Before learning what are the 24 avatars of Vishnu, it’s crucial to know that Lord Vishnu is one of the most adored and significant Hindu deities. There is a big list of Vishnu avatars that Lord Vishnu has incarnated into in order to preserve the universe from the bad. The most popular Lord Vishnu Avatar names are Lord Rama, Krishna, Narsimha and much more. According to Hinduism, he is a member of the Holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar, which also includes Lord Shiva as the destroyer as well as a transformer. Lord Vishnu is included as the preserver of the universe and defender of all spheres of existence.
The Hindu trinity symbolizes the unity of the three divine energies. However, according to the Puranas, Lord Brahma also originated from a lotus that emerged from Lord Vishnu’s navel. As a result, according to this myth, Lord Vishnu is to be responsible for Lord Brahma’s status as the universe’s creator. Keep reading to learn what are the 24 avatars of Vishnu.
What Are The 24 Avatars Of Vishnu?
Below is the list of Vishnu avatars:
- Adi Purush
- Four Kumaras
- Narada
- Nara Narayana
- Kapila
- Dattatreya
- Yajna
- Rishabha
- Prithu
- Dhanvantari
- Mohini
- Hayagreeva
- Vyasa
- Matsya avatar
- Kurma avatar
- Varaha avatar
- Narsimha
- Vamana
- Parashurama
- Rama
- Balarama
- Krishna
- Buddha
- Kalki
A Detailed List Of Vishnu Avatars With Lord Vishnu Avatar Names
1. Adi Purush
The original and most important avatar out of the 24 avatars of Vishnu list is Adi Purush. He is also referred to as Lord Narayana and is seen resting on Adishesha, a serpent. He is the origin of all cosmological creation. The lotus, from which Brahma dwells, grows from his navel.
2. Four Kumaras
Four Kumaras, namely Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanat Kumara, were the first four cognizant creatures to exist. For the purpose of helping him generate life, Lord Brahma created them, to be a part of what are the 24 avatars of Vishnu. They were extremely intelligent for being so young.
3. Narada
Narada, who is Lord Vishnu’s staunchest follower, is the son of Lord Brahma. The image of him is that of a sage holding a tambura and khartal. The mythology of the Hindus states. Narada possesses the unique capacity to swiftly transition between realms. He is frequently regarded as the first journalist and the messenger of gods. He is also a musician and storyteller.
4. Nara Narayana
The sage twins in the 24 avatars of Vishnu list are named Nara and Narayana. They were created to uphold the principles of Dharma on Earth, including truth, justice and righteousness. The brothers’ strength allowed them to use their meditation to defeat Shiva’s devastating weapon, Pashupatastra.
5. Kapila
Kapila is portrayed as a Lord Vishnu avatar in Hindu mythology. He is credited with founding the Samkhya School of Philosophy. It is stated that he was born on earth to achieve a balance of Dharma via his teachings. Samkhya, which comprises perception, inference and source testimony, is the formula for knowledge acquisition.
6. Dattatreya
Sage and yoga master Dattatreya is sometimes referred to as Trimurti. He is shown as a saint with six hands and three heads that stand for Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. He is a composite image of Hinduism’s Trinity god.
7. Yajna
He is the embodiment of Yajna, a ceremony in which a fire is lit and a sacrifice is offered to the gods. He is also referred to as Yajneshwara. Indra, the ruler of gods, has also been called Yajna in a few scriptures.
8. Rishabha
Rishabha is another significant avatar among the 24 avatars of Vishnu list. He is credited with founding Jainism. He was thought to have broken free from the cycle of birth and death. He used to direct people towards the way of moksha, or salvation.
9. Prithu
Prithu was the first sacred king in the list of Vishnu avatars. He is the one responsible for all the greenery and cultivation of crops on earth. King Prithu dedicated his life to the service of god and taught people the ways of religion.
10. Dhanvantari
After the gods and demons completed churning the ocean, Dhanvantari was the God who emerged, bearing a pot of Amrit, the nectar of immortality in his hand. He is revered for achieving sound health and is often referred to as the God of Ayurveda.
Also Read- The Origin Of God Brahma Vishnu Mahesh And Their Importance In Hinduism
11. Mohini
Vishnu’s female incarnation is called Mohini. She fooled the demons into giving her the Amrit, which they had taken from the gods without their will after the ocean had churned. She then gave it to the gods. The head of Rahu, which is now known as Rahu and Ketu in Jyotish Shastra, was severed by Vishnu in the form of Mohini, who was also in charge of cutting off the head of Ketu.
12. Hayagreeva
The primary goal of this Lord Vishnu incarnation was to recover and safeguard the Vedas, which Madhu and Kaitaba had stolen. Hayagreeva, the Vishnu avatar name, took on the form of Sri Narayan with four hands, a horse’s face and a human body for the rest of his body. He destroyed the monster while defending the Vedas.
13. Vyasa
He is an immortal sage also identified as Veda Vyasa who is credited for compiling and creating many of the Vedas. He introduced himself as the father of Pandu & Dhritarashtra in the Mahabharata, which he wrote.
14. Matsya Avatar
Half-fish, half-human- Vishnu Matsya is another intriguing avatar in the list of Vishnu avatar. The Yajurveda is credited as its source. In the Matsya Purana, Matsya is credited with alerting the human race’s supreme leader, Vaivasvata Manu, about an impending flood and saving him. The four Vedas, which were stolen by the demon named Hayagriva, were saved by Matsya, with the help of his plant seeds.
15. Kurma Avatar
Kurma is the Vishnu avatar name for the tortoise-and-man hybrid form. He holds mount Mandara steady on his shell during the churning of the waters to help the gods and demons. It is also said that he carried the weight of the universe on his back.
16. Varaha Avatar
Half-boar, half-man is how the Varaha avatar appears in the list of Vishnu avatar. This Lord Vishnu avatar is referenced in traditions where he is credited for lifting the earth out of the cosmos.
According to Hindu tradition, Lord Vishnu took on the form of Varaha to act as a protector when the demon Hiranyaksha kidnapped Bhudevi and hid her in the celestial lake. Varaha then helped Bhudevi be found by killing Hiranyaksha. With his tusk, he stopped the earth from sinking and brought her back to her proper position.
17. Narsimha
Vishnu’s half-lion, half-human avatar is called Narsimha. He was created to bring an end to the rule of the evil Hiranya Kashyap and to bring about the establishment of Dharma on earth, including justice, peace and other virtues.
18. Vamana
Vamana was a Brahmin dwarf. This Lord Vishnu avatar arrives to restrain the evil king Mahabali’s rising strength, which he does by deceiving him during a sacrifice ritual and banishing him to the underworld.
19. Parashurama
Parashurama, a Vishnu avatar name, is a Kshatriya Brahmin. He is portrayed as a sage holding an axe. He was created to put an end and bring to justice the oppression of the wicked Kshatriyas, who abused their power and tormented others.
20. Rama
In the Satyug period, Lord Rama is regarded as Lord Vishnu’s twentieth manifestation. With the aid of the Vanars, he built a bridge across the ocean during this incarnation. After travelling to Lanka, he killed numerous demons including Ravana and Kumbhakarna. He imparted morality’s importance.
21. Balarama
As Krishna’s older brother, Balarama makes an appearance in the Mahabharata. He was Duryodhana and Bhima’s teacher of the ‘Gada’ and was renowned for his strength when towing a plough (the weapon). He goes on several adventures with Krishna, one of which was putting the oppressive king Kansa to justice.
22. Krishna
Krishna is yet another prominent manifestation of Vishnu. During the Mahabharata war, he is credited for overthrowing the rule of his cruel maternal uncle Kansa and serving as the Pandavas’ counsellor. He served as Arjuna’s charioteer and guide during the battle of Kurukshetra. In the midst of the conflict, Lord Krishna read to Arjuna from one of this age’s greatest spiritual works, the Bhagavad Gita.
23. Buddha
Siddhartha Gautam, also known as Buddha, was born in Lumbini. He later changed his name to Gautam Buddha, and left his home and all of his material possessions in search of enlightenment. He created Buddhism and taught followers the Noble Eightfold Path as the means of putting an end to all forms of suffering.
24. Kalki
Only Kalki, an avatar of Vishnu, has not yet been born. By vanquishing the demonic Kali, he will put an end to all evil and usher in either a new Satya Yuga or Kalkiyuga. The personification of all the bad qualities and forces is known as Kali. Kalki is seen as a warrior standing next to a white steed while brandishing a bright sword.
Also Read- List Of Lord Shiva Avatars – The Famous 19 Avatars Of Lord Shiva
Conclusion
All of his incarnations, regardless of shape or period, shared the same objective: to put a stop to evil and reestablish Dharma, the way to salvation. Lord Vishnu is regarded as the defender and preserver of the universe as a virtue of this.
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