Shri Vishnu
Incarnations (Avatars)
The word “Avatar”, a Sanskrit word means “descent”. In Sanatana
Dharma it means the Descent/Incarnation/Manifest/Appearance of
Lord/Supreme Being/Deity in an earthly embodiment.
The concept of Avatar in Sanatana Dharma mostly related to Lord Vishnu, one of The Trinity. Srimad Bhagavatam described the
innumerable Lord Vishnu’s Avatars, mostly The
Ten Incarnations (Dashavatara) are widely known. And among them Lord Shri Rama (related to Ramayana)
and Lord Shri Krishna (related to
Mahabharata) are widely worshiped Avatars
of Lord Vishnu. In Srimad
Bhagavatam, around 24 different Avatars of Lord Vishnu are discussed that were descended in different Yugas.
There is no reference of Avatar exists in Vedas. The Bhagavad Gita
discusses the subject matter associated with Avatar in textual format in Chapter 4 Slokas 5~9, where Lord Shri
Krishna Himself declared the role of taking Avatar.
Whenever
and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata,
and a predominant rise of irreligion — at that time I descend Myself. To
deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish
the principles of religion, I Myself appear, millennium after millennium.
(Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4 Verses 7~8)
Classifications of Avatars:
Avatar, incarnations
are broadly classified into two kinds. When Lord Vishnu Himself descends on earth, He is called Sakshaty-Avatara, and when He
indirectly empowers some living entity to represent Him, than that living
entity is called an Avesa-Avatara.
Examples:
Direct
(Sakshaty): Lord
Krishna, Lord Rama, Lord Narasihma etc.
Indirect
(Avesa): Narada
Muni, Parashurama, VayasDeva etc.
Sakshaty
or Direct Avatars are further classified
into two more categories:
Purna
Avatar: Lord Visnhu
takes form directly and all the qualities and powers of God are expressed. (Lord
Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Narasimha)
Amsarup
Avatars:
Lord Vishnu takes form directly but
He is manifest in the person only partially (Matsya, Kurma, Varaha )
Lord Krishna is highest Purana Avatar.
Various Incarnations of Lord Vishnu as per Srimad
Bhagavatam:
The details of about 24 incarnations of
Lord Vishnu are mentioned in Srimad Bhagavatam:
Canto 1: Chapter 3: Verses 1~25.
Adi
Purush Avatar
Lord Vishnu having desire to commence
creation, took first avatar, incarnation as the pre-eminent man (with all his
sixteen Kalas). The first incarnation is full of Super Natural Powers,
Indestructible Seed from which all other incarnations manifested. While lying
on Adi Sheesh (Seesh Naag), Lord Vishnu in state of Yoganidra (deep
meditation), manifested Lord Brahma from His navel, and then so on, The Creation
commenced from the organs of Lord Brahma.
The
Four Kumaras (ChaturSana)
The Four Kumaras are the first mind-born
(ManasPutra, born by wish) creation of Lord Brahma, who exemplifies the path of
devotion by being remain in the state of celibacy throughout their life. The
name of Four Kumaras are: Sanaka (Ancient), Sanatana (Eternal), Sanandana (Joyful),
and Sanatkumara (Ever Young). The Four Kumaras practiced the vow of Renunciation
(Sanyasa), Celibacy (BrahamCharaya) and signifies the importance of Penance.
They are well versed in the context of Vedas and they underwent severe
austerities for the realization of Absolute Truth.