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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Does Shiva have avataras? [duplicate]
Since Shiva resides in Kailasa (which is on Earth I think), does he have avataras? For example, is his test of Arjuna, where he blesses him with the Pasupata-astra considered an avatara?
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Does the Skanda Purana accept Rama as the full incarnation of Vishnu?
Consider the following statement by Vyasa in Skanda Purana
Formerly, at the advent of Treta, the lotus-eyed Rama, a partial incarnation of Visnu was born in the Solar race, as a scion of the family ...
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What is the difference between Avatar(Incarnation) and Punarjanma(Rebirth)?
What is the difference between Avatar(Incarnation) and Punarjanma(Rebirth)?
Does the first only apply for Swarg Lok and the second apply only for Mrutyu Lok? I mean Avatar happens only with Gods/...
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Does any scripture proclaim Shirdi Sai to be an incarnation of Lord Dattatreya?
I have heard many people claiming that shirdi sai baba was an incarnation of Dattatreya and thus is an Hindu God.Is there any reference in scriptures regarding shirdi sai baba being an incarnation of ...
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Do incarnations of Vishnu age?
Do avatars remain young or become old? Are there any descriptions of Rama , Krishna or any other avatar when they become old(aging process) and unable to walk etc.. Or is it that they complete their ...
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What are the 10 Vishnu incarnations of Devi Lalitha? [duplicate]
I heard that from the finger nails of devi, 10 incarnations of Vishnu originated. Is it true? If yes, what are the 10 incarnations and from which finger nail which incarnations have come?
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Were all human avataras of God Kshatriya or Brahmin?
The animal avataras like fish,tortoise wouldn't have caste - but how about the human avataras?
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Did Vishnu ever appear as two purnavatharas at same time?
It is evident from scriptures that multiple ansavatharas of Vishnu existed at same time may or may not be along with his purnavathar.
But did Vishnu ever appear as two or more purnavatharas at the ...
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Who are the red complexioned and yellow complexioned avataras mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam?
Gargamuni, while naming Krishna, mentions that there are four types of complexions incarnations have:
शुक्लरक्तस्तथा पीत इदानीं कृष्णतां गतः।
The while coloured one could be the Hari who was ...
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Are there any verses which say Vishnu is source of all avatars?
I read answers about Krishna and Rama as source of all avatars on this site. Are there any verses that support Vishnu as source of all avatars? Since there are different Vishnus and such complexity in ...
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What exactly are incarnations according to Sri Vaishnavism?
Sri Vaishnavism believes that Vishnu is source of all incarnations, including Krishna and Rama. They consider Krishna to be purna avatar(complete incarnation). My question is how do they view bodies ...
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How to know if someone is a Deva or an incarnation of a Deva?
How to know if someone is a Deva or an incarnation of a Deva?
Do Hindu scriptures talk about how to determine whether someone who claims he is a god or avatar of a god, is actually one?
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In which yuga was lord Dattatreya born? [duplicate]
In which yuga was Dattatreya born? Was it Dwapara yuga or Kali yuga?
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How was the succession sequence of the Sudarshana Chakra among the avatars of Vishnu?
I know that the Sudarshana Chakra is one of the most powerful weapons in Hinduism, just as I know that it is associated with Vishnu along with being the weapon that he used the most.
But I want to ...
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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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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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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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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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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.
