Dashavatar facts for kids

The Dashavatara are the ten main forms, or 'avatars,' of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu is a very important god in Hinduism, known for keeping the world safe and balanced. When things get out of whack, Vishnu comes to Earth as an avatar to fix things.

Not all lists of these ten avatars are exactly the same, but most include the same main ones. All of Vishnu's avatars have already appeared, except for Kalki. Kalki is expected to appear at the very end of the current age, called the Kali Yuga.

Some people see a cool connection between the order of these ancient avatars and how life is believed to have evolved on Earth. It's like a story of evolution told thousands of years ago! It starts with life in water (Matsya, the fish), then moves to creatures that can live in both water and on land (Kurma, the tortoise). Next comes animals firmly on land (Varaha, the wild boar), then half-human, half-animal forms (Narasimha). After that, we see early humans (Vamana, the dwarf man), then humans learning to control their emotions (Parashurama). Finally, it shows humans becoming peaceful (Rama), loving (Krishna), and meditative (Buddha), leading to the final stage of human understanding (Kalki).

Vishnu with his ten main avatars around him.

What Does Dashavatara Mean?

The word "Dashavatara" simply means "Ten Avatars."

• Dash (दश) means 'ten.'
• Avatar (अवतार) means 'incarnation' or 'descent.'

An "Avatar" is a Sanskrit word meaning "descent." In Hinduism, it means when a god or supreme being comes down to Earth in a physical form.

The idea of an Avatar isn't directly mentioned in the oldest Hindu texts called the Vedas. However, the Bhagavad Gita, another important Hindu scripture, talks about why Avatars appear. In this text, Lord Krishna himself explains why he takes different forms:

"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)

This means Vishnu appears whenever goodness is fading and badness is growing. He comes to protect good people, defeat evil, and bring back balance and right ways of living.

The Ten Avatars of Vishnu

There are a few different lists of Vishnu's ten avatars, depending on the region and traditions. Some lists include Krishna as the eighth avatar and Buddha as the ninth. Other lists, like one from the 17th century, name Balarama as the eighth and Krishna as the ninth. This second list is followed by some Vaishnavas (followers of Vishnu) who don't see Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu.

However, the most commonly accepted list found in many ancient texts includes Krishna and Buddha.

Here is a table showing the common list of Dashavatara:

Many important Hindu texts, like the Agni Purana and Garuda Purana, mention the common list with Krishna and Buddha.

Meet the Avatars

1. Matsya, the Fish

Matsya was Vishnu's first avatar, appearing as a giant fish. King Vaivasvata Manu found a tiny fish in his hands while making a water offering. He kept the fish, and it grew so big that Manu realized it was Vishnu. Vishnu warned Manu about a huge flood coming to destroy the world. He told Manu to build a boat and gather all kinds of creatures, plants, and seven wise sages to save them. When the flood came, Vishnu, as a giant fish with a horn, pulled Manu's boat to safety.

2. Kurma, the Tortoise

Kurma was a giant tortoise. Once, gods (devas) and demons (asuras) were churning the Ocean of Milk to get a special drink called Amrita, which grants immortality. They used a huge mountain as their churning stick. When the mountain started to sink, Vishnu took the form of a giant tortoise to hold the mountain on his back, allowing them to continue churning.

3. Varaha, the Boar

Varaha appeared as a wild boar. A powerful demon named Hiranyaksha had dragged the Earth (Prithvi) to the bottom of a cosmic ocean. Varaha fought Hiranyaksha for a thousand years and finally defeated him. He then lifted the Earth out of the ocean with his tusks and put it back in its proper place in the universe.

4. Narasimha, the Half-Man, Half-Lion

Narasimha was a unique avatar, half-man and half-lion. A demon king named Hiranyakashipu had a special blessing that made him almost impossible to kill. He couldn't be killed by a man or an animal, indoors or outdoors, during day or night, on land or in the sky. He hated Vishnu and persecuted his own son, Prahlada, for being a Vishnu follower. To defeat him, Vishnu appeared as Narasimha, who was neither fully man nor animal. He killed Hiranyakashipu at twilight (neither day nor night), on the threshold of a courtyard (neither indoors nor outdoors), by placing him on his lap (neither on land nor in the sky), and tearing him apart with his claws. This ended the persecution and saved Prahlada.

5. Vamana, the Dwarf

Vamana appeared as a dwarf boy. A powerful king named Bali, who was a descendant of Vishnu, had become so strong through his devotion that he defeated the gods and ruled over the three worlds. The gods asked Vishnu for help. During a special ceremony held by King Bali, Vamana approached him and asked for three paces of land. Bali, known for his generosity, agreed. Vamana then grew into a giant form, covering the Earth with his first step and the heavens with his second. For the third step, Bali realized Vamana was Vishnu and humbly offered his own head. Vamana stepped on Bali's head, sending him to the netherworld, but also granted him immortality as its ruler.

6. Parashurama, the Warrior with an Axe

Parashurama was a warrior-sage who carried a mighty axe given to him by the god Shiva. He was the first person in Hinduism to be both a Brahmin (priest) and a Kshatriya (warrior). Once, a king named Kartavirya Arjuna stole a divine cow from Parashurama's father and destroyed their home. In revenge, Parashurama killed the king and his army. When the king's sons then killed Parashurama's father, Parashurama vowed to kill every warrior on Earth twenty-one times. He is believed to be immortal and still alive today, performing penance.

7. Rama, the Prince of Ayodhya

Rama is a widely worshipped avatar, known as the ideal prince and king. His story is told in the famous Hindu scripture, the Ramayana. While in exile with his brother Lakshman and the monkey god Hanuman, his wife Sita was kidnapped by the demon king Ravana of Lanka. Rama traveled to Lanka, defeated Ravana, and rescued Sita. Rama and Sita then returned home and were crowned king and queen. The day of their return is celebrated as the festival of Diwali across India. Rama is remembered as one of the most righteous kings ever.

8. Krishna

Krishna is a very popular deity in Hinduism. He was the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva, and raised by Yashoda and Nanda. He is known for many stories, including defeating the evil King Kansa and his role in the great war of the Mahabharata. Krishna represents qualities like love, duty, compassion, and playfulness. His birthday, Krishna Janmashtami, is celebrated every year. He is often shown holding a flute.

Balarama, Krishna's elder brother, is sometimes considered the eighth avatar of Vishnu, especially in lists where Buddha is not included. Balarama is also seen as an extension of Shesha, a form of Lord Vishnu.

9. Gautama Buddha

Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is often included as an avatar of Vishnu in Hinduism. Born as Prince Siddhartha in Kapilavastu, he sought answers to suffering like poverty, death, and disease. He left his royal life to find the Absolute Truth. After much meditation, he achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha, meaning "Enlightened One." He taught that desire is the main cause of suffering and that one must overcome it to find peace. Some beliefs say Vishnu took this form to guide people away from empty rituals and back to true spiritual understanding.

10. Kalki

Kalki is described as the final avatar of Vishnu, who will appear at the very end of the current age, the Kali Yuga. He is said to ride a white horse and carry a blazing sword. Kalki will appear when chaos, evil, and injustice are everywhere, and goodness has almost disappeared. He will end the Kali Yuga to restart the Satya Yuga, beginning a new cycle of existence.

Vishnu and his Avatars.

Images for kids

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  Hindu god Vishnu (centre) surrounded by his ten major avatars. Anticlockwise from top left: Matsya; Kurma; Varaha; Narasimha; Vamana; Parashurama; Rama; Krishna; Buddha and Kalki

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  The first five Dashavatars shown on a temple tower in Udupi, Karnataka.

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  Anantashayana Vishnu with Lakshmi, and his ten avatars above them. From Badami, Karnataka (6th – 8th century).

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  A temple door showing the Dashavatars at Sree Balaji Temple, Goa.

See also

In Spanish: Dashavatara para niños