The Incarnations of Vishnu-

The earliest account of what was afterwards regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu. This transfer of work from one deity to another is not a matter of surprise, when we remember how frequently it is declared that all the various gods are but forms of one supreme  being. The Incarnations of Vishnu are 13.are described below-

1-   The Matsya or Fish Avatar-  There lived in ancient time a holy man called Manu, who, by penances and prayers.

2-   The Tortoise Avatar- This incarnation was necessitated by the fact that the gods were in danger of losing their authority over the demons.

3-   The Varha Avatar- There is the same conflicting account of this as of the two preceding incarnations.

4-   The Man – Lion Avatar- In the account of the preceding incarnation, it was stated that Vishnu, ere he raised the earth on his tusk, slew a demon.

5-   The Dwarf Avatar- It was in the second age, that this incarnation is supposed to have occurred.

6-   The Parasurama Avatar- The incarnation of Parasurama with axe, was undertaken for the purpose of exterminating the warrior caste.

7-   The Ramcandra Avatar- In northern India this is perhaps the most popular of all the incarnations.

8-    The Krsna Avatar-  This is the most interesting incarnation of Vishnu, both on account or the opportunity which it affords to trace in Hindu antiquity the gradual transformation.

9-   The Buddha Avatar-  This incarnation is originally foreign to the cycle of Avatars.

10-                      The Kalki Avatars- This is in hope of Hindu.

11-                      The Jagannatha- This deity is not reckoned in the list.

12-                      Caitanya- He is mostly worshipped in Bengal.

13-                      Kamdeva- The Indian cupid regarded as the son of Vishnu.