Kalki
Kalki (Sanskrit: कल्कि), also called Kalkin, is the prophesied tenth and final incarnation of the god Vishnu. He is described to appear in order to end the Kali Yuga, one of the four periods in the endless cycle of existence (Krita) in Vaishnava cosmology. The end of the Kali Yuga states this will usher in the new epoch of Satya Yuga in the cycle of existence, until the Mahapralaya (dissolution of the universe).
| Kalki | |
|---|---|
| Member of Dashavatara | |
Raja Ravi Varma's portrayal of Kalki | |
| Affiliation | Vaishnavism |
| Weapon | Nandaka or Ratnamaru (Sword) |
| Mount | Devadatta, either a manifestation of Garuda or divine horses |
| Festivals | Kalki Jayanti |
| Personal information | |
| Parents | Vishnuyashas (father), Sumati (mother) |
| Spouse | Padmavati and Ramā |
| Children | Jaya and Vijaya (From Padmavati) (Upapuranas) Meghamala and Balahaka (From Rama) (Kalki Purana) |
| Dashavatara Sequence | |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Buddha |
Kalki is described in the Puranas as the avatar who rejuvenates existence by ending the darkest and destructive period to remove adharma (unrighteousness) and ushering in the Satya Yuga, while riding a white horse with a fiery sword. The description and details of Kalki are different among various Puranas. Kalki is also found in Buddhist texts, for example the Kalachakra-Tantra of Tibetan Buddhism.
The prophecy of the Kalki avatara is also told in Sikh texts.