avataar

Avataar is a term originating from Sanskrit, meaning "descent" or "avatar." In Hinduism, it specifically refers to the material manifestation of a deity on Earth. The most well-known avatars are those of Vishnu, who is said to descend to Earth in various forms to restore cosmic order, protect the righteous, and vanquish evil. The Dashavatara, or ten primary avatars of Vishnu, include Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (man-lion), Vamana (dwarf), Parashurama (axe-wielding Brahmin), Rama (prince and king), Krishna (prince and king), Buddha, and Kalki (future avatar). Each avatar's story is found in various Hindu scriptures and plays a significant role in the mythology and theological understanding of the divine. The concept of avataar emphasizes the idea that the divine can interact with the mortal realm and intervene in human affairs. Beyond Hinduism, the term has been adopted in popular culture, notably in the context of digital representations of users in virtual environments and online games, where it signifies a person's online persona or embodiment.