AVATAR (Incarnation) The Avatars do not know the limits of God; the Supreme Ishvara, the Transcendental Lord is Infinite. (Ramkali M. 5, p. 894) There are millions of incamating Vishnus. (Bhairo M. 5, p. 1156) Under God\’s Will ten Avatars were created. (Maru M. l, p. 1037) The exploits of the kings created in various ages were sung as the feats of Avatars. (Asa M. 3, p. 423) The word Avatar ordinarily connotes birth, but in Hindu mythology, it means the descent of a deity from heaven. There is mention of Avatars of Vishnu even in the Vedas.
The anecdotes in the Epics and Puranas mainly turn upon the doctrine of incarnation. Twenty-two incarnations of Vishnu have been mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana. The god Shiva has also some incarnations. Ten incarnations of Vishnu are prominently described in Hindu Literature. The popular incarnations of Vishnu are Rama and Krishna. They were kings in their ages, therefore Guru Granth Sahib specifically states that these kings of different periods were raised to the status of Avatars.
References :
1. Kohli, Surindar Singh, Dictionary of Mythological References in Guru Granth Sahib, 1993
In Hindu mythology, an avatar refers to a divine incarnation or manifestation of a deity, usually associated with Lord Vishnu, who descends to the mortal realm to restore cosmic order and protect dharma (righteousness). The term “avatar” comes from the Sanskrit word avatāra, which means “descent.” It signifies the deity taking a form that is accessible to mortals.
While Vishnu is most famously known for his ten primary avatars (Dasavatara), the concept of avatars extends beyond these and can include various other manifestations of divine beings.
Purpose of Avatars
The role of an avatar is to address specific challenges that arise in the world, such as the rise of evil, the decline of virtue, or significant cosmic imbalances. Lord Vishnu’s avatars, in particular, often emphasize protecting devotees, eliminating demons, and re-establishing order.
Types of Avatars
Avatars can be broadly categorized into two types:
- Sakala (Full Manifestation): These are complete forms of divinity, such as Krishna or Rama, where the deity manifests in their full power and splendor.
- Amsha (Partial Manifestation): These are partial manifestations of a deity, where only specific aspects or powers of the divine are present. Beyond Vishnu’s Avatars
Although Vishnu’s avatars are the most celebrated, other deities also take avatars in Hindu mythology. For example:
- Shiva: Takes various forms such as Virabhadra and Bhairava during cosmic events.
- Durga/Parvati: Appears as Mahishasuramardini to slay the buffalo demon Mahishasura, or as Kali in times of cosmic destruction.
The idea of avatars captures the dynamic interplay between the divine and mortal realms, offering hope and guidance during times of crisis. The flexibility of the avatar concept allows for an array of mythological tales, each providing moral, philosophical, and spiritual lessons.
