avatar-reincarnation

In the chapter "Preamble" of Gore Vidal's Kalki, J. J. Kelly, a Vietnam War veteran, declares himself the final avatar of Vishnu, signaling the end of times from Kathmandu. The narrative then depicts the sudden disappearance of the world, illustrating a passive faith in humanity's future and the futility of intervention, suggesting that it is already too late to change the course of events.

The chapter recounts the televised assassination of Kalki, a god-like figure and superstar, and the ensuing public and media reactions. It details the confusion over the perpetrator, the official press conference where Giles announces that Kalki lives and will inhabit a new body, and the theological implications of Kalki's death and promised return. The narrative explores themes of faith, media spectacle, and the intersection of religion and politics in a chaotic era.