Design Resource
Iconography in Hinduism
Decoding the Pictorial Script
by
Dashavatar
Ten Avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu
Whenever the world was threatened by a great calamity, or by the wickedness of its inhabitants, Vishnu, as Preserver, comes to earth in some form, restores the balance and when his work was done returns again to the skies. Thus Vishnu is said to have taken many avatars at various points of time. The ten most popular avatars are discussed here.
Resources
Harshananda, S. (1982). Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math.
Parthasarathy, A. (2007). The Symbolism of Hindu Gods and Rituals. Mumbai: A. Parthasarathy.
Wilkins, W. (1882). Hindu Mythology. New Delhi: Rupa. co.