Lord Vishnu is known to appear many times on the Earth as a physical incarnation which is known in Hinduism as 'Asan Avatar'. Lord Vishnu is a supreme soul and supreme god in Indian mythology. He is said to be the all-encompassing essence of all life, the controller of the past, present and future, and the one who supports, preserves, sustains and governs all things in creation. It is said he appeared many times on the Earth plane as a physical incarnation (known in Hinduism Asan Avatar). Vishnu is said to manifest a portion of himself upon the Earth whenever evil pervades. One of his major roles is to uphold dharma (moral and religious law). His is said to have taken on 10 avatars in total.
1. Matsya (Fish – Satya Yuga)
Matsya was the first avatar of the god Vishnu in the form of a fish. In the Matsya avatar, Lord Vishnu described to have rescued the first man, Vaivasvata Manu, the seven sages at the time of great Flood (massive cyclone) where he took his boat to the new world with one of every species of plant and animal.
Matsya is depicted as a giant fish, or anthropomorphically with a half-human torso connected to the rear half of a fish.
2. Kurma (Tortoise –Satya Yuga)
Appearing in the form of a giant tortoise, Lord Vishnu carried the huge mountain Mandrachala. Mandrachala was initially used to churn the ocean but as the ocean was too deep, it started to drown and hence Lord Vishnu descended on earth.
3. Varaha (Boar –Satya Yuga)
Varaha, the great boar came to Earth’s aid to save it from an incredibly powerful demon. The demon was so powerful that he stole the earth from it’s place in the sky and carried it to the bottom of the cosmic ocean. Vishnu incarnated as Varaha and fought the demon in a battle that lasted a thousand years. Once the enemy was vanquished, Varaha gently rested the earth between his mighty tusks and carried her back to her resting place in the sky once again restoring order and balance.
4. Narasimha (Half-man/half-lion – Satya Yuga)
Narasimha, the Lion-man. This avatar was a great protector of the people, who safeguarded all devotees who needed his help. There was once a demon who was upset with his son worships of Vishnu, and planned to punish him. The demon was made immortal by Brahma, who said he could not be killed by human or beasts. Narasimha overcame this power by assuming the form of both, and vanquishing the demon, thus protecting his son from harm.
5. Vamana (Dwarf –Treta Yuga)
Vamana was the fifth avatar of the Lord Vishnu in the form of a dwarf man. This is the first avatar to appear as a human, carrying a wooden umbrella. Lord Vishnu descended as the Vamana avatar to restore the authority of Indra over the heavens. Vamana went to the king Mahabali to request three paces of land and the king consented against his guru Sukracharya‘s wishes.
6. Parashurama (Warrior with an Axe – Treta Yuga)
Lord Vishnu took the form of a Brahmin to end the tyrannical rule of unrighteous kings and unchaste women. Parashurama prayed to Lord Shiva and acquired an axe which is used to terminate the race.
7. Rama (Prince/king of Ayodhya – Treta Yuga)
The 7th incarnation of Vishnu was considered the perfect man. His devotion to and respect for his father is highly praised. His wife, Sita, was kidnapped by a demon and rescued by Rama and his monkey servant, Hanuman. He became one of the most widely worshipped Hindu deities, the embodiment of chivalry and virtue.
8. Balarama (Philosopher & Guide – Dwapara Yuga)
Balarama was the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu in the Sri Vaishnava lists. Balarama is also known as Baladeva, Balabhadra and Halayudha. He was the elder brother of Lord Krishna and is regarded generally as an avatar of Lord Vishnu. He is also sometimes considered as the Sankarshana form of Vishnu and the eighth avatar of Vishnu.
9. Krishna (Philosopher & Guide – Dwapara Yuga)
Fundamental figure from another Hindu epic, Mahabharata,Lord Vishnu incarnated himself as Lord Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga for two significant events. In the first, Lord Krishna defeated his evil maternal uncle, Kansa. And in the second half, he was the mentor of the Pandavas during the battle of Kurukshetra.
10. Kalki (Eternity/White-Horse – Kali Yuga)
In Hinduism, Kalki (meaning destroyer of evil) will be the tenth avatar of the god Vishnu, foretold to appear at the end of Kali Yuga. The Purana scriptures foretell that Kalki will be atop a white horse with a drawn blazing sword. He will be the harbinger of the end time in Hindu eschatology, after which he will usher into Satya Yuga.