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{{Short description|Material appearance or incarnation of a god on Earth in Hinduism}}
{{About|the concept in Hinduism|the 2009 film|Avatar (2009 film){{!}}''Avatar'' (2009 film)|other uses}}
[[File:Dashavtar closeup national museum india.JPG|thumb|Hindu god [[Vishnu]]'s [[Dashavatara|ten major avatars]] (Balarama-Krishna version) [[Dasavatara shrine]], 18th century ivory, [[National Museum, New Delhi]]]]
{{Hinduism}}
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}
'''Avatar''' ({{Langx|sa|अवतार}}, {{IAST3|Avatāra}}; {{IPA|sa|ɐʋɐt̪aːɾɐ|pron}}) is a concept within [[Hinduism]] that in [[Sanskrit]] literally means {{gloss|descent}}. It signifies the material appearance or [[incarnation]] of a powerful [[deity]], or [[Spirit (vital essence)|spirit]] on Earth, including in human form.<ref name=jameslochtefeldavatar/><ref>{{cite book|author=Geoffrey Parrinder |author-link=Geoffrey Parrinder|title=Avatar and Incarnation: The Divine in Human Form in the World's Religions |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VkV5AAAAMAAJ |year=1997|publisher=Oneworld |isbn=978-1-85168-130-3|pages=19–20 }}</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/>{{sfn|Sheth|2002|pp=98-99}}

The word ''avatar'' does not appear in the Vedic literature;<ref name="Bassuk1987p3">{{cite book|author=Daniel E Bassuk |title=Incarnation in Hinduism and Christianity: The Myth of the God-Man |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k3iwCwAAQBAJ |year=1987|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-1-349-08642-9 |pages=2–4}}</ref> however, it appears in developed forms in post-Vedic literature, and as a noun particularly in the [[Purana|Puranic]] literature after the 6th century CE.{{sfn|Hacker|1978|pp=424, also 405–409, 414–417}} 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><!--Commenting out the following, because we don't interpret WP:Primary in Wikipedia, please also add a secondary source for this: Some of the Avataras from the list of the ten Avataras of Vishnu, are mentioned in the earlier Vedic literature. ''[[Satapatha Brahmana]]'' mentions the stories of the Matsya, Kurma, Varaha and Vamana Avataras.<ref>Satapatha Brahmana 1.8.1.1–6; 7.5.1.5; 14.1.2.11; 1.2.5.1</ref> --> The ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'' expounds the doctrine of Avatara but with terms other than ''avatar''.{{sfn|Hacker|1978|pp=424, also 405–409, 414–417}}{{sfn|Sheth|2002|pages=98–99}}

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">{{cite book|last=Kinsley|first=David|title=Gale's Encyclopedia of Religion|editor=Lindsay Jones|publisher=Thomson Gale|year=2005|edition=Second|volume=2|pages=707–708|isbn=978-0-02-865735-6}}</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">{{cite book| last=Bryant| first=Edwin Francis|title=Krishna: A Sourcebook| publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] US| year=2007| page=18 | isbn=978-0-19-514891-6| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0z02cZe8PU8C&pg=PT32}}</ref> 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.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|pages=98–125}}<ref name="Hawley">{{cite book|last=Hawley|first=John Stratton|author2=Vasudha Narayanan|title=The life of Hinduism|publisher=[[University of California Press]]|year=2006|page=174|isbn=978-0-520-24914-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7DLj1tYmoTQC&pg=PA174}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=David R. Kinsley |title=Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine: The Ten Mahāvidyās |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gkCsrfghkZ4C |year=1998|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-1522-3 |pages=115–119}}</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, {{ISBN|0-8239-2287-1}}, page 635</ref> The avatar doctrine is an important distinction in Vaishnavism and one that is absent from [[Shaivism]], another major Hindu movement.<ref name=laiengavatar/><ref name=ryanjonesavatar/>

[[Incarnation]] concepts that are in some aspects similar to ''avatar'' are also found in [[Buddhism]],{{sfn|Sheth|2002|pp=115–116 with note 2}} [[Christianity]],<ref name="Bassuk1987p3"/> and other religions.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|pp=115–116 with note 2}}

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, {{ISBN|978-0415266048}}, pp. xxxiv–xli</ref>

==Etymology and meaning==
The Sanskrit noun ({{IAST|avatāra}}, {{IPA|hns|əʋˈtaːr|lang}}) is derived from the Sanskrit [[prefix]] {{IAST|ava-}} {{gloss|down}} and the root {{IAST|''tṛ''}} {{gloss|to cross over}}.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=98}} These roots trace back, states Monier-Williams, to ''-taritum'', ''-tarati'', ''-rītum''.<ref name=monierwilliamsavatar>{{cite book|author=Monier Monier-Williams|title=A Sanskrit-English Dictionary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_3NWAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA90|year=1923|publisher=Oxford University Press|page=90}}</ref>

''Avatar'' means {{gloss|descent, alight, to make one's appearance}},<ref name=monierwilliamsavatar/> and refers to the embodiment of the essence of a superhuman being or a deity in another form.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=98}} 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 (Hinduism)|Atman]] (soul).<ref>{{cite book|author=Justin Edwards Abbott |title=Life of Tukaram: Translation from Mahipati's Bhaktalilamrita |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E-UmxAoX2wYC|year=1980|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0170-7|pages=335–336 }}</ref> Avatar, according to 
[[Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati]] actually means {{gloss|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.<ref name="Bassuk1987p3"/> The verb roots and form, such as {{transliteration|hi|avatarana}}, appear in ancient post-Vedic Hindu texts, but as "action of descending", but not as an incarnated person (avatara).{{sfn|Hacker|1978|pp=415–417}} The related verb {{transliteration|hi|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.{{sfn|Hacker|1978|pp=415–417}}

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]],{{sfn|Sheth|2002|pp=98–99}} as well as other words such as ''akriti'' and ''rupa'' elsewhere.{{sfn|Hacker|1978|pp=405–409}} 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.{{sfn|Hacker|1978|pp=424, also 405–409, 414–417}} The idea proliferates thereafter, in the [[Purana|Puranic]] stories for many deities, and with ideas such as ''ansha-avatar'' or partial embodiments.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|pp=98–99}}<ref name="jameslochtefeldavatar">James Lochtefeld (2002), "Avatar" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A-M, Rosen Publishing, {{ISBN|0-8239-2287-1}}, 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.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=98}} In some contexts, the term ''avatara'' just means a {{gloss|landing place, site of sacred pilgrimage}}, or just {{gloss|achieve one's goals after effort}}, 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.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|pp=115–116 with note 2}}

===Avatar versus incarnation===
The manifest embodiment is sometimes referred to as an [[incarnation]].<ref name=kimctap192>{{cite book|author=Sebastian C. H. Kim |title=Christian Theology in Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hXh3iq94MWIC |year=2008|publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-139-47206-7 |pages=169–176 }}</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.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|pp=107-109}}{{sfn|Matchett|2001|p=4}} 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&nbsp;– many cultures: case studies and reflections on cross-cultural theology'', Rodopi, 2003, {{ISBN|978-90-420-0897-7}}, p. 111.</ref> Sheth disagrees and states that this claim is an incorrect understanding of the Hindu concept of avatar.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=108}}{{Refn|group=note|name=buddha|Buddha, a real person, is included as an avatar of Vishnu in many Hindu texts.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=99}}}} Avatars are embodiments of spiritual perfection, driven by noble goals, in Hindu traditions such as [[Vaishnavism]].{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=108}} The concept of the avatar in Hinduism is not incompatible with natural [[conception (biology)|conception]] through a sexual act, which is again different from the Christian concept of the [[Virgin birth of Jesus|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 ==
{{Main|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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Religions in the Modern World: Traditions and Transformations|last1=Woodhead|first1=Linda|last2=Partridge|first2=Christopher|last3=Kawanami|first3=Hiroko|publisher=Routeledge|year=2016|edition=3rd|isbn=978-0-415-85881-6|pages=44}}</ref> An oft-quoted passage from the [[Bhagavad Gita]] describes the typical role of an avatar of Vishnu:<ref name="Gale's" />{{sfn|Matchett|2001|p=4}}

{{poemquote|Arjuna, whenever righteousness is on the decline, unrighteousness 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.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|p=228}} 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.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|p=228}}

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.{{sfn|Matchett|2001|p=4}} The [[Mahabharata]], for example, includes Krishna, while the [[Ramayana]] includes Rama.<ref name="King">{{cite book|last=King|first=Anna S.|title=The intimate other: love divine in Indic religions|publisher=Orient Blackswan|year=2005|pages=32–33|isbn=978-81-250-2801-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0FvH1aCXETwC&pg=PA32}}</ref>

===Dashavatara===
{{Main|Dashavatara}}

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" />{{sfn|Matchett|2001|p=4}}  The ten major Vishnu avatars are mentioned in the [[Agni Purana]], the [[Garuda Purana]] and the Bhagavata Purana.<ref name="Mishra">{{cite book|last=Mishra|first=Vibhuti Bhushan|title=Religious beliefs and practices of North India during the early mediaeval period, Volume 1|publisher=BRILL|year=1973|pages=4–5|isbn=978-90-04-03610-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nAQ4AAAAIAAJ }}</ref><ref name="Rukmani">{{cite book |last=Rukmani |first=T. S. |author-link=T. S. Rukmani |title=A critical study of the Bhagavata Purana, with special reference to bhakti|publisher=Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series|location=Varanasi |year=1970 |series=Chowkhamba Sanskrit studies |volume=77 |page=4}}</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.{{sfn|Matchett|2001|p=160}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ 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">{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=George M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7LOZfwCDpEC&dq=matsya+saved+manu+seven+sages&pg=PA213 |title=Handbook of Hindu Mythology |date=2008-03-27 |publisher=OUP USA |isbn=978-0-19-533261-2 |pages=212–213 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| [[Kurma]]{{Refn|group=note|[[Mohini]], the female avatar of Vishnu, appears in stories about the Kurma avatar.{{sfn|Lochtefeld|2002|p=705}}}}
| The tortoise/turtle avatar. He supports the mountain named Mandara while the devas and the asuras churn the [[Kshira Sagara|ocean of milk]] to produce the [[Soma (drink)|nectar]] of [[Amrita|immortality]].<ref name="Dalal 709">{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&dq=Kurma+churning+of+the+ocean&pg=PT709 |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |date=2014-04-18 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-81-8475-277-9 |pages=709 |language=en}}</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">{{Cite book |last=Varadpande |first=Manohar Laxman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_XrFh2S8nlEC&dq=Varaha+Bhumi&pg=PA61 |title=Mythology of Vishnu and His Incarnations |date=2009 |publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-212-1016-4 |pages=62 |language=en}}</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">{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=87k0AwAAQBAJ&dq=narasimha+prahlada&pg=PT859 |title=The Religions of India: A Concise Guide to Nine Major Faiths |date=2014-04-18 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-81-8475-396-7 |pages=859 |language=en}}</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">{{Cite book |last=Dalal |first=Roshen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&dq=vamana+three+strides&pg=PT1313 |title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide |date=2014-04-18 |publisher=Penguin UK |isbn=978-81-8475-277-9 |pages=1312 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| [[Parashurama]]
| The warrior-sage avatar. He destroys the oppressive kings of the military class and creates a new social order.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Constance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&dq=Parashurama+encyclopedia&pg=PA324 |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |last2=Ryan |first2=James D. |date=2006 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 |pages=324 |language=en}}</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 name="Encyclopedia of Hinduism">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Constance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&dq=Parashurama+encyclopedia&pg=PA324 |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |last2=Ryan |first2=James D. |date=2006 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 |pages=353–354 |language=en}}</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>{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Constance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&dq=Parashurama+encyclopedia&pg=PA324 |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |last2=Ryan |first2=James D. |date=2006 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 |pages=65–66 |language=en}}</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">{{Cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Constance |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC&dq=Parashurama+encyclopedia&pg=PA324 |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |last2=Ryan |first2=James D. |date=2006 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 |pages=238 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Gautama Buddha in Hinduism|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">{{Cite book |last1=Eliade |first1=Mircea |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L74iAAAAYAAJ&q=Buddha+delude+asuras+encyclopedia |title=The Encyclopedia of Religion |last2=Adams |first2=Charles J. |date=1987 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=978-0-02-909480-8 |pages=15 |language=en}}</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">{{Cite book |last=Mani |first=Vettam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&dq=kalki+kali+yuga+encyclopedia&pg=PA376 |title=Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature |date=2015-01-01 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0597-2 |pages=376 |language=en}}</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>{{cite web |title=CHAPTER THREE |url=https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/1/3/ |website=vedabase.io |access-date=3 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

# [[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.<ref name=":7" />
# [[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 [[Trimurti|trinity]] of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. 
# [[Yajna (avatar)|Yajna]]: the embodiment of sacrifices.
# [[Rishabha (Hinduism)|Rishabha]]: the father of emperor [[Bharata Chakravartin|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.<ref name=":0" />
# [[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 name="Dalal 709"/>
# [[Dhanvantari]]: the father of [[Ayurveda|Ayurvedic]] medicine and a physician to the [[Deva (Hinduism)|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.<ref name=":1" />
# [[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" />
# [[Parashurama]]: The warrior-sage avatar. He destroys the oppressive kings of the military class and creates a new social order.<ref name=":3" />
# [[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 name="Encyclopedia of Hinduism"/>
# [[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.<ref name=":4" />
#[[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" />
# [[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>{{cite book|last=Schrader|first=Friedrich Otto |title=Introduction to the Pāñcarātra and the Ahirbudhnya saṃhitā|publisher=Adyar Library|year=1916|page=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.280365/page/n54 42]|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.280365}}</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 in Hinduism|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|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Mohini]], the female avatar of Vishnu (statue at [[Belur, Karnataka|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'').{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=99}} Some declared, states Noel Sheth, that every living creature is an ''avatar'' of Vishnu.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=99}} The [[Pancharatra]] text of Vaishnavism declares that Vishnu's avatars include those that are direct and complete ({{transliteration|hi|sakshad}}), indirect and endowed ({{transliteration|hi|avesha}}), cosmic and salvific ({{transliteration|hi|vyuha}}), inner and inspirational ({{transliteration|hi|antaryamin}}), consecrated and in the form of image ({{transliteration|hi|archa}}).{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=99}}

Yet another classification, developed in Krishna schools, centers around ''Guna-avatars'', ''Purusha-avatars'' and ''Lila-avatars'', with their subtypes.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=100}}<ref name="Holdrege2015p50">{{cite book|author=Barbara A. Holdrege |title=Bhakti and Embodiment: Fashioning Divine Bodies and Devotional Bodies in Krsna Bhakti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R9FgCgAAQBAJ|year=2015|publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-66910-4|pages=50–67 }}</ref> The ''Guna-avatar'' classification of ''avatars'' is based on the [[Guṇa]]s concept of the [[Samkhya]] school of Hindu philosophy, that is Rajas (Brahma), Sattva (Vishnu), and Tamas (Shiva).{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=100}}<ref name="Holdrege2015p50"/> These personalities of the [[Trimurti]] are referred to as ''Guna avatars''.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=100}} 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.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=100}}<ref>{{cite book|author=Janmajit Roy |title=Theory of Avatāra and Divinity of Chaitanya |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lr9pFQPwhXYC |year=2002|publisher=Atlantic Publishers |isbn=978-81-269-0169-2 |pages=190–191 }}</ref> The ''Lilavataras'' are partial or full manifestations of Vishnu, where either some powers (Shakti) or material parts of him exist.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=100}}<ref name="Holdrege2015p50"/>

Vishnu is Purushavatara.<ref name="Bassuk1987p143">{{cite book|author=Daniel E Bassuk |title=Incarnation in Hinduism and Christianity: The Myth of the God-Man |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k3iwCwAAQBAJ |year=1987|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-1-349-08642-9 |pages=143–144}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Mittal|first=Sushil|title=The Hindu World|year=2004|publisher=Routledge|location=New York|isbn=978-0-203-67414-7|pages=164}}</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''.{{sfn|Sheth|2002|p=100}} In Shaivism, Bhairava is the purnarupa of Shiva.<ref>{{cite book|author=David Smith |title=The Dance of Siva: Religion, Art and Poetry in South India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fTLlcGlkdjkC |date=2003 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-52865-8|page=186}}</ref>

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

{{Columns-list|colwidth=18em|
# 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 ([[Arihant (Jainism)|Arihant]]a)
# Manu Raja ([[Manu (Hinduism)|Manu]])
# Dhanvantari ([[Dhanvantari]])
# Suraj ([[Surya]])
# Chandar ([[Chandra]])
# Ram ([[Rama]])
# Kishan ([[Krishna]])
# Nar ([[Arjuna]])
# Rudra ([[Shiva|Shiv]])
# Kalki ([[Kalki]])
}}

[[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), [https://books.google.com/books?id=8-h8ptzp0lUC&pg=PA17 Composition 8, 9 and 10], ''Dasam Granth'', Hemkunt, {{ISBN|9788170103257}}, pages 16–17</ref><ref>J Deol (2000), Sikh Religion, Culture and Ethnicity (Editors: AS Mandair, C Shackle, G Singh), Routledge, {{ISBN|978-0700713899}}, pages 31–33</ref> However, Sikhism rejects the doctrine of savior incarnation, and only accepts the abstract ''nirguna'' formless god.<ref name=enesbittavatar>{{cite book|author=Eleanor Nesbitt|title=Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ai-rpcY-rrgC |year=2005|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-157806-9 |pages=16, 24–25 }}</ref><ref name=wocoleavatar>{{cite book|author=William Owen Cole|title=Understanding Sikhism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OJnXAAAAMAAJ|year=2004|publisher=Dunedin Academic|isbn=978-1-903765-15-9|pages=47–49}}</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>{{cite book|author=Pashaura Singh|editor=Mark Juergensmeyer and Wade Clark Roof|title=Encyclopedia of Global Religion|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WwJzAwAAQBAJ |year=2011|publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-1-4522-6656-5 |pages=138 }}</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, {{ISBN|978-0521450386}}, pages 673, 675, 672–686;<br />Christopher Shackle and Arvind Mandair (2005), Teachings of the Sikh Gurus, Routledge, {{ISBN|978-0415266048}}, pages xxxiv–xli</ref><ref>SS Kapoor and MK Kapoor (2009), [https://books.google.com/books?id=8-h8ptzp0lUC&pg=PA17 Composition 8, 9 and 10], ''Dasam Granth'', Hemkunt, {{ISBN|9788170103257}}, pages 15–16</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Pashaura Singh|author2=Norman Gerald Barrier|author3=W. H. McLeod|title=Sikhism and History|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xY_XAAAAMAAJ|year=2004|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-566708-0|pages=136–147}}</ref>

===In Isma'ilism===

The Gupti [[Isma'ilism|Ismailis]], who observe [[Taqiya|pious circumspection]] as Hindus, uphold that the first Shi‘i Imam, [[Ali|‘Ali b. Abi Talib]], as well as his descendants through the line of [[Isma'il ibn Ja'far|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 [[Quran|Quranic verse]] 14:4 which mentions the idea that [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|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>{{Cite journal|last=Virani|first=Shafique N.|date=February 2011|title=Taqiyya and Identity in a South Asian Community|url=https://www.academia.edu/36996009|journal=The Journal of Asian Studies|language=en|volume=70|issue=1|pages=99–139|doi=10.1017/S0021911810002974|s2cid=143431047|issn=0021-9118}}</ref>

==Avatars of Shiva==
[[File:Sarabha Narasinmha Kangra.jpg|thumb|left| Sharabha (right) with Narasimha (18th-century painting, [[Pahari painting|Pahari]]/[[Kangra painting|Kangra]] School)]]

Although [[Puranas|Puranic scriptures]] contain occasional references to avatars of Shiva, the avatar doctrine is neither universally accepted nor commonly adopted in [[Shaivism]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Parrinder| first= Edward Geoffrey |title=Avatar and incarnation |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |year=1982 |pages= 87–88 |isbn=978-0-19-520361-5 }}</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>{{cite book|author=Lai Ah Eng |title=Religious Diversity in Singapore |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9MmNaNebFD8C |year=2008|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore|isbn=978-981-230-754-5|pages=221 }}</ref><ref name=ryanjonesavatar>{{cite book|author1=Constance Jones |author2=James D. Ryan |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC |year=2006|publisher=Infobase |isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5 |pages=474 }}</ref><ref name="Dhavamony2002p63">{{cite book|author=Mariasusai Dhavamony |title=Hindu-Christian Dialogue: Theological Soundings and Perspectives |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=poUxxH4fPwwC |year=2002|publisher=Rodopi |isbn=978-90-420-1510-4 |pages=63 }}</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>{{cite book|last=Winternitz|first=Moriz|author2=V. Srinivasa Sarma|title=A History of Indian Literature, Volume 1  |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass| year=1981| pages=543–544| isbn=978-81-208-0264-3| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JRfuJFRV_O8C&pg=PA543}}</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>{{cite book|last=Sharma|first= B. N. Krishnamurti|title=A history of the Dvaita school of Vedānta and its literature: from the earliest beginnings to our own times|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=2000|page=412|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FVtpFMPMulcC&pg=PA412 | isbn=978-81-208-1575-9}}</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>{{cite book|last= Lutgendorf|first=Philip|title=Hanuman's tale: the messages of a divine monkey|publisher=Oxford University Press US|year=2007|page=44|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fVFC2Nx-LP8C&q=avatara++Shiva&pg=PT333 | isbn=978-0-19-530921-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Catherine Ludvík|title=Hanumān in the Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki and the Rāmacaritamānasa of Tulasī Dāsa|pages=10–11|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCXQN0qoAe0C&q=Hanuman+Rudra&pg=PA10 | isbn=978-81-208-1122-5 | year=1994 | publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.}}</ref> Some regional deities like [[Khandoba]] are also believed by some to be avatars of Shiva.<ref>{{cite book |title= The History of Sacred Places in India as Reflected in Traditional Literature|last= Sontheimer|first= Gunther-Dietz|year= 1990|publisher= BRILL|isbn= 978-90-04-09318-8|chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=McwUAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA129|editor = Hans Bakker|chapter = God as King for All: The Sanskrit Malhari Mahatmya and its context}} p.118</ref><ref>{{cite book |title= Criminal Gods and Demon Devotees: Essays on the Guardians of Popular Hinduism|last= Sontheimer|first= Gunther-Dietz|year= 1989|publisher= State University of New York Press|isbn= 978-0-88706-981-9|chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=CLmuJhU3wC8C&pg=PA332|editor-first=Alf |editor-last=Hiltebeitel|editor-link=Alf Hiltebeitel|chapter = Between Ghost and God: Folk Deity of the Deccan|page=332}}</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.{{sfn|Matchett|2001|p=63|ps=: "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."}}<ref>{{cite book|title=The Padma-Purana: Part IX|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=1956|location=Delhi|pages=3164–3165|quote=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."}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2010/July/engpdf/87-90.pdf|title=Lord Balarama|last=Mahalik|first=Er. Nirakar|date=2010|work=Orissa Review|quote=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.|archive-date=2017-08-04|access-date=2017-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804122408/http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2010/July/engpdf/87-90.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://devdutt.com/articles/indian-mythology/mahabharata/elder-brother-of-god.html|title=Elder Brother of God|last=Pattanaik|first=Devdutt|date=2010|website=Devdutt|quote=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.|access-date=2017-08-04|archive-date=2019-06-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620103809/http://devdutt.com/articles/indian-mythology/mahabharata/elder-brother-of-god.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Adi Shankara]], the formulator of [[Advaita Vedanta]], is also occasionally regarded as an avatar of Shiva.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Hindus: An Alternative History|last=Doniger|first=Wendy|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2010|pages=508|quote=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.}}</ref>

In [[Dasam Granth]], Guru Gobind Singh mentioned two avatars of Rudra: [[Dattatreya]] Avatar and [[Parshvanatha|Parasnath]] Avatar.<ref>SS Kapoor and MK Kapoor (2009), [https://books.google.com/books?id=8-h8ptzp0lUC&pg=PA17 Composition 10, Rudra Avtar], ''Dasam Granth'', Hemkunt, {{ISBN|9788170103257}}, page 17</ref>

==Avatars of Devis ==
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=240
| image1 = Durga Mahisasuramardini.JPG | width1=1973|height1=3069
| alt1 = An 18th century painting of the goddess Durga fighting Mahishasura
| image2 = Kali by Raja Ravi Varma.jpg | width2=393|height2=549
| alt2 = A ca. 1910 chromolithograph of Kali trampling Shiva by Raja Ravi Varma
| image3 = Sita in exile.jpg | width3=500|height3=716
| alt3 = An early 20th century chromolithograph of Sita in exile by Raja Ravi Varma
| image4 = A sculpture of the Hindu deity Parvati, 1050-1100 AD India.jpg | width4=1277 | height4=1687
| alt4 = The Hindu deity Parvati, 1050-1100 AD India
| footer = 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.<ref name="Triumph">{{cite book|last=Brown|first=Cheever Mackenzie|title=The triumph of the goddess: the canonical models and theological visions of the Devī-Bhāgavata Purāṇa|publisher=SUNY Press|year=1990|page=32|isbn=978-0-7914-0363-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=erENsMcblGAC&pg=PA32}}</ref>

Nilakantha, an 18th-century commentator on the Devi Bhagavata Purana&nbsp;– which includes the Devi Gita&nbsp;– says that various avatars of the Goddess includes [[Shakambhari]] and even the masculine Krishna and Rama&nbsp;– generally thought to be Vishnu's avatars.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Devī Gītā: the song of the Goddess|page=272|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OxayHczql9EC&q=Devi+avatara | isbn=978-0-7914-3940-1 | year=1998 | publisher=SUNY Press|author1=Brown, Cheever Mackenzie}} verses 9.22cd-23ab</ref> [[Parvati]], [[Lakshmi]] and [[Saraswati]] are main goddesses worshipped as Devi avatars.<ref>Brown, p. 270.</ref>

===Avatars of Parvati===
{{More citations needed section|date=April 2025}}
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 (Hindu goddess)|Sati]]

==== [[Mahavidyas]] ====
{{hlist|[[Kali]]|[[Tara (Mahavidya)|Tara]]|[[Tripura Sundari|Tripurasundari]]|[[Bhuvaneshwari]]|[[Bhairavi]]|[[Chinnamasta]]|[[Dhumavati]]|[[Bagalamukhi]]}}[[Shakta pithas]]

==== [[Navadurgas]] ====
{{hlist|[[Shailaputri]]|[[Brahmacharini]]|[[Chandraghanta]]|[[Kushmanda]]|[[Skandamata]]|[[Katyayani]]|[[Kaalratri]]|[[Mahagauri]]|[[Siddhidhatri]]}}

==== Others ====
* [[Annapurna (goddess)|Annapurna]]
* [[Kaushiki]]
* [[Durga]]
*[[Shitala]]
* [[Matrikas|Maheshwari]]
* [[Ardhanarishvara]] 
* [[Bhramari]] 
* [[Shakambhari]] 
* [[Raktadantika]] 
* [[Tvarita]]
* [[Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshvari]]

==== In North India- ====
{{hlist|[[Khodiyar]]|[[Bahuchara Mata]]||}}

==== East India ====
{{hlist|[[Dakshina Kali]]|[[Kamakhya]]|[[Jagadhatri]]}}

==== South India ====
{{hlist|[[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.<ref>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</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:

* [[Lakshmi|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 ====
{{hlist|[[Sita]]|[[Radha]]|[[Ashtasakhi]]|[[Gopi]]|[[Bhumi (goddess)|Dharani]] (with [[Parashurama]])|[[Rukmini]]/[[Ashtabharya]]| [[Junior wives of Krishna]]|[[Padmavati (Hinduism)|Padmavati]]|[[Lakshmi Narayana]]|[[Andal]]|[[Ranganayaki]]|[[Dhrti|Dhriti]] (with [[Kapila]])|Chottanikkara Bhagavathy|[[Jaganmata]]/Vimala (with [[Jagannath]])|[[Vaishno Devi]]|[[Archi (Hindu goddess)|Archi]]}}

=== Singular forms ===
{{hlist|[[Vedavati]]|[[Lakshmi Chandralamba Parameshwari|Chandralamba Parameshwari]]|[[Mookambika]]|[[Vasavi Kanyaka Parameshvari]]|Harshat Mata
|[[Devi Kanya Kumari]]|[[Tulasi in Hinduism|Tulasi]]|[[Vishvambhari]]|[[Bhramari]]|[[Sinivali]]|Dadhimati Mata|[[Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur|Mahalakshmi Ambabai]]|[[Gayatri]]|[[Shakambhari]]|[[Durga]]}}

==== [[Matrikas]] ====
{{hlist|[[Vaishnavi (Matrika goddess)|Vaishnavi]]|[[Varahi]]|[[Narasimhi]]}}

==== 3 aspects of Mahalakshmi in [[Sri Vaishnava]] ====
{{hlist|[[Sri]]|[[Bhūmi|Bhumi]]|[[Nila Devi|Nila]]}}

==== Mahavidya ====

* [[Kamalatmika]]

==== Other ====
* [[Draupadi]]

=== Avatars of Saraswati ===
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:

* [[Saraswati|Mahasaraswati]]
* [[Vāc|Vagdevi]]
* [[Gayatri]]
* [[Brahmani (Matrika)|Brahmani]]
* [[Matangi]]
* [[Mookambika]]
* [[Vidya (philosophy)|Vidya]] 
* [[Sharada Peeth|Sharada]]
* Savitri
* Nila Saraswati

==Avatars of Brahma==
In [[Dasam Granth]], second scriptures of Sikhs written by Guru Gobind Singh, mentioned seven Brahma Avatars.<ref name="google">{{cite book|title=Dasam Granth|author=Kapoor, S.S.|publisher=Hemkunt Press|isbn=9788170103257|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8-h8ptzp0lUC&pg=PA16|page=16|access-date=2017-02-24}}</ref>
#[[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]].<ref>[https://scimonk.com/index.php/2023/04/02/khat-avatar-of-brahma/ "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>{{Cite book|title=The Skanda-Purana: Part XVII|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|year=2002|location=Delhi|pages=130|quote=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.}}</ref>

==Avatars of Ganesha==
{{See also|Ashtavinayaka}}
The [[Linga Purana]] declares that Ganesha incarnates to destroy demons and to help the gods and pious people.<ref name="Grimes">{{cite book|last=Grimes|first=John A.|title=Gaṇapati: song of the self|publisher=[[SUNY Press]]|year=1995|page=105|isbn=978-0-7914-2439-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aoqB4n95pSoC&pg=PT105}}</ref> The two [[Upapurana]]s&nbsp;– [[Ganesha Purana]] and [[Mudgala Purana]]&nbsp;– detail the avatars of Ganesha. Both these upapuranas are core scriptures of the [[Ganapatya]] sect&nbsp;– 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&nbsp;– to slay demons.<ref>Grimes, pp. 100–105.</ref>

The Mudgala Puranam describes eight avatars of Ganesha:<ref name=Granoff>Phyllis Granoff, "{{IAST|Gaṇeśa as Metaphor}}," in Robert L. Brown (ed.) Ganesh: Studies of an Asian God, pp. 94–5, note 2. {{ISBN|0-7914-0657-1}}</ref>
#Vakratunda ({{IAST|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 ({{IAST|Vikaṭa}}) ("unusual form", "misshapen"), his mount is a peacock.
#Vighnaraja ({{IAST|Vighnarāja}}) ("king of obstacles"), his mount is the celestial serpent {{IAST|Śeṣa}}.
#Dhumravarna ({{IAST|Dhūmravarṇa}}) ("grey color") corresponds to Śiva, his mount is a horse.

==Avatars of Varuna==
[[File:Jhulelal hindu deity.jpg|thumb|[[Jhulelal (Hinduism)|Jhulelal]], incarnation of Varuna]]
[[Jhulelal (Hinduism)|Jhulelal]], the [[Iṣṭa-devatā (Hinduism)|Iṣṭa-devatā]] (most-revered deity) of [[Sindhi Hindus]], is considered the incarnation of [[Varuna]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Exploring Jhulelal – a symbol of interfaith harmony in Sindh |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1842760/1-exploring-jhulelal-symbol-interfaith-harmony-sindh |date=8 November 2018|newspaper=[[The Express Tribune]] |location=Karachi |access-date=30 January 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Hinduism|Philosophy|India}}
* [[Abatur]]
* [[Avatars in the Mahabharata]]
* [[Dashavatara]]
* [[Gautama Buddha in Hinduism]]
* [[Incarnation]]
* [[List of avatar claimants]]
* [[Hindu eschatology]]

== Explanatory notes ==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==References==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== General bibliography ===
* {{cite journal|last1=Coleman|first1=T.|title=Avatāra|url=https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195399318/obo-9780195399318-0009.xml|url-access=subscription|journal=Oxford Bibliographies Online: Hinduism|year=2011|doi=10.1093/obo/9780195399318-0009}} Short introduction and bibliography of sources about ''Avatāra''.
* {{cite book|last=Daniélou|first=Alain|author-link=Alain Daniélou|title=The Myths and Gods of India|url=https://archive.org/details/mythsgodsofindia00dani|date=1991|orig-date=1964|location=Rochester, Vermont|publisher=Inner Traditions|isbn=0-89281-354-7|pages=164–187}}
* {{cite book|author-last=Hacker|author-first=Paul|year=1978|chapter=Zur Entwicklung der Avataralehre|editor-last=Schmithausen|editor-first=Lambert|title=Kleine Schriften|language=de|series=Veröffentlichungen der Glasenapp-Stiftung (Book 15)|location=Wiesbaden|publisher=Otto Harrassowitz|isbn=978-3447048606}}
* {{cite book|last=Lochtefeld|first=James|year=2002|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1 & 2|publisher=Rosen Publishing|isbn=978-0-8239-2287-1|url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch}}
* {{cite book|last=Matchett|first=Freda|year=2001|title=Krishna, Lord or Avatara?: The Relationship Between Krishna and Vishnu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6znEVPmI8UsC|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-7007-1281-6}}
* {{cite journal|last=Sheth|first=Noel|date=January 2002|title=Hindu Avatāra and Christian Incarnation: A Comparison|journal=[[Philosophy East and West]]|volume=52|issue=1|pages=98–125|doi=10.1353/pew.2002.0005|jstor=1400135|s2cid=170278631}}

==External links==

{{Wiktionary|avatar}}
{{Commons category|Avatar}}
{{EB1911 poster|Avatar}}
{{Wikiquote}}
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* [https://archive.today/20121205094450/http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Religions/Avatars/Vishnu.html Avatars (Incarnations or Descents) of Vishnu]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111213111031/http://home.online.no/~solibakk/firstava.html Meher Baba's interpretation of the Avatar's origin]

{{VishnuAvatars}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Avatars of Vishnu|*]]
[[Category:Hindu philosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Vaishnavism]]