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Philosophy & Concepts
Avatarअवतार
A divine incarnation — the descent of God into worldly form to restore cosmic order (dharma).
Detailed Explanation
Avatara literally means descent. In Hindu thought, especially Vaishnavism, the divine takes embodied form when righteousness declines, as described in the Bhagavad Gita. The best known are the Dashavatara, the ten principal avatars of Vishnu, which include Rama and Krishna. The idea expresses that the formless absolute can willingly assume form out of compassion to guide and protect creation.