Symbiosis International Education Centre 2007 M.B.A SNAP TEST - Question Paper

Since ancient times, the ten avatars of Vishnu have been interpreted as the different stages in evolution, ultimately culminating in the emergence of the human being. According to Hindu theologists, the process of evolution started with the sea creature, thereafter progressing through the amphibian, the reptile, the mammal, the half- man, the dwarf, finally ending up as man. People who believe in the Puranic concept of evolution would agree with Darwin.

a different area where both concur is the process of creation (kalpa) and dissolution (pralaya) of the universe, which is stated to occur through time-stages, known in Hindu mythology as the yugas (ages). It is in the 4th age, the Kali-Yuga, or the Age of the Unknown, that man self- destructs, thus repeating the cycle of life. Darwin too believed in a similar order and reorder of evolution.

Vedic history is replete with fascinating tales from the Dasha Avatar where Vishnu, the preserver of the cosmos and protector of life, battles with the forces of evil. He does this by descending from his home in Vaikuntha and assuming the incarnation of man or beast to set things right in the mortal world.

The 1st of the ten incarnations, as told in the Dasha Avatar, is the Matsya Avatar where Vishnu assumes the form of a fish to retrieve the Vedas from an evil asura, and preserve them for the next spell of creation. As the poet Jayadeva sang- “All glories to you, O Lord of the Universe, who took the form of a fish. When the sacred hymns of the Vedas were lost in the waters of universal devastation, you swam like a boat in that vast ocean to rescue them.” Science too agrees that the fish was the 1st advanced life form to inhabit the earth during the later part of the Ice Age.

Thereafter follow the other 9 avatars of Vishnu: Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (wild boar), Vamana (dwarf), Narasimha (half man-half beast), Parashurama (the warrior, Rama (the king), Krishna (the cowherd), Buddha (the teacher) and Kalki (the slayer). Of these, the 4th avatar, Vamana, or the dwarf-like monkey, comes nearest to resembling the ape-man in Darwin’s theory of evolution. a different interesting point is that Hanuman is often considered to be the missing link ranging from ape and man. The monkey king and his tribe were, perhaps, the last but 1 stage in the evolution of the civilized human being. Hanuman, as we know, is considered athletic and intelligent, 1 capable of great physical feats.

Equally fascinating is the tale revolving around Kalki, the still-to-come 10th avatar of Vishnu. In the Puranas, Kalki is depicted as a proud warrior, riding a white horse, with a scale in 1 hand and a sword in the other, who slays the forces of evil as the present, Kali-Yuga, nears its end, and thus restarting the cycle of life. According to neo-Darwinists, the selfish man of today is already in the self-destructing mode. This theory has been put forth by biologists who say that human beings are so hell-bent on competing with 1 a different in the race for supremacy that they will 1 day destroy themselves. Thus, ending 1 cycle of evolution and restarting a different from the 1st residing organism.

Earning:   Approval pending.