Lord Kalki

1. Introduction

Lord Kalki is the prophesied tenth and final avatar of Lord Vishnu, expected to appear at the end of the current age, known as Kali Yuga. His arrival is foretold to mark the end of this age of darkness and moral decay, and the beginning of a new era of truth and righteousness, Satya Yuga. Kalki is traditionally depicted as a warrior on a white horse, wielding a sword of lightning to destroy evil and restore Dharma.

2. Birth Place and Time

According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Kalki will be born in the village of Shambhala to a Brahmin named Vishnuyasha. His birth is predicted to occur at the very end of Kali Yuga when the world is engulfed in sin, corruption, and unrighteousness. Kalki’s birth and mission are seen as the divine response to the moral and spiritual decay of humanity, signaling the end of the age of Kali and the dawn of a new era.

- **Vishnu Purana**:

  भविष्यति कलिर्दुष्टो लोभश्च सुमहाबलः।

  भविष्यति हरिः कल्किः शम्भल ग्रामसंभवः॥

  *Translation*: "In the future, when Kali Yuga becomes powerful and filled with greed, Lord Hari (Vishnu) will be born as Kalki in the village of Shambhala."

- **Bhagavata Purana**:

  विश्वेशं हरिणा कल्किं कल्पवृक्षसमाकृतिम्।

  कलौ संधाय समुत्सृष्टं विष्णुयशसहं सुखम्॥

  *Translation*: "Lord Vishnu will take birth as Kalki, resembling a divine tree, in the household of Vishnuyasha, during the conjunction of the Kali Yuga and the next age."

- **Agni Purana**:

  शम्भल ग्राममुख्यस्य ब्राह्मणस्य महात्मनः।

  भवने विष्णुयशसः कल्कि प्रादुर्भविष्यति॥

  *Translation*: "In the home of the great Brahmin Vishnuyasha, in the chief village of Shambhala, Kalki will manifest."

These references from the Puranas emphasize the divine origin of Kalki in Shambhala and his birth at the critical juncture of the Kali Yuga, destined to bring about the end of this age and the beginning of a new era of righteousness.

3. References in Different Puranas about Kalki

Lord Kalki is mentioned in various Puranas, each highlighting different aspects of his life and mission:

- **Vishnu Purana**: The Vishnu Purana provides one of the earliest mentions of Kalki, describing his role as the destroyer of evil and restorer of Dharma. 

  - **Śloka:**

    कल्कि नाम्ना द्विजश्रेष्ठो निसर्गकलयान्वितः।

    असंबध्यस्वमरणान् शस्त्रचर्मोदधारयत्॥

    *Translation*: "A Brahmin named Kalki, endowed with great might, will appear with the sword and bring an end to the wicked ones."

- **Bhagavata Purana**: The Bhagavata Purana elaborates on Kalki’s birth and his mission to annihilate the corrupt and restore the golden age.

  - **Śloka:**

    कल्किः करालं बलवा विदार्य वल्गन् हयानां भुवि दंष्ट्रकानाम्।

    विस्फारयन् करवालमृत्युसर्पः नृणाम् अधर्मेण धृतं धनोत्तमम्॥

    *Translation*: "Kalki, fierce and powerful, will descend, wielding a sharp sword, and destroy the evil ones who thrive on unrighteousness."

- **Agni Purana**: In the Agni Purana, Kalki is portrayed as the divine force that will end the age of Kali, defeating the wicked and paving the way for a new era.

  - **Śloka:**

    कल्की विष्णुयशसः पुत्रो धर्मपत्न्या समुत्थितः।

    निष्कलङ्कः कलौ संधौ भविष्यति सहेतुकः॥

    *Translation*: "Kalki, the spotless one, born of Vishnuyasha and his righteous wife, will emerge at the conjunction of the Kali Yuga and the next era."

- **Brahmanda Purana**: This Purana provides additional details on Kalki’s mission, emphasizing the cosmic necessity of his advent.

  - **Śloka:**

    यस्मिन्क्षणे त्वधर्मेण तातेन सह लंघयेत्।

    कल्कि स्त्रग्विनकुंठानां यशसा दीप्तविक्रमेः॥

    *Translation*: "At the moment when unrighteousness prevails, Kalki will rise with blazing glory, defeating the wicked ones."

These references from various Puranas depict Lord Kalki as the divine warrior who will emerge at the end of Kali Yuga to re-establish righteousness, cleanse the world of its evils, and herald the beginning of a new golden age.