By: Rajni pandey | June 6, 2024
Vishnu's first avatar, in the form of a fish, saved the sacred scriptures (Vedas) and the sage Manu from a great deluge.
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In this form, Vishnu supported Mount Mandara on his back during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), which produced the nectar of immortality.
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Vishnu took the form of a boar to rescue the earth (personified as the goddess Bhudevi) from the demon Hiranyaksha, who had submerged it in the cosmic ocean.
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Vishnu appeared as a half-man, half-lion to protect his devotee Prahlada and to defeat the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who could not be killed by man or beast.
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In this avatar, Vishnu took the form of a dwarf Brahmin and visited the demon king Bali. He asked for three paces of land and then expanded to cover the earth, sky, and the netherworld in three steps.
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Vishnu incarnated as Parashurama, a Brahmin warrior, to rid the world of corrupt Kshatriya warriors who were abusing their power.
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In this form, Vishnu incarnated as Prince Rama to defeat the demon king Ravana and uphold Dharma. The story of Rama is detailed in the epic Ramayana.
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One of the most revered avatars, Krishna played a crucial role in the Mahabharata, guiding the Pandavas and delivering the Bhagavad Gita's teachings to Arjuna.
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Vishnu is believed to have incarnated as Gautama Buddha to teach compassion and non-violence and to discourage animal sacrifices.
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The prophesied future avatar, Kalki, will appear at the end of the current age (Kali Yuga) to destroy the forces of evil and restore righteousness.
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