Image
from Moor. Image by permission
Image by permission
Basic Description:
Kalki
is considered the 10th and final avatar of
Vishnu.
Alternate Names:
Kalenki or Aswah Iconography:
Though Kalki is generally
viewed as riding on a horse, he is sometimes pictured as a man with a horse's
head.
Mythology:
There are very few writings about him because
his arrival on earth is still to come. Kalki is an apocalyptic
figure, who will bring an end to the Kali age in order to usher in
an era of purity. His first task will be to defeat Yama, the god of death. He is described as riding on a white horse,
carrying a flaming sword, and being adorned with jewels. The
end of the world will come when the horse stomps the earth with his
right foot, shaking its foundation—i.e., the tortoise holding up Shesha the
serpent, upon which the earth is resting. This will cause the
earth to fall, killing all of its inhabitants.
Riding Animal:
a
horse
Other References on the Karma-to-Grace website:
Is
there a savior in Hinduism? \
Sources:
Moor, Edward.
The Hindu Pantheon . Los Angeles: Philosophical research society,
1976.
Thomas, P. Epics, Myths
and Legends of India. Bombay, India: D. B. Taraporevala Sons &
Co. Private Ltd, 1961.