[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c4.1177 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.1177 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c4.1177 - **Language:** English ### [c4.1177](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1177) 1) General information. God takes three kinds of incarnations such as avatāra, āveśa and aṁśa. That which has full power is avatāra; that which has power only for the time being is āveśa and partial incarnation in aṁśāvatāra.\* The incarnations of Viṣṇu are countless. Hermits, Manus, Devas (gods) and sons of Manus are incarnations in part (aṁśāvatāras) of Viṣṇu. Complete avatāras are ten in numbers of which Balabhadra Rāma is not considered as an avatāra by some. Instead of him they place Buddha. - [Previous: c4.1176](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1176) - [Next: c4.1178](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1178) - [Up: c4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1177](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c4.1177) · Pramāṇa