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.
2
votes
2answers
74 views
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?
3
votes
1answer
181 views
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 ...
9
votes
0answers
70 views
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 ?
3
votes
2answers
116 views
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
54 views
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?
0
votes
0answers
54 views
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
123 views
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 ...
9
votes
1answer
147 views
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
102 views
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?
1
vote
0answers
118 views
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?
2
votes
0answers
64 views
Reason for no female incarnations without accompanying male gods?
Almost all the incarnations of female goddesses such as Sita, Rukmini, and Satya etc., have accompanying male gods Rama, Krishna etc.,
There are many male avatars such as Matsya, Kurma, Vamana, ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
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 ...
2
votes
0answers
74 views
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 ...
5
votes
1answer
95 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?
12
votes
3answers
2k views
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?
0
votes
0answers
39 views
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
53 views
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?
8
votes
1answer
218 views
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
59 views
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.
-1
votes
1answer
95 views
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 ...
7
votes
1answer
86 views
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?
9
votes
0answers
43 views
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
56 views
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 ...
1
vote
2answers
136 views
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 ...
3
votes
0answers
32 views
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
180 views
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.
1
vote
0answers
42 views
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 ...
0
votes
2answers
142 views
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
86 views
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?
3
votes
2answers
75 views
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
69 views
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?
3
votes
2answers
84 views
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?
2
votes
0answers
74 views
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
47 views
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.
0
votes
0answers
23 views
I would like information on understanding the fundamentals of the YUGAS cycle [duplicate]
I want links or answer about the yuga cycles.
3
votes
2answers
174 views
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
115 views
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
60 views
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
67 views
Are there instances wherein a God/Goddess met his/her incarnation?
Are there instances from the Hindu mythology wherein Gods have met their incarnations?
1
vote
0answers
236 views
Does Vallabhacharya ever mention Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in any of his works?
Vallabhacharya, a prominent Vaishnava acharya of the Rudra Sampradaya, was known to have had a close rapport with the Gaudiya Vaishnava saint, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is considered an incarnation of ...
4
votes
3answers
175 views
Are any of Vishnu and his avataras' great deeds not connected with war?
Some Vishnu avatars I can think of connected with war/destruction:
Govardhana Giri - as part of fighting with Indra
Bhagavad Gita - inciting Arjuna to internecine war
Rescuing the earth - fighting ...
2
votes
0answers
71 views
Does Holi celebration have a link to the Narasimha avatar?
In this question the reason for celebrating Holi was asked but the answer given is based on wikipedia which also says:
The Holika bonfire and Holi signifies the celebration of the symbolic victory ...
2
votes
0answers
30 views
Which scriptures deals about avataras and kalas? [duplicate]
It is said creatures have different number of kalas, but avataras have more kalas than others. The number goes until 16 for a complete avatar (like Sri Krishna). Also the quantity doesn't mean "better"...
8
votes
1answer
171 views
Does Shaiva or Shakta Agama believe the Dashavatar of lord Vishnu
Does Shaiva or Shakta Agamas believe on Dashavatar of lord Vishnu? If yes is there any difference in references? If Yes what all differences are there?
My question rises because according to Agama ...
5
votes
1answer
250 views
What are all the Vishnu avatar from current Mahayuga according to scriptures? [duplicate]
It is said that not every Vishnu Avatar comes in every Mahayuga, as soembody told me in chat that Rama avatar didn't came in current Mahayuga. So I wanted to know which are the Vishnu avatar from the ...
3
votes
2answers
134 views
Do any scriptures describe Hanuman to be an incarnation of Vayu?
As described in this answer, Hanuman is considered to be an incarnation of Shiva. However, the Madhwa sect believes Vayu had the 3 incarnations, of which, the first was Hanuman (Sripad Madhvacharya is ...
4
votes
1answer
182 views
What is the story of Shankchood? Was he an incarnation of Lord Vishnu?
Some people are spreading stories (online) about Shankhchud being an icnarnation of Visnu.
Quote 1:
There was a demon named Dambh. He prayed to Lord Vishnu because he wanted Vishnu as his son. A ...
2
votes
2answers
170 views
Are Govinda Bhagavatpada and Maharishi Patanjali considered incarnations of Sheshnaga?
According to this site, Adi-Shankaracharya's Guru, Govinda Bhagavatpada, was an incarnation of Sheshnaga:
According to the legend, Adi Shankara's Guru was an avatar of Lord Vishnu's Shesha nAga. ...
6
votes
0answers
55 views
Are the four Kumars incarnations of Lord Vishnu or Shiva?
According to the Bhagvat Purana the four Sanat Kumars are described as the incarnations of Lord Vishnu but I cam across this remark in the comment section of Vishnu Puran:
Linga P. describes the ...
