Brahma avatars are the greatest Yogis of the past who founded systems of Atom, Ayurvedic Medicine Sankhya, Nyaya, Politics, and many more. Just like how Brahma founded knowledge, his avatars founded knowledge systems. Avatars of Brahma are actually listed in Dasam Granth written by Shri Guru Govind Singh.
What if someone told you you could read the foundation of knowledge systems of India by reading stories of avatars of Brahma? A book, written by authors and karma Yogis from the Himalayas. You may also read a short glimpse of the stories and philosophies below in this article.
Get ready for a life-changing journey of understanding core concepts of the Indian belief system through avatars of Brahma, stories of India’s greatest yogis. Embrace spirituality by reading enlightenment stories and philosophies of great Yogis. You can buy the book from Amazon now or read the article below to understand the gist of the book.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.
In Puranic Hinduism, Brahma is considered to be one of the Tridevas. It is said that avatars happen to establish Dharma. Usually, all the Avatars of Brahma appear on the earth to share knowledge with the world.
The list given below is from Dasam Granth book and the stories are from Hindu Scriptures. Isn’t it great to celebrate such a wonderful unity of Sikhism and Hinduism by understanding the life-changing philosophy through the ancient science of India? While some people try to divide Hinduism and Sikhism, let’s celebrate the unity to make our bonds stronger. Avatars of Brahma are as follows.
- Valmiki Avatar
- Shukra Avatar
- Brihaspati Avatar.
- Kashyapa Avatar
- Vyasa Avatar
- Khat Avatar
- Kalidasa Avatar.
Last updated on
Table of Contents
Valmiki Avatar
“Enlightened sage,” Ratnakar once said to Narada, “I’m plagued by profound grief that haunts me. Please, teach me how to rid myself of it.”
Narada, filled with compassion, shared the wisdom of a sacred mantra, Lord Rama’s name, with Ratnakar. He conveyed that through unwavering devotion and faith in the repetition of Rama’s name, Ratnakar could cleanse his mind and discover inner peace. Initially doubtful, Ratnakar’s heart warmed to Narada’s words, and he decided to embrace the mantra’s practice.
As Ratnakar began chanting, he heard ‘Mara,’ a word of negativity, instead of ‘Rama,’ which troubled him deeply. He shared his doubts with Narada.
“O sage, I can’t focus on this mantra; it becomes ‘Mara’ whenever I try to chant ‘Rama,'” Ratnakar confessed.
Narada, with compassion, replied, “Young one, I understand your problem. If you hear it as ‘Mara,’ then just chant ‘Mara,’ and soon you’ll hear ‘Rama.'”
Ratnakar chanted, “Mara, Mara, Mara,” and it began to work. Gradually, he heard ‘Rama’ instead of ‘Mara.’ With each repetition, his mind cleared, and peace filled his heart. He realized Narada was right; Rama’s name had transformative power.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Ratnakar continued chanting Rama’s name, transforming into a kinder, more compassionate person. He abandoned his life of theft, dedicating himself to devotion and service. You will get the full story of the transformation of Valmiki in avatars of Brahma, stories of India’s greatest Yogis.
Valmiki is the revered sage and author of the epic Ramayana. As an avatar of Brahma, Valmiki played a significant role in narrating the story of Lord Rama and his wife Sita. The Ramayana serves as a moral and spiritual guide that teaches the values of dharma, duty, and righteousness. Valmiki’s divine wisdom and knowledge of the Vedas were acquired through the Bhakti of lord Rama making him a prominent figure in Hinduism.
Shukra Avatar
“Open your eyes, Sukra, for I am here,” Lord Shiva’s voice resonated like a melodious echo.
As Sukra opened his eyes, he witnessed the divine presence of Lord Shiva, unveiled in his full glory. Sukra gazed upon the third eye, the embodiment of all-seeing wisdom, situated majestically on Lord Shiva’s forehead. His eyes then traced the serpentine garland, symbolizing dominion over the cycles of life and death. The crescent moon atop Lord Shiva’s head whispered secrets of time’s ceaseless dance.
Sukra’s gaze then fell upon the mighty trident, a symbol of creation and dissolution, and the delicate damaru, a small drum that echoed with the vibrations of cosmic creation.
With a heart overflowing with emotion, Sukra softly spoke, “Lord of lords, your divine presence moves me to tears. I am humbled that you have deemed me worthy of your darshana.”
Lord Shiva, in his infinite grace, replied without hesitation, “Dear Sukra, ask of me what your heart desires.”
With reverence, Sukra implored, “Oh, revered Shiva, as the balance in nature wanes with the dwindling demon populace, I beseech you to bestow upon me the Sanjeevani mantra. Through this sacred gift, I aspire to restore harmony to the eternal laws that govern our existence.”
Shukra, also known as Venus is the preceptor of the Asuras or demons in Hinduism. As an avatar of Brahma, Shukra’s wisdom and knowledge of astrology, spirituality, and the Vedas were considered to be unparalleled. He is often associated with wealth, pleasure, and fertility. He is also credited with authoring the Shukra Niti. It is a scripture detailing principles of governance, statecraft, and ethics.
Brihaspati Avatar
Brhaspati, the deity of Jupiter, seethed with anger. He confronted Tara and Budha, saying, “You have brought disgrace upon our family.” Addressing them both, he pronounced a dire curse, “Budha, you shall never find a suitable spouse, condemned to a life of poverty and suffering. Tara, your fate shall mirror your son’s.”
Tara and Budha were consumed by dread at the weight of Brhaspati’s curse. They realized they had to find a way to break this curse, or their lives would be mired in perpetual suffering. Desperate, they sought assistance from the other Devatas, but none were willing to intervene in Brhaspati’s affairs.
In their desperation, Tara and Budha turned to Lord Shiva, beseeching his aid. Moved by their plea, Lord Shiva consented to make an attempt to lift the curse.
Do you know that the foundation of Chanakya’s politics lies in Brihaspati’s preliminary ideas? He is the guru of devas and the deity of wisdom, eloquence, and learning. As an avatar of Brahma, Brihaspati is responsible for guiding the gods in their quests for knowledge and spirituality. However, he also has a personal story that makes him best for the role of a Guru of devatas.
He is also associated with the planet Jupiter and is considered the teacher of the Vedas and one who holds a cosmic order called Rta. Brihaspati’s wisdom and counsel have played an essential role in Hinduism as they highlight the importance of a guru in one’s spiritual journey.
Kashyapa avatar, the father in the avatars of Brahma
Isn’t it fascinating, that Kashyapa is the real founding father of ancient medical sciences? Kasyapa delves into the realm of infectious diseases, shedding light on the prevalence of various fever types—continuous or intermittent, varying in intensity or remaining steady—particularly in the context of diseases like malaria and typhoid. In a broader context, Kasyapa not only seeks to elucidate the diverse facets of Ayurveda but also endeavors to define the essence of Ayurveda itself. He asserts that Ayurveda is the field concerned with “ayu,” signifying longevity, and the methodologies to attain it. This underscores the fundamental distinction between modern medicine and Ayurveda, as each pursues distinct objectives and therefore adopts distinct approaches to promote an individual’s health and well-being.
As the bearer of Brahma’s legacy, Kasyapa played a pivotal role in passing down the wisdom and knowledge of life’s essence and significance from one generation to the next. His tireless efforts in safeguarding and disseminating this knowledge have left an indelible mark on countless individuals across history.
Kashyap is one of the Saptarishis or the Seven Sages. He is the father of various species including Devtas, Danavas, humans, Snakes, etc. He is mentioned in various scriptures as a father figure. Kashyapa Avatar of Brahma and his wife Aditi had blessings that Lord Narayana would take birth three times as their son to establish Dharma on the Earth. In their first birth, he was birth as Rama, in the second birth he was Krishna, and in the third birth, he would be born as Kalki.
Vyasa Avatar
Upon learning that the revered ascetic Krishna Dvaipayana was, in fact, the son of Rajamata Satyavati, Bheeshma saw reason in considering the option of Niyoga. He agreed to consult with Satyavati’s ascetic son, who appeared in their midst as if summoned by a mere thought.
Understanding his mother and Bheeshma’s request for help in securing heirs for the queens, Krishna Dvaipayana voiced his dilemma. He acknowledged the predicament, and the love for the kingdom, but also recognized the ethical boundaries. He expressed, “I cannot partake in this act of Adharma, as Ambika and Ambalika are akin to my daughters-in-law, as per our Bharatvarsha’s values.”
Yet, Rajamata remained steadfast. The weight of the situation weighed heavily on Krishna Dvaipayana, and he ultimately agreed. He took on the responsibility of performing Niyoga with the widowed queens, destined to father the future heirs of Hastinapura.
Satyavati made the necessary arrangements, sending Krishna Dvaipayana to the eldest queen, Ambika. Though hesitant, Ambika complied with the Rajamata’s command. However, Krishna Dvaipayana’s overwhelming presence made her close her eyes during the act, resulting in the child being born blind due to the potent yogic energy surrounding him.
Upon hearing this, the Queen Mother grew concerned, knowing that a blind ruler couldn’t lead the kingdom. She promptly requested her son to perform Niyoga with the second queen, Ambalika.
Vyasa, also known as Veda Vyasa, is the author of the great epic Mahabharata and the compiler of the Vedas. As an avatar of Brahma, Vyasa played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating the wisdom of the Vedas and other sacred texts. The Mahabharata, which narrates the story of the Kurukshetra War and the Bhagavad Gita is a guide to righteous living and spiritual growth. Vyasa’s contributions to Hinduism have made him one of the most revered figures in the nation.
Khat Avatar
The Khat Avatar refers to the six sages who are considered divine incarnations of Brahma. They are the founders of Indian Philosophy. It is believed that once Vyasa was cursed by the almighty he had to be reduced into 6 forms to create six schools of Indian Philosophy.
These six forms are.
- Kapila, founder of Sankhya
- Gautama, founder of Nyaya
- Kanada, founder of atomic theory
- Patanjali, founder of Yoga.
- Jaimini, founder of Hindu stories.
- Vyasa, compiler of Vedas.
Read all the stories and philosophies of these founders of Indian philosophy through the Avatars of Brahma.
Kalidasa Avatar
Before him stood Ma Kali, and she inquired, “What do you seek?”
Perplexed, the man initially paid little heed, though he halted his self-destructive intent.
Her voice echoed again, “O devoted one, what is your heart’s desire?”
This time, her words penetrated the barriers of his comprehension. He replied, “I seek intelligence.”
Devi smiled, her divine presence radiant, and queried, “And what purpose shall this intelligence serve?”
Startled, he faltered momentarily, unable to articulate why he craved intelligence. With uncertainty, he answered, “I will learn… read… write.”
Impressed by his innocence, Devi responded, “Emavastu!”
Legends do not emerge from the womb; they are forged in the crucible of life’s trials, in the face of adversity, nurtured by austere experiences. Legends are born of Yoga, of inner transformation. It was during this moment that the greatest poetic legend of ancient Bharat, Mahakavi, meaning ‘supreme poet,’ Kalidasa, came into being.
The blessing bestowed upon Kalidasa marked a profound turning point in his life, altering its course irrevocably.
Kalidasa is a celebrated poet and playwright in classical Sanskrit literature. As an avatar of Brahma, Kalidasa’s works on love, beauty, and the human experience have left a lasting impact on Indian literature and culture. His most famous works include plays like Abhijnana Shakuntalam and poems like Meghaduta and Kumarasambhava. He is also known as the “Shakespeare of India.” Read his full story on avatars of Brahma, India’s greatest Yogis.