4 Yugas Avatars of Lord Vishnu
Hinduism has fascinated me for years. From epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat to all the Purans and Veds, there’s so much information about the mythical history of Earth. While it would not be easy to give you the whole Hinduism at one go, we try to answer some burning questions in this article.
Let’s talk about Lord Vishnu and his avatars in 4 yugas. Lord Vishnu is one of the supreme deities in Hindu Mythology. He is the preserver and savior of the universe. With Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, he forms the trimurti. The trimurti controls all aspects of the universe from creation to destruction.
In popular photos of Lord Vishnu, you can see him in a blue complexion with four arms. Each arm holds divine objects. A Conch Shell (Shanka), a discus (chakra), a mace (gada) and a lotus (padma). He rests on the coiled serpent King Sheshnaag floating on the Ksheer Sagar. His wife Goddess Lakshmi sat near his feet.
Here, see the placing of these divine objects and what it means.
| Object | Hand | Meaning |
| Conch shell (Shanka) | Upper left | Represents purity, and Vishnu’s ability to maintain the universe |
| Mace (Gada) | Upper right | Represents mental and physical strength |
| Discus (Chakra) | Lower right | Represents the cycle of time, and protection of dharma. |
| Lotus (Padma) | Lower left | Represents purity, and detachment from materialism. |
Vishnu Avatars And Yugas
When we talk about Vishnu Avatars, we think of the Dashavataram. They are memorable because they fight evil and guide people on the right path. However, Hindu scriptures mention that there are 24 Vishnu Avatars that happened during the 4 yugas cycle.
All these 24 forms of Lord Vishnu mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita. It says, Lord Vishnu will take avatar every time when evil triumphs over good, or darkness takes over the light.
Below is the list of all 24 Vishnu Avatars during the 4 yugas cycle.
| # | Avatar | Description | Yuga |
| 1 | Adi Purush | Primary avatar of Lord Vishnu. | Eternal (Timeless) |
| 2 | Four Kumars | First four conscious beings created by Lord Brahma. | Satya Yuga |
| 3 | Narada | Son of Lord Brahma and a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. | Satya Yuga |
| 4 | Nara Narayana | Twin sage avatars of Lord Vishnu. | Satya Yuga |
| 5 | Kapila | Sage and spiritual leader; an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. | Satya Yuga |
| 6 | Dattatreya | God who is an incarnation of the Divine Trinity Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. | Satya Yuga |
| 7 | Yajna | Ritual avatar of Vishnu as the presiding deity of sacrifices. | Satya Yuga |
| 8 | Rishabha | A preacher and spiritual leader. | Satya Yuga |
| 9 | Prithu | The first sacred king who “milked” the Earth for sustenance. | Treta Yuga |
| 10 | Dhanvantari | God of medicine who emerged holding a pot of Amrit (nectar of immortality). | Treta Yuga |
| 11 | Mohini | Female avatar of Vishnu who distributed Amrit to the gods. | Treta Yuga |
| 12 | Hayagreeva | Avatar with a human body and the head of a horse, symbolizing knowledge. | Satya Yuga |
| 13 | Vyasa | Sage who authored the Mahabharata. | Dvapara Yuga |
| 14 | Matsya | Half-fish and half-human form of Lord Vishnu. | Satya Yuga |
| 15 | Kurma | Half-tortoise and half-man form of Lord Vishnu during Samudra Manthan. | Satya Yuga |
| 16 | Varaha | Half-man and half-boar avatar of Vishnu who rescued the Earth. | Satya Yuga |
| 17 | Narasimha | Half-lion and half-human avatar who killed Hiranyakashipu. | Satya Yuga |
| 18 | Vamana | Dwarf avatar who subdued King Mahabali. | Treta Yuga |
| 19 | Parshuram | Sage with an axe who rid the world of corrupt rulers. | Treta Yuga |
| 20 | Rama | Prince of Ayodhya and hero of the Ramayana who defeated Ravana. | Treta Yuga |
| 21 | Balarama | Elder brother of Krishna and a symbol of strength. | Dvapara Yuga |
| 22 | Krishna | Avatar who guided Arjuna in the Mahabharata and defeated numerous demons. | Dvapara Yuga |
| 23 | Buddha | Preached nonviolence and compassion, integrating Buddhism into the Hindu fold. | Kali Yuga |
| 24 | Kalki | Yet-to-appear avatar who will restore dharma at the end of Kali Yuga. | End of Kali Yuga |
Dashavataram – The Ten Avatars Of Lord Vishnu
The Dashavataram includes ten avatars of Lord Vishnu who saved the universe and restored dharma and peace in the 4 yugas. While we talk about the Dashavataram in detail, let’s understand how Vishnu saved the universe in all 4 yugas and what was his purpose to take avatars.
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Satya Yuga Avatar of Vishnu
In Satya yuga, Lord Vishnu descends on earth four times to save the universe. The universe was still in the beginning phase and the early signs of life were developing. According to mythology, Devas and Asuras were living in separate worlds in Satya Yuga.
1. Matsya Avatar
The Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu came with a purpose to save vedas and humanity from heavy rain and flood. According to the mythology, the story begins with a king named Manu. Lord Vishnu told him about the heavy rains and floods.
He guided him to build a big boat and bring seeds of all plants, animals, and the seven sages along with him. As the pralay (holocaust) began, Vishnu took the form of giant fish and guided the boat through the storm. Later, Manu repopulated the earth and started a new cycle.
Purpose: Save humanity and vedas from heavy rains and floods.
Symbolism: Represents the aquatic origin of evolution and the beginning of life.
2. Kurma Avatar
The Kurma Avatar came into existence to help devas and asuras churn amrit (nectar of immortality). Taking the form of a giant tortoise he held the weight of the mountain Mandara during Samudra Manthan (Sea Churning).
During the churning, Mount Mandara became the churning rod and Vasuki became the rope. But the mountain began to sink in the sea. Vishnu’s Kurma Avatar stopped it from sinking into the ocean.
Purpose: Stabilize Mount Mandara during Samudra Manthan.
Symbolism: Represents stability and support during tough times.
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3. Varaha Avatar
Varaha Avatar of Lord Vishnu is a giant pig who protects Mother Earth from demon Hiranyaksha. Demon Hiranyaksha got a boon from Brahma that he is invincible against all beings. He started misusing his powers. Once he hid Mother Earth in the cosmic ocean.
Lord Vishnu took the form of Varaha and saved Earth. He dived deep into the cosmic ocean and fought Hiranyaksha. He lifted the earth on his tusks and brought it back to the surface.
Purpose: Rescued the Earth from Hiranyaksha.
Symbolism: Earth’s emergence and protection.
4. Narasimha Avatar
Lord Vishnu’s Narasimha Avatar exists to kill demon king Hiranyakashipu and save his devotee Prahalad. Demon Hiranyakashipu got the boon from Brahma that he could not be killed by any man or animal, indoors or outdoors, during the day or night.
He started believing that he is invincible and wants the similar status as any God. However, his own son Prahalad started worshipping Lord Vishnu. Once angry Hisanyakashipu tried to kill his own son but failed. Vishnu took Narasimha Avatar and emerged from a pillar.
He killed the demon king with his claws in the evening on the gate. This way, he also protected the boon given by Lord Brahma. There’s a conflict about Narasimha Avatar in which Yuga appears. However, it is believed that the Narasimha avatar happened in Satya Yuga.
Purpose: Destroyed the demon king Hiranyakashipu and protected his devotee Prahlada.
Symbolism: Overcoming arrogance and oppression.
Treta Yuga Avatar of Lord Vishnu
In Treta yuga, Lord Vishnu descends on earth three times to save the universe. The universe was in a transition phase and the early signs of human life were developing. According to Mythology, Devas and Asuras started living in the same world in Treta Yuga.
5. Vamana Avatar
During Treta Yuga, many Asuras were getting boons by doing hard penance. One such magnificent Asura King was Mahabali. He gained immense power and was already accepted by people for his ruling abilities.
Lord Vishnu took the form of Vamana, a dwarf Brahmin. He approached Mahabali and asked for 3 steps of land. The generous king agreed and Vamana grew into an enormous size. With his two steps he acquired all the places known to mankind that time. For the third step, Mahabali surrendered himself to God.
There’s a conflict about Vamana Avatar in which Yuga appears as the mythological history is a little foggy. However, it is believed that Vamana avatar happened in Treta Yuga.
Purpose: Subdued the arrogant demon king Bali by covering the universe in three steps.
Symbolism: Humility and the power of intellect over physical strength.
6. Parshuram Avatar
Parshuram Avatar of Lord Vishnu is a sage with an axe. His references exist in both the epic Hindu Mythology books Ramayana and Mahabharata. He was born in a Brahmin family and trained in warfare by Lord Shiva himself.
He was the first warrior saint and known for his aggressive nature. In Ramayana, he gave Lord Shiva’s bow to King Janak. In Mahabharata, he was the guru of Bishma, Dronacharya, and karna.
Purpose: Wielded his axe to save the world from corrupt Kshatriya rulers.
Symbolism: Justice and the balance of power.
7. Sri Ram Avatar
Sri Ram is the main character of Ramayan. Lord Vishnu took this avatar to destroy demon King Ravana. The prince of Ayodhya established himself as an ideal human being. He became a role model for every person on the Earth.
Ram is the eldest son of King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya. He left his kingdom when his father asked him. Lord Rama exiled for 14 years living in dense forests with wife Sita and brother Laxman.
Purpose: The hero of the Ramayana. He defeated Ravana, the demon king of Lanka.
Symbolism: The ideal man and king.
Dwapara Yuga Avatar of Lord Vishnu
In Dwapara yuga, Lord Vishnu descends on earth once to save the universe. The universe was advanced and exploring what we call ancient science now. According to Mythology, Devas and Asuras started living in the same family in Dwapara Yuga.
8. Sri Krishna Avatar
Krishna is also worshipped as supreme deities in Hinduism. This Dwapara Yuga Vishnu Avatar is closely related to Lord Vishnu as he claimed himself as Supreme God. During Mahabharat, he even showed his omnipresent look to Arjuna during Geeta Saar.
Lord Krishna incarnation in Dwapara Yuga mentioned two important events. First, the defeat of his evil uncle Kansa. And Second, mentoring Pandavas during the epic Mahabharat.
Purpose: Central figure in the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita.
Symbolism: Divine love, wisdom, and playfulness.
Kali Yuga Avatar of Lord Vishnu
In Kali yuga, Lord Vishnu descends on earth twice to save the universe. The universe has lost its faith in Dharma and the influence of Kali is everywhere. According to Mythology, Devas and Asuras started living in the same body in Kali Yuga.
9. Buddha Avatar
Lord Vishnu’s avatar is debatable for the 9th position in Dashavatar. Shaiva believes Balaram is the avatar of Lord Vishnu. Viashnav and North Indians believe Buddha is an avatar of Vishnu. The belief came into existence between A.D. 450 and the sixth century.
The myth of the Buddha being a Vishnu Avatar appeared in the Vishnu Puran. He is already accepted as the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu in North India. In Buddhism, Vishnu is Bodhisattva who protects the Buddha Shasana.
Purpose: Preached nonviolence, compassion, and detachment.
Symbolism: Enlightenment and peace.
10. Kalki Avatar
Kalki is the tenth and final avatar of Lord Vishnu on Earth. There are prophecies about his appearance and the time when Kalki avatar born on earth. Kalki avatar will born in Shambhala Village during the last years of Kali Yuga.
He will appear on a white horse with a blazing sword. He will destroy the influence of Kali and save mankind. Kalki Avatar will lead us to Satya Yuga. Many people have interpreted the texts of Kalki purana. You can find all the interpretations on the internet.
Purpose: Yet to appear; will come at the end of Kali Yuga to destroy evil, and establish dharma.
Symbolism: The promise of hope.
Ten Avatars of Lord Vishnu And Its Meanings:
These 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu fit the idea of evolution from a human’s perspective. Also, these Puranas and Vedas have already hinted at all the modern day science and inventions. Many believe that Vedas have covered everything that ever existed in this universe.
Take a look at how Lord Vishnu avatars relate to modern day evolution:
| # | Avatar | Description |
| 1 | Matsya | Creatures that live solely in water. |
| 2 | Koorma | Creatures that live in water and on land (amphibians). |
| 3 | Varaha | Land-dwelling creatures (with swimming ability). |
| 4 | Narasimha | Transitional form between animals and humans (half-lion, half-human). |
| 5 | Vamana | Homo sapiens with short stature. |
| 6 | Parashurama | The rough and tough human (Rama with an axe). |
| 7 | Sri Rama | The ideal civilized human (Rama with a bow and noble practices). |
| 8 | Sri Krishna | The superhuman with divine qualities. |
| 9 | Buddha | Greatest teacher of Non-violence |
| 10 | Kalki | The apocalyptic figure who will end the Mahayuga. |
These are Lord Vishnu’s Dashavatar that have been talked about all the time. Apart from one entry of Lord Buddha, everyone accepted the list.
FAQs:
Q1. What is the reason behind Lord Vishnu taking avatars in different ages of Yugas?
Ans. Lord Vishnu is the protector of the universe. Thus, he has to take avatars to restore cosmic balance and protect dharma. All his avatars have a unique purpose to exist.
Q2. How is it possible for 2 Vishnu avatars to be in the same Yuga?
Ans. Dashavataram talks about only 10 avatars. According to Hinduism, there are 24 avatars of Lord Vishnu during the 4 yugas cycle. The Vishnu Avatars even interacted with each other. For instance in Treta Yuga, Lord Ram and Lord Parshuram talked to each other.
Q3. Why is Mohini not considered in the Dashavatara of Lord Vishnu?
Ans. Mohini Avatar is not included in the Dashavatara because ten primary avatars represent cosmic evolution, and restoration of Dharma. Meanwhile, Mohini Avatar is created for a particular event to solve a crisis.
