Questions tagged [avatars]
avatara (Sanskrit: avataranam) means "the decent of Supreme Being on earth for the ascent of man"), means ‘descent’, and usually implies a deliberate descent of the Divine into the mortal realms to reveal the Absolute Truth to humanity and remind them of their true divine nature.
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What is Vishnu's body made of according to Vaishnavism and Advaita?
What is Vishnu's body made up of? What are the bodies made of when he incarnates as Rama, Krishna, Narasimha? Is Vishnu soul or the body? When he incarnates does he enter other avatars bodies? I want ...
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Are there any temples for Mohini avatar?
We see many temples of Lord Vishnu, Rama, Krishna, Narasimha. Also temples for Varaha, Kurma, Hayagriva etc.. Are there any temples for Mohini avatar? Also, which avatars don't have temples and why?
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On what basis is Krishna claimed to be source of Vishnu?
It is a well accepted view that Vishnu is source of all avatars including Krishna. This is what we all heard from childhood. I also came across the opposite opinion that Krishna is source of Vishnu.
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Is Kalki an avatar of Vishnu?
Is Kalki an avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu or Siva? Is he a purn-avatar (full incarnation) or ansa-avatar (partial incarnation)?
I'm in doubt because persons in Mahabharata like Ashwathama, Samba ...
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1answer
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Did Lord Rama Take Birth in Chaturbhuja Form?
When Lord Vishnu took human avataras like Vamana and Krishna, He appeared in chaturbhuja form holding chakra, shankha, gada and padma along with all ornaments and Shrivatsa mark on His chest. This ...
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During which period Vishnu incarnated as Matsya to save vedas? [duplicate]
Lord Vishnu took matsya avatar during the end of 6th Manu and saved Vaivaswata from pralaya. But there's also a story of Vishnu taking Matsya avatar to save vedas. When did that happen? Is there a ...
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How to recognise any incarnation of God? [duplicate]
These days, people label any random person as an incarnation of God. However, I would like to know whether Hindu texts tell us how to recognise any incarnation of God? How can we identify a legitimate ...
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If Vyasa is Vishnu's Incarnation, Will Ashvatthama who's the next Vyasa, will he be considered as Vishnu's Incarnation?
As per the respective shloka, from Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram:-
व्यासाय विष्णुरूपाय व्यासरूपाय विष्णवे ।
Which means vyasa is vishnu's form and vice-versa.
But If veda-vyasa is a title given ...
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Which scriptures mention the Garbhodakshayi and Karanodakshayi forms of Lord Vishnu?
I have heard of different forms of Lord Vishnu such as the Garbhodakshayi, Karanodkashayi and Kshirdakashayi forms. I want to know which all Puranas or Vedic scriptures mention these three?
EDIT:
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What's the story of Bhasmasura in which Lord Vishnu came as a Brahmin and Mohini?
I came across two different avatars of Vishnu for killing Bhasmasura while reading about Lord Shiva and lord Vishnu. In one tale Vishnu came as Brahmin to deceive Bhasmasura and in another he came as ...
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What was the previous life of lord Krishna? [duplicate]
I've heard little accounts of Shri Krishna's past life, such as - he was Shri Rama in his past life. I recently heard he could have been Lakshmana (Rama's brother), in the previous incarnation too.
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Did our scriptures mention any avatar that Parabrahma has taken?
We know Lord Vishnu's avatars and we mostly have knowledge of different forms of deities and their leela. But does our scriptures have any accounts of avatars of Parabrahma?
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How do Spiritual Masters,Yogis Avatars and Demons transcend the veil of death and appear in the here and now?
Do Spiritual Masters, Yogis, Avatars and Demons of the past transcend the veil of death and appear in the here and now of this phenomenal world and if so how do they do it and where have they come ...
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What separates the Avatar from Atman and Paramatman
As the Avatar is seen or has been seen in his physical or ethereal body, both without and within. What separates him from Atman and Paramatman ?
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Has Lord Krishna ever reincarnated or appeared in his ethereal body in this phenomenal world?
Since Krishna's death has he ever reincarnated or appeared in his ethereal body in this phenomenal world? Have there been any recorded sightings or visitations. I am not asking about other Vishnu ...
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Sita- Avatar of Lakshmi goddess or next birth of a pious woman?
In Ramayana, I have read somewhere that Sita is Avatar of a pious women who was a devotee of God Vishnu in previous birth. Please let me know the related sloka from Ramayana?
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Why God is not coming to finish the PAAPIS any more?
In old days (according to Hindu scriptures), India was like the second home of God. Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh all were coming so quickly. If there would be any wrong doers they come to India (born in ...
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In Mahabharat who were Dhitrashtra & Pandu incarnations of? [duplicate]
The Sambhava Parva of Mahabharat mentions which gods and demons incarnated on earth at the time of Mahabharat giving details about even obscure kings. Curiously enough it does not mention anything ...
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Can Vishnu's multiple avatars exist at the same time on earth?
I thought Vishnu takes an avatar to remove adharma from our planet yet two avatars of Vishnu can exist at the same time on earth? Why is there a need for two avatars at the same time? Parashu Rama and ...
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Significance of weapons in Vishnu's Chaturvyuha avatars
I read somewhere that the combination of weapons in the four hands of Vishnu's chaturvyuha avatars results in 4 factorial or 24 combinations of Vishnu's tattvas but what do each of these signify?
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Is Sai Baba an incarnation? If so, of Shiva, Vishnu or Rama?
Some people say Sai Baba is an avatar of Shiva while others say it's either Vishnu or Rama.
What is the official position (if any) on this?
Does Sai Satcharitra mention anything about this?
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Reason for no female incarnations without accompanying male gods?
Almost all the incarnations of female goddesses such as Sita, Rukmini, and Satya etc., have an accompanying male gods Rama, Krishna etc.,
There are many male avatars such as Matsya, Kurma, Vamana, ...
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In which kalpa of Bramha life span did Vishnu avatar happened [duplicate]
We are very certain that Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and other Avatars took place. But the question remains is why are we not able to clearly find the traces of these? Is it that their incarnations were ...
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How do gods decide when to incarnate and when to assume a human form bypassing the birthing process?
In both Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata, we see Indra taking a human form during what appears to be emergency situations.
When Indra wants to rob Gautama off of his ascetic power he suddenly decides to take ...
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131 views
Which scripture was first to identify Buddha as an avatar of Lord Vishnu?
Some puranas identify Buddha with Vishnu among them which is the oldest reference?
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The Oracle said that the eighth son of Devaki would kill Kansa, then why did he kill seven sons?
If only the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudev was to kill Kansa, why did Kansa kill the first seven sons?
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Was Ramakrishna Paramhansa an avatar of Vishnu? [duplicate]
I have heard Swami Vivekananda quoting that Ramakrishna was verily an avatar. I was initially agnostic about it, but now I am totally convinced. If possible please add Shastric references for avatar ...
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1answer
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When Narasimha swamy incarnated? on Trayodashi or Chaturdasi day?
When Narasimha swamy incarnated? on Trayodashi or Chaturdasi day?
Someone says Chaturdasi and some says different. which is the correct one?
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What is the story of Vishnu incarnating as a mango tree in the Dandaka forest?
The Sri Vaishnava sect has two sub-sects, Thenkalai and Vadakalai. Vadakalais follow the teachings of Vedanta Desikan, whereas Thenkalais follow the teachings of Pillai Lokacharya. My question is ...
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Do Gods inherit sins committed by their avataras?
I remember reading somewhere that for the sin of killing Vali from hiding, Vali was reborn as Jara and killed the Krishna avatara.
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Did Krishna show evidence of being God in the Mahabharata after the war was over?
Not counting events in Harivamsa.
He saved Parikshit and assuming the story is not interpolated he save Bhima from Dhritarashtra's embrace by substituting an iron statue.
From then on until his ...
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Why is lord Vishnu taking many avatars while Parashurama is presnt?
I have heard that lord parashurama is living as chiranjeevi in the hills of mahendra then what is a need of another avatars?
why lord parashurama can't destroy adharma throughout the yugas?
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Which scripture mentions Lord Parshurama was born on Akshaya Tritiya?
The Drikpanchang says that Parshuram Jayanti falls on Shukla Paksha Tritiya in the month of Vaishakha also known as Akshay Tritiya.
It is believed that Parashurama was born during Pradosh Kala and ...
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In which section of the Brahmanda Purana, is the advent of Swaminarayan supposedly predicted?
Some members of the Swaminarayan sect often quote the following verse supposedly from the Brahmanda Purana to prove Sahajanand Swami (more commonly known as Swaminarayan) to be an incarnation of Sri ...
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Why is Lakshmana not considered an incarnation of Vishnu?
According to the Mahabharata, Balarama is mentioned to be an incarnation of Adi-Shesha-Naga:
And Baladeva of exceeding strength was a portion of the Naga, Shesha. (Mahabharata 1.61.91)
On the ...
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Was the boar killed by Lord Indra in Brahmanas same as Lord Varaha?
According to this source, there is a story in Brahmanas where Lord Indra kills a boar who has stolen the treasure of the asuras, then gives its carcass to Lord Vishnu, who offers it as a sacrifice to ...
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What are the 28 yugas of Lord Vitthala?
Lord Vitthala is said to have been on earth for 28 yugas. What are these 28 yugas?
Source 1
Source 2
It is emphasized in his stories and also is sung in his aarti.
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Are any of the incarnations of Vishnu except Vamana mentioned in the Vedas?
I have often seen that Gaudiya Vaishnavas and Ramanandi Vaishnavas claim Shree Krishna and Sri Rama are mentioned in the Vedas respectively. Is there any evidence of such claims? The only incarnation ...
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Which of Vishnu's incarnations have been declared supreme at least in one scripture?
Krishna we know has been declared supreme in Mahabharata, Bhagavatam etc.
It is ambiguous whether Rama has been declared so in Ramayana. Rama himself seems to have denied being God.
how about the ...
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1answer
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What is the story of Panduranga and is he an incarnation of Lord Vishnu or devotee?
Anybody knows that Panduranga. Is he a devotee of Lord Vishnu or an avatar of Lord Vishnu or else a normal human sage who has birth and death?
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Where did sage Kapil reside?
There is a story of King Sagar's sixty thousand sons digging up the earth while looking for the Ashwamedh horse that Indra had stolen. A lot of people would know the story so I am not posting it in ...
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How did adharma begin?
Lord Vishnu has been destroying adharma since his first avatar and he keeps on destroying adharma by promoting dharma. But how was adharma born in humans? Aren't humans the creation of god?
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Why adharma rises after each avathar of lord vishnu?
God come to earth for destroying adharma but why he is coming again and again isn't one avathar enough for him to destroy adharma? Why he can't destroy adharma within one avathar?
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What are some of the miracles associated with Srikantha Sivacharya?
Srikantha Sivacharya, aka Nilakantha Sivacharya, was a famous Shaivite acharya belonging to the Shrauta Shaiva Siddhanta sect. He's considered as an incarnation of Nilallohita among his followers. So ...
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Are Gods punished for their mortal sins?
If a God in his/her incarnation commits a sin is he/she ever punished? Or are they exempted from punishment because they are Gods?
Examples will help.
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I would like information on understanding the fundamentals of the YUGAS cycle [duplicate]
I want links or answer about the yuga cycles.
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Why do some temples show Balarama as 8th avatar of vishnu
While visiting Kanchipuram temple in Tamil Nadu, I noticed that they displayed Balrama as 8th avatar of Vishnu, Krishna as 9th and skipped Buddha.
Balrama is actually an avatar of Sheshnaga with a ...
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1answer
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Where is the next incarnation of Caitanya Mahaprabhu supposed to be born? And where is that written?
Matua devotees state that in the orthodox Vaiṣṇava scriptures it is written that Chaitanya will be reincarnated and will appear again in the land of Iśān (the cardinal direction of north-east). This ...
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1answer
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What is the difference between Avatar and Saint or Mahakshatriya?
We say Krishna was an avatar of Vishnu. Why don't we say so many other great saints who preached religion, to be an avatar? Or why don't we consider other great kshatriyas who fought against adharma ...
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Are Gods permitted to become non-vegetarians in their mortal form?
I'm making an assumption that every God is a vegetarian? Is the God permitted to consume flesh in his mortal form which is to say his incarnation? Is there any mention in the scriptures to prevent him ...
