18
votes
What is chronological timeline (in Manvantara and Mahayuga) of Lord Vishnu incarnations/avatar?
Lord Vishnu's incarnations are innumerable, as time is cyclic. However, we know some incarnations such as 24 incarnations mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam or famous Dasavatara.
Chapter 47 of Matsya ...
17
votes
Accepted
The Oracle said that the eighth son of Devaki would kill Kansa, then why did he kill seven sons?
The reason was the fear and insecurity created in Kamsa's mind after meeting with sage Narada.
After hearing a prophecy by an unembodied voice (Akash vani. It was not by a sage) that eighth son of ...
16
votes
Why did Lord Shiva take 44 avatars if his primary role is to be the destroyer?
First of all there is not anything like 44 Avatars of Shiva. There are many (actually infinite) Avatars of Lord Shiva. Also as you have asked "What is the need of his avatar if his function is to ...
15
votes
Accepted
What scriptures mention Shiva's Dakshinamurthi form?
Dakshinamurty form of Lord Shiva is described in Suta Samhita of Skanda Purana in Mochak Kathanam of Mukti Khanda. Here is the description of form:
गड़्गाधरं शिवं शान्तं लसत्केयूरमण्डितम् ।
सर्वा...
15
votes
Accepted
Wouldn't most of the incarnations of Devi be of Sati, not Parvati?
This question arises when one assumes that Lord Shiva (actually Shankara) is married to Sati and Parvati only one time.
Actually same Lord Shiva is married to many Sati and many Parvati just like in ...
14
votes
Anshavatar and Purnavatar - are there different types of avatars?
Yes, It certainly has a scriptural basis and there are such types of Avatars. Narada says in Garga Samhita - Goloka Khanda - First Chapter
श्रीबहुलाश्व उवाच -
कतिधा श्रीहरेर्विष्णोरवतारो ...
14
votes
During his lifetime, did Rama know that he was a God?
Yes, Lord Rama knew that he was an incarnation. There is an incident at the time of Sita Swayamvar where when he accidently broke Lord Shiva's bow. Lord Parshuram, who was also an incarnation of Lord ...
13
votes
Accepted
Why only Lord Vishnu incarnates on earth?
No. Shiva and Brahma also incarnated on earth. It is indeed Shiva who takes Yogavatar at end of every Dwapara Yuga and beginning of Kali Yuga.
Most famous Avatar of Brahma is Chandra or Moon God which ...
13
votes
Accepted
Will Lord Kalki be aware that He is Vishnu avatara?
Yes. Lord Kalki will be aware of His divinity. Like Sri Krishna, Lord Kalki will also take birth with four arms and upon request, He assumes two armed form. Here's how Chapter 2 of Kalki Purana ...
13
votes
Are there any scriptures that portray Lord Rama to be the source of all incarnations including Lord Vishnu?
Yes there are verses in scriptures which Declare Lord Rama as source of all Incartions.
Salutations to that Rama who is most superior, the primal Lord of Universe and free from all the vices. Brahma, ...
13
votes
Accepted
Does Shaiva or Shakta Agama believe the Dashavatar of lord Vishnu
The Todala Tantram, which is a ShAkta Agama, talks about the 10 AvatAras of Lord Vishnu. The text also equates one MahAvidyA deity with one AvatAra.
The last chapter equates Vishnu’s ten ...
13
votes
Accepted
Is Kalki an avatar of Vishnu?
Kalki avatar is an avatar of Lord Vishnu only. There is no doubt in this.
It has been prophesied in many puranas that Lord Vishnu will incarnate to remove evil from Kaliyuga therefore restoring ...
13
votes
Is Krishna the only avatar among dashavatara who had more than one wife?
Kalki Avatara in Dasavatara also has multiple wives (two wives), Padmavati and Ramaa, as per Kalki Purana. Kalki Purana mentions how Lord Kalki married his two wives. (translated by Bhumipati Das)
...
12
votes
What scriptures discuss Ghandaberunda, the bird beast created by Narasimha?
There is no description of Ghandaberunda in any authentic Purana or Agama Vedic texts, but Sharabheshwara is found in plethora of scriptures including Skanda Purana, Bramahanda Purana, Shiva Purana, ...
12
votes
What is the story of Sharaba?
This sloka clearly mentions the destruction of both lord gandaberunda and lord narashimha by God Sharabha:
"Ganda Berunda Garva Banga Sharabha; Veera Narashimha Tharpa Vinasaga Sharabha!"
12
votes
Accepted
Why is the "Dasa Avataram" concept considered a debatable topic on this site while Scriptures make clear mention of them?
I'm also surprised that why people in this site are spreading rumours that concept of Dashavatar have no base in scripture.
It is true that Lord Vishnu have countless incarnations, also major 24 ...
12
votes
Accepted
How does Adishankaracharya Advaita explain concept of Avatar?
Adi Sankara taught that God incarnated. In his Introduction to his commentary on the Gita, Sankara says (Bhagavad Gita with the commentary of Sankaracarya, Swami Gambhirananda translator, pp 3-5):
...
12
votes
Accepted
Why take different avatar each time?
The answer is given in Shreemad Bhagvat Purana in Skanda 1
Chapter 3 , (The description of Avataras) this chapter is about twenty two avataras of Lord Vishnu. This chapter tells us why lord has took ...
12
votes
Accepted
What is the worshipping place of Hayagriva mentioned in Yuddha Kanda?
According to sources in Srimad Bhagavat Purana, it discusses, different varshas, with different inhabitants and rulers, Hayagriva is mentioned there:
"In this chapter Śukadeva Gosvāmī describes ...
12
votes
Do Vedas talk about avataras?
Yes Vedas do talk about avataras.
Shathapatha Brahmana tells us that Prajapati assumed the Kurma Avatara. In Shukla Yajur Veda Samhita we find mantras which says Supreme Brahman took birth as Brahma. ...
12
votes
Which of Vishnu's incarnations have been declared supreme at least in one scripture?
Well Rama's divinity is attested to by the gods themselves in the Yudhha Kanda Sarga 117. When Sita, whom Rama has told that she is free to go where she wants decides to enter the fire, all the gods ...
11
votes
Accepted
Anshavatar and Purnavatar - are there different types of avatars?
I don't know whether there are concepts of Kalas or something like that in Avatars. The only place in Padma Purana which I have found compares Avatars as:
Padma Purana Uttarkhanda Chapter 229
40-...
11
votes
Accepted
Was Rishabha, the first tirthankar of Jainism, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva?
Rishabhadeva was an avatara of Vishnu as is described in Srimad Bhagavatam (5th Canto, 3rd Chapter):
SB 5.3.17 — The Supreme Personality of Godhead replied: O great sages, I am certainly very pleased ...
11
votes
Did Lord Buddha really not believe in God and the Vedas? If so, why?
Did Lord Buddha really not believe in God?
First of all among the Six Schools of Hinduism the schools like Vaisheshika founded by Maharshi Kanada, Samkhya founded by Maharshi Kapila etc.. do not ...
11
votes
Is Lord Bhairava same as Lord Shiva, or are they a little different? Is Bhairava a part incarnation or complete Shiva?
Bhairava is amsa of Shiva but yet full Shiva. He is described as full Shiva in Chapter 8 and chapter 9 - Satarudra Samhita of Shiva Mahapurana.
Chapter 8 says
भैरवः पूर्वरूपो हि शङ्करस्य परात्मनः। ...
10
votes
Accepted
Is there any hierarchy for Devi's incarnations?
Before knowing about hierarchy of incarnation of Devi, it is necessary to know about hierachy of Devi herself (with respect to other Gods). So, to explain this I have divided the answer to this ...
10
votes
Puranic reference for "Krishna is a tiny part of Lord Vishnu"
I think you are referring to the first few verses of Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Book 5, Ch. 1 where both sages Maitreya and Parāśara refer to Kṛṣṇa as aṃśāṃśasaṃbhūti (incarnation of a part of a portion) of Viṣṇu:
...
10
votes
What is chronological timeline (in Manvantara and Mahayuga) of Lord Vishnu incarnations/avatar?
Synthesis of various avatars/incarnations using Laghu Bhagavatamrta.
Narada and 4 Kumaras appeared in the first Kalpa and they stay throughout the life of Brahma. They are both avesavatara. (LB ...
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