Lord Vishnu

Usually, ten incarnations (avataras) of Vishnu are mentioned in the Puranas. The Bhagavata Maha-Purana however mentions twenty-four incarnations.

Vishnu’s first incarnation was as a celibate Brahmana, the brahmanas being the first of the four classes. The duties of brahmanas were to pray and devote themselves to the study of the Shastras.

Lord Vishnu’s second incarnation was a wild boar (Varaha). In this form, he rescued the world from the depths of the underworld.

In his third incarnation, Vishnu adopted the form of the great Sage Narada. As Narada, he instructed men about the virtues of being devoted to Lord Vishnu.

In the fourth incarnation, Vishnu adopted the forms of two different sages. Their names were Nara and Narayana. These two sages performed very difficult tapasya (meditation).

Lord Vishnu’s fifth incarnation was also as a sage. This sage’s name was Kapila. There was another sage named Asuri. Kapila instructed Asuri about the school of philosophy that is known as samkhya darshan.

In his sixth incarnation, Vishnu was born as the son of the sage Atri and his wife Anusuya. The name that Vishnu adopted in this incarnation was Dattatreya. As Dattatreya, Vishnu instructed Alarka, Prahlada and others on the path to true knowledge.

The seventh incarnation took place during the rule of Svayambhuva Manu, the first Manu to rule over an era (manvantara). Vishnu was now born as the son of Ruchi and Akuti and His name was Yajna. Yajna held the title of Indra during the first manvantara.

Vishnu’s eight incarnation was as Rishabha, the son of King Nabhi and Queen Maru. In this avatara, he instructed even the most learned of scholars about the best form of meditation.

The ninth incarnation was as a king. In fact, the sages had asked that Vishnu might be born as a king. From the word for asking (prarthana), the king came to be called Prithu and the earth is known as prithivi after king Prithu. Prithu milked the earth and obtained all the herbs and plants which were then handed over to humans.

Vishnu’s tenth incarnation was as a fish (matsya). This took place during the manvantara that was known as chakshusha manvantara. At this time, the whole world was flooded with water. The Manu who ruled over this manvantara was known as Vaivasvata Manu. As a fish Vishnu told Vaivasvata Manu to build a boat and save himself and the rest of humanity from the waters of the food.