by C.V.Rajan

Created on: August 24, 2008

One of the basic and very important aspects of Hinduism is the concept of Avatar. It is the fundamental belief in Hinduism that God descends to earth from time to time to take birth as Human or other forms, whenever the good and piety people suffer and the evil ones have an upper hand. God protects the good, destroy the evil and restore Dharma (righteousness). Such a divine being / person is known as an Avatar.

THE 10 AVATARS

In Hinduism, Lord Vishnu is the "God who protects". He is attributed with taking 10 such avatars. They are Matsya, Varaha, Koorma, Vamana, Narasimha, Rama, Parasurama, Krishna, Balarama and Kalki. Rama and Krisha Avatars are considered to be the two greatest Avatars of Vishnu in human form.

THE GREATNESS OF KRISHNA

The Avatar of Krishna is said to have taken place in Treta Yuga (a time period dating back to thousands of years). Very elaborate holy mythologies (Srimad Bhagavatam and Mahabharata) are available in Hindu scripture which contain wonderful life history and the details of divine play enacted by Lord Krishna. Plenty of folklores and wonderful literary works too are available practically in all languages of India eulogizing the divine play, particularly the enthralling childhood pranks of Lord Krishna.

Krishna's discourse to his disciple and companion Arjuna on the eve of a grand war is Bhagavat Gita - one of the greatest scriptures of Hinduism and is a philosophical treasure very widely read and adored by people across the world, cutting across religious barriers.

The avatar of Krishna is considered a "Poornavatar" - Godly qualities manifesting in full and Lord Krishna is perhaps the most widely adored and worshiped Avatar by Vaishnavaites (devotees of Vishnu) across the length and breadth of India. Why, worship of Krishna has even transcended the boundaries of India, considering the global appeal of the ISKCON movement (International Society of Krishna Consciousness), spearheaded by Swami Prabhupada.

Krishna is sweetness personified. His attraction to devotees is magnetic. He is ever joyful; He is the preacher of Karma Yoga (the path for unification with God through work without attachment) and he is a perfect Karma Yogi himself, performing work ceaselessly all through his life with joyous detachment and abandonment, seeking no fruits for himself.

Unlike his predecessor of the previous Yuga - Rama, Krishna was fully conscious of his divinity and he never tried to hide his divine prowess. At every right and opportune occasion, he demonstrated

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