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Abstract This document provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of 'Avatar' within Hinduism, detailing its etymology and distinction from incarnation. It extensively lists and categorizes the avatars of major deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and various Devis, including specific traditions like Dashavatara and regional variations. The text also touches upon the concept's presence in related religions like Sikhism and Isma'ilism.

Content Avatar - Wikipedia Jump to content Main menu Main menu move to sidebar hide Navigation Main page Contents Current events Random article About Wikipedia Contact us Contribute Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file Special pages Search Search Appearance Donate Create account Log in Personal tools Donate Create account Log in Contents move to sidebar hide (Top) 1 Etymology and meaning Toggle Etymology and meaning subsection 1.1 Avatar versus incarnation 1.2 As a loanword 2 Avatars of Vishnu Toggle Avatars of Vishnu subsection 2.1 Dashavatara 2.2 Longer alternatives 2.3 Types 2.4 In Sikhism 2.5 In Isma'ilism 3 Avatars of Shiva 4 Avatars of Devis Toggle Avatars of Devis subsection 4.1 Avatars of Parvati 4.1.1 Mahavidyas 4.1.2 Navadurgas 4.1.3 Others 4.1.4 In North India- 4.1.5 East India 4.1.6 South India 4.2 Avatars of Lakshmi 4.2.1 Ashtalakshmi 4.2.2 With avatars of Vishnu 4.3 Singular forms 4.3.1 Matrikas 4.3.2 3 aspects of Mahalakshmi in Sri Vaishnava 4.3.3 Mahavidya 4.3.4 Other 4.4 Avatars of Saraswati 5 Avatars of Brahma 6 Avatars of Ganesha 7 Avatars of Varuna 8 See also 9 Explanatory notes 10 References Toggle References subsection 10.1 Citations 10.2 General bibliography 11 External links Toggle the table of contents Avatar 87 languages Afrikaans العربية مصرى Asturianu Azərbaycanca Basa Bali Bikol Central Беларуская Български বাংলা Català کوردی Čeština Dansk Deutsch Ελληνικά Esperanto Español Eesti Euskara فارسی Suomi Français Gaeilge Galego गोंयची कोंकणी / Gõychi Konknni עברית हिन्दी Fiji Hindi Hrvatski Kreyòl ayisyen Magyar Հայերեն Bahasa Indonesia Italiano 日本語 Jawa ქართული Қазақша ភាសាខ្មែរ ಕನ್ನಡ 한국어 Latina Lietuvių Latviešu Македонски मराठी Bahasa Melayu नेपाली नेपाल भाषा Nederlands Norsk nynorsk Norsk bokmål Occitan ਪੰਜਾਬੀ पालि Polski پنجابی پښتو Português Română Русский संस्कृतम् سنڌي Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски සිංහල Simple English Slovenčina Slovenščina Shqip Српски / srpski Svenska தமிழ் ತುಳು తెలుగు ไทย Tagalog Türkçe Татарча / tatarça Українська اردو Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча Tiếng Việt Winaray 吴语 粵語 中文 Edit links Article Talk English Read Edit View history Tools Tools move to sidebar hide Actions Read Edit View history General What links here Related changes Upload file Permanent link Page information Cite this page Get shortened URL Print/export Download as PDF Printable version In other projects Wikimedia Commons Wikiquote Wikidata item Appearance move to sidebar hide From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Incarnation of a god on Earth in Hinduism This article is about the concept in Hinduism. For the 2009 film, see Avatar (2009 film) . For the animated television series, see Avatar: The Last Airbender . For other uses, see Avatar (disambiguation) . Present image. Description: " Hindu god Vishnu (centre) surrounded by his ten major avatars (Krishna-Buddha version). Anticlockwise from top left: Matsya ; Kurma ; Varaha ; Narasimha ; Vamana ; Parashurama ; Rama ; Krishna ; Buddha and Kalki " Proposal: "Vishnu with his 10 avatars (incarnations): Fish, Tortoise, Boar, Man-Lion, Dwarf, Rama with the Ax, King Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalkin. Painting from Jaipur, India, 19th century; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Opaque watercolour on paper. Height: 48.3 cm, Width: 39.5 cm. Acquired by the Indian Museum and transferred to the South Kensington Museum in 1879." 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Without proper rendering support , you may see question marks or boxes , misplaced vowels or missing conjuncts instead of Indic text. Avatar ( Sanskrit : अवतार , IAST : Avatāra ; pronounced [ɐʋɐt̪aːɾɐ] ) is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means ' descent ' . The concept, with a different name, can also be found within Buddhism and Yazidism . It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity , or spirit on Earth, including in human form. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearance" is sometimes used to refer to any guru or revered human being. [ 3 ] [ 4 ] The word avatar does not appear in the Vedic literature; [ 5 ] however, it appears in developed forms in post-Vedic literature, and as a noun particularly in the Puranic literature after the 6th century CE. [ 6 ] Despite that, the concept of an avatar is compatible with the content of the Vedic literature like the Upanishads as it is symbolic imagery of the Saguna Brahman concept in the philosophy of Hinduism. The Rigveda describes Indra as endowed with a mysterious power of assuming any form at will. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] The Bhagavad Gita expounds the doctrine of Avatara but with terms other than avatar . [ 6 ] [ 4 ] Theologically, the term is most often associated with the Hindu god Vishnu , though the idea has been applied to other deities. [ 9 ] Varying lists of avatars of Vishnu appear in Hindu scriptures, including the ten Dashavatara of the Garuda Purana and the twenty-two avatars in the Bhagavata Purana , though the latter adds that the incarnations of Vishnu are innumerable. [ 10 ] The avatars of Vishnu are important in the theology of Vaishnavism . In the goddess-based Shaktism tradition of Hinduism, avatars of the Devi in different appearances such as Tripura Sundari , Durga , Chandi , Chamunda , Mahakali , and Kali are commonly found. [ 11 ] [ 12 ] [ 13 ] While avatars of other deities such as Ganesha and Shiva are also mentioned in medieval Hindu texts, this is minor and occasional. [ 14 ] The avatar doctrine is an important distinction in Vaishnavism and one that is absent from Shaivism , another major Hindu movement. [ 15 ] [ 16 ] Incarnation concepts that are in some aspects similar to avatar are also found in Buddhism , [ 17 ] Christianity , [ 5 ] and other religions. [ 17 ] The scriptures of Sikhism include the names of numerous Hindu gods and goddesses, but it rejected the doctrine of savior incarnation and endorsed the view of Hindu Bhakti movement saints such as Namdev , that formless eternal god is within the human heart, and man is his own savior. [ 18 ] [ 19 ] Etymology and meaning [ edit ] The Sanskrit noun ( avatāra , Hindustani: [əʋˈtaːr] ) is derived from the Sanskrit prefix ava- ' down ' and the root tṛ ' to cross over ' . [ 20 ] These roots trace back, states Monier-Williams, to -taritum , -tarati , -rītum . [ 3 ] Avatar means ' descent, alight, to make one's appearance ' , [ 3 ] and refers to the embodiment of the essence of a superhuman being or a deity in another form. [ 20 ] The word also implies "to overcome, to remove, to bring down, to cross something". [ 3 ] In Hindu traditions, the "crossing or coming down" is symbolism, states Daniel Bassuk, of the divine descent from "eternity into the temporal realm, from unconditioned to the conditioned, from infinitude to finitude". [ 5 ] An avatar, states Justin Edwards Abbott, is a saguna (with form, attributes) embodiment of the nirguna Brahman or Atman (soul). [ 21 ] Avatar, according to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati actually means ' divine descent ' in his commentaries of The Shrimad Bhagavatam and The Bramha Samhita (mentioned in Brahmavaivarta Purana). Neither the Vedas nor the Principal Upanishads ever mention the word avatar as a noun. [ 5 ] The verb roots and form, such as avatarana , appear in ancient post-Vedic Hindu texts, but as "action of descending", but not as an incarnated person (avatara). [ 22 ] The related verb avatarana is, states Paul Hacker, used with double meaning, one as action of the divine descending, another as "laying down the burden of man" suffering from the forces of evil. [ 22 ] The term is most commonly found in the context of the Hindu god Vishnu . [ 1 ] [ 3 ] The earliest mention of Vishnu manifested in a human form to establish Dharma on Earth, uses other terms such as the word sambhavāmi in verse 4.6 and the word tanu in verse 9.11 of the Bhagavad Gita , [ 4 ] as well as other words such as akriti and rupa elsewhere. [ 23 ] It is in medieval era texts, those composed after the sixth century CE, that the noun version of avatar appears, where it means embodiment of a deity. [ 6 ] The idea proliferates thereafter, in the Puranic stories for many deities, and with ideas such as ansha-avatar or partial embodiments. [ 4 ] [ 1 ] The term avatar , in colloquial use, is also an epithet or a word of reverence for any extraordinary human being who is revered for his or her ideas. [ 20 ] In some contexts, the term avatara just means a ' landing place, site of sacred pilgrimage ' , or just ' achieve one's goals after effort ' , or retranslation of a text in another language. [ 3 ] The term avatar is not unique to Hinduism even though the term originated with Hinduism. It is found in the Trikaya doctrine of Mahayana Buddhism, in descriptions for the Dalai Lama in Tibetan Buddhism, and many ancient cultures. [ 17 ] Avatar versus incarnation [ edit ] The manifest embodiment is sometimes referred to as an incarnation . [ 24 ] The translation of avatar as "incarnation" has been questioned by Christian theologians, who state that an incarnation is in flesh and imperfect, while avatar is mythical and perfect. [ 25 ] [ 26 ] The theological concept of Christ as an incarnation, as found in Christology , presents the Christian concept of incarnation. The term avatar in Hinduism refers to act of various gods taking form to perform a particular task which in most of the times is bringing dharma back. The concept of avatar is widely accepted all over the India. [ 27 ] Sheth disagrees and states that this claim is an incorrect understanding of the Hindu concept of avatar. [ 28 ] [ note 1 ] Avatars are embodiments of spiritual perfection, driven by noble goals, in Hindu traditions such as Vaishnavism . [ 28 ] The concept of the avatar in Hinduism is not incompatible with natural conception through a sexual act, which is again different from the Christian concept of the Virgin Birth . As a loanword [ edit ] Following 19th Century Western interest in Indian culture and Hinduism, the word "Avatar" was taken as loanword into English and other Western languages, where it is used in various contexts and meanings, often considerably different from its original meaning in Hinduism - see Avatar (disambiguation) . Avatars of Vishnu [ edit ] Main article: Vishnu The concept of avatar within Hinduism is most often associated with Vishnu , the preserver or sustainer aspect of God within the Hindu Trinity or Trimurti of Brahma , Vishnu and Shiva . Vishnu's avatars descend to empower the good and fight evil, thereby restoring Dharma . Traditional Hindus see themselves not as "Hindu", but as Vaishnava (Worshippers of Vishnu), Shaiva (Worshippers of Shiva), or Shakta (Worshipper of the Shakti). Each of the deities has its own iconography and mythology, but common to all is the fact that the divine reality has an explicit form, a form that the worshipper can behold. [ 30 ] An oft-quoted passage from the Bhagavad Gita describes the typical role of an avatar of Vishnu: [ 9 ] [ 26 ] Arjuna, whenever righteousness ( dharma ) is on the decline, unrighteousness ( adharma ) is in the ascendant, then I body Myself forth. For the protection of the virtuous, for the extirpation of evil-doers, & for establishing Dharma (righteousness) on a firm footing, I manifest Myself from age to age. — Bhagavad Gita 4.7–8 The Vishnu avatars appear in Hindu mythology whenever the cosmos is in crisis, typically because evil has grown stronger and has thrown the cosmos out of its balance. [ 31 ] The avatar then appears in a material form, to destroy evil and its sources, and restore the cosmic balance between the ever-present forces of good and evil. [ 31 ] The most known and celebrated avatars of Vishnu, within the Vaishnavism traditions of Hinduism , are Krishna , Rama , Narayana , Venkateswara and Vasudeva . These names have extensive literature associated with them, each has its own characteristics, legends and associated arts. [ 26 ] The Mahabharata , for example, includes Krishna , while the Ramayana includes Rama. [ 32 ] Dashavatara [ edit ] Main article: Dashavatara The Bhagavata Purana describes Vishnu's avatars as innumerable, though ten of his incarnations, the Dashavatara , are celebrated therein as his major appearances. [ 10 ] [ 26 ] The ten major Vishnu avatars are mentioned in the Agni Purana , the Garuda Purana and the Bhagavata Purana . [ 33 ] [ 34 ] The ten best known avatars of Vishnu are collectively known as the Dashavatara (a Sanskrit compound meaning "ten avatars"). Five different lists are included in the Bhagavata Purana, where the difference is in the sequence of the names. Freda Matchett states that this re-sequencing by the composers may be intentional, so as to avoid implying priority or placing something definitive and limited to the abstract. [ 35 ] The Avatars of Vishnu Name Form Key Role Matsya Fish He saves Manu and the seven sages from the cosmic flood, and in some traditions, saves the Vedas from an asura called Hayagriva. [ 36 ] Kurma [ note 2 ] Tortoise /turtle He supports the mountain named Mandara while the devas and the asuras churn the ocean of milk to produce the nectar of immortality . [ 38 ] Varaha Boar He rescues Bhumi, the goddess of the earth, when the asura Hiranyaksha abducts her, restoring her rightful place in the universe. [ 39 ] Narasimha Man-Lion He saves his devotee Prahlada and frees the three worlds from the tyranny of an asura named Hiranyakashipu. [ 40 ] Vamana Dwarf He vanquishes the asura king Mahabali to the netherworld after taking three strides upon the universe, restoring the rule of Indra. [ 41 ] Parashurama Warrior-Sage He destroys the oppressive kings of the military class and creates a new social order. [ 42 ] Rama The ideal king He rescues his wife Sita when she is abducted by the rakshasa king Ravana, restoring just rule to the world. [ 43 ] Balarama (debated) The elder brother of Krishna and the god of agriculture. He is variously described as an avatar of Shesha, the serpent-mount of Vishnu, and an avatar of Vishnu. [ 44 ] Krishna Divine Teacher The eighth avatar of Vishnu who incarnates to re-establish righteousness in the world. He slays Kamsa, the tyrant of Mathura and his uncle, and participates in the Kurukshetra War as the charioteer of Arjuna. [ 45 ] Buddha (debated) Enlightened One The historical Buddha, who incarnates to delude the asuras from the path of the Vedas, ensuring the victory of the devas. In some traditions, he is referred to as an avatar of Vishnu. [ 46 ] Kalki Future Warrior The prophesied tenth avatar of Vishnu. He incarnates to bring an end to the present age of corruption called the Kali Yuga, re-establishing the four classes and law to the world. [ 47 ] Longer alternatives [ edit ] The Bhagavata Purana also goes on to give an alternate list, wherein it numerically lists out 23 Vishnu avatars in chapter 1.3. [ 48 ] Four Kumaras (Catuḥsana): the four sons of Brahma who exemplify the path of devotion. Varaha : The boar avatar. He rescues Bhumi, the goddess of the earth, when the asura Hiranyaksha abducts her, restoring her rightful place in the universe. [ 39 ] Narada : the divine-sage who travels the worlds as a devotee of Vishnu. Nara-Narayana : the twin-sages. Kapila : a renowned sage spoken of in the Mahabharata , son of Kardama and Devahuti . He is sometimes identified with the founder of the Samkhya school of philosophy. Dattatreya : the combined avatar of the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Yajna : the embodiment of sacrifices. Rishabha : the father of emperor Bharata . Prithu : the sovereign-king who milked the earth as a cow to obtain the world's grain and vegetation. Matsya : The fish avatar. He saves Manu and the seven sages from the cosmic flood, and in some traditions, saves the Vedas from an asura called Hayagriva. [ 36 ] Kurma : The tortoise/turtle avatar. He supports the mountain named Mandara while the devas and the asuras churn the ocean of milk to produce the nectar of immortality. [ 38 ] Dhanvantari : the father of Ayurvedic medicine and a physician to the devas . Mohini : the enchantress who beguiles the asuras into offering her the elixir of eternal life. Narasimha : The lion avatar. He saves his devotee Prahlada and frees the three worlds from the tyranny of an asura named Hiranyakashipu. [ 40 ] Vamana : The dwarf avatar. He vanquishes the asura king Mahabali to the netherworld after taking three strides upon the universe, restoring the rule of Indra. [ 41 ] Parashurama : The warrior-sage avatar. He destroys the oppressive kings of the military class and creates a new social order. [ 42 ] Rama : The prince avatar. He rescues his wife Sita when she is abducted by the rakshasa king Ravana, restoring just rule to the world. [ 43 ] Vyasa : the compiler of the Vedas and writer of the scriptures ( Puranas ) and the epic Mahabharata . Krishna : The eighth avatar of Vishnu who incarnates to re-establish righteousness in the world. He slays Kamsa, the tyrant of Mathura and his uncle, and participates in the Kurukshetra War as the charioteer of Arjuna. [ 45 ] Gautama Buddha : The historical Buddha, who incarnates to delude the asuras from the path of the Vedas, ensuring the victory of the devas. In some traditions, he is referred to as an avatar of Vishnu. [ 46 ] Kalki : The prophesied tenth avatar of Vishnu. He incarnates to bring an end to the present age of corruption called the Kali Yuga, re-establishing the four classes and law to the world. [ 47 ] Avatars like Hayagriva , Hamsa, and Garuda are also mentioned in the Pancharatra , making a total of forty-six avatars. [ 49 ] However, despite these lists, the commonly accepted number of ten avatars for Vishnu was fixed well before the 10th century CE. [ 33 ] Madhvacharya also regards Gautama Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu. [ 50 ] Types [ edit ] Mohini , the female avatar of Vishnu (statue at Belur temple, Karnataka.) The avatar concept was further developed and refined in later Hindu texts. One approach was to identify full avatars and partial avatars. Krishna , Rama , and Narasimha were full avatars ( purna avatars ), while others were partial avatars ( ansha avatars ). [ 29 ] Some declared, states Noel Sheth, that every living creature is an avatar of Vishnu . [ 29 ] The Pancharatra text of Vaishnavism declares that Vishnu's avatars include those that are direct and complete ( sakshad ), indirect and endowed ( avesha ), cosmic and salvific ( vyuha ), inner and inspirational ( antaryamin ), consecrated and in the form of image ( archa ). [ 29 ] Yet another classification, developed in Krishna schools, centers around Guna-avatars , Purusha-avatars and Lila-avatars , with their subtypes. [ 51 ] [ 52 ] The Guna-avatar classification of avatars is based on the Guṇas concept of the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy, that is Rajas ( Brahma ), Sattva ( Vishnu ), and Tamas ( Shiva ). [ 51 ] [ 52 ] These personalities of the Trimurti are referred to as Guna avatars . [ 51 ] The Purushavatara are three. The first evolves all matter (Prakriti), the second is the soul present in each individual creature, the third is the interconnected oneness or Brahman that connects all souls. [ 51 ] [ 53 ] The Lilavataras are partial or full manifestations of Vishnu, where either some powers (Shakti) or material parts of him exist. [ 51 ] [ 52 ] Vishnu is Purushavatara. [ 54 ] [ 55 ] The Matsya , Kurma , and Vamana avatars of Vishnu are Lilavataras. [ 52 ] [ 54 ] A Purnarupa in this classification, is when Vishnu manifests completely along with his qualities and powers. In Bengal Vaishnavism , Krishna is the Purnarupa . [ 51 ] In Shaivism , Bhairava is the purnarupa of Shiva . [ 56 ] In Sikhism [ edit ] 24 avatars of Vishnu are mentioned in Bachitar Natak's composition in Dasam Granth , the second scripture of Sikhism written by Guru Gobind Singh : [ 57 ] Mach ( Matsya ) Kach ( Kurma ) Nara (Nara in Nara-Narayana ) Narayan (Narayana in Nara-Narayana ) Maha Mohini ( Mohini ) Bairaha ( Varaha ) Nar Singha ( Narasimha ) Baman ( Vamana ) Parshuram ( Parashurama ) Bramma ( Brahma ) Balram ( Balarama ) Jalandhar ( Jalandhara ) Bishan ( Vishnu ) Sheshayi ( Shesha ) Arihant Dev ( Arihanta ) Manu Raja ( Manu ) Dhanvantari ( Dhanvantari ) Suraj ( Surya ) Chandar ( Chandra ) Ram ( Rama ) Kishan ( Krishna ) Nar ( Arjuna ) Rudra ( Shiv ) Kalki ( Kalki ) Dasam Granth has three major compositions, one each dedicated to avatars of Vishnu (Chaubis avatar) and Brahma . [ 57 ] [ 58 ] However, Sikhism rejects the doctrine of savior incarnation, and only accepts the abstract nirguna formless god. [ 18 ] [ 59 ] The Sikh Gurus endorsed the view of Hindu Bhakti movement saints such as Namdev (≈1270 – 1350 CE) that formless eternal god is within the human heart and man is his own savior. [ 18 ] [ 60 ] The Guru Granth Sahib reverentially includes the names of numerous Hindu deities, including Vishnu avatars such as Krishna , Hari , and Rama , as well those of Devi as Durga . [ 61 ] [ 62 ] [ 63 ] In Isma'ilism [ edit ] The Gupti Ismailis , who observe pious circumspection as Hindus, uphold that the first Shi‘i Imam, ‘Ali b. Abi Talib , as well as his descendants through the line of Isma‘il , are collectively Kalki, the tenth and final avatāra of Vishnu. According to this interpretation, these figures represent the continuity of divine guidance to humankind. In the view of some Guptis, this is corroborated by the Quranic verse 14:4 which mentions the idea that God had sent a messenger to every land . They understand the avatāras to be these messengers sent by God to their people in the Indian subcontinent . [ 64 ] Avatars of Shiva [ edit ] Sharabha (right) with Narasimha (18th-century painting, Pahari / Kangra School) Although Puranic scriptures contain occasional references to avatars of Shiva, the avatar doctrine is neither universally accepted nor commonly adopted in Shaivism . [ 65 ] The views on the doctrine of incarnation has been one of the significant doctrinal differences between Vaishnavism and Shaivism, in addition to their differences on the role of householder life versus monastic life for spiritual release. [ 15 ] [ 16 ] [ 66 ] Shaivism is a transcendental theology, where man, with the help of his Guru , is his own savior. [ 66 ] The Linga Purana lists twenty-eight avatars of Shiva. [ 67 ] In the Shiva Purana there is a distinctly Saivite version of a traditional avatar myth: Shiva brings forth Virabhadra , one of his terrifying forms, in order to calm Narasimha , an avatar of Vishnu. When that fails, Shiva manifests as the human-lion-bird Sharabha which calms down lion-man Narasimha avatar of Vishnu, and Shiva then gives Vishnu a chakra (not to be confused with Sudarshan Chakra) as gift. A similar story is told in the late medieval era Sharabha Upanishad . [ 68 ] However, Vaishnava Dvaita school refutes this Shaivite view of Narasimha. [ 69 ] According to the Shiva Purana , Shiva has 19 avatars. According to the Kurma Purana , he has 28. The vanara god Hanuman who helped Rama (the Vishnu avatar) is considered by some to be the eleventh avatar of Rudra (Shiva). [ 70 ] [ 71 ] Some regional deities like Khandoba are also believed by some to be avatars of Shiva. [ 72 ] [ 73 ] Ashwatthama , the son of Drona is also considered to be an avatar of Shiva. Shesha and his avatars ( Balarama and Lakshmana ) are occasionally linked to Shiva. [ 74 ] [ 75 ] [ 76 ] [ 77 ] Adi Shankara , the formulator of Advaita Vedanta , is also occasionally regarded as an avatar of Shiva. [ 78 ] In Dasam Granth , Guru Gobind Singh mentioned two avatars of Rudra: Dattatreya Avatar and Parasnath Avatar. [ 79 ] Avatars of Devis [ edit ] Avatars of Devi. Clockwise from upper left: Durga , Kali , Parvati and Sita . Avatars are also observed in Shaktism , the sect dedicated to the worship of the Goddess ( Devi ), but they do not have universal acceptance in the sect. The Devi Bhagavata Purana describes the descent of Devi avatars to punish the wicked and defend the righteous as – much as the Bhagavata Purana does with the avatars of Vishnu. [ 80 ] Nilakantha, an 18th-century commentator on the Devi Bhagavata Purana – which includes the Devi Gita – says that various avatars of the Goddess includes Shakambhari and even the masculine Krishna and Rama – generally thought to be Vishnu's avatars. [ 81 ] Parvati , Lakshmi and Saraswati are main goddesses worshipped as Devi avatars. [ 82 ] Avatars of Parvati [ edit ] This section needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources  in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( April 2025 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) Devi is popular in her form as Parvati . In Devi Mahatmya she is seen as the Goddess Mahakali , and in Uma Samhita, she is seen as Devi herself. Regarding her incarnations, it varies per sect in Hinduism. She could be all Goddesses as said in Shaivism and some main Shaktism interpretations like the Sri kula and Kali Kula families, or just a form of Devi in some other Shaktism interpretations and many Vaishnava interpretations. With this in mind, Parvati's forms include: Mahakali Sati Mahavidyas [ edit ] Kali Tara Tripurasundari Bhuvaneshwari Bhairavi Chinnamasta Dhumavati Bagalamukhi Shakta pithas Navadurgas [ edit ] Shailaputri Brahmacharini Chandraghanta Kushmanda Skandamata Katyayani Kaalratri Mahagauri Siddhidhatri Others [ edit ] Annapurna Kaushiki Durga Shitala Maheshwari Ardhanarishvara Bhramari Shakambhari Raktadantika Tvarita Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshvari In North India- [ edit ] Khodiyar Bahuchara Mata East India [ edit ] Dakshina Kali Kamakhya Jagadhatri South India [ edit ] Meenakshi Vishalakshi Kamakshi Abhirami Mookambika Akilandeswari Mariamman Karumariamman All of these incarnations helped provide security to the world and even brought Shiva into the participation of worldly affairs. [ 83 ] Avatars of Lakshmi [ edit ] Like Vishnu , his consort Lakshmi incarnates as in many forms to help provide order and to enlighten the world with her consort. She has many forms, and just like Parvati , some of her forms are not consistent throughout all sects and interpretations of Hinduism. In Vaishnavism and some interpretations of Shaktism, Lakshmi is seen as Devi herself. She could be every Goddess as said in Vaishnavism and some interpretations of Shaktism, or just another form of Devi as seen in other interpretations of Shaktism and in Shaivism. With this in mind, Lakshmi's forms include: Mahalakshmi Forms at 108 Divya Desam Ashtalakshmi [ edit ] Adi Lakshmi , Dhanya Lakshmi , Dhana Lakshmi , Gaja Lakshmi , Santana Lakshmi , Vidya Lakshmi , Veera Lakshmi , Vijaya Lakshmi With avatars of Vishnu [ edit ] Sita Radha Ashtasakhi Gopi Dharani (with Parashurama ) Rukmini / Ashtabharya Junior wives of Krishna Padmavati Lakshmi Narayana Andal Ranganayaki Dhriti (with Kapila ) Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Jaganmata /Vimala (with Jagannath ) Vaishno Devi (with Kalki ) Archi Singular forms [ edit ] Vedavati Chandralamba Parameshwari Mookambika Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshvari Harshat Mata Devi Kanya Kumari Tulasi Vishvambhari Bhramari Sinivali Dadhimati Mata Mahalakshmi Ambabai Gayatri Shakambhari Durga Matrikas [ edit ] Vaishnavi Varahi Narasimhi 3 aspects of Mahalakshmi in Sri Vaishnava [ edit ] Sri Bhumi Nila / Durga Mahavidya [ edit ] Kamalatmika Other [ edit ] Draupadi Subhadra Avatars of Saraswati [ edit ] Saraswati is a prominent goddess in Hindu mythology, revered as the patroness of knowledge, arts, music, wisdom, and speech. While she is popularly known as the creative power ( Shakti ) of her consort Brahma, her status and significance vary across different Hindu sects. In some interpretations of Shaktism, she is seen as one of the ten Mahavidyas, or great wisdom goddesses, and is considered an aspect of Devi herself. As Mahasaraswati, she represents the creative and intellectual power of the supreme goddess. In Vaishnavism, she is sometimes associated with helping Vishnu to restore cosmic order by safeguarding the Vedas. On the other hand, in many Shaivite and some other Shaktism interpretations, she is viewed as one of the many forms of Devi. With this in mind, Saraswati's forms include: Mahasaraswati Vagdevi Gayatri Brahmani Matangi Mookambika Vidya Sharada Savitri Nila Saraswati Avatars of Brahma [ edit ] In Dasam Granth , second scriptures of Sikhs written by Guru Gobind Singh, mentioned seven Brahma Avatars. [ 84 ] Valmiki Kashyapa Shukra Baches Vyasa Khat Kalidasa Khat avatar in this list refers to six different scholars who are considered to be founders of six schools of Indian philosophy . [ 85 ] According to the Skanda Purana , Brahma incarnated himself as Yajnavalkya in response to a curse from Shiva. [ 86 ] Avatars of Ganesha [ edit ] See also: Ashtavinayaka The Linga Purana declares that Ganesha incarnates to destroy demons and to help the gods and pious people. [ 87 ] The two Upapuranas  – Ganesha Purana and Mudgala Purana  – detail the avatars of Ganesha. Both these upapuranas are core scriptures of the Ganapatya sect – exclusively dedicated to Ganesha worship. Four avatars of Ganesha are listed in the Ganesha Purana: Mohotkata, Mayūreśvara, Gajanana and Dhumraketu. Each avatar corresponds to a different yuga, has a different mount and different skin complexion, but all the avatars have a common purpose – to slay demons. [ 88 ] The Mudgala Puranam describes eight avatars of Ganesha: [ 89 ] Vakratunda ( Vakratuṇḍa ) ("twisting trunk"), his mount is a lion. Ekadanta ("single tusk"), his mount is a mouse. Mahodara ("big belly"), his mount is a mouse. Gajavaktra (or Gajānana) ("elephant face"), his mount is a mouse. Lambodara ("pendulous belly"), his mount is a mouse. Vikata ( Vikaṭa ) ("unusual form", "misshapen"), his mount is a peacock. Vighnaraja ( Vighnarāja ) ("king of obstacles"), his mount is the celestial serpent Śeṣa . Dhumravarna ( Dhūmravarṇa ) ("grey color") corresponds to Śiva, his mount is a horse. Avatars of Varuna [ edit ] Jhulelal , incarnation of Varuna Jhulelal , the Iṣṭa-devatā (most-revered deity) of Sindhi Hindus , is considered the incarnation of Varuna . [ 90 ] See also [ edit ] Hinduism portal Philosophy portal India portal Abatur Avatars in the Mahabharata Dashavatara Gautama Buddha in Hinduism Incarnation List of avatar claimants Hindu eschatology Explanatory notes [ edit ] ^ Buddha, a real person, is included as an avatar of Vishnu in many Hindu texts. [ 29 ] ^ Mohini , the female avatar of Vishnu, appears in stories about the Kurma avatar. [ 37 ] References [ edit ] Citations [ edit ] ^ a b c James Lochtefeld (2002), "Avatar" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A-M, Rosen Publishing, ISBN   0-8239-2287-1 , pages 72–73 ^ Geoffrey Parrinder (1997). Avatar and Incarnation: The Divine in Human Form in the World's Religions . Oneworld. pp.  19– 20. ISBN   978-1-85168-130-3 . ^ a b c d e f Monier Monier-Williams (1923). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary . Oxford University Press. p. 90. ^ a b c d Sheth 2002 , pp. 98–99. ^ a b c d Daniel E Bassuk (1987). Incarnation in Hinduism and Christianity: The Myth of the God-Man . Palgrave Macmillan. pp.  2– 4. ISBN   978-1-349-08642-9 . ^ a b c Hacker 1978 , pp. 424, also 405–409, 414–417. ^ Rig Veda 3.53.8 (Maghavan); 6.47.18 (Indra) ^ Swami Harshananda, A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism , Ramakrishna Math, Bangalore (2008) Vol.1, page 221 ^ a b Kinsley, David (2005). Lindsay Jones (ed.). Gale's Encyclopedia of Religion . Vol. 2 (Second ed.). Thomson Gale. pp.  707– 708. ISBN   978-0-02-865735-6 . ^ a b Bryant, Edwin Francis (2007). Krishna: A Sourcebook . Oxford University Press US. p. 18. ISBN   978-0-19-514891-6 . ^ Sheth 2002 , pp. 98–125. ^ Hawley, John Stratton; Vasudha Narayanan (2006). The life of Hinduism . University of California Press . p. 174. ISBN   978-0-520-24914-1 . ^ David R. Kinsley (1998). Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: The Ten Mahāvidyās . Motilal Banarsidass. pp.  115– 119. ISBN   978-81-208-1522-3 . ^ James Lochtefeld (2002), "Shiva" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 2: N-Z, Rosen Publishing, ISBN   0-8239-2287-1 , page 635 ^ a b Lai Ah Eng (2008). Religious Diversity in Singapore . Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore. p. 221. ISBN   978-981-230-754-5 . ^ a b Constance Jones; James D. Ryan (2006). Encyclopedia of Hinduism . Infobase. p. 474. ISBN   978-0-8160-7564-5 . ^ a b c Sheth 2002 , pp. 115–116 with note 2. ^ a b c Eleanor Nesbitt (2005). Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction . Oxford University Press. pp. 16, 24– 25. ISBN   978-0-19-157806-9 . ^ Christopher Shackle and Arvind Mandair (2005), Teachings of the Sikh Gurus , Routledge, ISBN   978-0415266048 , pp. xxxiv–xli ^ a b c Sheth 2002 , p. 98. ^ Justin Edwards Abbott (1980). Life of Tukaram: Translation from Mahipati's Bhaktalilamrita . Motilal Banarsidass. pp.  335– 336. ISBN   978-81-208-0170-7 . ^ a b Hacker 1978 , pp. 415–417. ^ Hacker 1978 , pp. 405–409. ^ Sebastian C. H. Kim (2008). Christian Theology in Asia . Cambridge University Press. pp.  169– 176. ISBN   978-1-139-47206-7 . ^ Sheth 2002 , pp. 107–109. ^ a b c d Matchett 2001 , p. 4. ^ Mercy Amba Oduyoye, H. M. Vroom, One gospel – many cultures: case studies and reflections on cross-cultural theology , Rodopi, 2003, ISBN   978-90-420-0897-7 , p. 111. ^ a b Sheth 2002 , p. 108. ^ a b c d Sheth 2002 , p. 99. ^ Woodhead, Linda; Partridge, Christopher; Kawanami, Hiroko (2016). Religions in the Modern World: Traditions and Transformations (3rd ed.). Routeledge. p. 44. ISBN   978-0-415-85881-6 . ^ a b Lochtefeld 2002 , p. 228. ^ King, Anna S. (2005). The intimate other: love divine in Indic religions . Orient Blackswan. pp.  32– 33. ISBN   978-81-250-2801-7 . ^ a b Mishra, Vibhuti Bhushan (1973). Religious beliefs and practices of North India during the early mediaeval period, Volume 1 . BRILL. pp.  4– 5. ISBN   978-90-04-03610-9 . ^ Rukmani, T. S. (1970). A critical study of the Bhagavata Purana, with special reference to bhakti . Chowkhamba Sanskrit studies. Vol. 77. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series. p. 4. ^ Matchett 2001 , p. 160. ^ a b Williams, George M. (2008-03-27). Handbook of Hindu Mythology . OUP USA. pp.  212– 213. ISBN   978-0-19-533261-2 . ^ Lochtefeld 2002 , p. 705. ^ a b Dalal, Roshen (2014-04-18). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide . Penguin UK. p. 709. ISBN   978-81-8475-277-9 . ^ a b Varadpande, Manohar Laxman (2009). Mythology of Vishnu and His Incarnations . Gyan Publishing House. p. 62. ISBN   978-81-212-1016-4 . ^ a b Dalal, Roshen (2014-04-18). The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths . Penguin UK. p. 859. ISBN   978-81-8475-396-7 . ^ a b Dalal, Roshen (2014-04-18). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide . Penguin UK. p. 1312. ISBN   978-81-8475-277-9 . ^ a b Jones, Constance; Ryan, James D. (2006). Encyclopedia of Hinduism . Infobase Publishing. p. 324. ISBN   978-0-8160-7564-5 . ^ a b Jones, Constance; Ryan, James D. (2006). Encyclopedia of Hinduism . Infobase Publishing. pp.  353– 354. ISBN   978-0-8160-7564-5 . ^ Jones, Constance; Ryan, James D. (2006). Encyclopedia of Hinduism . Infobase Publishing. pp.  65– 66. ISBN   978-0-8160-7564-5 . ^ a b Jones, Constance; Ryan, James D. (2006). Encyclopedia of Hinduism . Infobase Publishing. p. 238. ISBN   978-0-8160-7564-5 . ^ a b Eliade, Mircea; Adams, Charles J. (1987). The Encyclopedia of Religion . Macmillan. p. 15. ISBN   978-0-02-909480-8 . ^ a b Mani, Vettam (2015-01-01). Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature . Motilal Banarsidass. p. 376. ISBN   978-81-208-0597-2 . ^ "CHAPTER THREE" . vedabase.io . Retrieved 3 November 2020 . ^ Schrader, Friedrich Otto (1916). Introduction to the Pāñcarātra and the Ahirbudhnya saṃhitā . Adyar Library. p.  42 . ^ Helmuth von Glasenapp : Madhva's Philosophie des Vishnu-Glaubens, Geistesströmungen des Ostens vol. 2, Bonn 1923, ch. Einleitung (p. *1-2). ^ a b c d e f Sheth 2002 , p. 100. ^ a b c d Barbara A. Holdrege (2015). Bhakti and Embodiment: Fashioning Divine Bodies and Devotional Bodies in Krsna Bhakti . Routledge. pp.  50– 67. ISBN   978-1-317-66910-4 . ^ Janmajit Roy (2002). Theory of Avatāra and Divinity of Chaitanya . Atlantic Publishers. pp.  190– 191. ISBN   978-81-269-0169-2 . ^ a b Daniel E Bassuk (1987). Incarnation in Hinduism and Christianity: The Myth of the God-Man . Palgrave Macmillan. pp.  143– 144. ISBN   978-1-349-08642-9 . ^ Mittal, Sushil (2004). The Hindu World . New York: Routledge. p. 164. ISBN   978-0-203-67414-7 . ^ David Smith (2003). The Dance of Siva: Religion, Art and Poetry in South India . Cambridge University Press. p. 186. ISBN   978-0-521-52865-8 . ^ a b SS Kapoor and MK Kapoor (2009), Composition 8, 9 and 10 , Dasam Granth , Hemkunt, ISBN   9788170103257 , pages 16–17 ^ J Deol (2000), Sikh Religion, Culture and Ethnicity (Editors: AS Mandair, C Shackle, G Singh), Routledge, ISBN   978-0700713899 , pages 31–33 ^ William Owen Cole (2004). Understanding Sikhism . Dunedin Academic. pp.  47– 49. ISBN   978-1-903765-15-9 . ^ Pashaura Singh (2011). Mark Juergensmeyer and Wade Clark Roof (ed.). Encyclopedia of Global Religion . SAGE Publications. p. 138. ISBN   978-1-4522-6656-5 . ^ Torkel Brekke (2014), Religion, War, and Ethics: A Sourcebook of Textual Traditions (Editors: Gregory M. Reichberg and Henrik Syse), Cambridge University Press, ISBN   978-0521450386 , pages 673, 675, 672–686; Christopher Shackle and Arvind Mandair (2005), Teachings of the Sikh Gurus, Routledge, ISBN   978-0415266048 , pages xxxiv–xli ^ SS Kapoor and MK Kapoor (2009), Composition 8, 9 and 10 , Dasam Granth , Hemkunt, ISBN   9788170103257 , pages 15–16 ^ Pashaura Singh; Norman Gerald Barrier; W. H. McLeod (2004). Sikhism and History . Oxford University Press. pp.  136– 147. ISBN   978-0-19-566708-0 . ^ Virani, Shafique N. (February 2011). "Taqiyya and Identity in a South Asian Community" . The Journal of Asian Studies . 70 (1): 99– 139. doi : 10.1017/S0021911810002974 . ISSN   0021-9118 . S2CID   143431047 . ^ Parrinder, Edward Geoffrey (1982). Avatar and incarnation . Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp.  87– 88. ISBN   978-0-19-520361-5 . ^ a b Mariasusai Dhavamony (2002). Hindu-Christian Dialogue: Theological Soundings and Perspectives . Rodopi. p. 63. ISBN   978-90-420-1510-4 . ^ Winternitz, Moriz; V. Srinivasa Sarma (1981). A History of Indian Literature, Volume 1 . Motilal Banarsidass. pp.  543– 544. ISBN   978-81-208-0264-3 . ^ SG Desai (1996), A critical study of the later Upanishads, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, pages 109–110 ^ Sharma, B. N. Krishnamurti (2000). A history of the Dvaita school of Vedānta and its literature: from the earliest beginnings to our own times . Motilal Banarsidass. p. 412. ISBN   978-81-208-1575-9 . ^ Lutgendorf, Philip (2007). Hanuman's tale: the messages of a divine monkey . Oxford University Press US. p. 44. ISBN   978-0-19-530921-8 . ^ Catherine Ludvík (1994). Hanumān in the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki and the Rāmacaritamānasa of Tulasī Dāsa . Motilal Banarsidass Publ. pp.  10– 11. ISBN   978-81-208-1122-5 . ^ Sontheimer, Gunther-Dietz (1990). "God as King for All: The Sanskrit Malhari Mahatmya and its context" . In Hans Bakker (ed.). The History of Sacred Places in India as Reflected in Traditional Literature . BRILL. ISBN   978-90-04-09318-8 . p.118 ^ Sontheimer, Gunther-Dietz (1989). "Between Ghost and God: Folk Deity of the Deccan" . In Hiltebeitel, Alf (ed.). Criminal Gods and Demon Devotees: Essays on the Guardians of Popular Hinduism . State University of New York Press. p. 332. ISBN   978-0-88706-981-9 . ^ Matchett 2001 , p. 63: "There are strong links between Samkarsana/Sesa and Siva, so that it is not difficult to see in this pale companion of the dark Krsna a reminder of Siva's parity with Visnu, even though Visnu still has the lead." ^ The Padma-Purana: Part IX . Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. 1956. pp.  3164– 3165. The Lord, Visnu, took his place in the egg. Then with his mind devoted to the supreme spirit, Brahma meditated upon Visnu. At the end of the meditation a drop of perspiration was produced from his forehead. That drop, of the shape of a bubble, in a moment fell on the earth. O you of an excellent face, I, having three eyes, a trident, and adorned with the crown of the matted hair, was born from that bubble. With modesty I asked the lord of gods: "What shall I do?" Then God Visnu, with delight, thus spoke to me: "O Rudra, you will bring about a fierce-looking destruction of the world, (after) actually being (my) portion, viz. Samkarsana, O you of an excellent face." ^ Mahalik, Er. Nirakar (2010). "Lord Balarama" (PDF) . Orissa Review . Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-04 . Retrieved 2017-08-04 . So Balarama became (Bala+Deva) Baladeva. Krishna and Balarama are regarded as Hari and Hara. Here Balarama is regarded as Lord Siva. Siva is helping Vishnu in every incarnation like Rama-Laxman in Treta Yuga . In Dvapara Yuga as Krishna-Balarama and in Kali Yuga they are Jagannath and Balabhadra. ^ Pattanaik, Devdutt (2010). "Elder Brother of God" . Devdutt . Archived from the original on 2019-06-20 . Retrieved 2017-08-04 . Some say that Krishna is Vishnu, Balarama is Shiva and Subhadra is Devi, thus the three siblings represent the three main schools of Hindu theism: Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta. ^ Doniger, Wendy (2010). The Hindus: An Alternative History . Oxford University Press. p. 508. The gods complained to Shiva that Vishnu had entered the body of the Buddha on earth for their sake, but now the haters of religion, despising Brahmins and the dharma of class and stage of life, filled the earth. "Not a single man performs a ritual, for all have become heretics—Buddhists, Kapalikas, and so forth—and so we eat no offerings." Shiva consented to become incarnate as Shankara, to reestablish Vedic dharma, which keeps the universe happy, and to destroy evil behavior. ^ SS Kapoor and MK Kapoor (2009), Composition 10, Rudra Avtar , Dasam Granth , Hemkunt, ISBN   9788170103257 , page 17 ^ Brown, Cheever Mackenzie (1990). The triumph of the goddess: the canonical models and theological visions of the Devī-Bhāgavata Purāṇa . SUNY Press. p. 32. ISBN   978-0-7914-0363-1 . ^ Brown, Cheever Mackenzie (1998). The Devī Gītā: the song of the Goddess . SUNY Press. p. 272. ISBN   978-0-7914-3940-1 . verses 9.22cd-23ab ^ Brown, p. 270. ^ Kinsley, David (1987, reprint 2005). Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition , Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN   81-208-0394-9 , p.35 ^ Kapoor, S.S. Dasam Granth . Hemkunt Press. p. 16. ISBN   9788170103257 . Retrieved 2017-02-24 . ^ "Six Pillars of Indian Philosophy: Khat Avatar" , Scientific Monk , Retrieved 21 April 2023 ^ The Skanda-Purana: Part XVII . Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. 2002. p. 130. After seeing his (of Brahma) aberration on the altar at the time of marriage, Sambhu cursed him. He was then born as Yajnavalkya. Sakalya engaged Yajnavalkya in the royal palace for the performance of the Santi rites. ^ Grimes, John A. (1995). Gaṇapati: song of the self . SUNY Press . p. 105. ISBN   978-0-7914-2439-1 . ^ Grimes, pp. 100–105. ^ Phyllis Granoff, " Gaṇeśa as Metaphor ," in Robert L. Brown (ed.) Ganesh: Studies of an Asian God, pp. 94–5, note 2. ISBN   0-7914-0657-1 ^ "Exploring Jhulelal – a symbol of interfaith harmony in Sindh" . The Express Tribune . Karachi. 8 November 2018 . Retrieved 30 January 2020 . General bibliography [ edit ] Coleman, T. (2011). "Avatāra" . Oxford Bibliographies Online: Hinduism . doi : 10.1093/obo/9780195399318-0009 . Short introduction and bibliography of sources about Avatāra . Daniélou, Alain (1991) [1964]. The Myths and Gods of India . Rochester, Vermont: Inner Traditions. pp.  164– 187. ISBN   0-89281-354-7 . Hacker, Paul (1978). "Zur Entwicklung der Avataralehre". In Schmithausen, Lambert (ed.). Kleine Schriften . Veröffentlichungen der Glasenapp-Stiftung (Book 15) (in German). Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz. ISBN   978-3447048606 . Lochtefeld, James (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1 & 2 . Rosen Publishing. ISBN   978-0-8239-2287-1 . Matchett, Freda (2001). Krishna, Lord or Avatara?: The Relationship Between Krishna and Vishnu . Routledge. ISBN   978-0-7007-1281-6 . Sheth, Noel (January 2002). "Hindu Avatāra and Christian Incarnation: A Comparison". Philosophy East and West . 52 (1): 98– 125. doi : 10.1353/pew.2002.0005 . JSTOR   1400135 . S2CID   170278631 . External links [ edit ] Look up avatar in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Avatar . Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article " Avatar ". Wikiquote has quotations related to Avatar . Meher Baba's interpretation of the Avatar's origin v t e Avatars of Vishnu Dashavatara (for example) 1 Matsya Kurma Varaha Narasimha Vamana Parashurama Rama Balarama Krishna Buddha Kalki Other avatars Four Kumaras Narada Nara-Narayana Kapila Dattatreya Yajna Rishabha Prithu Dhanvantari Mohini Vyasa Prsnigarbha Hayagriva Hamsa 1  The list of the "ten avatars" varies regionally. Two substitutions [ clarification needed ] involve Balarama, Krishna, and Buddha. Krishna is almost always included; in exceptions, he is considered the source of all avatars. Authority control databases National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Latvia Israel Other Yale LUX Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Avatar&oldid=1350469252 " Categories : Avatars of Vishnu Hindu philosophical concepts Vaishnavism Hidden categories: Articles with short description Short description is different from Wikidata Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images Articles containing Sanskrit-language text Pages with Sanskrit IPA Pages with Hindustani IPA Pages using multiple image with manual scaled images Articles needing additional references from April 2025 All articles needing additional references CS1 German-language sources (de) Commons category link is on Wikidata Wikipedia articles needing clarification from September 2022 This page was last edited on 22 April 2026, at 03:09  (UTC) . Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License ; additional terms may apply. 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