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{{Short description|Tenth and final avatar of Hindu deity Vishnu}}
{{Other uses|Kalki (disambiguation)}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Infobox deity<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Hindu mythology-->
| type = Hindu
| name = Kalki
| image = Kalki Avatar by Ravi Varma.jpg
| caption = Kalki by [[Raja Ravi Varma]]
| mount = [[Horse]]
| father = Vishnuyashas<ref name="wisdomlib.org">{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-agni-purana/d/doc1083104.html | title=Manifestation of Viṣṇu as Buddha and Kalki &#91;Chapter 16&#93; | date=November 2021 }}</ref>
| mother = Sumati<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zZTXAAAAMAAJ&q=Vishnuyasha+Sumati | title=A Companion to Indian Mythology: Hindu, Buddhist & Jaina | year=1987 | publisher=Thinker's Library, Technical Publishing House }}</ref>
| spouse = Padmavati<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n0-4RJh5FgoC&dq=Padmavati+Kalki&pg=PA183 | isbn=9783447025225 | title=The Purāṇas | year=1986 | publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag }}</ref> and Ramā<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_3NWAAAAcAAJ&dq=Kalki+Ram%C4%81&pg=PA833 | title=A Sanskrit-English Dictionary | year=1872 | publisher=Clarendon }}</ref>
| children = Jaya and Vijaya (From Padmavati) (Upapuranas)<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LYDRAAAAMAAJ&q=Jaya+Vijaya+sons+Kalki | title=Studies in the Upapurāṇas | year=1958 | publisher=Sanskrit College }}</ref> Meghamala and Balahaka (From Rama) (Kalki Purana)<ref>[http://om-aditya.ru/userfiles/ufiles/purany/sri_kalki_purana.pdf Center Vedic om Aditya]</ref>
| siblings = 
| affiliation = [[Vaishnavism]]
| weapon = [[Nandaka]] or Ratnamaru (Sword) Bow and Arrows <br> [[Brahmastra]] <br> [[Varunastra]] <br> [[Agneyastra]] <br> Garudastra <br> [[Vayavyastra]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/the-kalki-purana-english |title=The Kalki Purana— English |pages=255}}</ref>
| member_of = [[Dashavatara]]
| festivals = [[Kalki Jayanti]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Kalki Jayanti; rituals and significance |url=https://www.mpanchang.com/festivals/kalki-jayanti/ |website=mpchang |access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref>
| parents = Vishnuyashas (father),<ref name="wisdomlib.org">{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-agni-purana/d/doc1083104.html | title=Manifestation of Viṣṇu as Buddha and Kalki &#91;Chapter 16&#93; | date=November 2021 }}</ref> Sumati (mother)<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zZTXAAAAMAAJ&q=Vishnuyasha+Sumati | title=A Companion to Indian Mythology: Hindu, Buddhist & Jaina | year=1987 | publisher=Thinker's Library, Technical Publishing House }}</ref>
}}{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = [[Dashavatara]] Sequence
| predecessor  = [[Gautama Buddha in Hinduism|Buddha]]
}}

'''Kalki''' ({{langx|sa|कल्कि}}), also called '''Kalkin''',<ref name="Brockington1998p287">{{cite book |author=J. L. Brockington |title=The Sanskrit Epics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HR-_LK5kl18C |year=1998 |publisher=BRILL Academic |isbn=90-04-10260-4|pages=287–288 with footnotes 126–127}}</ref> is the prophesied tenth and final [[incarnation]] of the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] god [[Vishnu]]. According to [[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] cosmology, Kalki<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is the actual age of Kaliyuga? The Yug Cycle explained |url=https://en.bhavishyamalika.com/articles/kaliyuga |website=en.bhavishyamalika.com}}</ref> is destined to appear at the end of the [[Kali Yuga]], the last of the four ages in the cycle of existence (''Krita''). His arrival will mark the end of the Kali Yuga and herald the beginning of the [[Satya Yuga]], the most virtuous age, before the ultimate dissolution of the universe ([[Pralaya|Mahapralaya]]).<ref name="Brockington1998p287" /><ref name="Dalal2010p188">{{harvnb|Dalal|2014|p=188}}</ref>

In the [[Puranas]], Kalki is depicted as the [[avatar]] who will rejuvenate existence by ending the darkest period of [[adharma]] (unrighteousness) and restoring [[dharma]] (righteousness). He is described as riding a white horse named Devadatta and wielding a fiery sword.<ref name="Dalal2010p188" /> The portrayal of Kalki varies across different Puranas, and his narrative is also found in other traditions, including the [[Kalachakra]]-Tantra of [[Tibetan Buddhism]]<ref name="Lopez2015p202" /><ref name="Perry2017p220" /><ref name="Dahla2006p90" /> and [[Sikhism|Sikh texts]].<ref name="Rinehart2011p29" />

==Etymology==
The name Kalki is derived from ''Kal'', which means "time" ([[Kali Yuga]]).<ref name="Klostermaier2006p75">{{cite book |first=Klaus K. |last=Klostermaier |year=2006 |title=Mythologies and Philosophies of Salvation in the Theistic Traditions of India |page=75 |publisher=Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press |isbn=978-0-88920-743-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CFQ9DgAAQBAJ |via=Google Books}}</ref> The original term may have been Karki (''white'', from the horse) which morphed into Kalki. This proposal is supported by two versions of ''Mahabharata'' manuscripts (e.g. the G3.6 manuscript) that have been found, where the Sanskrit verses name the incarnation to be Karki.<ref name="Brockington1998p287" />{{Vaishnavism}}

==Description==
===Hindu texts===
Kalki is an ''avatara'' of Vishnu. [[Avatar]] means "descent", and refers to a descent of the divine into the material realm of human existence. Kalki appears for the first time in the ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref name="Hiltebeitel2011p104" />

The [[Garuda Purana]] lists [[Dashavatara|ten incarnations]], with Kalki being the final one.<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/73 73]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> He is described as the incarnation who appears at the end of the Kali Yuga. He ends the darkest, degenerating, and chaotic stage of the Kali Yuga to remove ''[[adharma]]'' and ushers in the [[Satya Yuga]], while riding a white horse with a fiery sword.<ref name="Dalal2010p188" /><ref name="Doniger1999p629">{{cite book| author1=Wendy Doniger|author2=Merriam-Webster, Inc|title=Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZP_f9icf2roC&pg=PA629 |year=1999|publisher=Merriam-Webster|isbn=978-0-87779-044-0|page=629}}</ref> He restarts a new cycle of time.<ref>{{cite book|author=Ludo Rocher|editor=Ralph M. Rosen|title=Time and Temporality in the Ancient World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=It9KMklf4R4C&pg=PA91|date=22 March 2004|publisher=UPenn Museum of Archaeology|isbn=978-1-931707-67-1|pages=91–93}}</ref> He is described as a Brahmin warrior in the Puranas.<ref name="Dalal2010p188" /><ref name="Doniger1999p629" /> It is mentioned in the Puranas that the immortal [[Chiranjivi]]s will assist him in various stages of his life.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-26 |title=7 Chiranjeevis: The Immortals Who Will Assist Kalki In Ending Kali Yuga |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/7-chiranjeevis-the-immortals-of-hinduism-who-will-assist-kalki-in-ending-kali-yuga-article-111290266 |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Kalki_avatar_idol_in_rani_ki_vav_patan.jpg|thumb|Statue of Kalki's incarnation on a wall of [[Rani ki vav|Rani Ki Vav]] (The Queen's Stepwell) at [[Patan, Gujarat|Patan]], [[Gujarat]], [[India]]]]

A minor text named [[Kalki Purana]] is a relatively recent text, likely composed in [[Bengal]]. Its dating [[floruit]] is the 18th-century.{{sfn|Rocher|1986|p=183 with footnotes}} Wendy Doniger dates the Kalki Mythology containing ''Kalki Purana'' to between 1500 and 1700 CE.<ref>{{cite book |first=Wendy |last=Doniger |year=1988 |title=Textual Sources for the Study of Hinduism |page=5 |publisher=Manchester University Press |isbn=978-0-7190-1867-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KtZRAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA5}}</ref>

In the ''[[Kalki Purana]]'', Kalki is born into the family of Vishnuyashas and Sumati, in a village called [[Shambala]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kirk |first=James A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aUwqAAAAYAAJ |title=Stories of the Hindus: An Introduction Through Texts and Interpretation |date=1972 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=978-0-02-563230-1 |pages=239 |language=en}}</ref> on the thirteenth day during the fortnight of the waxing moon. At a young age, he is taught the holy scriptures on topics such as ''[[dharma]], [[karma]], [[artha]], [[jñāna]],'' and undertakes military training under the care of the [[Parasurama|Parashurama]] (the sixth incarnation of Vishnu).<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/the-kalki-purana-english |title=The Kalki Purana— English |pages=28}}</ref> Soon, Kalki worships [[Shiva]], who gets pleased by the devotion and provides him in return a divine white horse named Devadatta (a manifestation of [[Garuda]]), a powerful sword, whereby its handle is bedecked with jewels, and a parrot named Shuka, who is an all-knower; the past, the present and the future.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/the-kalki-purana-english |title=The Kalki Purana— English |pages=33–34}}</ref> Other accessories are also given by other [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]], [[devi]]s, [[Hindu saints|saints]], and righteous kings. He fights an evil army and in many wars, ending evil, but does not end existence. Kalki returns to Shambala, inaugurates a new ''[[Yuga]]'' for the good, and then goes to [[Vaikuntha]].{{sfn|Rocher|1986|p=183 with footnotes}} In the ''Kalki Purana'', there is a mention of a [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] city whose residents don't adhere to ''dharma'' (not worshipping the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]], [[Pitrs|ancestors]], and not upholding the varna system), which Kalki fights and conquers.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/the-kalki-purana-english |title=The Kalki Purana— English |pages=146,172}}</ref>

The ''[[Agni Purana]]'' describes Kalki's role:<ref>{{Cite book |last=Parmeshwaranand |first=Swami |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6F0ZIBIL2ZAC&pg=PA138 |title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Puranas |date=2001 |publisher=Sarup & Sons |isbn=978-81-7625-226-3 |pages=138 |language=en}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=Kalki, as the son of Viṣṇuyaśas, (and having) Yājñavalkya as the priest would destroy the non-Aryans, holding the [[astra (weapon)]] and having a weapon. He would establish moral law in four-fold varṇas in the suitable manner. The people (would be) in the path of righteousness in all the stages of life.|title=''[[Agni Purana]]''|source=Chapter 16, Verses 8 - 9}}
The ''[[Devi Bhagavata Purana]]'' features the [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] hailing Vishnu, invoking his Kalki avatara:<ref>{{Cite book |last=Basu |first=Baman Das |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=12kSkNpBx-sC&pg=PA1029 |title=The Srimad Devi Bhagwatam (vols.2 Set) |date=2007 |publisher=Cosmo Publications |isbn=978-81-307-0559-0 |pages=1029 |language=en}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=When almost all the persons in this world will turn out in future as Mleccas and when the wicked Kings will oppress them, right and left, Thou wilt then incarnate Thyself again as Kalki and redress all the grievances! We bow down to Thy Kalki Form! O Deva!|title=''[[Devi Bhagavata Purana]]''|source=Chapter 5}}
===Buddhist texts===
[[File:The 25 kings of Shambhala.jpg|alt=The 25 Kalki, who are Kings of Shambala, are surrounding a Yidam (meditation deity), located in the middle. The first top two middle rows has seated representations of Tsongkhapa, dressed in orange/yellow. This originates from the scriptures that are part of the Indo-Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist tradition.|thumb|The central figure is a [[Yidam]], a meditation deity. The 25 seated figures represent the [[Kings of Shambhala|25 Kings Of Shambhala]]. The middle figure in the top row represents [[Je Tsongkhapa|Tsongkhapa]], who is in the top two middle rows. This comes from the scriptures that is part of the [[Tibet|Indo-Tibetan]] [[Vajrayana|Vajrayana Buddhist Tradition]].]]
In the Buddhist Text ''[[Kalachakra|Kalachakra Tantra]]'', the [[Kings of Shambhala|righteous kings]] are called Kalki (Kalkin, lit. chieftain) living in [[Shambhala|Sammu]]. There are many Kalki in this text, each fighting barbarism, persecution and chaos. The last Kalki is called "Rudra Cakrin" and is predicted to end the chaos and degeneration by assembling a large army to eradicate a barbarian army.<ref name="Lopez2015p202" /><ref name="Perry2017p220" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Urban Hammar. - Studies in The Kalacakra Tantra - A History of The Kalacakra in Tibet and A Study of The Concept of Adibuddha, The Fourth Body of The Buddha and The Supreme Un-Changing PDF {{!}} PDF {{!}} Tibetan Buddhism {{!}} Vajrayana|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/456921039/Urban-Hammar-Studies-in-the-Kalacakra-Tantra-A-History-of-the-Kalacakra-in-Tibet-and-a-Study-of-the-Concept-of-Adibuddha-the-Fourth-Body-of-the|access-date=2021-10-06|website=Scribd|language=en}}</ref> A great war, which will include an army of both Hindus and Buddhists, will destroy the barbaric forces, states the text.<ref name="Lopez2015p202" /><ref name="Perry2017p220" /><ref name="Dahla2006p90">[a] {{cite book|author=Björn Dahla|title=Exercising Power: The Role of Religions in Concord and Conflict|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i_rWAAAAMAAJ|year=2006|publisher=Donner Institute for Research in Religious and Cultural History|isbn=978-952-12-1811-8|pages=90–91}}, '''Quote:''' "(...) the Shambala-bodhisattva-king [Cakravartin Kalkin] and his army will defeat and destroy the enemy army, the barbarian Muslim army and their religion, in a kind of Buddhist Armadgeddon. Thereafter Buddhism will prevail.";<br>[b] {{cite book|author=David Burton|title=Buddhism: A Contemporary Philosophical Investigation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=phddDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT193 |year=2017|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-351-83859-7|page=193}}<br>[c] {{cite book|author=Johan Elverskog |editor=Anna Akasoy|display-editors=etal|title=Islam and Tibet: Interactions Along the Musk Routes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZfWXIfbynwYC&pg=PA293 |year=2011|publisher=Ashgate Publishing |isbn=978-0-7546-6956-2|pages=293–310}}</ref> This is most likely borrowed from Hinduism to Buddhism due to the arrival of Islamic kingdoms from the west to the east, mainly settled in [[Tibet|West Tibet]], [[Central Asia]] and the [[Indian subcontinent|Indian Subcontinent]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Newman|first=John|date=2015|title=Buddhism in Practice|series=Princeton readings in religions |url=https://library.villanova.edu/Find/Record/554047/TOC|page=203|publisher=Princeton Univ. Press |edition=Abridged}}</ref> According to Donald Lopez – a [[professor]] of [[Buddhist studies|Buddhist Studies]], Kalki is predicted to start the new cycle of perfect era where "Buddhism will flourish, people will live long, happy lives and righteousness will reign supreme".<ref name="Lopez2015p202" /> The text is significant in establishing the chronology of the Kalki idea to be from post-7th century, probably the 9th or 10th century.<ref name="JIN2017p49">{{cite book|author=Yijiu JIN|title=Islam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q-PzDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA49|year=2017|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=978-90-474-2800-8|pages=49–52}}</ref> Lopez states that the Buddhist text likely borrowed it from Hindu vedic texts.<ref name="Lopez2015p202">{{cite book|author=Donald S. Lopez Jr.|title=Buddhism in Practice |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zaC4CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA202 |year=2015|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-8007-2|pages=202–204}}</ref><ref name="Perry2017p220">{{cite book|author=Perry Schmidt-Leukel|title=Religious Pluralism and Interreligious Theology: The Gifford Lectures |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ir3zDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT221 |year=2017|publisher=Orbis|isbn=978-1-60833-695-1|pages=220–222}}</ref> Other scholars, such as Yijiu Jin, state that the text originated in Central Asia in the 10th-century, and Tibetan literature picked up a version of it in India around 1027 CE.<ref name="JIN2017p49" />

===Sikh texts===
The Kalki incarnation appears in the historic [[Sikh]] Texts, most notably in [[Dasam Granth]], a text that is traditionally attributed to [[Guru Gobind Singh]].<ref name="Rinehart2011p29">{{cite book |first=Robin |last=Rinehart |year=2011 |title=Debating the Dasam Granth |pages=29–30 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-975506-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=58AVDAAAQBAJ}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=W.H. |last=McLeod |year=2003 |title=Sikhs of the Khalsa: A history of the Khalsa Rahit |pages=149–150 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-565916-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HIrXAAAAMAAJ}}</ref> The ''[[Chaubis Avtar|Chaubis Avatar]]'' (24 incarnations) section mentions Sage Matsyanra describing the appearance of Vishnu incarnations to fight evil, greed, violence and ignorance. It includes Kalki as the twenty-fourth incarnation to lead the war between the forces of righteousness and unrighteousness.<ref>{{cite book|author=Purnima Dhavan|title=When Sparrows Became Hawks: The Making of the Sikh Warrior Tradition, 1699-1799|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-7HJ5idB8_QC |year=2011|publisher=Oxford University Press, USA|isbn=978-0-19-975655-1|pages=1 55–157, 186 note 32}}</ref>

== Vaishno Devi and Kalki ==

The divine maiden, who later became known as [[Vaishnavi]] ([[Vaishno Devi]]), was originally named Trikuta<ref name="PuriKahani"/>
. She was said to be born as the daughter of Ratnakar Sagar and originated from an ''ansh'' (part) of [[Vishnu|Lord Vishnu]]<ref name="PuriKahani"/>
. During the [[Treta Yuga]], [[Rama|Lord Ram]] (an avatar of Vishnu) encountered Trikuta when he reached the seashore with his army of ''Vaanara'' (monkeys) while preparing to cross over to [[Lanka]]. Trikuta had been performing intense penance (''tap'') while awaiting Lord Ram. Upon being questioned by Lord Ram, Trikuta introduced herself and revealed that she was performing severe penance with the resolve to obtain him as her husband. Lord Ram replied that in his current avatar, he had resolved to be devoted only to one wife (a reference to [[Sita]]). Lord Ram promised Trikuta that she would become his consort (wife) during his [[Kalki]] avatar in [[Kali Yuga|Kaliyug]] (the present age)<ref name="PuriKahani"/>

* Until that time, she was instructed to proceed to the beautiful cave on Manik Parvat (Trikut Parvat), the dwelling place of the three ''Mahashaktis'', and immerse herself in penance (''tapasya'')<ref name="PuriKahani"/>.
* It was revealed that upon reaching the cave, she would become immortal.<ref name="PuriKahani"/>
* Valiant Vanaras like [[Nala (Ramayana)|Nala]], [[Neela (Ramayana)|Nila]], [[Hanuman]], and [[Jambavan|Jambvant]] would serve as her guards<ref name="PuriKahani"/>.
* Her glory would spread across the whole of India, and she would become renowned by the name Vaishno Devi<ref name="PuriKahani"/>.

Mata Vaishno is currently present in the cave since the Treta Yuga, devoted to penance, and is awaiting the arrival of the Kalki avatar in the Kaliyuga<ref name="PuriKahani">{{cite book
 | title = Shri Vaishno Devi Ki Puri Kahani
 | publisher = Bhavani Pustak Mahal
 | location = Katra
 | url = https://archive.org/details/shrivaishnodevikipurikahanibhavanipustakmahal
 | access-date = 25 June 2025
}}</ref>

== Development ==

While there is no mention of Kalki in the [[Vedas|Vedic]] literature,<ref name=academy81>{{cite book|title=Tattvadīpaḥ: Journal of Academy of Sanskrit Research, Volume 5|page=81|publisher=The Academy|year=2001|quote=Kalki, as an incarnation of Visnu, is not found in the Vedic literature. But some of the features of that concept, viz., the fearful elements, the epithet Kalmallkinam (brilliant, remover of darkness) of Rudra, prompt us to admit him as the forerunner of Kalki.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Rabiprasad Mishra|title=Theory of Incarnation: Its Origin and Development in the Light of Vedic and Purāṇic References|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3XvXAAAAMAAJ |year=2000|publisher=Pratibha |isbn=978-81-7702-021-2|page=146}}, Quote: "Kalki as an incarnation of Visnu is not mentioned in the Vedic literature."</ref> the epithet "Kalmallkinam", meaning "Brilliant Remover Of Darkness", is found in the Vedic Literature for [[Rudra]] (later Shiva), has been interpreted to be "Forerunner Of Kalki".<ref name=academy81/>

Kalki appears for the first time in the great war epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref name="Hiltebeitel2011p104">{{cite book|author=Alf Hiltebeitel|title=Reading the Fifth Veda: Studies on the Mahābhārata - Essays by Alf Hiltebeitel|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lLfHSOWKB-sC&pg=PA531|year=2011|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=978-90-04-18566-1|pages=89–110, 530–531}}</ref> The mention of Kalki in the ''Mahabharata'' occurs only once, over the verses 3.188.85–3.189.6.<ref name="Brockington1998p287"/> The Kalki incarnation is found in the Maha Puranas such as ''[[Vishnu Purana]]'',<ref>{{cite book |last=Wilson |first=Horace |authorlink=Horace Hayman Wilson |title=Vishnu Purana |year=2001 |publisher=Ganesha Publishing |isbn=1-86210-016-0 |page=72}}</ref> ''[[Matsya Purana]]'', and the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Theory of Avatāra and Divinity of Chaitanya|first=Janmajit|last=Roy|page=39 |publisher = Atlantic Publishers}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Myths and Gods of India: The Classic Work on Hindu Polytheism from the Princeton Bollingen Series|first=Alain|last=Daniélou|page=181|publisher=Inner Traditions / Bear & Co}}</ref> However, the details relating the Kalki mythologies are divergent between the epic and the Puranas, as well as within the Puranas.<ref name="Mitchiner2000p68">{{cite book|author=John E. Mitchiner|title=Traditions Of The Seven Rsis|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=phGzVwTTp_gC|year= 2000|publisher= Motilal Banarsidass |isbn= 978-81-208-1324-3|pages= 68–69 with footnotes}}</ref><ref name="Hiltebeitel2011p104"/>

In the ''Mahabharata'', according to Hiltebeitel, Kalki is an extension of the [[Parasurama|Parashurama]] incarnation legend, where a Brahmin warrior destroys Kshatriyas who were abusing their power to spread chaos, evil, and the persecution of the powerless. The epic character of Kalki restores dharma, restores justice in the world, but does not end the cycle of existence.<ref name="Hiltebeitel2011p104"/><ref name="Hiltebeitel2011p288">{{cite book|author=Alf Hiltebeitel|title=Dharma: Its Early History in Law, Religion, and Narrative|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U4NF8pYxdvIC |year=2011|publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-539423-8|pages=288–292}}</ref> The Kalkin section in the ''Mahabharata'' is present in the Markandeya section. There, states Luis Reimann, can "hardly be any doubt that the Markandeya section is a late addition to the epic. Making [[Yudhishthira]] ask a question about conditions at the end of Kali and the beginning of Krta — something far removed from his own situation — is merely a device for justifying the inclusion of this subject matter in the epic."<ref>{{cite book|author=Luis González Reimann|title=The Mahābhārata and the Yugas: India's Great Epic Poem and the Hindu System of World Ages|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=nXrXAAAAMAAJ|year =2002|publisher= Peter Lang|isbn= 978-0-8204-5530-3|pages= 89–99, quote is on page 97}}</ref>

According to Cornelia Dimmitt, the "clear and tidy" systematization of Kalki and the remaining nine incarnations of Vishnu is not found in any of the Maha Puranas.<ref name="Dimmitt2012p63"/> The coverage of Kalki in these Hindu texts is scant, in contrast to the legends of [[Matsya]], [[Kurma]], [[Varaha]], [[Vamana]], [[Narasimha]], and [[Krishna]], all of whom are repeatedly and extensively described. According to Dimmitt, this was likely because just like the concept of the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] as a [[Buddha in Hinduism|Vishnu Incarnation]], the concept of Kalki was "somewhat in flux" when the major Puranas were being compiled.<ref name="Dimmitt2012p63">{{harvnb|Dimmitt|van Buitenen|2012|pp=63–64}}</ref>

This Kalki concept may have further developed in the Hindu texts both as a reaction to the invasions of the Indian subcontinent by various armies over the centuries from its northwest, and in reaction to the mythologies these invaders brought with them.<ref name="Brockington1998p287"/><ref name="Doniger2004p235">{{cite book |first=Wendy |last=Doniger |year=2004 |title=Hindu Myths: A sourcebook translated from the Sanskrit |pages=235–237 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-14-044990-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eQ4IMQAACAAJ}}</ref> Similarly, the Buddhist Literature dated to the late 1st millennium, a future Buddha [[Maitreya]] is depicted as Kalki.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Powell |first1=Robert |last2=Isaacson |first2=Estelle |language=en |title=Gautama Buddha's Successor |date=2013 |publisher=SteinerBooks |isbn=978-1-58420-162-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vGhAAwAAQBAJ&q=Maitreya+Kalki&pg=PT32 |access-date=17 May 2020}}; {{cite book |last=Roerich |first=Elena Ivanovna |year=1987 |title=Letters, 1929-1938 |publisher=Agni Yoga Society |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-6zwAAAAIAAJ&q=Maitreya+Kalki |access-date=17 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Plott |first1=John C. |last2=Dolin |first2=James Michael |last3=Hatton |first3=Russell E. |year=1977 |title=Global History of Philosophy: The period of scholasticism |language=en |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publisher |isbn=978-0-89581-678-8 |page=358 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ErMRGiNcxJIC&q=Maitreya+Kalki&pg=PA358 |access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lawrence |first=Troy |year=1990 |title=New Age Messiah identified: Who is Lord Maitreya? Tara Center's "mystery man" alive and living in London |language=en |publisher=Huntington House Publishers |isbn=978-0-910311-17-5 |page=62 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RJo4wL49kugC&q=Maitreya+Kalki |access-date=17 May 2020}}; {{cite book |last=Stutley |first=Margaret |year=1985 |title=Hinduism: The Eternal Law: An introduction to the literature, cosmology, and cults of the Hindu religion |language=en |publisher=Aquarian Press |isbn=978-0-85030-348-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OPsXAAAAIAAJ&q=Maitreya+Kalki |access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref> According to John Mitchiner, the Kalki concept owes "in some measure" to Jewish, Christian, Zoroastrian and other concepts.<ref name="Mitchiner2000p75">{{cite book|author=John E. Mitchiner|title=Traditions Of The Seven Rsis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=phGzVwTTp_gC |year=2000|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-1324-3|pages=75–76}}</ref> Mitchiner states that some Puranas such as the Yuga Purana do not mention Kalki and offer a different cosmology than the other Puranas. The Yuga Purana mythologizes in greater details the post-Maurya era Indo-Greek and Saka era, while the Manvantara theme containing the Kalki idea is mythologized greater in other Puranas.<ref name="Mitchiner2000p69">{{cite book|author=John E. Mitchiner|title=Traditions Of The Seven Rsis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=phGzVwTTp_gC |year=2000|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-1324-3|pages=69–76}}</ref><ref name="Hiltebeitel2011p104" /> Luis Gonzales-Reimann concurs with Mitchiner, stating that the Yuga Purana does not mention Kalki.<ref name="Reimann2002p95">{{cite book|author=Luis González-Reimann|title=The Mahābhārata and the Yugas: India's Great Epic Poem and the Hindu System of World Ages|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nXrXAAAAMAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Peter Lang|isbn=978-0-8204-5530-3|pages=95–99 }}</ref> In other texts such as the sections 2.36 and 2.37 of the Vayu Purana, states Reimann, it is not Kalkin who ends the Kali Yuga, but a different character named Pramiti.<ref name="Reimann2002p112">{{cite book|author=Luis González Reimann|title=The Mahābhārata and the Yugas: India's Great Epic Poem and the Hindu System of World Ages|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=nXrXAAAAMAAJ|year=2002|publisher=Peter Lang|isbn=978-0-8204-5530-3|pages=112–113 note 39}}; Note: Reimann mentions some attempts to "identify both Pramiti and Kalkin with historical rulers".</ref> Most historians, states Arvind Sharma, link the development of Kalki mythology in Hinduism to the suffering caused by foreign invasions.<ref name="Sharma2012p244">{{cite book|author=Arvind Sharma|title=Religious Studies and Comparative Methodology: The Case for Reciprocal Illumination|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CfZ9y5-FGPgC |year=2012|publisher=State University of New York Press|isbn=978-0-7914-8325-1|pages=244–245}}</ref> Unlike other messianic concepts, Kalki's purpose is to destroy the invaders and heretics in order to reverse the current age [[Kali Yuga]], the age of evil.<ref>"Hindu Myths", p. 236, Penguin Books, 1994</ref>

===Predictions about birth and arrival===
[[File:Kalki1790s.jpg|thumb|Kalki and Devadatta]]
In the Cyclic Concept Of Time (''Puranic Kalpa''), ''[[Kali Yuga]]'' is estimated to last 432,000 years. In some Vaishnava texts, Kalki is foretold to appear on a white horse on the day of ''pralaya'' to end ''Kali Yuga'', to end the evil and wickedness, and to recreate the world anew along with A New Cycle Of Time ([[Yuga Cycle|Yuga]]).<ref name=coulter2013>{{cite book |first1=Charles Russell |last1=Coulter |first2=Patricia |last2=Turner |year=2013 |title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781135963972 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VWxekbhM1yEC}}</ref><ref name="Oxford University Press">{{cite book|title=The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements, Volume 2|author1=James R. Lewis|author2=Inga B. Tollefsen|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=488}}</ref>

Kalki's description varies with manuscripts. Some state Kalki will be born to Awejsirdenee and Bishenjun,<ref name=coulter2013/> others in the family of Sumati and Vishnuyasha.<ref name="emperor"/>{{sfn|Rocher|1986|p=183}} In Buddhist manuscripts, Vishnuyasha is stated to be a prominent headman of the village called [[Shambhala]]. He will become the king, a "Turner Of The Wheel", and one who triumphs. He will eliminate all barbarians and robbers, end ''adharma'', restart ''dharma'', and save the good people.<ref name="incarnation">{{cite book |first=J.A.B. |last=van&nbsp;Buitenen |year=1987 |title=The Mahabharata |at=Volume&nbsp;2, Book&nbsp;2, pages&nbsp;597–598 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=9780226223681 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GfhJCgAAQBAJ}}</ref> After that, humanity will be transformed and the golden age will begin state the Hindu manuscripts.<ref name="incarnation"/>

In the Kanchipuram temple, two relief Puranic panels depict Kalki, one relating to lunar (moon-based) dynasty as mother of Kalki and another to solar (sun-based) dynasty as father of Kalki.<ref name="emperor"/> In these panels, states D.D.&nbsp;Hudson, the story depicted is in terms of Kalki fighting and defeating asura [[Kali (demon)|Kali]]. He rides a white horse called Devadatta, ends evil, purifies everyone's minds and consciousness, and heralds the start of [[Satya Yuga]].<ref name="emperor">{{cite book |first=D. Dennis |last=Hudson |year=2008 |title=The Body of God: An emperor's palace for Krishna in eighth&nbsp;century Kanchipuram |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bodygodemperorsp00huds_609/page/n359 333]–340 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-536922-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/bodygodemperorsp00huds_609 |url-access=registration}}</ref>

[[File:Dasavatar, 19th century.jpg|thumb|center|650px|19th-century [[Dashavatara]] painting (from left): Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki.]]

==People who claimed to be Kalki==

* [[Mirza Ghulam Ahmad]], founder of the [[Ahmadiyya]] movement, claimed to be the Kalki Avatar, as well as the [[Mahdi]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Juergensmeyer |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lQMurMhRtfIC&pg=PA520 |title=Oxford Handbook of Global Religions |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-19-513798-9 |location=Oxford |page=520 |id=ISBN (Ten digit): 0195137981}}</ref>
* In the [[Baháʼí Faith]], [[Baháʼu'lláh]] is identified as Kalki as well as the prophesied redeeming messenger of God at the end of the world, as claimed in the [[Bábí]] religion, Judaism ([[Mashiach]]), Christianity ([[Christ (title)|Messiah]]), Islam ([[Masih (title)|Masih]] and [[Mahdi]]), Buddhism ([[Maitreya]]), Zoroastrianism (Shah Bahram), and other religions.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Effendi |first1=Shoghi |title=God Passes By |publisher=Baha'i Publishing Trust |page=94}}</ref><ref name="Bassuk1987p146">{{cite book |last=Bassuk |first=Daniel E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k3iwCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA146 |title=Incarnation in Hinduism and Christianity: The Myth of the God-Man |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=1987 |isbn=978-1-349-08642-9 |pages=146–147}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Robertson |first=John M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fTiZY_5wlJ4C&pg=PA62 |title=Tough Guys and True Believers: Managing authoritarian men in the psychotherapy room |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-136-81774-8 |pages=62–63}}</ref>
* [[Kalki Bhagawan]], born Vijaykumar Naidu, born on 7 March 1949, founder of Oneness University.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=James R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KisRDAAAQBAJ |title=The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements |last2=Tollefsen |first2=Inga B. |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2004 |isbn=9780190611521 |volume=2 |page=409}}</ref>
* [[Samael Aun Weor]], founder of the Universal Christian Gnostic Movement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Who is Samael Aun Weor? |url=http://www.samael.org/idiomas/ingles/paginas/1_quien_samael/quien_samael.htm |access-date=25 December 2017 |website=Samael.org |archive-date=3 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703123634/http://samael.org/idiomas/ingles/paginas/1_quien_samael/quien_samael.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi]] of [[Kalki Avatar Foundation]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Sikand |first=Yoginder |title=Pseudo-messianic movements in contemporary Muslim South Asia |publisher=Global Media Publications |year=2008 |page=100}}</ref>

==See also==
{{columns-list|
* [[Dashavatara]]
* [[Eschatology]]
* [[Kali (demon)|Kali]]
* [[Kalki (novel)|''Kalki'' (novel)]]
* [[Koka and Vikoka]]
* [[Lord of Light]]
* [[Mahabharata]]
* [[Mahdi]]
* [[Maitreya]]
* [[Paraclete]]
* [[Ramayana]]
* [[Second Coming]]
* [[Suchandra]]
}}

==References==
{{reflist|25em}}

===Works cited===
{{refbegin|25em}}
*{{cite book
 | last=Bryant |first=Edwin Francis
 | year=2007
 | title=Krishna: A sourcebook
 | publisher=Oxford University Press
 | isbn=978-0-19-803400-1
 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0z02cZe8PU8C
}}
* {{cite book
 | last1 = Dimmitt | first1 = Cornelia
 | first2 = J. A. B.  |last2 = van Buitenen
 | orig-year=1977  | year = 2012
 | title = Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas
 | publisher = Temple University Press
 | isbn =978-1-4399-0464-0
 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=re7CR2jKn3QC
}}
*{{cite book
 |first = Rosen |last= Dalal
 |year= 2014
 |title= Hinduism: An aAlphabetical guide
 | publisher= Penguin
 |isbn= 978-8184752779
 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC
}}
*{{cite book
 |last=Flood |first=Gavin
 |year=1996
 |title=An Introduction to Hinduism
 |publisher=Cambridge University Press
 |location=Cambridge, UK
 |isbn= 0-521-43878-0
 |url=https://archive.org/details/introductiontohi0000floo |url-access=registration
}}
*{{cite book
 |first=Ariel |last=Glucklich
 | year=2008
 | title=The Strides of Vishnu: Hindu culture in historical perspective: Hindu culture in historical perspective
 | publisher=Oxford University Press
 | isbn=978-0-19-971825-2
 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KtLScrjrWiAC
}}
* {{cite book
 | last=Johnson |first=W.J.
 | year = 2009
 | title = A Dictionary of Hinduism
 | publisher = Oxford University Press
 | isbn = 978-0-19-861025-0
}}
* {{cite book
 | last = Rao | first = Velcheru Narayana
 | title = Purana Perennis: Reciprocity and Transformation in Hindu and Jaina Texts
 | chapter = Purana as Brahminic Ideology
 | isbn = 0-7914-1381-0
 | editor-last = Doniger | editor-first = Wendy
 | year = 1993
 | publisher = State University of New York Press
 | location = Albany
}}
*{{Cite book
 | first=Ludo |last=Rocher | author-link= Ludo Rocher
 | year= 1986
 | title= The Puranas
 | publisher= Otto Harrassowitz Verlag
 | isbn= 978-3447025225
}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*{{Commons and category inline|Kalki|Kalki}}
*{{Wikiquote-inline}}   
*{{Wiktionary-inline|नराशंस|Narasangsa}}
	
{{VishnuAvatars}}
{{HinduMythology}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Doomsday}}

[[Category:Avatars of Vishnu]]
[[Category:Hindu eschatology]]
[[Category:Hindu philosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Messianism]]
[[Category:Akilattirattu Ammanai]]
[[Category:Ayyavazhi mythology]]
[[Category:Prophecy in Buddhism]]
[[Category:Prophecy in Hinduism]]
[[Category:Horse deities]]
[[Category:Horses in Hinduism]]
[[Category:Heroes in Hindu mythology]]