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Vishnu: Vishnu Avatars
Hinduism

The Complete List of Vishnu Avatars Found in the Puranas

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The concept of the avatar in the Hindu religion is most often associated with Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu avatars descend to earth to destroy evil, and restore cosmic order and dharma. The following passage from the Bhagavad Gita, describes the role of an avatar of Vishnu:

“Whenever righteousness decays and wickedness increases, I manifest myself 
For the protection of the good and for the destruction of evil,
and for the establishment of virtue,
I come into being from Yuga to Yuga”

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 7-8

Featured Image: Quietsong, Vishnu sculpture,Somnathpur, Karnataka, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Table of Contents

Vishnu Avatars

Vishnu: Vishnu Avatars
Bob King, Seated Vishnu Deogarh Dasavatara, CC BY 2.0

When Vishnu descends to earth, he manifests in the form of a human, animal or other being. Each of these manifestations is called an avatar, and according to the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu’s avatars are countless. However, ten of them, collectively known as the “Dashavatara” (meaning “ten avatars”), are particularly revered as his most important :

First Avatar: Matsya avatar (The Fish)

In his first avatar, Vishnu took the form of a giant fish (narwal) to rescue the first man, Manu, and other living beings from a great flood that threatened to destroy the world. According to a variation of this legend, Vishnu became Matsya in order to recover the Vedas from the demon Hayagriva. The Matsya avatar symbolizes the importance of preserving life and wisdom.

Second Avatar: Kurma avatar (The Tortoise)

The second avatar of Vishnu is Kurma, a giant tortoise that supported the mountain that was used to churn the ocean of milk and bring forth treasures and the nectar of immortality. The Kurma avatar represents the idea of selflessness and sacrifice.

Third Avatar: Varaha avatar (The Boar)

In his third avatar, Vishnu took the form of a boar to battle a demon named Hiranyaksha who pulled the earth to the bottom of the ocean. After defeating the demon, Varaha lifted the earth out of the ocean with his tusks. The Varaha avatar represents the idea of protecting the weak and helpless.

Fourth Avatar: Narasimha avatar (The Lion-Man)

In his fourth avatar, Vishnu appeared in the form of a lion-man to kill the demon king Hiranyakashipu, and save his son Prahlad, who was a devotee of Vishnu. The Narasimha avatar represents the idea of confronting evil and restoring justice.

Fifth Avatar: Vamana avatar (The Dwarf)

The demons were gaining control over the universe, so the devas asked Vishnu for help. In this avatar, Vishnu took the form of a dwarf to defeat the demon king Bali and restore the balance of power in the universe. This legend is also known as Vishnu’s three paces of land (trivikrama). The Vamana avatar represents the idea of humility and balance.

Sixth Avatar: Parashurama avatar (The Warrior)

In his sixth avatar, Vishnu incarnated as the fearless, ax holding warrior Parashurama, who rid the world of the oppressive Kshatriya rulers and restored social order. The Parashurama avatar represents the idea of justice and righteousness.

Seventh Avatar: Lord Rama avatar (The Prince)

In this avatar, Vishnu took the form of prince Rama who rescued his wife Sita and killed the demon king Ravana. Lord Rama is the seventh avatar of Vishnu and represents the idea of honor and duty.

Eighth Avatar: Lord Krishna avatar (The Divine Cowherd)

In his eighth avatar, Vishnu came in the form of the divine cowherd Krishna to teach the world about the nature of reality and the path to enlightenment. Krishna is the eighth incarnation of Vishnu and represents the idea of love and devotion.

Ninth Avatar: Buddha avatar (The Sage)

The ninth avatar of Vishnu is the sage Buddha whose mission is to teach the world about the importance of compassion and wisdom. The Buddha avatar represents the idea of spiritual enlightenment and self-realization.

Tenth Avatar: Kalki avatar (The Future)

In this avatar, Vishnu will appear riding a white horse, at the end of Kali Yuga (current age) to restore order and usher in a new era of peace and enlightenment. This avatar of Vishnu that is yet to come, denotes the idea of hope and renewal. 

Dashavatara Variations

The Dashavatara lists the ten avatars or incarnations of Lord Vishnu. However, there are different versions of the Dashavatara, depending on the region and tradition. In some traditions Krishna is the eighth avatar of Vishnu and the Buddha is the ninth avatar. Others, like the Shiva Purana, name Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna, as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and Krishna as the ninth avatar. 

According to many Vaishnavites, Balarama was the ninth incarnation of Vishnu rather than Lord Buddha. Nonetheless, it is generally believed that Balarama was an incarnation of Shesha, Lord Vishnu’s celestial serpent.

Beyond Dashavatara: Other Vishnu Avatars

Vishnu Avatars: Bhagavata Purana scripture
Bhagavata Purana scripture: Stories of Lord Brahma

The ten incarnations of Vishnu (Dashavatara) are mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana, the Agni Purana and the Garuda Purana. However, in the Bhagavata Purana there is also an alternate list mentioning 24 avatars of Vishnu, while in the Manava Purana there is reference to 42 avatars of Vishnu. 

Bhagavata Purana (24 avatars of Lord Vishnu)

Complementary to the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu as mentioned in the Dashavatara, here are the additional of Vishnu’s avatars as per the Bhagavata Purana:

  1. Adi Purusha, the first and the primary avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is the source of all creation in the universe. 
  2. The Four Kumars, the first four conscious beings created by Brahma to assist him in the creation of life.
  3. Narada, the divine sage, often considered the messenger of the gods.
  4. Nara Narayama, the twin sage avatars of Vishnu.
  5. Kapila, a renowned sage, considered the founder of the Samkya School of Philosophy.
  6. Dattatreya, the master of Yoga. A combined avatar of the Hindu trinity depicted with 3 heads and 6 hands.
  7. Yajna, the son of Prajapati Ruci and Akuti. The lord of sacrifices. 
  8. Rishabha, the son of King Nabhi and Marudevi, and father of Bahubali and Bharata Chakravartin. He taught the religious principles of paramhamsas.  
  9. Prithu, the first sacred king.
  10. Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda. Dhanavantari is the god who emerged, holding a pot of Amrit, after the gods and the demons finished churning the ocean. 
  11. Mohini, the enchantress. The female avatar of Vishnu who tricked the demons from getting the Amrit.
  12. Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata.
  13. Hayagreeva, worshipped as the god of wisdom and knowledge. Hayagreevaha is depicted with the body of a man and the head of a horse. He defeated darkness, by retrieving the Vedas that had been stolen by demons known as Madhu and Kaitaba. 
  14. Balarama, the elder brother of Krishna.

Within the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism, four avatars of Vishnu are the most celebrated: Krishna, Rama, Narayama and Vasudeva. Vasudeva, also known as Anakadundubhi, was a king of the Vrishnis, an ancient Vedic Indian clan of the Yadava race. He was the father of Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra.  

Manava Purana (42 avatars of Lord Vishnu)

The Manava Purana narrates a total of 42 avatars of Vishnu. The additional avatars to Bhagavata Purana’s 24 avatars are as follows:

  1. Vibhu, a renowned Brahmachari (celibate) who instructed 88,000 saintly persons, on sense-control and austerity.
  2. Satyasena, an incarnation of Lord Narayana who killed all the evil Yaksas and Rakshasas who created havoc in all the worlds.
  3. Hari, the son of Harimedha and Harini, who was born to save Gajendra, the king of the elephants.
  4. Vaikunta, who was born as Raivata Manu, the twin brother of Tamasa. The father of  Arjuna, Bali and Vindhya.
  5. Ajita, an incarnation of Anda, the son of sage Anamitra, who was blessed to be reborn as Chakshusha Manu. 
  6. Sharvabhouma, the son of Devaguhya and Saraswati. 
  7. Visvaksena, the commander-in-chief of the army of Vishnu, additionally serving as a gatekeeper of his celestial abode of Vaikuntha.  
  8. Dharmasetu, the son of Aryaka and Vaidhrta. Ruler of the three worlds. 
  9. Sudhama, also known as Kuchela, a very poor person and a childhood friend of Lord Krishna. 
  10. Yogeshwara, the son of Devahotra and Brihati. 
  11. Brihadbhanu, the son of Satrayana and Vitana. Teacher of spiritual enlightenment.
  12. Shaligram, a particular variety of stone (fossils of ammonite shells) collected from the banks of the Kali Gandaki, in Nepal. It is used as a non-anthropomorphic representation of Vishnu. 
  13. Hamsa, the divine swan that was able to separate milk from water.
  14. Vrishbha Deva, the establisher of the Ikshvaku dynasty and the first of the 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism.
  15. Vikhanasa, the sage who founded the Vaikhanasa tradition that worships Vishnu as the supreme god.
  16. Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu and the presiding deity of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, in Tirupati. 
  17. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the renowned Indian saint who is considered to be the combined avatar of Krishna and Radha. 
  18. Dhyaneswar, also known as Jnanadeva, or Mauli or Dnyaneshwar Vitthal Kulkarni. An Indian saint, poet, philosopher and yogi.  

Harihara: Half Vishnu, Half Shiva

Vishnu Avatars
Combined avatar of Vishnu and Shiva (Harihara)

Harihara is the combined avatar of Lord Vishnu (Hari) and Lord Shiva (Hara). It is also known as Shankaranarayana, since “Shankara” is Shiva, and “Narayana” is Vishnu. Harihara is revered as a form of the Supreme God by both Vaishnavites (Vishnu devotees) and Shaivites (Shiva devotees).

Brahmanarayana : Half Brahma, Half Vishnu

Brahmanarayana, is another combined avatar of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu (“Narayana”). 

Vaikuntha Kamalaja: Half Vishnu, Half Lakshmi

Vishnu Avatars
Composite Form of Vishnu and Lakshmi

Vaikuntha-Kamalaja, represents a unique composite androgynous manifestation of the Hindu deity Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi. It is depicted as a half-male and half-female deity, vertically divided down the middle. The right half embodies the male aspect of Vishnu, showcasing his conventional attributes. This icon symbolizes the fundamental unity and non-duality of the masculine and feminine principles within the cosmos.

Philosophical & Spiritual Significance of Vishnu Avatars

Lord Vishnu’s teachings and symbolism hold deep philosophical and spiritual significance for millions of people around the world. Here are some of the key philosophical and spiritual teachings associated with Lord Vishnu:

Vishnu Avatars: Preservation & Balance

Vishnu is often associated with the idea of preservation and balance. He is said to be the preserver of the universe, and his many avatars represent the different ways in which he works to maintain balance and order in the world. This idea of balance is central to many Hindu teachings, and it is seen as crucial to achieving enlightenment and spiritual fulfillment.

Vishnu Avatars: Duty & Righteousness

Many of Vishnu’s avatars, such as Rama and Krishna, are known for their commitment to duty and righteousness. They are seen as examples of how one should live in order to achieve spiritual fulfillment and live in harmony with the universe.

Vishnu Avatars: Love & Devotion

Vishnu is also associated with the idea of love and devotion. His avatar Krishna is known for his teachings on love and devotion, which emphasize the importance of surrendering oneself completely to the divine. This idea of devotion is central to many Hindu practices, such as bhakti yoga, which emphasizes the importance of cultivating a deep and loving relationship with the divine.

Vishnu Avatars: Transcendence & Self-Realization

Vishnu is often associated with the idea of transcendence and self-realization. His avatar Buddha represents the idea of spiritual enlightenment and the importance of transcending the illusions of the material world in order to achieve true liberation. This idea of self-realization is central to many Hindu teachings, and it is seen as the ultimate goal of spiritual practice.

Vishnu Avatars: Unity & Oneness

Vishnu is also associated with the idea of unity and oneness. His many avatars represent the different aspects of his power and teachings, but they are all ultimately united in their commitment to preserving balance and order in the universe. This idea of unity is central to many Hindu teachings, which emphasize the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of recognizing the divine in all aspects of creation.

Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Overall, Lord Vishnu represents many of the key philosophical and spiritual teachings of Hinduism. These include the importance of balance, duty, love, self-realization, and unity. The avatars of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology reveal several significant conclusions.

First, they highlight the concept of divine intervention in times of crisis or imbalance, as each avatar appears to restore cosmic order. Second, they emphasize the belief in reincarnation and the cyclical nature of existence, as Vishnu repeatedly takes birth to fulfill specific purposes. Third, the avatars reflect the idea of compassion and protection, as Vishnu incarnates to protect devotees and alleviate suffering. Fourth, they showcase the recognition of diversity and adaptability, as Vishnu assumes various forms suitable for the specific context and challenges of each era.

Lastly, the avatars convey the spiritual message that ultimately, the divine prevails over evil forces and upholds righteousness. The symbolisms of Vishnu’s avatars continue to hold great significance for millions of people around the world, and they offer valuable insights into the nature of the universe and our place within it.

Dashavatara & Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Some scholars draw a correlation between the ten avatars of Vishnu and the modern theory of Evolution. They argue that the Dashavatara represents an early form of evolutionary thought. It portrays a progression of life forms from simple to complex, with each avatar representing a higher stage of development. However, this interpretation is far from being universally accepted and is the subject of ongoing debate among scholars.

Vishnu Avatars and Emergence of Life

According to the Rig Veda, life on earth began in the sea with aquatic creatures, as revealed by the Matsya Avatar. Later, organisms evolved that could survive on both land and sea, as represented by the Kurma Avatar. Terrestrial creatures followed, with the wild boar, Varaha Avatar, indicating the emergence of four-legged animals.

Vishnu Avatars and Emergence of Man

Half-human, half-animal creatures with humane values emerged next, depicted in the Narasimha Avatar. Humans first appeared as dwarfs, then as full-grown men, with the Vamana Avatar representing this stage.

Initially, humans were violent and lacked sophisticated weapons, represented by the Parashurama Avatar. This was before organized civilizations, and tribal mentality prevailed. Gradually, humans evolved and learned values, ethics, beliefs, and began living in communities and civilizations, with the Rama Avatar representing this stage.

Vishnu Avatars and the Spiritual Man

As humans became more materialistic, they also became more spiritual and learned to be happy, love, and play while teaching others to live right. Negative qualities like greed, frustration, anger, and hatred also emerged. This evolution is depicted by the Krishna Avatar, who ultimately becomes a protector of peace and positive values.

The evolution of relationships between sexes is also depicted, with competition for love sometimes leading to unhealthy behavior. This is represented by the Mohini Avatar.

Humans began creating their own religions and spiritual practices for positive and peaceful living, as depicted by the Buddha Avatar. Finally, humans must learn to destroy what they created, as described in the Kalki Avatar.

The Rig Veda’s view of evolution is cyclical, with life forms on earth perishing and evolving again from aquatic creatures to humans. In contrast, this differs from the Darwinian theory of evolution of species.

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AUTHOR

Mike Lianas
Mike Lianas is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for personal growth, knowledge and exploration. An MBA holder, with extensive managerial experience, he combines his business acumen with a profound interest in spirituality, esotericism and self-development. Mike's diverse range of interests keeps him engaged and fulfilled. He can often be found immersed in the pages of a book, exploring different genres and expanding his intellectual horizons. As a practitioner of martial arts, he believes in strength through discipline and resilience. Mike also finds solace and adventure in activities such as mountain biking and mountain trekking, relishing the thrill of adrenaline rush and the serenity of nature. Music and playing the guitar provide him with a creative outlet and a means of expression. Mike's holistic approach to life, blending education, spirituality, physical training, and artistic endeavors, fuels his continuous pursuit of a balanced and fulfilling existence.

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