Charles Darwin the great scientist after years of re-search published is "Evolution Theory“,this was a major breakthrough in the field of science.His theory challenged the basic understanding of living organism in the world during his time . Every scientist,Ever great thinker was challenged by this theory and in fact it’s a well known fact , The church that time even when to an extent of ex-communicating him.
All Credit to Darwin, without him, we wouldn’t have Theory of evolution,which paved way for much more discoveries and clear understanding of living organism around us.How man evolved to his current state.
Something was intriguing me for a long time, well , In Sanathana Dharma (Hinduism),which is prevalent in India and at one point of time most of ASIA,we celebrate a festival called Dhussera or Navrathiri depending on the region you belong in India.Down south of India,the festival is celebrated with Dolls arranged for 10 days and various pooja’s performed at various times.
The dolls which are arranged depict an event, a sequence of events or a personality from Hindu Epics, Vedas, and Upanishads.The most interesting are the set of dolls called “Dus Avatharam” which symbolized or symbolizes the “TEN INCARNATION “of Lord Vishnu in order to save the planet from harm.
If we take out the mythological or religious connotation, we can evidently relate the “Theory of Evolution “with the “Dus Avatharam” or the “Ten Incarnation” in correlation with how living organisms and man evolved. We can be amazed how even 1000 years before Darwin,Hinduism or Sanathana dharma started correlating science with religion.
1. The First Avatar: Macha Avatar (Fish Incarnation)
The first organism was formed in Water as per the theory of evolution and here too the first avatar is from the water. Lord Vishnu took the form of Fish to safeguard the planet.
2. The Second Avatar: Kurma Avatar (Tortoise/Turtle Avatar)
The second stage of evolution, organisms which live in land and water. Tortise/Turtles are good examples of organism which makes use of both land and water.Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Kurma to safeguard the planet again.
3. The Third Avatar: Varaha Avatar (Wild - Boar Avatar)
The evolution of animals which survives on solely land, we can always challenge that Dinasours evolved much before the animals of what we have today and why are no correlations to Birds mentioned.
Those days depictions had to simple and at the same time make a precise impression on the listener/learner and so they generalized the land animals and birds.
4. The Fourth Avatar: Shima Avatar (Half Lion-Half Human Avatar):
Organism with thinking capability evolved but they were partly animals as well (Animals with the advanced thinking capability) . This was depicted as Simha – Half Lion –Half Human which can thin but possessed animal qualities.
5. The Fifth Avatar: Vamana Avatar (The Dwarf Human Avatar).
The dwarf humans (Homo floresiensis ("Flores Man"; nicknamed "hobbit" and "Flo") was the next in evolution. This was depicted by Vamana Avatar.
6: The Sixth Avatar: Parasurma Avatar (Early man who was crude)
Then came man, who was crude and filled with rage this was personified by Parasuram Avatar (Man with an axe, went on a Killing spree to avenge his mother’s death).It is also to be noted he was the first incarnation to have a primary weapon “The Axe”. This depicts man started to make his own tools (Iron Age).
7. The seventh Avatar: Rama Avatar: (Man who was living in Forest and in Cleared Land).
Man was evolving in to being where he had a sense of community and belonging and major cities were forming and leaders of men were evolving.Rama was master archer, if we notice carefully we observe the other major source of food and work like fisherman , boatmen and hunters were all equally present.
In Ramayana, we also observe apes, coming in to picture, which meant apes and humans were living alongside and helping each other out. The famous characters of Ramayana were none other than the mighty and holy Hanuman, Sugreeva.
This phenomenon of humans co-exiting with apes is recent scientific revelation.
Another important aspect is the engineering and warfare evolution.The way Rama's army crossed the ocean using the sethu samudram bridge and the warfare tactics along with the weapons used are really astounding.
8. The Eight Avatar: Balraman (Man who cultivates)
Man evolved in to being who can produce his own food by cultivation. This is depicted by lord Vishnu as a Balaram with a hand plough.
9. The Ninth Avatar: Krishna (Shepherd)
Man began shepherding as well; he started utilizing animals for domestic needs at the same time were enjoying bliss because of the closeness to the nature.
The most notable aspect is the warfare and the weapons which were advanced compared to the Ramayana Period. The Astras and the Chakra viyugam are prime examples of how modern the people were when it comes to warfare.
10. The Tenth Avatar: Kalki (Modern Man with all Technologies)
Well...Modern man with all his technological advances is destroying nature... Pretty soon Nature will show her fury…
Sanathana Dharma or Hinduism had advanced science interlaced with religion, once the religious facet is removed we marvel at the astounding thoughts, facts and science involved in Hinduism.
The above write up may be challenged from many angels, but then what I have tried is to link the actual reason of Dasaavtharam (Dus Avathar) without the veil of religion.
Critics are welcome and corrections are always accepted.
Inspiration/Source: Tamil journal Anmeegam.
