Conversation between Krishna and Sweta while having lunch:
Krishna: We have heard of God incarnating only in human form. He who loves all can’t be biased. Why doesn’t he incarnate as animals, trees, and insects? I know God resides in every thing but I’m talking from the mythological point of view.
Sweta: (jokingly) Maybe because if God incarnated as an ant, He might get crushed! Krishna: (as soon as she uttered the question, this realization dawned : ) ) Oh I know it!! Indian mythology depicts God incarnating even as a boar (Varaha avatar), fish (Matsyaa avatar), lion (Narsimha avataar), etc. Peepul tree is also worshipped since according to mythology Lord Vishnu resides in it. There may be many more examples we are still unaware of.
Wow! Our Indian mythology and our take on spirituality and religion are so unique! So rich our culture is!
Sweta: He needs to incarnate in other forms too for camouflage sake!!
(This statement is followed by their standard roars of laughter : ) )
Put up for public display by Krishna (Sweta)
First incarnation of Vishnu : Matsya or the Fish incarnation : in this form Vishnu saved the Saint Vaivaswata, the hindu variety of the biblical Noah (or vice versa).
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Third incarnation of Vishnu : Varaha or the Boar incarnation of Vishnu : he killed the demon Hiranyaksha, recovered the stolen Veda's and released the Earth from the bottom of the ocean.
Fourth incarnation of Vishnu : Narasingha or the Lion incarnation : as a creature who was half-lion and half-man, Vishnu killed the demon Hiranyashasipu, brother of Niranyaksha, who had gained the boon of immunity from attacks by man, beast or god.
Fifth incarnation of Vishnu : Vamana or the Dwarf incarnation : he killed the demon Bali, who had gained dominion over the Earth and had chased the gods from the heavens.
Sixth incarnation of Vishnu : Parasurama : he killed the King Kartavirya, who had stolen the holy cow Kamadhenu, which could grant all desires.
Seventh incarnation of Vishnu : Ram : he killed the demon King Ravana, who had abducted Sita. More on Ram can be read on the Ramayana page.
Click for a larger image of this Vishnu incarnation
Eigth incarnation of Vishnu : Krishna : he killed Kansa, son of a demon and the tyrannical King of Mathura. More on Krishna can be read in the Life of Krishna.
Ninth incarnation of Vishnu : Buddha : Vishnu incarnated to remove suffering from the world. More on Buddha can be read on the Buddha page. While some Hindus may oppose to seeing Buddha as a Vishnu incarnation, many other Hindus in fact embrace Buddha as such and worship Buddha both in Buddhist temples as in Hindu temples.
Tenth Incarnation of Vishnu : Kalki : still to come at the end of the Kaliyuga or the present age of decline, when Vishnu will appear in person on Earth, seated on a white horse, Kalki, which is his tenth incarnation.