A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c3.9

c3.9

The Avatāras or incarnations of Vishnu assume a prominent place in the poems, and still more so in the Purānas. The first three, the Fish, the Tortoise, and the Boar, have a cosmical character, and are foreshadowed in the hymns of the Vedas. The fourth, or Man-lion, seems to belong to a later age, when the worship of Vishnu had become established. The fifth, or Dwarf, whose three strides deprived the Asuras of the dominion of heaven and earth, is in its character anterior to the fourth Avatāra, and the three strides are attributed to Vishnu in the Veda. The fifth, sixth, and seventh, Parasu-rāma, Rāma-chandra, and Krishna, are mortal heroes, whose exploits are celebrated in these poems so fervently as to raise the heroes to the rank of gods. The ninth Avatāra, Buddha, is manifestly and avowedly the offspring of the preaching of Buddha; and the tenth, Kalki, is yet to come.