avatar

Also known as avatara

thumb|Hindu god Vishnu's ten major avatars (Balarama-Krishna version) [[Dasavatara shrine, 18th century ivory, National Museum, New Delhi]]

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An avatar is an incarnation or earthly form of a deity, most notably in Hindu tradition where the god Vishnu is believed to have taken ten major forms throughout history to restore balance and fight evil. The concept matters because it represents how many religious traditions understand divine intervention in the world and has influenced Hindu theology, art, and storytelling for centuries.

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Image: Avatars of Vishnu.jpg

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Commons category: Avatar
Stack Exchange tag: hinduism.stackexchange.com/tags/avatars
native label: अवतार

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~24 min read

Article

36 sections

Contents

Etymology and meaning
Avatar versus incarnation
As a loanword
Avatars of Vishnu
Dashavatara
Longer alternatives
Types
In Sikhism
In Isma'ilism
Avatars of Shiva
Avatars of Devis
Avatars of Parvati
[[Mahavidyas]]
[[Navadurgas]]
Others
In North India-
East India
South India
Avatars of Lakshmi
[[Ashtalakshmi]]
With avatars of [[Vishnu]]
Singular forms
[[Matrikas]]
3 aspects of Mahalakshmi in [[Sri Vaishnava]]
Mahavidya
Other
Avatars of Saraswati
Avatars of Brahma
Avatars of Ganesha
Avatars of Varuna
See also
Explanatory notes
References
Citations
General bibliography
External links

thumb|Hindu god Vishnu's ten major avatars (Balarama-Krishna version) [[Dasavatara shrine, 18th century ivory, National Museum, New Delhi]]

Avatar (, ; ) is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means . It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, or spirit on Earth, including in human form. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearance" is sometimes used to refer to any guru or revered human being.