The Story Behind Each Avatar
Universe
Taalam: Misrachappu
Ragam: Jog
The cosmos is a wondrous thing - full of gorgeous imagery built on intricate mathematical patterns. In every particle, we can see something…wondrous.
The cosmos is also a delicate, interconnected thing: space is built off the push and pull of gravity and a singular comet can crack a planet apart and cause a mass extinction.
This balance lives on Earth, bhumi devi herself, and is so easily disrupted by mankind. Kill the bees, or raise the temperature of the earth just a few degrees, and it can no longer sustain this life we live.
For many years, we have relied on the power of the universe, which has many names - Vishnu, the divine, Bhudevi - to set the world straight whenever we have tipped the scales.
But sometimes, even the greatest powers cannot set the world back on track.
And so Vishnu asks Shiva, the destroyer, to dance his fierce tandava. Ice shelves crack and melt, storms shake the earth, and the world begins to flood so it may be set anew.
Ragam: Jog
The cosmos is a wondrous thing - full of gorgeous imagery built on intricate mathematical patterns. In every particle, we can see something…wondrous.
The cosmos is also a delicate, interconnected thing: space is built off the push and pull of gravity and a singular comet can crack a planet apart and cause a mass extinction.
This balance lives on Earth, bhumi devi herself, and is so easily disrupted by mankind. Kill the bees, or raise the temperature of the earth just a few degrees, and it can no longer sustain this life we live.
For many years, we have relied on the power of the universe, which has many names - Vishnu, the divine, Bhudevi - to set the world straight whenever we have tipped the scales.
But sometimes, even the greatest powers cannot set the world back on track.
And so Vishnu asks Shiva, the destroyer, to dance his fierce tandava. Ice shelves crack and melt, storms shake the earth, and the world begins to flood so it may be set anew.
Shiva Tandava
Matsya
Taalam: Teentaal
Ragam: Hamsadhwani
The ocean is where we began and where we shall return, the very embodiment of the womb of mother earth.
The waters that once nurtured the beings of this planet begin to consume it, as Brahma lays himself to sleep and signals the end of an era and a total renewal of the universe.
As the world floods, Vishnu decides to preserve both the biodiversity of the planet and the knowledge of the beings of earth.
Ragam: Hamsadhwani
The ocean is where we began and where we shall return, the very embodiment of the womb of mother earth.
The waters that once nurtured the beings of this planet begin to consume it, as Brahma lays himself to sleep and signals the end of an era and a total renewal of the universe.
As the world floods, Vishnu decides to preserve both the biodiversity of the planet and the knowledge of the beings of earth.
Kurma
Taalam: Adi
Ragam: Mohanam / Vasanti
The world has been renewed, and the asuras and devas return to their constant fighting: battles between the cousins erupt about everything from minor offenses to resources, and Mother Earth is often at the center of this struggle.
This time, the devas go to Vishnu and ask him for the amritsar of immortality, determined to defeat their cousins once and for all.
Vishnu agrees, telling us to churn the great ocean by using the great snake Vasuki as a rope and the Mountain Mandara as the stick.
However, Vishnu does not warn us of the greed that comes along with receiving wealth - and soon we have dug resources from wealth to fuel out of the waters.
We are so obsessed with the gifts of the earth we are receiving and the possibility of immortality that we do not realize we have churned up a great poison - the halahala - from the depths of the ocean while the mountain is sinking slowly .
Our greed has finally done it, and Mount Mandara is sinking
Vishnu transforms himself into the great Kurma avatar and dives under mount Mandara to provide her a stable base and raise her up.
Ragam: Mohanam / Vasanti
The world has been renewed, and the asuras and devas return to their constant fighting: battles between the cousins erupt about everything from minor offenses to resources, and Mother Earth is often at the center of this struggle.
This time, the devas go to Vishnu and ask him for the amritsar of immortality, determined to defeat their cousins once and for all.
Vishnu agrees, telling us to churn the great ocean by using the great snake Vasuki as a rope and the Mountain Mandara as the stick.
However, Vishnu does not warn us of the greed that comes along with receiving wealth - and soon we have dug resources from wealth to fuel out of the waters.
We are so obsessed with the gifts of the earth we are receiving and the possibility of immortality that we do not realize we have churned up a great poison - the halahala - from the depths of the ocean while the mountain is sinking slowly .
Our greed has finally done it, and Mount Mandara is sinking
Vishnu transforms himself into the great Kurma avatar and dives under mount Mandara to provide her a stable base and raise her up.
Varaha
Taalam: Teentaal
Ragam: Mohanam / Vasanti
Bhudevi nurtures life on earth, providing us with everything we need. She is samsara, time itself, the cycle of birth and death.
This power of Mother Earth is intoxicating, who is supported by the dharma of all the living things on earth and by the tusks of Vishnu’s form as a boar - the Varaha avatar.
Hiranyaksha arises, a powerful and devoted being led astray by the allure of his own strength and capability.
His story is the foreshadowing of many, and a singular thought crosses his mind: should he control the power of mother earth, of the feminine divine, why, he will be more powerful than the universe itself.
Hiranyaksha is easily defeated Varaha, goring the pride within, and Vishnu carefully resumes his place of support by Bhudevi’s side, lifting her up so she may continue spinning on her axis.
The stories of Kurma and Varaha - of those who seek power by controlling the earth - are repeated throughout history.
So as mankind tips the scales of balance once again, and I send signs of fire, wind, and water down to convey the warning signs of a world that is coming to an end, one wonders, what lessons can be learned to prevent the repetition of the past?
Ragam: Mohanam / Vasanti
Bhudevi nurtures life on earth, providing us with everything we need. She is samsara, time itself, the cycle of birth and death.
This power of Mother Earth is intoxicating, who is supported by the dharma of all the living things on earth and by the tusks of Vishnu’s form as a boar - the Varaha avatar.
Hiranyaksha arises, a powerful and devoted being led astray by the allure of his own strength and capability.
His story is the foreshadowing of many, and a singular thought crosses his mind: should he control the power of mother earth, of the feminine divine, why, he will be more powerful than the universe itself.
Hiranyaksha is easily defeated Varaha, goring the pride within, and Vishnu carefully resumes his place of support by Bhudevi’s side, lifting her up so she may continue spinning on her axis.
The stories of Kurma and Varaha - of those who seek power by controlling the earth - are repeated throughout history.
So as mankind tips the scales of balance once again, and I send signs of fire, wind, and water down to convey the warning signs of a world that is coming to an end, one wonders, what lessons can be learned to prevent the repetition of the past?
Narasimha
Taalam: Adi
Ragam: Shamugapriya
A children’s innocence is more than sweet and loving: they see through the fog that adults cannot with a crystalline perception of the truth.
And yet, something within us makes us ignore them. The world hardens us, and we forget over time the simple truths that we once knew: that we are interconnected, our imaginations and dreams are our strength, and simply, that the divine of the universe, the stuff that miracles are made of, lives in every molecule of every animate and inanimate being.
We so often find ourselves convinced we are right. We justify every argument we have, often at the risk of silencing the voices of children, who see the truth all too clearly around us.
Or we ignore them all together.The children are warning us about our own clouded eyes. They call to us, seeing the truth with crystalline vision. Prahlada is one of many who tells us what we know deep inside yet we turn our heads away from them.
The earth is greater than you or me, he says. You cannot rein in the universe, submit to it. Look around you, boy. We control it all. We are in charge of our own fate!
Angered so, Hiranyakashipu tries to destroy the small and plaintive voice of the next generation, most angered by his own son Prahlada. So in an attempt to quiet Prahlada, He sends wild elephants, bulls, snakes, and lions on him.
But every animal recognizes the innocence within, and eventually Hiranyakashipu is driven mad and he sends his own sister to sit with Prahlada in a fire to make sure he cannot escape. Prahlada escapes from the fire unharmed, while his sister Holika has been consumed by the elements.
“How are you doing this??? It cannot be Vishnu! I do not see him anywhere!” Prahlada simply replies, Vishnu is everywhere, in every molecule, in everything. From the most intelligent beings to the twig we crush under our feet, they are as small as an atom and as great as the universe.
Tell me, is Vishnu here now?
Yes…Vishnu is present everywhere!
Is Vishnu in the air?
Yes…
Is he in the palace walls…?
Yes…even in you and me
Roaring, pause he asks how about this pillar??
Then I shall destroy him!
Snaps the pillar.. And there appears Vishnu as Narasimha avatar.
Ragam: Shamugapriya
A children’s innocence is more than sweet and loving: they see through the fog that adults cannot with a crystalline perception of the truth.
And yet, something within us makes us ignore them. The world hardens us, and we forget over time the simple truths that we once knew: that we are interconnected, our imaginations and dreams are our strength, and simply, that the divine of the universe, the stuff that miracles are made of, lives in every molecule of every animate and inanimate being.
We so often find ourselves convinced we are right. We justify every argument we have, often at the risk of silencing the voices of children, who see the truth all too clearly around us.
Or we ignore them all together.The children are warning us about our own clouded eyes. They call to us, seeing the truth with crystalline vision. Prahlada is one of many who tells us what we know deep inside yet we turn our heads away from them.
The earth is greater than you or me, he says. You cannot rein in the universe, submit to it. Look around you, boy. We control it all. We are in charge of our own fate!
Angered so, Hiranyakashipu tries to destroy the small and plaintive voice of the next generation, most angered by his own son Prahlada. So in an attempt to quiet Prahlada, He sends wild elephants, bulls, snakes, and lions on him.
But every animal recognizes the innocence within, and eventually Hiranyakashipu is driven mad and he sends his own sister to sit with Prahlada in a fire to make sure he cannot escape. Prahlada escapes from the fire unharmed, while his sister Holika has been consumed by the elements.
“How are you doing this??? It cannot be Vishnu! I do not see him anywhere!” Prahlada simply replies, Vishnu is everywhere, in every molecule, in everything. From the most intelligent beings to the twig we crush under our feet, they are as small as an atom and as great as the universe.
Tell me, is Vishnu here now?
Yes…Vishnu is present everywhere!
Is Vishnu in the air?
Yes…
Is he in the palace walls…?
Yes…even in you and me
Roaring, pause he asks how about this pillar??
Then I shall destroy him!
Snaps the pillar.. And there appears Vishnu as Narasimha avatar.
Vamana
Taalam: Teentaal
Ragam: Khamas
We are learning, but slowly.
Mahabali decided not to make the mistake of his last predecessor. “I submit to the universe!” he said, offering all the rituals, pleasing the Gods. So the worlds prospered under him for some time,
But as with most cautionary tales, power can corrupt easily if we are not careful. So too with Mahabali, who built up the wealth in his coffers, and slowly, without anyone realizing, tipped the balance anyway.
He quietly believed his way was the best way, and any time anyone tried to dissent they were shunned away, allowing his own ego to build and because of his success, no one tried to stop him.
Finally one day Mahabali decided he was the greatest in the world, and issued a challenge disguised as charity.
“Whosoever comes to me and asks for anything, I shall give and make their wishes come true, for I am greater than the greatest man in all the land”. But the universe knows the truth that lies within us all. So Vishnu disguised himself as Vamana, and asked Mahabali for 3 steps of land.
Ragam: Khamas
We are learning, but slowly.
Mahabali decided not to make the mistake of his last predecessor. “I submit to the universe!” he said, offering all the rituals, pleasing the Gods. So the worlds prospered under him for some time,
But as with most cautionary tales, power can corrupt easily if we are not careful. So too with Mahabali, who built up the wealth in his coffers, and slowly, without anyone realizing, tipped the balance anyway.
He quietly believed his way was the best way, and any time anyone tried to dissent they were shunned away, allowing his own ego to build and because of his success, no one tried to stop him.
Finally one day Mahabali decided he was the greatest in the world, and issued a challenge disguised as charity.
“Whosoever comes to me and asks for anything, I shall give and make their wishes come true, for I am greater than the greatest man in all the land”. But the universe knows the truth that lies within us all. So Vishnu disguised himself as Vamana, and asked Mahabali for 3 steps of land.
Parashurama
Taalam: Adi
Ragam: Chakravaham / Aahir Bhairav
Mahabali may have reminded us that individual ego needs to be kept in check, but Parasurama reminds us that with great power comes great responsibility.
Parashurama, the next avatar of Vishnu, learns that the beautiful community that has been set up by his mother and father is coveted - and his father murdered under the guise of protection of the kshatriyas.
The kshatriyas, a warrior caste meant to serve and protect the community - are failing around the world, and Parashurama’s anger boils and rises to the surface.
Parashurama decides it is his duty to hunt down every person who abuses their power, shirking their dharma and responsibility to their communities…and soon, the rivers run red with the blood.
Ragam: Chakravaham / Aahir Bhairav
Mahabali may have reminded us that individual ego needs to be kept in check, but Parasurama reminds us that with great power comes great responsibility.
Parashurama, the next avatar of Vishnu, learns that the beautiful community that has been set up by his mother and father is coveted - and his father murdered under the guise of protection of the kshatriyas.
The kshatriyas, a warrior caste meant to serve and protect the community - are failing around the world, and Parashurama’s anger boils and rises to the surface.
Parashurama decides it is his duty to hunt down every person who abuses their power, shirking their dharma and responsibility to their communities…and soon, the rivers run red with the blood.
Rama
Taalam: Teentaal
Ragam: Bheempalasi
We enter the treta yuga, where our knowledge and power grow exponentially.
Ravana sprouts ten heads and 20 arms from all the knowledge he holds. He is devoted, he is kind, and takes care of his subjects carefully.
The kshatriya in us has found our way finally and the sun dynasty has taken over, with Rama touted as the perfect prince.
Yet, even with all the respect that Rama and Ravana have and all the good they have done in their kingdoms, they still end up in a power struggle over the best of all women: Sita. Sita, whose power shines so brightly that the entire world tries to gain her favor.
In a competition of strength, Rama wins Sita’s hand. She has finally found her equal to marry, and they face a number of challenges, including banishment to a forest for 14 years, together. But power such as Sita’s always entices those around her, and soon, Ravana decides to capture her as a way to get vengeance against Rama.
After the capture:
A war erupts over the control of the power of the feminine divine, Sita herself, but the feminine divine cannot and should not be contained, for chaos reigns down upon earth when we attempt to do just that.
Sita returns unharmed, and this should have been the happy ending.
But dharma is leaving the earth, and even Rama, the best of the best of men, questions Sita’s actions. He puts dharma and duty over what is right and asks her to prove to the world that she has not been touched by Ravana.
Her harrowing journey was not enough.
Aghast, Sita agrees but the path has been set: a world where the law and morality do not agree means that dharma and equity is slowly beginning to crumble.
Ragam: Bheempalasi
We enter the treta yuga, where our knowledge and power grow exponentially.
Ravana sprouts ten heads and 20 arms from all the knowledge he holds. He is devoted, he is kind, and takes care of his subjects carefully.
The kshatriya in us has found our way finally and the sun dynasty has taken over, with Rama touted as the perfect prince.
Yet, even with all the respect that Rama and Ravana have and all the good they have done in their kingdoms, they still end up in a power struggle over the best of all women: Sita. Sita, whose power shines so brightly that the entire world tries to gain her favor.
In a competition of strength, Rama wins Sita’s hand. She has finally found her equal to marry, and they face a number of challenges, including banishment to a forest for 14 years, together. But power such as Sita’s always entices those around her, and soon, Ravana decides to capture her as a way to get vengeance against Rama.
After the capture:
A war erupts over the control of the power of the feminine divine, Sita herself, but the feminine divine cannot and should not be contained, for chaos reigns down upon earth when we attempt to do just that.
Sita returns unharmed, and this should have been the happy ending.
But dharma is leaving the earth, and even Rama, the best of the best of men, questions Sita’s actions. He puts dharma and duty over what is right and asks her to prove to the world that she has not been touched by Ravana.
Her harrowing journey was not enough.
Aghast, Sita agrees but the path has been set: a world where the law and morality do not agree means that dharma and equity is slowly beginning to crumble.
Krishna
Talam: Adi
Ragam: Kaapi
Joy has left the earth as the great war erupts. Every rule of war is broken, every humanitarian moment stripped as again, the warring cousins - the Pandavas and Kauravas aim to seek control of the earth yet again. An awakening of the mind is needed to save the earth now.
And even if the earth should go down in flames, what no one realizes is that I am the Phoenix, I will arise from the ashes, but you - you will just burn.
Ragam: Kaapi
Joy has left the earth as the great war erupts. Every rule of war is broken, every humanitarian moment stripped as again, the warring cousins - the Pandavas and Kauravas aim to seek control of the earth yet again. An awakening of the mind is needed to save the earth now.
And even if the earth should go down in flames, what no one realizes is that I am the Phoenix, I will arise from the ashes, but you - you will just burn.
Buddha
Taalam: Adi / Teentaal
Ragam: Dwijavanti
Siddhartha, a great prince, one day takes a walk and sees a world filled with poverty and misery. He renounces his title once he realizes we are made of the same flesh and bone, that we love, hurt, and feel pride no matter who we are or where we are from.
He sits under a tree and meditates, and simply by setting an example for himself of kindness and joy, he amasses hundreds of followers who are feeling a new way is needed to forge a path forward.
One day, he hopes we can all leave behind the consciousness of the shell and realize we are all just…one.
Ragam: Dwijavanti
Siddhartha, a great prince, one day takes a walk and sees a world filled with poverty and misery. He renounces his title once he realizes we are made of the same flesh and bone, that we love, hurt, and feel pride no matter who we are or where we are from.
He sits under a tree and meditates, and simply by setting an example for himself of kindness and joy, he amasses hundreds of followers who are feeling a new way is needed to forge a path forward.
One day, he hopes we can all leave behind the consciousness of the shell and realize we are all just…one.
Kalki
Taalam: Adi / Teentaal
Ragam: Chandrakauns
It is said one last avatar is yet to visit us during the kali yuga - a time when humankind has completely lost its way.
It is said he will arrive, riding a chariot holding a sword ablaze with fire and setting the world right one last time, as dharma - the very morality of the planet - balances on a pin, ready to tip over and end the universal cycle at any moment.
(as we show millions, people all come in for the Prince Ea poem)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sacc_x-XB1Y&ab_channel=Connect4Climate
Ragam: Chandrakauns
It is said one last avatar is yet to visit us during the kali yuga - a time when humankind has completely lost its way.
It is said he will arrive, riding a chariot holding a sword ablaze with fire and setting the world right one last time, as dharma - the very morality of the planet - balances on a pin, ready to tip over and end the universal cycle at any moment.
(as we show millions, people all come in for the Prince Ea poem)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sacc_x-XB1Y&ab_channel=Connect4Climate
Call to Action
Learning about climate change and a larger toolkit:
| climate_action_toolkit_-_dashavatar_2023.pdf |
Some of the simplest things you can do:
Climate action change can also look like:
1. Check on almost everything you use - from ziploc plastic bags to soaps - on if there is a greener alternative. (Examples include beeswax coverings for food in the fridge, soap tablets and glass bottles for dishwashing and detergent, solar powered lights, etc).
2. Plants and gardening: allowing for natural lawns and gardening, local plants, and spreading local seeds anywhere and everywhere there is a dearth of plant life
3. Asking your local restaurants if they offer reusable services - this has been getting more popular on doordash and ubereats.
4. Asking brands and companies if they will provide more equitable conditions in countries where they essentially use terrible labor conditions for us to have more access to modern day luxuries. (Think: making it known that you support Bangladeshi workers wage rises even if it means paying more for clothing, or limiting use or purchase of Apple products and lithium batteries while Congo is facing severe issues due to mining cobalt for primarily Western technological needs).
1. Check on almost everything you use - from ziploc plastic bags to soaps - on if there is a greener alternative. (Examples include beeswax coverings for food in the fridge, soap tablets and glass bottles for dishwashing and detergent, solar powered lights, etc).
2. Plants and gardening: allowing for natural lawns and gardening, local plants, and spreading local seeds anywhere and everywhere there is a dearth of plant life
3. Asking your local restaurants if they offer reusable services - this has been getting more popular on doordash and ubereats.
4. Asking brands and companies if they will provide more equitable conditions in countries where they essentially use terrible labor conditions for us to have more access to modern day luxuries. (Think: making it known that you support Bangladeshi workers wage rises even if it means paying more for clothing, or limiting use or purchase of Apple products and lithium batteries while Congo is facing severe issues due to mining cobalt for primarily Western technological needs).