South-Indian Images of Gods and Goddesses c8.s6.1

c8.s6.1

Two other *avatārs* of Vishnu, viz., Buddha and Kalki may be noticed. The latter is only a prospective incarnation in which the god is expected to appear as a powerful hero riding on horse-back, sword in hand, to suppress the growing wickedness of the Mlēchchhas. The Buddha incarnation of Vishnu is, no doubt, counted among the ten *avatārs* but is rarely found worshipped in Hindu temples.¹ Buddha is