Lord vishnu 26 avtar - Page 3

Originally posted by: desichica

Hey Rajnish,

thanx for starting out this gr8 topic. But i like every1 else, or most ppl, also knew that there were only 10 avatars of Vishnu bhagwan!!!! The others, i've heard are just minor re-incarnations.

Balramji is only the reincarnation of Shesh Nag is what i knew...bc it had an explanation on why Vishnu can't take multiple re-incarnations in one birth, hence making Balram only a Shesh Nag reincarnation......This also holds true, bc in Ramayan, during Vanvaas, Laxman asks Ramji that in his next generation he wants to be older brother to the lord, which is granted & hence Balram older than Krishna!!!!!

Here is the site that I'm saying this info as well as info I have learned from elders!!!!

http://www.punditravi.com/dasavtar__the_10_incarnations_of.htm

also I hope my reply doesn't offend ne1....I'm not correcting ne1 just replying what I've learned.....& we all know that Wikipedia sometimes has distorted information!!!!!! Hope this helps....& if otherwise feel free to correct me!!!!!😊

Originally posted by: Kal El

You're welcome and as for the Hamsa avatar, I'll do something better. I'll give you the link to an online English translation of the Srimad Bhagavatam where you can read about the avatar and add the details in your post.

Hamsa avatar is mentioned in Canto 11 Chapter 13 Verse 19. Here is a summary of 11:13

[quote]

In this chapter, Lord Sri Kr?s?n?a explains to Uddhava how human beings, overwhelmed by sense gratification, become bound by the three modes of nature, and how to renounce these modes. The Lord then describes how He appeared in His form of Hamsa before Brahma and the four sages headed by Sanaka and revealed to them various confidential truths.

The three modes ' goodness, passion and ignorance ' are related to material intelligence, not to the soul. One should conquer the lower modes of passion and ignorance by the mode of goodness, and then one must surpass the mode of goodness by acting in the transcendental mode of pure goodness. By associating with things in the mode of goodness, one becomes more fully situated in that mode. The three modes increase their different influences through various types of scripture, water, place, time, beneficiaries of activity, natures of activity, birth, meditation, mantras, purificatory rituals, and so on.

Lacking discrimination, one identifies with the material body, and consequently the mode of passion, which produces misery, takes over the mind, which is normally in the mode of goodness. As the mind evolves its function of decision and doubt, it creates intolerable hankerings for sense gratification. Unfortunate persons who are bewildered by the urges of the mode of passion become the slaves of their senses. Even though they know that the eventual result of their work will be suffering, they cannot avoid engaging in such fruitive work. A discriminating person, on the other hand, keeps himself detached from the objects of the senses and, by utilizing appropriate renunciation, takes shelter of unalloyed devotional service.

Lord Brahma himself has no material cause. He is the cause of the creation of all living beings and is the greatest among all the demigods. Yet even Brahma is always suffering agitation of the mind on account of the duties he has to perform; therefore, when he was questioned by his sons headed by Sanaka, who were born from his mind, about the means for driving away desires for sense gratification, he was incapable of giving them an answer. In order to receive some insight into this matter, he took shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereupon the Supreme Lord appeared before him in the form of the swan incarnation, Lord Hamsa. Lord Hamsa proceeded to give instructions about the categorical identity of the self, the different states of consciousness (wakeful awareness, sleep and deep sleep) and the means for conquering over material existence. The sages headed by Sanaka became freed from all their doubts by hearing the words of the Lord and worshiped Him with pure devotion in mature love of God.[/quote]

http://srimadbhagavatam.com/11/13/summary/en

You can summarize that bold part for your post :)

Here you can find the individual verses in 11:13 http://srimadbhagavatam.com/11/13/en