Though gurus and saints are many, an avatar is a separate and singular phenomenon comparable to none other. The guru is a realised soul on the ascent. When an avatar takes birth, it is a case of ‘avatarana’, or descent of divinity, in order to facilitate man’s ‘arohana’, or ascent to divinity. An avatar’s birth is voluntary through Vidya Maya or Yoga Maya, whereas man is born under the spell of Avidya Maya, or ignorance. Man’s body is ‘mrinmayam’, made up of natural elements, and his birth is ‘karma janam’, or due to his past actions, good or bad. The avatar’s body is ‘chinmayam’, embodiment of chith, or pure consciousness, and His birth is either ‘prem janam’ (embodiment of love) or ‘leela janam’ (sportive), brought about by prayers. God’s descent on earth in human form can only be an act of supreme compassion and love, to give you the key to ‘ananda’, bliss. He comes for the spiritual regeneration of humanity through truth and love. Though 21 avatars are mentioned in the Maha Bhagawata, there are references to 10: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vaamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Kalki. They summarise the seekers’ own spiritual evolution and progress. The avatar behaves in a human way, so that mankind can feel kinship with Him and emulate the ideal behaviours

Source: Economic Times, 13/11/2018