dashavatara

Dashavatara refers to the ten principal avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu, who descends to earth in various forms across cosmic ages to restore dharma when righteousness declines. The term means “ten avatars” in Sanskrit. The exact order and inclusion vary by tradition; the most widely cited list includes Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha (or Balarama), and Kalki. Kalki is the future tenth avatar who is said to appear at the end of Kali Yuga to reestablish righteousness.

Each avatar has a distinct narrative. Matsya (the fish) saves Manu and the Vedas during a deluge. Kurma (the tortoise) supports the churning of the ocean. Varaha (the boar) recovers the Earth from the demon Hiranyaksha. Narasimha (the man-lion) destroys the demon Hiranyakashipu. Vamana (the dwarf) subdues the king Bali and restores balance among the worlds. Parashurama (the warrior with an axe) is said to suppress tyranny and restore order. Rama, the prince-king, upholds dharma in the Ramayana. Krishna, a central figure in the Mahabharata, teaches dharma and philosophy in the Bhagavad Gita. Buddha, included in some lineages, represents compassion and renunciation, while other traditions list Balarama instead. Kalki remains a future figure who will appear on a white horse to end Kali Yuga and inaugurate a new cycle.