Hinduism & Science: Incarnations of Vishnu as representation of Evolution
There are many stories, instances in Hinduism which form a near perfect parallel with many scientific concepts of today. It should be clear that Hindu texts don't try to teach science, in between the philosophy, story such parallels appear. If there are parallels even without us bending the story/concept too much to fit narration, its worth examining.
Madam Blavatsky of Theosophical Society made an observation (also A.L. Basham, famous historian) on the Avatars of Vishnu and their uncanny parallels in the Evolution theory.
According to science Life on earth first started in water, then moved out to land, smaller life forms became complex, developed higher organs.
10 Avatars of Vishnu are each separate from each other, but when viewed in continuity, there is a clear parallel with the evolution process.
| 1. Matsya (The Fish) Aquatic Creature, lives fully in water
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| 2. Koorma (the tortoise) Amphibian,symbolizes move out of water
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| 3. Varaha (the boar) Animal living on land
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| 4. Narasimha (the human-lion) Half-human, half Lion, indicates changing of beast into human (either in nature or form)
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| 5. Vamana (the dwarf) An under developed human
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| 6. Parasurama Angry human, unsophisticated, forest dwelling, uses Axe as weapon.
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| 7. Lord Rama A house holder, king, perfect human
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| 8. Lord Krishna Fully perfected human
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| 9. Lord Buddha Perfected one
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| 10. Kalki Future incarnation
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Note: This is not to prove anything, just an observation worth noting. Perhaps the sages of past wanted us to be open and created stories so that we could learn to appreciate life and be open to new ideas, rather than shutting them. Did the sages of past know about Evolution? We don't know, we don't make that argument either, it is just that the parallel is noteworthy.