The Ten Avatara of Lord Vishnu

Whenever there is decay of righteousness, then I Myself come forth. For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the evil-doers, for the sake of firmly establishing righteousness, I am born from age to age. Bhagavad Gita Ch lV v.8

Taken from images painted on the walls of the Narayana Hall, Sivananda Dhanwantari Ashram.

Matsya Avatara Fish

The incarnation that saved humanity from the Great Deluge.

 

 

Varaha Avatara Boar

The incarnation that rescued the earth with its tusks when it had been dragged down to lower realms by the demon Hiranyaksha.

 

 

Vamana Avatara Dwarf

The incarnation that restored the power of the devatas which had been eclipsed by the penance and devotion of demon King Bali.

 

 

Kurma Avatara Tortoise

The incarnation that supported the churning- rod (Mount Mendara) when the devotees and asuras churned the cosmic ocean of milk for amrita.

 

 

Narasimha Avatara Man-lion

The incarnation that freed the world from the oppression of the demon Hiranyakasipu, father of Prahlada.

 

 

Rama Avatara

The incarnation that destroyed the wicked ten-headed demon Ravana and brought righteousness to the world.

 

 

Buddha Avatara

The incarnation that affirmed the principles of non-violence and love.

 

 

Parasurama Avatara

Rama with Axe The incarnation that delivered the country from the oppression of the kshatriya rulers.

 

 

Sri Krishna Avatara

The incarnation that destroyed the demon Kamsa, delivered the message of the Bhagavad Gita, and became the force behind the bhakti schools of India.

 

 

Kalki Avatara

The incarnation that will appear at the end of the Kali Yuga, to destroy the wicked and re-establish virtue.