24 Avtars of Shri Vishnu...Read it...IMP

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24 Avtars of Shri Vishnu..
1) ADI PURUSH AVATAR (Incarnation as the Pre-eminent man) :
Lord Vishnu took his first incarnation as the pre-eminent man, with a desire to commence creation. This first incarnation of Lord Vishnu was full of all the sixteen Kalas (Supernatural powers).

Lord Brahma manifested from the navel of Lord Vishnu in his (Lord Vishnu) state of Yoganidra (deep meditation). The creation as well as the expansion of the creation commenced from the organs of Lord Brahma. The first incarnation of Lord Vishnu is all-powerful, which can be seen only by the yogins and sages who have attained divine knowledge. This incarnation is also the indestructible seed from which all the other incarnations manifest themselves. During the time of final annihilation of the world, every creation merges into him.

The Eternal youths 2) THE ETERNAL YOUTHS : Sanatkumar was the 'Manasputra' (born by a wish) of Lord Brahma. Throughout his life, he maintained celibacy; and engaged himself in the performance of tremendous penance. He was the one from whom the Brahmins got the inspiration regarding the values and importance of penance and Celibacy.

Varaha Avatar 3) VARAHA AVATAR (The incarnation as a Boar) :Lord Vishnu took his third incarnation as a boar. In this incarnation Lord Vishnu rescued the earth which had submerged in the ocean, and brought it out from the ocean. The whole creation started only after that. A demon by the name of Hiranyaksha had abducted the earth and carried it to the 'Rasatala' (the second lowest of the world). The earth is considered to be as a 'Woman' and since it is a crime to abduct a woman therefore Lord Vishnu in his incarnation of a boar killed the demon Hiranyaksha and liberated the earth from his clutches.
4) NARADA AVATAR (The incarnation as Sage Narada) :
Lord Vishnu took his fourth incarnation as Narada. Narada by becoming a 'Devarishi' among all the sages, achieved liberation from all of his Karma's (action). Narada was the one who gave discourses to the Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Vishnu) on 'Pancharatra Tantra'.

Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Narada, showed that, the devotion is the best mean of getting liberated from all the bondages of 'Karma's'. He also said that a devotee of Lord Vishnu is the supreme among the devotees in the same way as Devarishi Narada among the Sages.

5) NARA-NARAYANA AVATAR (Incarnation as Nara-Narayana) :Lord Vishnu took his fifth incarnation as sage Nara-Narayan by taking a birth from the womb of a woman named 'Kala'. He performed a tremendous penance by going to Badri and Kedar. He showed the importance Penance (Labour), and also that nothing can be achieved in this world without it.

6) KAPILA AVATAR(Incarnation as Sage Kapila) : Lord Vishnu's Sixth incarnation was as sage Kapila. The objective of this incarnation was to compile all the divine knowledge that had been destroyed. He was the profounder of Sankhya Shastra (rationalism) which helped the Brahmins, who had forgotten their duties to rectify their mistakes. He also gave discourse to his own mother.
Dattatraya Avatar
7) DATTATRAYA AVATAR (Incarnation as Dattatraya) : Lord Vishnu's Seventh incarnation was as Dattatraya. He was born to Ansuya and his father was Sage Atri. He was the one who had given Spiritual Knowledge to King Alarka and Prahlada. He had twenty four teachers. He believed that in the world, a man can learn from each and every thing, so he accepted twenty-four objects like water, bird, air, an unmarried girl, and even a prostitute etc.
8) YAGYA AVATAR (Incarnation as Yagya): Lord Vishnu in his eighth incarnation as Yagya was born to Prajapati and Akuti. He had rescued a 'Devagana' (celestial and supernatural being) named Yama and also the Manvantar named as 'Swayambhuva'. The main thrust of his teaching was based on the values of helpfulness and protecting each other during the time of crisis.

9) RISHABH AVATAR (Incarnation as Rishabh Dev) : Lord Vishnu in his ninth incarnation as Rishabh Dev was born to king Nabhi and Marudevi. His mother Marudevi was the daughter of Indra. He attained that state of Paramhansa (an ascetic of highest order who has controlled his anger) which is an uphill task. He was given the title of 'Jin' which means a ' a knower'. His followers are known as Jains.

10) PRITHU AVATAR (Incarnation as Prithu) :Lord Vishnu in his tenth incarnation as 'Prithu' came into existence after the body of King 'Vena'. Lord Vishnu took this incarnation as per the wishes of the sages. The earth had concealed all the vegetation's within her and as a result the whole land had become barren. To protect the humanity, Lord Vishnu took incarnation as Prithu by milking the cow (earth). This is considered that as a very supreme incarnation, because the earth has remained full of vegetation's after that.

Matsya Avatar
11) MATSYA AVATAR (Incarnation as a Fish) : All the oceans had unified into a single ocean in the 'Manvantara' of 'Chakshusha'. Lord Vishnu in his 11th incarnation as a Matsya (Fish) rescued the earth from 'Maya' the demon. He gave discourses to Satyavrat along with the seven sages, while they were sitting on the boat. He also showed them his illusionary powers. This was his eleventh incarnation.

12) KACHCHAP AVATAR (Incarnation as a Tortoise) : Lord Vishnu in his twelfth incarnation as a tortoise, held the mountain 'Mandarachala' on his back, during the time when the deities and the demons where churning the ocean. He stopped the mountain from going to the netherworld. This was Lord Vishnu's twelfth incarnation.

13) DHANVANTARI (Incarnation as Dhanvantari) : Lord Vishnu took his thirteenth incarnation as Dhanvantari. He manifested from the ocean holding a vessel filled with ambrosia. He was the profounder of medicinal science.
14) MOHINI AVATAR (Incarnation as a most Enchanting woman) : Lord Vishnu in his fourteenth incarnation as a most enchanting woman enchanted the demons by his beautiful appearance of a woman, and took away the pot filled up with ambrosia from them and gave it to the deities. The deities were thus protected from the demons.

Narsimha Avatar

15) NARSIMHA AVATAR (Incarnation in the form of half-man and half-lion) : Lord Vishnu took his fifteenth incarnation as Nrisimha, having upper portion of his body in the form of lion and the lower portion resembling of a man. In this incarnation he protected Prahlada from his father Hiranyakashipu the demon. He killed Hiranyakashipu by tearing his body apart by his nails. Lord Vishnu had to attain this form because Lord Brahma had blessed Hiranyakashipu, that a Human being could not kill him.


Hayagreeva Avatar

16) HAYAGREEVA AVATAR (Incarnation as Hayagreeva) : Once Lord Brahma becoming tired of his creative activities, wanted to rest. The night of the Brahma was approaching. Because of his tiredness Lord Brahma yawned. All the four Vedas came out from his opened mouth. A demon who used to live near him in disguise, abducted the Vedas. Lord Vishnu took his sixteenth incarnation as Hayagreeva to protect the Vedas. In this incarnation his face resembled that of a horse and the rest of his body resembled that of Sri Narayan with all of his four hands. He killed the demon and protected the Vedas.

Vaman Avatar 17) VAMAN AVATAR (Incarnation as a Dwarf) : Lord Vishnu took his seventeenth incarnation as a Dwarf, when Bali the king of the demons had captured the entire three worlds. Indra and all the other deities were wandering all around after losing the heaven.
To help the deities regain control over the heaven. Lord Vishnu disguised as a dwarf went to Bali when he was busy performing a 'Yagya' and demanded earth measured by his three steps. When 'Bali' agreed, he transformed his form from a small dwarf to a giant. Consequently he covered all the three world with his two steps. Ultimately he regained heaven for the deities.

Parshuram Avatar18) PARSHURAM AVATAR (Incarnation as Parshurama) : When the Kshatriya kings became ruthless and started exploiting their subjects. Lord Vishnu took his eighteenth incarnation as Parshurama' and annihilated the Kshatriyas kings for seventeen times and consequently donated the earth to the Brahmins.






Vyas Avatar
19) VYAS AVATAR (Incarnation as Sage Vyasa) : Lord Vishnu took his nineteenth incarnation as Sage Vyasa by taking birth from the womb of 'Satyavati'. His father was sage Parashar. He made the division of Veda, and made extension of its branches. He also wrote eighteen Mahapuranas and the Mahabharata

Ram Avatar
20) RAM AVATAR (Incarnation as Lord Rama) : Lord Rama is considered to be the twentieth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In this incarnation he constructed a bridge over the ocean with the help of the Vanars (monkeys) and after crossing over to Lankas killed many demons like Ravana, Kumbhakarna. He accomplished many astonishing feats and saved the deities. He taught the value of morality.

21) BALARAM AVATAR (Incarnation as Balrama) : Balrama is considered to be the twenty-first incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In this incarnation he killed Pralambasura the demon and he killed many more demons.


Krishna Avatar22) KRISHNA AVATAR (Incarnation as Krishna) : Lord Krishna born in Mathura was the twenty-second incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He fought against the exploitation right from his childhood and killed many demons like Kalayavan, Kansa, Jarasandh etc. He gave a divine knowledge to Arjun during the battle of Kurukshetra.




Buddha Avatar 23) BUDDHA AVATAR (Incarnation as Buddha) : The twenty-third incarnation of Lord Vishnu was as Lord Buddha. In the Kaliyuga the demons were completely subjugated by the deities. Shukracharya the teacher of the demons instigated the demons to perform Yagya so that they could regain power and authority. Fearing this the deities prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu took incarnation as Buddha and dissuaded the demons from performing Yagya as it involves violence the demons stopped performing Yagyas.




Kalki Avatar 24) KALKI AVATAR (Incarnation as Kalki) : At the end of Kaliyuga, when the sins would be 80, all pervading that the kings would themselves becomes thieves then Lord Vishnu would take his twenty-fourth incarnation as Kalki by taking birth in the village of 'Shambhal'. He would take birth in a Brahmin family of Vishnuyash. By killing and destroying the sinners, he would re-establish the superiority of Virtuosity and religiousness.

Jai Shri Krishna...Jai Radhe

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set_raj thumbnail
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Posted: 15 years ago
#2

Avatars of Vishnu

Further information: Vishnu

Dasavatara: The Ten Avatars of Vishnu in the Garuda Purana

The ten most famous incarnations of Vishnu are collectively known as the 'Dasavatara' ('dasa' in Sanskrit means ten). This list is included in the Garuda Purana (1.86.10-11) and denotes those avatars most prominent in terms of their influence on human society.

The majority of avatars in this list of ten are categorised as 'lila-avatars' as will be discussed below. The first four are said to have appeared in the Satya Yuga (the first of the four Yugas or ages in the time cycle described within Hinduism). The next three avatars appeared in the Treta Yuga, the eighth incarnation in the Dwapara Yuga and the ninth in the Kali Yuga. The tenth is predicted to appear at the end of the Kali Yuga in some 427,000 years time.[2]

1. Matsya, the fish, appeared in the Satya Yuga.

2. Kurma, the tortoise, appeared in the Satya Yuga.

3. Varaha, the boar, appeared in the Satya Yuga.

4. Narasimha, the half-man/half-lion appeared in the Satya Yuga.

5. Vamana, the dwarf, appeared in the Treta Yuga.

6. Parashurama, Rama with the axe, appeared in the Treta Yuga.

7. Rama, Ramachandra, the prince and king of Ayodhya, appeared in the Treta Yuga.

8. Krishna (meaning 'dark coloured' or 'all attractive') appeared in the Dwapara Yuga along with his brother Balarama. According to the Bhagavata Purana Balarama is said to have appeared in the Dwapara Yuga (along with Krishna) as an incarnation of Ananta Shesha. He is also counted as an avatar Vishnu by the majority of Vaishnava movements and is included as the ninth Dasavatara in some versions of the list which contain no reference to Buddha.

9. Buddha (meaning 'the enlightened one') appeared in the Kali Yuga (specifically as Siddhartha Gautama).

10. Kalki ("Eternity", or "time", or "The Destroyer of foulness"), who is expected to appear at the end of Kali Yuga, the time period in which we currently exist, which will end in the year 428899 CE.

The Avatars of Vishnu in the Bhagavata Purana

Deity form of Varaha, Khajuraho, 12th C AD

Twenty-two avatars of Vishnu are listed numerically in the first Canto of the Bhagavata Purana[3] as follows:

1. Sanatkumars [SB 1.3.6] (The Four Sons of Brahma)

2. Varaha [SB 1.3.7] (The boar)

3. Narada [SB 1.3.8] (The Traveling Sage)

4. Nara-Narayana [SB 1.3.9] (The Twins)

5. Kapila [SB 1.3.10] (The Philosopher)

6. Dattatreya [SB 1.3.11] (Combined Avatar of The Trimurthi)

7. Yajna [SB 1.3.12] (Vishnu temporarily taking the role of Indra)

8. Rishabha [SB 1.3.13] (Father of King Bharata)

9. Prithu [SB 1.3.14] (King who made earth Beautiful and Attractive)

10. Matysa [SB 10.3.41] (The Fish)

11. Hayagriva [SB 2.7.11] (The Horse)

12. Hansa [SB 1.3.15] (The Swan)

13. Kurma [SB 1.3.16] (The Tortoise)

14. Dhanvantari [SB 1.3.17] (Father of Ayurveda)

15. Mohini [SB 1.3.17] (Beautiful/Charming Woman)

16. Narasimha [SB 1.3.18] (The Man-Lion)

17. Vamana [SB 1.3.19] (The Dwarf)

18. Parasurama [SB 1.3.20] (The Rama with an Axe)

19. Vyasa [SB 1.3.21] (Writer of the Vedas)

20. Ramachandra [SB 1.3.22] (The King of Ayodhya)

21. Balarama [SB 1.3.23] (Krishna's Elder Brother)

22. Krishna [SB 1.3.23] (The Cowherd)

23. Buddha [SB 1.3.24] (The Reformer)

24. Kalki [SB 1.3.25] (The Destroyer)

After Kalki avatara is described in the Bhagavata Purana it is declared that the avatars of Vishu are 'Innnumerable'[4], however in that context the above list of twenty-four Avataras are generally taken as those of greater general significance.

Edited by set_raj - 15 years ago
prachi_poorvi thumbnail
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Posted: 15 years ago
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Thanks raj for telling us about the 24 different avatars of Shri Vishnu!!!! ⭐️

I really wanted to know about this...was unsure about the various avatars of vishnu ji....

prachi_poorvi thumbnail
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Posted: 15 years ago
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I knew about the 10 avatars matsya,tortoise,varaha,narsingh etc...

But not about the others...

Had heard that even balram was considered an avatar....
sitakshii thumbnail
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Posted: 15 years ago
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THANKS raj for this great info abt the 24 avatars of LORD VISHNU
i was not knowing abt many avatars as stated above
but WAS BALRAM also AVATAR of LORD VISHNU ????
it is said BALRAM was avatar of shesh naag !!!
sitakshii thumbnail
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Posted: 15 years ago
#6

wow !! the picture of every avatar of LORD VISHNU is also there

but its surprising to know that ved vyas & Balram both were avatars of LORD VISHNU !!!!
prachi_poorvi thumbnail
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Posted: 15 years ago
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Originally posted by: sita11

wow !! the picture of every avatar of LORD VISHNU is also there


but its surprising to know that ved vyas & Balram both were avatars of LORD VISHNU !!!!



yes its suprising and interesting...but even i have heard that ved vyas was an avatar of vishnu
set_raj thumbnail
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Posted: 15 years ago
#8

Originally posted by: sita11

THANKS raj for this great info abt the 24 avatars of LORD VISHNU

i was not knowing abt many avatars as stated above
but WAS BALRAM also AVATAR of LORD VISHNU ????
it is said BALRAM was avatar of shesh naag !!!

Sita you are most welcome dear... Balram is an avtar of Vishnu..it is mentioned in Srimad Bhagwad puran.. I had posted the thread about Anant chaturdashi.in that Krishna says im Anant.. Among 24avtars of Shri Vishnu..Balram is one of them..he is considered as 21st avatar and Krishna is 22nd...Buddha is 23rd and finally 24th Kalki.. But among 24 avatars..normally 10 are considered as prime avatars..
set_raj thumbnail
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Posted: 15 years ago
#9

Originally posted by: sita11

wow !! the picture of every avatar of LORD VISHNU is also there

but its surprising to know that ved vyas & Balram both were avatars of LORD VISHNU !!!!

Ved Vyas is avatar of Shri Vishnu..he took Vyas avatar to give us..Vedas..Purans and priceless scriptures...it is only Vishnu can write such amazing gems...u can say Constitution of Sanatan dharma is written by Vishnu himself in avatar of Vyas..
Thats why we celebrate GURU POORNIMA...we do the pooja of Vyas..but nowadays every cult and Guru are doing their pooja..
desichica thumbnail
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Posted: 15 years ago
#10
thanx for the info bro...but seriously i dont think Balram is avatar of Lord Vishnu...b/c it is said that Lord Vishnu never takes more than one form in his birth...but Anant Dev,aka Shesh Naag, & MahaLaxmi will take forms with him...so Balram is also known as Shesh Naag...if ne1 remembers even in JSK begininning epi's when the Naam Karam happens for the babies....Balram they show the Shesh Naag vision when the gurudev gives the name to him!!!!
Even in BRC's Mahabharat...Balram is shown wearing a Shesh Naag crown....his personality is that of his anger gets the best of him...also seen in Laxman...both who are forms of Shesh Naag!!!

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