(Hinduism, Sanskrit)

A messianic figure, the tenth avatara of Vishnu, Kalki, is also regarded as the twenty-second and last incarnation of Vishnu. He will appear at the end of kali-yuga, shortly before the destruction and rebirth of the entire Universe. He is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam, thus:

"athasau yuga-sandhyayam
dasyu-prayeshu rajasu
janita vishu-yashaso
namna kalkir jagat-patih

Thereafter, at the conjunction of two yugas, the Lord of the creation will take His birth as the Kalki incarnation and become the son of Vishnu Yasha. At this time the rulers of the earth will have degenerated into plunderers."

Bhag., Canto 1, Ch. 3, Text 25

"yarhy alayeshv api satam na hareh kathah syuh
pashandino dvija-jana virsala nridevah
svaha svadha vashad iti sma giro na yatra
shasta bhavishyati kaler bhagavan yugante

Thereafter, at the end of Kali-yuga, when there exist no topics on the subject of God, even at the residences of so-called saints and respectable gentleman of the three higher castes, and when the power of government is transferred to the hands of ministers elected from the lowborn shudra class or those less than them, and when nothing is known of the techniques of sacrifice, even by word, at that time will the Lord appear as the supreme chastiser."

Bhag., Canto 2, Ch. 7, Text 38

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Kal"ki (?), n. [Skr.]

The name of Vishnu in his tenth and last avatar.

Whitworth.

 

© Webster 1913.

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