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Vishnu Avatars

In Hinduism, an avatar is an incarnation of the ultimate supreme being. It is derived from the sanskrit word (अवतार) which means "descent".

 Ten avatars (Dasavatara) of Vishnu in Garuda Purana
  1. Matysa - fish, appeared in Satya Yuga (represented by a man carrying a small pot)
  2. Kurma - tortoise, appeared in Satya Yuga
  3. Varaha - boar, appeared in Satya Yuga
  4. Narasimha - half-man/half-lion, appeared in Satya Yuga
  5. Vamana - dwarf, appeared in Treta Yuga (represented by a man carrying a Cow and an Anchor)
  6. Parashurama - rama with the axe, appearaed in Treta Yuga
  7. Rama - king of Ayodhya, appared in Treta Yuga
  8. Krishna - dark coloured, appeared in Dwapara Yuga (represented by a man carrying a Bow and Axe)
  9. Buddha - enlightened one, appeared in Kali Yuga (represented by a man without clothes)
  10. Kalki - eternity or destroyer of foulness, appeared in Kali Yuga
Twenty Five (25) avatars of Vishnu in Bhagavata Purana
  1. Catursana - four sons of brahma (god of knowledge)
  2. Varaha - board
  3. Narada - travelling sage
  4. Nara-Narayana - twins
  5. Kapila - philospher
  6. Dattatreya - brahma, vishnu & maheshwara
  7. Yajna - role of Indra
  8. Rishabha - father of King Bharata
  9. Prithu - King who made earth beautiful
  10. Matsya - fish
  11. Kurama - tortoise
  12. Dhanavantari - father of ayurveda
  13. Mohini - attractive woman
  14. Narasimha - half-man/half-lion
  15. Vamana - dwarf
  16. Parasurama - rama with the axe
  17. Vyasa - writer of vedas
  18. Rama - king of Ayodhya
  19. Balarama - Krishna's elder brother
  20. Krishna - dark coloured & cowherd
  21. Buddha - englightened one
  22. Kalki - destroyer
  23. Prshnigarbha - born to prshni
  24. Hayagriva - horse
  25. Hamsa - swan

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