2. / Columbia Encyclopedia
  3. / Philosophy and Religion
  4. / Eastern Religions
  5. / Hinduism
  6. / avatara

avatara

avatara ăv˝ətârə [key] [Skt.,=descent], incarnations of Hindu gods, especially Vishnu . The doctrine of avatara first occurs in the Bhagavad-Gita , where Krishna declares: For the preservation of the righteous, the destruction of the wicked, and the establishment of dharma [virtue], I come into being from age to age. Vishnu is believed to have taken nine avatara, in both animal and human form, with a tenth yet to come. The avatara of Shiva are imitations of those of Vishnu.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Hinduism

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.