Avatar – Different incarnations or forms of the divine (e.g., Krishna and Rama, who are avatars of Vishnu)

(Pronounced ah-vuh-tahr)

To remember the meaning of the Hindu term Avatar, use the following mnemonic:

She was tempted to have a tart (avatar) but in her new incarnation she was on a strict diet.

In Hinduism, an avatar is the incarnation of a deity (a god) as an animal or person. Incarnation means the embodiment of a god or a spirt in human or animal form.

Hindus believe avatars have a mission to counteract particular types of evil in the word.

Avatars in Hinduism are usually incarnations of the deity Vishnu, the protector aspect of the Trimurti. The best-known avatars of Vishnu are Rama and Krishna.

The Hindu deity Vishnu, surrounded by his avatars. The one on the horse will be the last to appear and will rid the world of evil.

Hindus are taught that there are ten avatars of Vishnu, which means he has appeared or will appear ten times in different forms. The belief is that he has appeared nine times so far and is yet to appear for the final time.

This last avatar to appear will be called Kalki and Hindus say he will ride in on a white horse and destroy all the evil in the world.