Dashavatara Avatars: Avatars of Vishnu Ten avatars of Vishnu are Matsya,Kurma,Varaha,Narasimha,Vamana,Parashurama,Rama,Krishna,Balarama,Kalki) Ten avatars (dashavatara) of Vishnu are the most prominent 1.Matsya, the fish that kills Damanaka to save the vedas and saves mankind. 2.Kurma, the turtle that helps the Devas and Asuras churn the ocean for the nectar of immortality. 3.Varaha, the boar that rescues the Earth and kills Hiranyaksha 4.Narasimha, the one (half-lion half- human) who defeats the demon Hiranyakashapu (Nara = man, simha = lion). 5.Vamana, the dwarf that grows into a giant to save the world from King Bali. 6.Parashurama, A Sage, Rama with the axe, who appeared in the Treta Yuga. He killed Kartavirya Arjuna army and clan and then killed all the ksatriyas 21 times. 7.Rama, Sri Ramachandra, the prince and king of Ayodhya who killed Demon King Raavana. 8.Krishna, (meaning 'dark coloured' or 'all attractive' or the Existence of Bliss) who played a major role in Mahabharata. 9.Balarama,the elder brother of Lord Krishna]. 10. Kalki,"Eternity", or "timeless", destroyer of time or "The Destroyer of foulness", who is expected to appear at the end of Kali Yuga, the time period in which we currently exist. Page 1 of 5
Dashavatara The 10(Dasha) incarnations(avatara) of Lord Vishnu can be shown like this. Name of the Avatara Position of the Hands Matsya (Fish) First show the Matsya hasta and then hold tripataka hasta in both the hands, in line with shoulders. Koorma (Tortoise) Show the Koorma hasta and then hold tripataka hasta in both the hands, in line with shoulders. Varaha (Wild Bore) Show the Varaha hasta and then keep both hands on the waist. Narasimha (Half Simhamukha Man & Half Lion) Vamana (Dwarf) Mushti Mushti, turned down Hold the left hand little below the left sholuder and the right hand little above the waist, like showing the sacred thread. Parashuraama Keep the hand on Ardhapataka the waist Stretch the right hand above the head at an angle. Raama Kapitha Hold the left hand above the shoulder level, like holding a bow and stretch down the right hand, like holding an arrow. Balaraama Mushti Krishna Mrugasheersha Mrugasheersha Both the hands are held near the mouth with mrugasheersha hasta opposite to one another, like holding the Flute. Kalki Page 2 of 5
Navagraha Name of the Graha Surya Alapadma Kapitha Chandra Alapadma Kuja or Mangala or Angaraka Mushti Budha Mushti, held horizontally Bruhaspati or Guru, both hands held like showing the showing the sacred thread. Shukra Mushti Mushti, held upside down Shani Trishoola Raahu Sarpasheersha Ketu Jaati Name of the Jaati Rakshasa Shakata Shakata, help near the mouth Brahmana Kshatriya, held horizontally Vyshya Hamsasya Katakamu Page 3 of 5
Bandhu Relationship Dampati (Married Couple) Mrugasheersha Maatru (Mother) Ardhachandra, held near the stomuch Samdamsha Pitru (Father) Ardhachandra, held near the stomuch Swashru (Mother-in- Hamsasya, held near the neck law) Samdamsha Swashura (Father-in- Hamsasya, held near the neck law) Bhartru Bhaatru (Brother-in-law) Kartareemukha Nanand (Sister-inlaw) Show the above hasta and then show Mrugasheersha in right hand Sodara (Brother Mayura Mayura Putra (Son) Samdamsha, held near the stomuch Snusha (Daughterin-law) Show the above hasta and then show Mrugasheersha in right hand Sapatni (Second Wife) Mrugasheersha First Paasha and then Mrugasheersha Page 4 of 5
Deva Here are some of the hastas used to show the gods & godesses. Name of the Deity Brahma Chatura Hamsasya Shambhu Mrugasheersha Vishnu Saraswati Kapitha, in line with the shoulder Parvati Ardhachandra, held downwards Ardhachandra, held upwads Lakshmi Kapitha, in line with shoulder Kapitha, in line with shoulder Vinayaka Kapitha, in front of chest Kapitha, in front of chest Manmatha Katakamukha Shanmukha Trishoola Indra Swastika Agni Kangoola Yama Paasha Niruti Khatva Shakata Varuna Vaayu Ardhapataka Arala Kubera Padmakosha Ardhachandra Page 5 of 5