Avatars

In Hindu philosophy, an avatar (also spelt as avatara) (Sanskrit: अवतार, avatāra), most commonly refers to the incarnation (bodily manifestation) of a higher being (deva), or the Supreme Being (God) onto planet Earth. The Sanskrit word avatāra- literally means "descent" (avatarati) and usually implies a deliberate descent into lower realms of existence for special purposes. The term is used primarily in Hinduism, for incarnations of Vishnu whom many Hindus worship as God. Shiva and Ganesha are also described as descending in the form of avatars, with the Ganesha Purana and the Mudgala Purana detailing Ganesha's avatars specifically.

The word has also been used by extension to refer to the incarnations of God or highly influential teachers in other religions, especially by adherents to dharmic traditions when explaining figures such as Jesus or Mohammed.

Types of Avatars

According to the Puranas countless numbers of avatars descend into our universe. Theologically within Vaishnavism the many avatars have been categorised into a number of different types depending on their specific personality and role as described in scripture. Not all are recognised as 'full' or 'direct' incarnations of Vishnu. Some avatars are believed to be souls blessed with certain abilities of 'divine origin', although being a jiva themselves.

Purusha avatars

Purusha avatars are described as the original avatars of Vishnu within the universe:

Vasudeva
Sankarshan
Pradyumna
Aniruddha

Guna avatars

Guna avatars are in control of the three modes (gunas) of nature.

Brahma - Controller of the mode of passion and desire (rajas)
Vishnu - As controller of the mode of goodness (sattva)
Shiva - Controller of the mode of ignorance (tamas)

Lila avatars

The list of lila-avatars (or lilavatars) is too long to enumerate. Lila is translated as 'pastime', and the lilavatars are those which descend at regular intervals throughout time to perform a particular series of events in order to instruct others in the paths of dharma, bhakti or moksha. The Dasavatars and avatars from the Puranas (as below) are examples of this type.

Manvantara avatars

Manvantara avatars are beings responsible for creating progeny throughout the universe, said to be unlimited in number


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar