Avatar

File:Dashavtar closeup national museum india.JPG

Hindu god Vishnu's ten major avatars (Balarama-Krishna version) Dasavatara shrine, 18th century ivory, National Museum, New Delhi

Template:Hinduism Template:Contains special characters Avatar (Template:Langx, Template:IAST3; {{#invoke:IPA|main}}) is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means Template:Gloss. It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, or spirit on Earth.<ref name=jameslochtefeldavatar/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearance" is sometimes used to refer to any guru or revered human being.<ref name=monierwilliamsavatar/>Template:Sfn

The word avatar does not appear in the Vedic literature;<ref name="Bassuk1987p3">Template:Cite book</ref> however, it appears in developed forms in post-Vedic literature, and as a noun particularly in the Puranic literature after the 6th century CE.Template:Sfn 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.<ref>Rig Veda 3.53.8 (Maghavan); 6.47.18 (Indra)</ref><ref>Swami Harshananda, A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism, Ramakrishna Math, Bangalore (2008) Vol.1, page 221</ref> The Bhagavad Gita expounds the doctrine of Avatara but with terms other than avatar.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

Theologically, the term is most often associated with the Hindu god Vishnu, though the idea has been applied to other deities.<ref name="Gale's">Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name="Bryant">Template:Cite book</ref> The avatars of Vishnu are important in Vaishnavism theology. 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.Template:Sfn<ref name="Hawley">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> While avatars of other deities such as Ganesha and Shiva are also mentioned in medieval Hindu texts, this is minor and occasional.<ref>James Lochtefeld (2002), "Shiva" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 2: N-Z, Rosen Publishing, Template:ISBN, page 635</ref> The incarnation doctrine is one of the important differences between Vaishnavism and Shaivism traditions of Hinduism.<ref name=laiengavatar/><ref name=ryanjonesavatar/>

Incarnation concepts that are in some aspects similar to avatar are also found in Buddhism,Template:Sfn Christianity,<ref name="Bassuk1987p3"/> and other religions.Template:Sfn

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.<ref name=enesbittavatar/><ref>Christopher Shackle and Arvind Mandair (2005), Teachings of the Sikh Gurus, Routledge, Template:ISBN, pp. xxxiv–xli</ref>

Etymology and meaning

The Sanskrit noun (Template:IAST, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}) is derived from the Sanskrit prefix Template:IAST Template:Gloss and the root Template:IAST Template:Gloss.Template:Sfn These roots trace back, states Monier-Williams, to -taritum, -tarati, -rītum.<ref name=monierwilliamsavatar>Template:Cite book</ref>

Avatar means Template:Gloss,<ref name=monierwilliamsavatar/> and refers to the embodiment of the essence of a superhuman being or a deity in another form.Template:Sfn The word also implies "to overcome, to remove, to bring down, to cross something".<ref name=monierwilliamsavatar/> 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".<ref name="Bassuk1987p3"/> An avatar, states Justin Edwards Abbott, is a saguna (with form, attributes) embodiment of the nirguna Brahman or Atman (soul).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Avatar, according to Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati actually means Template:Gloss 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.<ref name="Bassuk1987p3"/> The verb roots and form, such as Template:Transliteration, appear in ancient post-Vedic Hindu texts, but as "action of descending", but not as an incarnated person (avatara).Template:Sfn The related verb Template:Transliteration 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.Template:Sfn

The term is most commonly found in the context of the Hindu god Vishnu.<ref name=jameslochtefeldavatar/><ref name=monierwilliamsavatar/> 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,Template:Sfn as well as other words such as akriti and rupa elsewhere.Template:Sfn 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.Template:Sfn The idea proliferates thereafter, in the Puranic stories for many deities, and with ideas such as ansha-avatar or partial embodiments.Template:Sfn<ref name="jameslochtefeldavatar">James Lochtefeld (2002), "Avatar" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A-M, Rosen Publishing, Template:ISBN, pages 72–73</ref>

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.Template:Sfn In some contexts, the term avatara just means a Template:Gloss, or just Template:Gloss, or retranslation of a text in another language.<ref name=monierwilliamsavatar/> 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.Template:Sfn

Avatar versus incarnation

The manifest embodiment is sometimes referred to as an incarnation.<ref name=kimctap192>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn 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.<ref>Mercy Amba Oduyoye, H. M. Vroom, One gospel – many cultures: case studies and reflections on cross-cultural theology, Rodopi, 2003, Template:ISBN, p. 111.</ref> Sheth disagrees and states that this claim is an incorrect understanding of the Hindu concept of avatar.Template:SfnTemplate:Refn Avatars are embodiments of spiritual perfection, driven by noble goals, in Hindu traditions such as Vaishnavism.Template:Sfn 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

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

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> An oft-quoted passage from the Bhagavad Gita describes the typical role of an avatar of Vishnu:<ref name="Gale's" />Template:Sfn

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.Template:Sfn 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.Template:Sfn

The most known and celebrated avatars of Vishnu, within the Vaishnavism traditions of Hinduism, are Krishna, Rama, Narayana and Vasudeva. These names have extensive literature associated with them, each has its own characteristics, legends and associated arts.Template:Sfn The Mahabharata, for example, includes Krishna, while the Ramayana includes Rama.<ref name="King">Template:Cite book</ref>

Dashavatara

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

The Bhagavata Purana describes Vishnu's avatars as innumerable, though ten of his incarnations, the Dashavatara, are celebrated therein as his major appearances.<ref name="Bryant" />Template:Sfn The ten major Vishnu avatars are mentioned in the Agni Purana, the Garuda Purana and the Bhagavata Purana.<ref name="Mishra">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Rukmani">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.Template:Sfn

The Avatars of Vishnu

Name	Description
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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>
KurmaTemplate:Refn	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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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.<ref name=":7">Template:Cite book</ref>
Narasimha	The lion avatar. He saves his devotee Prahlada and frees the three worlds from the tyranny of an asura named Hiranyakashipu.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref>
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.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref>
Parashurama	The warrior-sage avatar. He destroys the oppressive kings of the military class and creates a new social order.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite book</ref>
Rama	The prince avatar. He rescues his wife Sita when she is abducted by the rakshasa king Ravana, restoring just rule to the world.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite book</ref>
Buddha (debated)	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.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite book</ref>
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.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite book</ref>

Longer alternatives

The Bhagavata Purana also goes on to give an alternate list, wherein it numerically lists out 23 Vishnu avatars in chapter 1.3.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

1. Four Kumaras (Catuḥsana): the four sons of Brahma who exemplify the path of devotion.
2. 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.<ref name=":7" />
3. Narada: the divine-sage who travels the worlds as a devotee of Vishnu.
4. Nara-Narayana: the twin-sages.
5. 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.
6. Dattatreya: the combined avatar of the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
7. Yajna: the embodiment of sacrifices.
8. Rishabha: the father of emperor Bharata.
9. Prithu: the sovereign-king who milked the earth as a cow to obtain the world's grain and vegetation.
10. 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.<ref name=":0" />
11. 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
12. Dhanvantari: the father of Ayurvedic medicine and a physician to the devas.
13. Mohini: the enchantress who beguiles the asuras into offering her the elixir of eternal life.
14. Narasimha: The lion avatar. He saves his devotee Prahlada and frees the three worlds from the tyranny of an asura named Hiranyakashipu.<ref name=":1" />
15. 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.<ref name=":2" />
16. Parashurama: The warrior-sage avatar. He destroys the oppressive kings of the military class and creates a new social order.<ref name=":3" />
17. Rama: The prince avatar. He rescues his wife Sita when she is abducted by the rakshasa king Ravana, restoring just rule to the world.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
18. Vyasa: the compiler of the Vedas and writer of the scriptures (Puranas) and the epic Mahabharata.
19. 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.<ref name=":4" />
20. 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.<ref name=":5" />
21. 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.<ref name=":6" />

Avatars like Hayagriva, Hamsa, and Garuda are also mentioned in the Pancharatra, making a total of forty-six avatars.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> However, despite these lists, the commonly accepted number of ten avatars for Vishnu was fixed well before the 10th century CE.<ref name="Mishra" /> Madhvacharya also regards Gautama Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu.<ref name="glasenapp-1-2">Helmuth von Glasenapp: Madhva's Philosophie des Vishnu-Glaubens, Geistesströmungen des Ostens vol. 2, Bonn 1923, ch. Einleitung (p. *1-2).</ref>

Types

File:Mohini in Belur temple.jpg

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).Template:Sfn Some declared, states Noel Sheth, that every living creature is an avatar of Vishnu.Template:Sfn The Pancharatra text of Vaishnavism declares that Vishnu's avatars include those that are direct and complete (Template:Transliteration), indirect and endowed (Template:Transliteration), cosmic and salvific (Template:Transliteration), inner and inspirational (Template:Transliteration), consecrated and in the form of image (Template:Transliteration).Template:Sfn

Yet another classification, developed in Krishna schools, centers around Guna-avatars, Purusha-avatars and Lila-avatars, with their subtypes.Template:Sfn<ref name="Holdrege2015p50">Template:Cite book</ref> 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).Template:Sfn<ref name="Holdrege2015p50"/> These personalities of the Trimurti are referred to as Guna avatars.Template:Sfn 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.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Lilavataras are partial or full manifestations of Vishnu, where either some powers (Shakti) or material parts of him exist.Template:Sfn<ref name="Holdrege2015p50"/>

Vishnu is Purushavatara.<ref name="Bassuk1987p143">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Matsya, Kurma, and Vamana avatars of Vishnu are Lilavataras.<ref name="Holdrege2015p50"/><ref name="Bassuk1987p143"/> A Purnarupa in this classification, is when Vishnu manifests completely along with his qualities and powers. In Bengal Vaishnavism, Krishna is the Purnarupa.Template:Sfn In Shaivism, Bhairava is the purnarupa of Shiva.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In Sikhism

24 avatars of Vishnu are mentioned in Bachitar Natak's composition in Dasam Granth, the second scripture of Sikhism written by Guru Gobind Singh:<ref name="Dasam Granth Sahib"/>

Dasam Granth has three major compositions, one each dedicated to avatars of Vishnu (Chaubis avatar) and Brahma.<ref name="Dasam Granth Sahib">SS Kapoor and MK Kapoor (2009), Composition 8, 9 and 10, Dasam Granth, Hemkunt, Template:ISBN, pages 16–17</ref><ref>J Deol (2000), Sikh Religion, Culture and Ethnicity (Editors: AS Mandair, C Shackle, G Singh), Routledge, Template:ISBN, pages 31–33</ref> However, Sikhism rejects the doctrine of savior incarnation, and only accepts the abstract nirguna formless god.<ref name=enesbittavatar>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=wocoleavatar>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name=enesbittavatar/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref>Torkel Brekke (2014), Religion, War, and Ethics: A Sourcebook of Textual Traditions (Editors: Gregory M. Reichberg and Henrik Syse), Cambridge University Press, Template:ISBN, pages 673, 675, 672–686;
Christopher Shackle and Arvind Mandair (2005), Teachings of the Sikh Gurus, Routledge, Template:ISBN, pages xxxiv–xli</ref><ref>SS Kapoor and MK Kapoor (2009), Composition 8, 9 and 10, Dasam Granth, Hemkunt, Template:ISBN, pages 15–16</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In Isma'ilism

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.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Avatars of Shiva

File:Sarabha Narasinmha Kangra.jpg

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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name=laiengavatar>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=ryanjonesavatar>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Dhavamony2002p63">Template:Cite book</ref> Shaivism is a transcendental theology, where man, with the help of his Guru, is his own savior.<ref name="Dhavamony2002p63"/>

The Linga Purana lists twenty-eight avatars of Shiva.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref>SG Desai (1996), A critical study of the later Upanishads, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, pages 109–110</ref> However, Vaishnava Dvaita school refutes this Shaivite view of Narasimha.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Some regional deities like Khandoba are also believed by some to be avatars of Shiva.<ref>Template:Cite book p.118</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 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.Template:Sfn<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Adi Shankara, the formulator of Advaita Vedanta, is also occasionally regarded as an avatar of Shiva.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In Dasam Granth, Guru Gobind Singh mentioned two avatars of Rudra: Dattatreya Avatar and Parasnath Avatar.<ref>SS Kapoor and MK Kapoor (2009), Composition 10, Rudra Avtar, Dasam Granth, Hemkunt, Template:ISBN, page 17</ref>

Avatars of Devis

Template:Multiple image 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.<ref name="Triumph">Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite book verses 9.22cd-23ab</ref> Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati are main goddesses worshipped as Devi avatars.<ref>Brown, p. 270.</ref>

Avatars of Parvati

Template:More citations needed section 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- Template:Hlist
• The Shakta pithas
• Navadurgas - Template:Hlist
• Annapurna
• Kaushiki
• Durga
• Shitala
• Maheshwari
• Ardhanarishvara
• Vindhyavasini
• Bhramari
• Shakambhari
• Raktadantika
• Tvarita
• In North India- Template:Hlist etc.
• In Western India- Template:Hlist etc.
• In East India- Template:Hlist etc.
• In South India- Template:Hlist etc.

All of these incarnations helped provide security to the world and even brought Shiva into the participation of worldly affairs.<ref>Kinsley, David (1987, reprint 2005). Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, Template:ISBN, p.35</ref>

Avatars of Lakshmi

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 - Adi Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi
• With avatars of Vishnu - Template:Hlist

• Singular forms - Template:Hlist
• Matrikas - Template:Hlist
• 3 aspects of Mahalakshmi in Sri Vaishnava - Template:Hlist
• Mahavidya - Kamalatmika
• Draupadi

Avatars of Brahma

In Dasam Granth, second scriptures of Sikhs written by Guru Gobind Singh, mentioned seven Brahma Avatars.<ref name="google">Template:Cite book</ref>

1. Valmiki
2. Kashyapa
3. Shukra
4. Baches
5. Vyasa
6. Khat
7. Kalidasa

Khat avatar in this list refers to six different scholars who are considered to be founders of six schools of Indian philosophy.<ref>"Six Pillars of Indian Philosophy: Khat Avatar" , Scientific Monk, Retrieved 21 April 2023</ref> According to the Skanda Purana, Brahma incarnated himself as Yajnavalkya in response to a curse from Shiva.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Avatars of Ganesha

Template:See also The Linga Purana declares that Ganesha incarnates to destroy demons and to help the gods and pious people.<ref name="Grimes">Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref>Grimes, pp. 100–105.</ref>

The Mudgala Puranam describes eight avatars of Ganesha:<ref name=Granoff>Phyllis Granoff, "Template:IAST," in Robert L. Brown (ed.) Ganesh: Studies of an Asian God, pp. 94–5, note 2. Template:ISBN</ref>

1. Vakratunda (Template:IAST) ("twisting trunk"), his mount is a lion.
2. Ekadanta ("single tusk"), his mount is a mouse.
3. Mahodara ("big belly"), his mount is a mouse.
4. Gajavaktra (or Gajānana) ("elephant face"), his mount is a mouse.
5. Lambodara ("pendulous belly"), his mount is a mouse.
6. Vikata (Template:IAST) ("unusual form", "misshapen"), his mount is a peacock.
7. Vighnaraja (Template:IAST) ("king of obstacles"), his mount is the celestial serpent Template:IAST.
8. Dhumravarna (Template:IAST) ("grey color") corresponds to Śiva, his mount is a horse.

Avatars of Varuna

File:Jhulelal hindu deity.jpg

Jhulelal, incarnation of Varuna

Jhulelal, the Iṣṭa-devatā (most-revered deity) of Sindhi Hindus, is considered the incarnation of Varuna.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

• Abatur
• Avatars in the Mahabharata
• Dashavatara
• Gautama Buddha in Hinduism
• Incarnation
• List of avatar claimants
• Hindu eschatology

References

General bibliography

• Template:Cite journal Short introduction and bibliography of sources about Avatāra.
• Template:Cite book
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External links

• Avatars (Incarnations or Descents) of Vishnu
• Meher Baba's interpretation of the Avatar's origin

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