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Hindu mythology explains lot of things in present science. One such thing is Vishnu's incarnations and the theory of evolution.

According to the Hindu mythology of Dashavathara (10 incarnations) explains how Vishnu ,the central figure in the triad of Indian gods, incarnated from time to time to save mankind.The 9 incarnations of Vishnu, which have taken place so far according to the myth, are (1) Matsya - fish, (2) Koorma - tortoise, (3) Varaha - boar, (4) Narasimha - half man-half lion, (5) Vaman - dwarf man, (6) Parashuram - man with an axe, (7) Rama - moral man, (8) Krishna - philosophical man and (9) Buddha - spiritual man. The 10th incarnation is Kalki or holocaust, which will come when evil overtakes the whole world in the milennia to come.

The scientific theory of evolution states that life on earth began as single-celled organisms and later developed into multi-celled beings. Moreover, the theory further states that aquatic creatures came into existence first. Then came amphibians that could exist in water as well as on land. Land-dependent animals and airborne birds followed the amphibians. Finally, human beings completed the cosmic drama of creation.

The Primordial Human Evolution

1. Matsya-avatar or Fish: Water borne life — amoebae or primeval evolution.
2. Kurmavtar or Turtle: Water/Land borne life — amphibians.
3. Varahavtar or Boar: Land borne life — mammals.
4. Narshima Avatar or Human-lion: Semi-human — primates.
5. Vamanavtar or Dwarf: Homo erectus — primitive human.
6. Parshuram or Divine Seeker: Homo sapiens — conscious human.
7. Ram or Perfect Human: Homo sapiens — God conscious human; outer awareness.
8. Krishna or Supreme Yogi: Homo sapiens — Self-conscious human; inner awareness.
9. Buddha or Consciousness: Homo sapiens — Self-Realization; inner enlightenment.
10. Kalki or Spirit Being: Homo spiritus — God-Realization; Resurrection

In Hindu mythology,

1.Matsya Avatara

Vishnu’s first incarnation of the Dashavatar is Matsya avatar and Vishnu appears in the form of a fish to save the life from Mahapralaya (ultimate destruction) on earth.

2.Kurma Avathara

Next, theory of evolution tells that the life came out of ocean and the beings of ocean started walking the land to some extent or we can say that the amphibians came into existence from the vertebrates or aquatic animals. Amphibians have aquatic gills which means they can survive both on land and in sea. Tortoise is an amphibian and this is second avatar of Vishnu in the Dashavatar. Vishnu appeared as Kurma (tortoise) to have Mandara Mountain put on his back to support the churning of the ocean by the devatas and asuras in order to bring amrit (nectar of life) out from the ocean.

3.Varaha Avathara

After this, the evolution tells us about these being who became more efficient in walking and adapted very conveniently to the climate and conditions of the land. One such wild animal is the third avatar of lord Vishnu. Vishnu, to save the earth-who beseeches to him to save her from evil demons-manifested himself as a wild boar who is considered as extremely ferocious and cruel.

Here we get an another point that the earth is round!

4.Narasimha Avathar

Next Avathar of Lord Vishnu is quite Interesting.

This shows how the wild animals ruled the land in the initial stages of the evolution process. The transition from animals to humans was beautifully advanced by a concept of half-man-half-lion (Narasimha) in the fourth incarnation.

5.Vamana Avathar

In the process of evolution humans evolved. They appeared not as they appear today. They could probably dwarf. May be because of some climate conditions. The fifth avatar of Vishnu, is the form of a dwarf called Vaaman avatar and is similar to this new evolved human kind. This time he came to send the benevolent but asura king Bali to the underworld.

6.Lord Parashuram

Early men at this stage used to act without much reason. They were tall violent savages wielding weapons walked the earth. The sixth incarnation of vishnu is Lord Parshuram . Parashuram was that violent axe-bearing form of Lord Rama. Parshuram carried traits which included aggression, warfare and valour.

7.Ram avatar

When early men came out of their caves and started living in the society as civilized humans, they made rules and followed them to lay the foundation of a society which is based on righteousness. They gave more importance to relationships, respect, righteousness and justice. All this factors can be seen with perfection in the next and seventh avatar or lord Vishnu. Lord Ram who was the seventh avatar of Vishnu was perfect in respecting relationships and elders. He was perfect in justice. And he was perfect in establishing a society based on the policies of righteousness (Ram Rajyam).

8. Lord Krishna

When men established the good society the major issues started taking place such as land disputes at a major level, not only living with sheer righteousness but also how to take right decisions to achieve righteousness. Man started realizing about philosophy and metaphysics, knowing self, identity, time, space, life and death etc. Materialism was indeed an important factor for man of this stage but more important was the philosophical knowledge.

Vishnu’s seventh avatar is of Lord Shree Krishna who is more perfect than perfection itself, in every sense. He is the master of philosophy, he tells the ultimate knowledge of Gita to the world.

9.Buddha avatar-Enlightened one

Gautama, the Buddha, the ninth incarnation, was closest to nirvana, moksha or salvation. He is an enlightened one. Man rose above the materialism and started practicing the philosophy of metaphysics. This stage of mental evolution is equal to Buddha’s enlightenment teachings.

10.Kalki Avathar

When human achieves everything physical and metaphysical, even then anarchy prevails because the power hungry leaders wants to rule the earth and not only just crave for land but also for the absolute power. The rulers won’t think about others and would become extremely selfish and tyrant. Then there will be no justice for the common man .

Kalki avatar of Vishnu will arrive and will destroy the whole creation except few humans who believe in dharma. This avatar will be completely perfect and would know every aspect of life. He will be self realized person yet will end the creation for the world would be too imperfect and defective by then. He will use extremely powerful sword of his to destroy worlds. Species will be finished by him and the whole process of creation would take place again.

Sruthi Ramachandran

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-strange-facts-about-Hindu-mythology