What is the meaning of avatar word

Avatar (Sanskrit: अवतार, avatāra; pronounced [ɐʋɐt̪aːɾɐ]) is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means «descent». It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, goddess or spirit on Earth.^[1][2] The relative verb to «alight, to make one’s appearance» is sometimes used to refer to any guru or revered human being.^[3][4]

The word avatar does not appear in the Vedic literature;^[5] however, it appears in developed forms in post-Vedic literature, and as a noun particularly in the Puranic literature after the 6th century CE.^[6] Despite that, the concept of an avatar is compatible with the content of the Vedic literature like the Upanishads as it is symbolic imagery of the Saguna Brahman concept in the philosophy of Hinduism. The Rigveda describes Indra as endowed with a mysterious power of assuming any form at will.^[7][8] The Bhagavad Gita expounds the doctrine of Avatara but with terms other than avatar.^[6][4]

Theologically, the term is most often associated with the Hindu god Vishnu, though the idea has been applied to other deities.^[9] Varying lists of avatars of Vishnu appear in Hindu scriptures, including the ten Dashavatara of the Garuda Purana and the twenty-two avatars in the Bhagavata Purana, though the latter adds that the incarnations of Vishnu are innumerable.^[10] The avatars of Vishnu are important in Vaishnavism theology. In the goddess-based Shaktism tradition of Hinduism, avatars of the Devi in different appearances such as Tripura Sundari, Durga and Kali are commonly found.^[11][12][13] While avatars of other deities such as Ganesha and Shiva are also mentioned in medieval Hindu texts, this is minor and occasional.^[14] The incarnation doctrine is one of the important differences between Vaishnavism and Shaivism traditions of Hinduism.^[15][16]

Incarnation concepts that are in some aspects similar to avatar are also found in Buddhism,^[17] Christianity,^[5] and other religions.^[17]

The scriptures of Sikhism include the names of numerous Hindu gods and goddesses, but it rejected the doctrine of savior incarnation and endorsed the view of Hindu Bhakti movement saints such as Namdev, that formless eternal god is within the human heart, and man is his own savior.^[18][19]

Etymology and meaning[edit]

The Sanskrit noun (avatāra ;^[20] Hindustani: [əʋˈtaːr]) is derived from the Sanskrit prefix ava- (down) and the root tṛ (to cross over).^[21] These roots trace back, states Monier-Williams, to -taritum, -tarati, -rītum.^[3] It’s cognate to «away» in English, which is root from PIE *au- means «off, away».^[22]

Avatar means «descent, alight, to make one’s appearance»,^[3] and refers to the embodiment of the essence of a superhuman being or a deity in another form.^[21] The word also implies «to overcome, to remove, to bring down, to cross something».^[3] In Hindu traditions, the «crossing or coming down» is symbolism, states Daniel Bassuk, of the divine descent from «eternity into the temporal realm, from unconditioned to the conditioned, from infinitude to finitude».^[5] An avatar, states Justin Edwards Abbott, is a saguna (with form, attributes) embodiment of the nirguna Brahman or Atman (soul).^[23] Avatar, according to
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati actually means ‘Divine Descent’ in his commentaries of The Shrimad Bhagavatam and The Bramha Samhita (mentioned in Brahmavaivarta Purana).

Neither the Vedas nor the Principal Upanishads ever mention the word avatar as a noun.^[5] The verb roots and form, such as avatarana, appear in ancient post-Vedic Hindu texts, but as «action of descending», but not as an incarnated person (avatara).^[24] The related verb avatarana is, states Paul Hacker, used with double meaning, one as action of the divine descending, another as «laying down the burden of man» suffering from the forces of evil.^[24]

The term is most commonly found in the context of the Hindu god Vishnu.^[1][3] The earliest mention of Vishnu manifested in a human form to establish Dharma on Earth, uses other terms such as the word sambhavāmi in verse 4.6 and the word tanu in verse 9.11 of the Bhagavad Gita,^[4] as well as other words such as akriti and rupa elsewhere.^[25] It is in medieval era texts, those composed after the sixth century CE, that the noun version of avatar appears, where it means embodiment of a deity.^[6] The idea proliferates thereafter, in the Puranic stories for many deities, and with ideas such as ansha-avatar or partial embodiments.^[4][1]

The term avatar, in colloquial use, is also an epithet or a word of reverence for any extraordinary human being who is revered for his or her ideas.^[21] In some contexts, the term avatara just means a «landing place, site of sacred pilgrimage», or just «achieve one’s goals after effort», or retranslation of a text in another language.^[3] The term avatar is not unique to Hinduism even though the term originated with Hinduism. It is found in the Trikaya doctrine of Mahayana Buddhism, in descriptions for the Dalai Lama in Tibetan Buddhism, and many ancient cultures.^[17]

Avatar versus incarnation[edit]

The manifest embodiment is sometimes referred to as an incarnation.^[26] The translation of avatar as «incarnation» has been questioned by Christian theologians, who state that an incarnation is in flesh and imperfect, while avatar is mythical and perfect.^[27][28] The theological concept of Christ as an incarnation, as found in Christology, presents the Christian concept of incarnation. The term avatar in Hinduism refers to act of various gods taking form to perform a particular task which in most of the times is bringing dharma back. The concept of avatar is widely accepted all over the India.^[29] Sheth disagrees and states that this claim is an incorrect understanding of the Hindu concept of avatar.^{[30][note 1]} Avatars are embodiments of spiritual perfection, driven by noble goals, in Hindu traditions such as Vaishnavism.^[30] The concept of the avatar in Hinduism is not incompatible with natural conception through a sexual act, which is again different from the Christian concept of the Virgin Birth.

Avatars of Vishnu[edit]

The concept of avatar within Hinduism is most often associated with Vishnu, the preserver or sustainer aspect of God within the Hindu Trinity or Trimurti of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Vishnu’s avatars descend to empower the good and fight evil, thereby restoring Dharma. Traditional Hindus see themselves not as «Hindu», but as Vaishnava (Worshippers of Vishnu), Shaiva (Worshippers of Shiva), or Shakta (Worshipper of the Shakti). Each of the deities has its own iconography and mythology, but common to all is the fact that the divine reality has an explicit form, a form that the worshipper can behold.^[32] An oft-quoted passage from the Bhagavad Gita describes the typical role of an avatar of Vishnu:^[9][28]

Whenever righteousness wanes and unrighteousness increases I send myself forth.
For the protection of the good and for the destruction of evil,
and for the establishment of righteousness,
I come into being age after age.

— Bhagavad Gita 4.7–8

The Vishnu avatars appear in Hindu mythology whenever the cosmos is in crisis, typically because evil has grown stronger and has thrown the cosmos out of its balance.^[33] The avatar then appears in a material form, to destroy evil and its sources, and restore the cosmic balance between the ever-present forces of good and evil.^[33]

The most known and celebrated avatars of Vishnu, within the Vaishnavism traditions of Hinduism, are Krishna, Rama, Narayana and Vasudeva. These names have extensive literature associated with them, each has its own characteristics, legends and associated arts.^[28] The Mahabharata, for example, includes Krishna, while the Ramayana includes Rama.^[34]

Dashavatara[edit]

The Bhagavata Purana describes Vishnu’s avatars as innumerable, though ten of his incarnations, the Dashavatara, are celebrated therein as his major appearances.^[10][28] The ten major Vishnu avatars are mentioned in the Agni Purana, the Garuda Purana and the Bhagavata Purana.^[35][36]

The ten best known avatars of Vishnu are collectively known as the Dashavatara (a Sanskrit compound meaning «ten avatars»). Five different lists are included in the Bhagavata Purana, where the difference is in the sequence of the names. Freda Matchett states that this re-sequencing by the composers may be intentional, so as to avoid implying priority or placing something definitive and limited to the abstract.^[37]

The Avatars of Vishnu

Name	Description
Matsya	The fish avatar. He saves Manu and the seven sages from the cosmic flood, and in some traditions, saves the Vedas from an asura called Hayagriva.[38]
Kurma[note 2]	The tortoise/turtle avatar. He supports the mountain named Mandara while the devas and the asuras churn the ocean of milk to produce the nectar of immortality.[40]
Varaha	The boar avatar. He rescues Bhumi, the goddess of the earth, when the asura Hiranyaksha abducts her, restoring her rightful place in the universe.[41]
Narasimha	The lion avatar. He saves his devotee Prahlada and frees the three worlds from the tyranny of an asura named Hiranyakashipu.[42]
Vamana	The dwarf avatar. He vanquishes the asura king Mahabali to the netherworld after taking three strides upon the universe, restoring the rule of Indra.[43]
Parshurama	The warrior-sage avatar. He destroys the oppressive kings of the military class and creates a new social order.[44]
Rama	The prince avatar. He rescues his wife Sita when she is abducted by the rakshasa king Ravana, restoring just rule to the world.[45]
Balarama(Debated)	The elder brother of Krishna and the god of agriculture. He is variously described as an avatar of Shesha, the serpent-mount of Vishnu, and an avatar of Vishnu.[46]
Krishna	The eighth avatar of Vishnu who incarnates to re-establish righteousness in the world. He slays Kamsa, the tyrant of Mathura and his uncle, and participates in the Kurukshetra War as the charioteer of Arjuna.[47]
Buddha(Debated)	The historical Buddha, who incarnates to delude the asuras from the path of the Vedas, ensuring the victory of the devas. In some traditions, he is referred to as an avatar of Vishnu.[48]
Kalki	The prophesied tenth avatar of Vishnu. He incarnates to bring an end to the present age of corruption called the Kali Yuga, re-establishing the four classes and law to the world.[49]

Longer alternatives[edit]

The Bhagavata Purana also goes on to give an alternate list, wherein it numerically lists out 23 Vishnu avatars in chapter 1.3.^[50]

1. Four Kumaras (Catursana): the four Sons of god Brahma and exemplifying the path of devotion
2. Varaha: The divine boar who lifts earth from cosmic waters
3. Narada: the divine-sage who travels the worlds as a devotee of Vishnu
4. Nara-Narayana: the twin-sages
5. Kapila: a renowned sage spoken of in the Mahabharata, son of Kardama Muni and Devahuti and sometimes identified with the founder of the Samkhya school of philosophy
6. Dattatreya: the combined avatar of the Hindu trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. He was born to the sage Atri became a great seer himself
7. Yajna: the lord of sacrifices
8. Rishabha: the father of Bharata Chakravartin and Bahubali
9. Prithu: the sovereign-king who milked the earth as a cow to get the world’s grain and vegetation and also invented agriculture
10. Matsya: A narwhal who guided Manu’s ark during the pralaya (deluge) and also killed demon Hayagriva
11. Kurma: A giant tortoise who balances Mount Mandara atop his carapace during the churning of cosmic ocean of milk
12. Dhanvantari: the father of Ayurvedic medicine and a physician to the Devas
13. Mohini: the enchantress
14. Narasimha: The man-lion who kills demon Hiranyakashpu
15. Vamana: The dwarf-brahmana who takes the three worlds from Bali Maharaj and purifies Him
16. Parashurama: The Brahmin warrior with an axe who kills Kartyavira Arjuna and his Kshatriya allies
17. Rama: ‘Perfect King’ from Suryavansha, Subject of Ramayana
18. Vyasa: the compiler of the scriptures – Vedas and writer of the scriptures (Puranas) and the epic Mahabharata
19. Krishna: Subject of the Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita
20. Gautama Buddha: Founder Of Buddhism .
21. Kalki: The Divine Warrior

Avatars like Hayagriva, Hamsa and Garuda are also mentioned in the Pancharatra making a total of forty-six avatars.^[51] However, despite these lists, the commonly accepted number of ten avatars for Vishnu was fixed well before the 10th century CE.^[35] Madhvacharya also regards Gautama Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu.^[52]

Manava Purana

Manava Purana is one of Upa puranas. It narrates 42 avatars of Vishnu.

1. Adipurusha
2. Four Kumaras (Chatursanas)
3. Narada
4. Dattatreya
5. Kapila
6. Nara- Narayana
7. Yajna
8. Vibhu
9. Satyasena
10. Hari
11. Vaikunta
12. Ajita
13. Sharvabhouma
14. Vrishbha
15. Visvaksena
16. Dharmasetu
17. Sudhama
18. Yogeshwara
19. Brihadbhanu
20. Shaligram
21. Hayagriva
22. Hamsa
23. Vyasa
24. Matsya
25. Kurma
26. Dhanvantri
27. Mohini
28. Prithu
29. Vrishbha deva
30. Varaha
31. Narasimha
32. Vamana
33. Parashurama
34. Rama
35. Krishna
36. Buddha
37. Vikhanasa
38. Venkateswara
39. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
40. Dhyaneshwar
41. Kalki

Types[edit]

The avatar concept was further developed and refined in later Hindu texts. One approach was to identify full avatars and partial avatars. Krishna, Rama, and Narasimha were full avatars (purna avatars), while others were partial avatars (ansha avatars).^[31] Some declared, states Noel Sheth, that every living creature is an avatar of Vishnu.^[31] The Pancharatra text of Vaishnavism declares that Vishnu’s avatars include those that are direct and complete (sakshad), indirect and endowed (avesha), cosmic and salvific (vyuha), inner and inspirational (antaryamin), consecrated and in the form of image (archa).^[31]

Yet another classification, developed in Krishna schools, centers around Guna-avatars, Purusha-avatars and Lila-avatars, with their subtypes.^[53][54] The Guna-avatar classification of avatars is based on the Guṇas concept of the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy, that is Rajas (Brahma), Sattva (Vishnu), and Tamas (Shiva).^[53][54] These personalities of the Trimurti are referred to as Guna avatars.^[53] The Purushavatara are three. The first evolves all matter (Prakriti), the second is the soul present in each individual creature, the third is the interconnected oneness or Brahman that connects all souls.^[53][55] The Lilavataras are partial or full manifestations of Vishnu, where either some powers (Shakti) or material parts of him exist.^[53][54]

Vishnu is Purushavatara.^[56][57] The Matsya, Kurma, and Vamana avatars of Vishnu are Lilavataras.^[54][56] A Purnarupa in this classification, is when Vishnu manifests completely along with his qualities and powers. In Bengal Vaishnavism, Krishna is the Purnarupa.^[53] In Shaivism, Bhairava is the purnarupa of Shiva.^[58]

In Sikhism[edit]

24 avatars of Vishnu are mentioned in Bachitar Natak’s composition in Dasam Granth, the second scripture of Sikhism written by Guru Gobind Singh:^[59]

The Guru Granth Sahib reverentially includes the names of numerous Hindu deities, including Vishnu avatars such as Krishna, Hari, and Rama, as well those of Devi as Durga.^[60][61][62]

Dasam Granth has three major compositions, one each dedicated to avatars of Vishnu (Chaubis avatar) and Brahma.^[59][63] However, Sikhism rejects the doctrine of savior incarnation, and only accepts the abstract nirguna formless god.^[18][64] The Sikh Gurus endorsed the view of Hindu Bhakti movement saints such as Namdev (≈1270 – 1350 CE) that formless eternal god is within the human heart and man is his own savior.^[18][65]

In Isma’ilism[edit]

The Gupti Ismailis, who observe pious circumspection as Hindus, uphold that the first Shi‘i Imam, ‘Ali b. Abi Talib, as well as his descendants though the line of Isma‘il, are collectively Kalki, the tenth and final avatāra of Vishnu. According to this interpretation, these figures represent the continuity of divine guidance to humankind. In the view of some Guptis, this is corroborated by the Quranic verse 14:4 which mentions the idea that God had sent a messenger to every land. They understand the avatāras to be these messengers sent by God to their people in the Indian subcontinent.^[66]

Avatars of Shiva[edit]

Although Puranic scriptures contain occasional references to avatars of Shiva, the avatar doctrine is neither universally accepted nor commonly adopted in Shaivism.^[67] The views on the doctrine of incarnation has been one of the significant doctrinal differences between Vaishnavism and Shaivism, in addition to their differences on the role of householder life versus monastic life for spiritual release.^[15][16][68] Shaivism is a transcendental theology, where man, with the help of his Guru, is his own savior.^[68]

The Linga Purana lists twenty-eight avatars of Shiva.^[69] In the Shiva Purana there is a distinctly Saivite version of a traditional avatar myth: Shiva brings forth Virabhadra, one of his terrifying forms, in order to calm Narasimha, an avatar of Vishnu. When that fails, Shiva manifests as the human-lion-bird Sharabha which calms down lion-man Narasimha avatar of Vishnu, and Shiva then gives Vishnu a chakra (not to be confused with Sudarshan Chakra) as gift. A similar story is told in the late medieval era Sharabha Upanishad.^[70] However, Vaishnava Dvaita school refutes this Shaivite view of Narasimha.^[71] According to the Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva has 19 avatars. According to the Kurma Purana, he has 28.

The vanara god Hanuman who helped Rama (the Vishnu avatar) is considered by some to be the eleventh avatar of Rudra (Shiva).^[72][73] Some regional deities like Khandoba are also believed by some to be avatars of Shiva.^[74][75]
Ashwatthama, the son of Drona is also considered to be an Avatar of Lord Shiva.

Shesha and his avatars (Balarama and Lakshmana) are occasionally linked to Shiva.^{[76][77][78][79]} Adi Shankara, the formulator of Advaita Vedanta, is also occasionally regarded as an avatar of Shiva.^[80]

In Dasam Granth, Guru Gobind Singh mentioned two avatars of Rudra: Dattatreya Avatar and Parasnath Avatar.^[81]

Avatars of Devis[edit]

Avatars are also observed in Shaktism, the sect dedicated to the worship of the Goddess (Devi), but they do not have universal acceptance in the sect. The Devi Bhagavata Purana describes the descent of Devi avatars to punish the wicked and defend the righteous as – much as the Bhagavata Purana does with the avatars of Vishnu.^[82]

Nilakantha, an 18th-century commentator on the Devi Bhagavata Purana – which includes the Devi Gita – says that various avatars of the Goddess includes Shakambhari and even the masculine Krishna and Rama – generally thought to be Vishnu’s avatars.^[83] Parvati, Lakshmi and Saraswati are main goddesses worshipped as Devi avatars.^[84]

Avatars of Parvati[edit]

Devi is popular in her form as Parvati. In Devi Mahatmya she is seen as the Goddess Mahakali, and in Uma Samhita, she is seen as Devi herself. Regarding her incarnations, it varies per sect in Hinduism. She could be all Goddesses as said in Shaivism and some main Shatism interpretations like the Sri kula and Kali Kula families, or just a form of Devi in some other Shaktism interpretations and many Vaishnava interpretations. With this in mind, Parvati’s forms include:

• Mahakali
• Sati
• Mahavidyas- Kali, Tara, Tripurasundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi
• The 64 Shakti Peethas
• Navadurgas — Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, Siddhidhatri
• Annapurna
• Kaushiki
• Durga
• Shitala
• Maheshwari
• Jayadurga
• Ardhanarishvara
• Vindhyavasini
• Bhramari
• Shakambhari
• Raktadantika
• Bhimadevi
• Twarita
• Ugrachanda
• In north India- Khodiyar, Bahuchara Mata, Naina Devi, Jwala etc.
• In western India- Bhavani, Saptashrungi, Ekvira, Amba etc.
• In East India-Dakshina Kali, Kamakhya, Jagadhatri etc.
• In South India- Meenakshi, Vishalakshi, Kamakshi, Abhirami, Mookambika, Akilandeswari, etc.

All of these incarnations helped provide security to the world and even brought Shiva into the participation of worldly affairs.^[85]

Avatars of Lakshmi[edit]

Like Vishnu, his consort Lakshmi incarnates as in many forms to help provide order and to enlighten the world with her consort. She has many forms, and just like Parvati, some of her forms are not consistent throughout all sects and interpretations of Hinduism. In Vaishnavism and some interpretations of Shaktism, Lakshmi is seen as Devi herself. She could be every Goddess as said in Vaishnavism and some interpretations of Shaktism, or just another form of Devi as seen in other interpretations of Shaktism and in Shaivism. With this in mind, Lakshmi’s forms include:

• Mahalakshmi
• At 108 Divya Desam
• Ashtalakshmi — Adi Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Gaja Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Vidya Lakshmi, Veera Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi
• With avatars of Vishnu — Sita, Radha, Gopi, Rukmini, Ashtabharya, Junior wives of Krishna, Yashodhara (for those who believe Buddha is an incarnation of Vishnu), Padmavathi, Lakshmi Narayana, Andal, Dharini, Vishnupriya
• Singular forms — Vedavati, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy, Mookambika devi, Vaishno Devi, As Kolhapur ambabai
• Matrikas — Vaishnavi, Varahi, Narasimhi
• Wives of Vishnu — Sri, Bhumi, Nila
• Mahavidya Kamalatmika

Avatars of Brahma[edit]

In Dasam Granth, second scriptures of Sikhs written by Guru Gobind Singh, mentioned seven Brahma Avatars.^[86]

1. Valmiki
2. Kashyapa
3. Shukra
4. Baches
5. Vyasa
6. Khat
7. Kalidasa

According to the Skanda Purana, Brahma incarnated himself as Yajnavalkya in response to a curse from Shiva.^[87]

Avatars of Ganesha[edit]

The Linga Purana declares that Ganesha incarnates to destroy demons and to help the gods and pious people.^[88] The two Upapuranas – Ganesha Purana and Mudgala Purana – detail the avatars of Ganesha. Both these upapuranas are core scriptures of the Ganapatya sect – exclusively dedicated to Ganesha worship.

Four avatars of Ganesha are listed in the Ganesha Purana: Mohotkata, Mayūreśvara, Gajanana and Dhumraketu. Each avatar corresponds to a different yuga, has a different mount and different skin complexion, but all the avatars have a common purpose – to slay demons.^[89]

The Mudgala Puranam describes eight avatars of Ganesha:^[90]

1. Vakratunda (Vakratuṇḍa) («twisting trunk»), his mount is a lion.
2. Ekadanta («single tusk»), his mount is a mouse.
3. Mahodara («big belly»), his mount is a mouse.
4. Gajavaktra (or Gajānana) («elephant face»), his mount is a mouse.
5. Lambodara («pendulous belly»), his mount is a mouse.
6. Vikata (Vikaṭa) («unusual form», «misshapen»), his mount is a peacock.
7. Vighnaraja (Vighnarāja) («king of obstacles»), his mount is the celestial serpent Śeṣa.
8. Dhumravarna (Dhūmravarṇa) («grey color») corresponds to Śiva, his mount is a horse.

Avatars of Varuna[edit]

Jhulelal, the Iṣṭa-devatā (most-revered deity) of Sindhi Hindus, is considered the incarnation of Varuna.^[91]

See also[edit]

• Abatur
• Avatars in the Mahabharata
• Dashavatara
• Gautama Buddha in Hinduism
• Incarnation
• List of avatar claimants
• Hindu eschatology

Explanatory notes[edit]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

General bibliography[edit]

• Coleman, T. (2011). «Avatāra». Oxford Bibliographies Online: Hinduism. doi:10.1093/obo/9780195399318-0009. Short introduction and bibliography of sources about Avatāra.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
• Daniélou, Alain (1991) [1964]. The Myths and Gods of India. Rochester, Vermont: Inner Traditions. pp. 164–187. ISBN 0-89281-354-7.
• Hacker, Paul (1978). «Zur Entwicklung der Avataralehre». In Schmithausen, Lambert (ed.). Kleine schriften. Veroffentlichungen Der Glasenapp-Stiftung (Book 15) (in German). Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz. ISBN 978-3447048606.
• Lochtefeld, James (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1 & 2. Rosen Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8239-2287-1.
• Matchett, Freda (2001). Krishna, Lord or Avatara?: The Relationship Between Krishna and Vishnu. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-7007-1281-6.
• Sheth, Noel (January 2002). «Hindu Avatāra and Christian Incarnation: A Comparison». Philosophy East and West. 52 (1): 98–125. doi:10.1353/pew.2002.0005. JSTOR 1400135. S2CID 170278631.

External links[edit]

• Avatars (Incarnations or Descents) of Vishnu
• Meher Baba’s interpretation of the Avatar’s origin

Have you ever used the word avatar? Avatar has a storied history and more definitions than you may think! Keep reading to learn all about the meaning of the word avatar, how to use avatar in a sentence, and more!

What Does the Word Avatar Mean?

According to Dictionary, avatar is a noun with numerous potential meanings. The pronunciation of avatar is ˌæv əˈtɑr.

First, avatar can refer to any personification or embodiment of a principle, belief, or point of view. This idea comes from the Hindu religion, in which deities are thought to come to Earth in an incarnate form.

The word avatar refers to a graphic representation of a person’s digital account in the modern day. People can also use it in the video game world to refer to the character that a person designs or chooses to play as their stand-in. 

Often, social media sites will have people choose an avatar; this can be a preapproved image that is embedded into the site or an image that the person uploads. 

Additionally, in lab testing, an avatar mouse or mouse avatar is an experimental mouse that scientists implant with human tissue or cells to test drug therapies or the process of a disease. 

Avatars in Hindu Mythology

According to Britannica, the word avatar (ˈævəˌtɑr) most often refers to the ten appearances of the god Vishnu in Hinduism. Vishnu can appear as any of the below avatars:

• Krishna: The divine cowherd
• Narasimha: Half man, half lion
• Rama: Hero of a Ramayana epic
• Kalki: The incarnation yet to come
• Matsya: A fish
• Vamana: A dwarf
• Buddha: The Buddha
• Parashurama: Rama with the ax
• Varaha: Boar
• Kurma: Tortoise

An avatar can refer to any human form or animal form of a deity. This incarnation of a God can take many different shapes. Sometimes, people also include Vishnu’s half-brother in the list of avatars.

What Is the Etymology of Avatar?

The word avatar comes from the Sanskrit avatāra, which means descent or passing down. Likewise, this word comes from the Sanskrit ava, which means down, and tāra/tarati, which means passing over. 

These Sanskrit terms are similar to the Latin trans, which means over or across. The word avatar entered the English language in 1775.

What Are Examples of Avatar?

Many people can use the word avatar in many ways. For example, this noun can refer to a concept in Hindu religion, an image in cyberspace, or generally referring to an embodiment of something. Take a look at the below example sentences containing this word of the day and see if you can decipher which meaning of avatar is used in each of them.

Example #1: Learning About Avatars

They studied the avatar of the god Vishnu in the class on Hindu mythology. The students were fascinated by the incarnations of Vishnu, the Hindu god. 

Example #2: Does the Avatar Match the Person?

The users’ avatars in the virtual world did not always match their human persona. For example, the computer user in the chat room about video games had an avatar of a busty woman, but he was actually a large bearded man.

Example #3: Behind the Avatar

You never know what is behind a person’s avatar on social media or forums, so you should never agree to meet a stranger on the internet in person. 

Example #4: The Avatar of Charity

She was the avatar of charity; she always gave away a portion of her income every month to less fortunate people. 

What Are Translations of Avatar?

Many people worldwide practice the Hindu religion and may use translations of the word avatar in daily life. To learn how to say avatar in different languages, look at the below list of translations of avatar from Nice Translator! 

• Urdu: اوتار
• Swedish: avatar
• Tamil: சின்னம்
• Ukrainian: аватар
• Basque: avilo
• Russian: аватар
• Kannada: ಅವತಾರ
• Serbian: аватар
• Hungarian: avatár
• Estonian: avatari
• Hebrew: גִלגוּל
• Malayalam: അവപ്പെടുത്തല്
• Chinese (PRC): 头像
• Slovak: avatar
• Malay: avatar
• Finnish: hahmo
• Norwegian: Avatar
• French: avatar
• Latvian: iemiesojums
• Hindi: अवतार
• Lithuanian: Avataras
• Spanish: avatar
• Bengali: অবতার
• Dutch: avatar
• Vietnamese: hình đại diện
• Slovenian: avatar
• Chinese (Taiwan): 頭像
• Korean: 화신
• Japanese: アバター
• German: Benutzerbild
• Gujarati: અવતાર
• Polish: awatara
• Amharic: አቫታር
• Marathi: अवतार
• Thai: สัญลักษณ์
• Bulgarian: Аватар
• Greek: avatar
• Arabic: الصورة الرمزية
• Romanian: Avatar
• Turkish: avatar
• Welsh: avatar
• Croatian: avatar

What Are Synonyms of the Word Avatar?

Since avatar has a few different meanings, it can be helpful to know its synonyms to clarify if a person does not know what you mean by the word avatar. Power Thesaurus provides many synonyms of avatar that you can use!

• acme
• actualization
• admin
• administrator
• advocate
• angel
• apex
• apogee
• apotheosis
• apparition
• appearance
• appearing
• archetype
• arising
• baron
• beau ideal
• daemon
• divinity
• embodiment
• embodiments
• epitome
• essence
• exemplar
• exemplification
• expression
• god
• godhead
• guide
• icon
• impersonation
• incarnation
• incarnations
• incorporation
• manifestation
• materialization
• metamorphosis
• metempsychosis
• model
• numen
• paradigm
• paragon
• personification
• prosopopoeia
• quintessence
• realization
• reification
• representation
• soul
• symbol
• transformation
• transmutation
• transubstantiation
• type

What Are Antonyms of the Word Avatar?

Power Thesaurus also lists many antonyms of the word avatar. You can use these antonyms to describe things that are not an accurate embodiment of a concept or belief. 

• adulteration
• bastardization
• corruption
• corruptions
• crud
• debasement
• defilement
• degeneration
• dregs
• dung
• excrement
• filth
• filthiness
• foulness
• garbage
• lowest
• mire
• muck
• putrescence
• putridity
• rabble
• refuse
• riffraff
• rottenness
• rubbish
• ruin
• scum

Conclusion

The definition of avatar is multifaceted. First, folks can use avatar to refer to an image representing a person online or in a video game. Generally, the word avatar means an embodiment or personification. The word avatar can also refer to the incarnation of a Hindu deity in human or animal form or as a specific term in lab testing.

Sources:

1. Avatar synonyms – 300 Words and Phrases for Avatar | Power Thesaurus 
2. Bastardization synonyms – 47 Words and Phrases for Bastardization | Power Thesaurus 
3. avatar | Hinduism | Britannica 
4. Avatar Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com 
5. Avatar | Nice Translator 

Last Updated:
10 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

• avatara (rare)
• Avator (obsolete)

Etymology[edit]

Attested 1784,^[1] borrowed from Hindustani अवतार / اوتار‎ (avtār), from Sanskrit अवतार (avatāra, “descent of a deity from a heaven”), a compound of अव (ava, “off, away, down”) and the vṛddhi-stem of the root √तॄ (√tṝ, “to cross”).

In computing use, saw some use in 1980s videos games – 1985 online role-playing game Habitat by Lucasfilm Games (today LucasArts), by Chip Morningstar and Randy Farmer,^[2] later versions of the Ultima series (following religious use in 1985 Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar), and 1989 pen and paper role-playing game Shadowrun. Popularized by the 1992 novel Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.^[1]

Pronunciation[edit]

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌæv.əˈtɑː/, /ˈæv.ə.tɑː/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈæv.ə.tɑɹ/
• Hyphenation: av‧a‧tar
• Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)

Noun[edit]

avatar (plural avatars)

2. (Hinduism) An incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu.
4. The embodiment of an idea or concept; an instantiation, especially a personification or incarnation.
   • 1886 May 1 – July 31, Robert Louis Stevenson, “Dedication”, in Kidnapped, being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the Year 1751: […], London; Paris: Cassell & Company, Limited., published 1886, →OCLC, pages v–vi:

     And honest Alan, who was a grim fire-eater in his day, has in this new avatar no more desperate purpose than to steal some young gentleman’s attention from his Ovid, […] [Contrasting the historical Alan Breac with his incarnation in the novel.]

6. (computing, video games, metaverse) A complex and dynamic digital representation of a person or being in the form of a digital model, used online as a simulation or emulation of a person, or as a person’s online alter ego, in a virtual world, virtual chat room, or metaverse.

   • 1992, Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash, New York: Bantam Books, →ISBN, pages 35–36:

     The people are pieces of software called avatars. They are the audiovisual bodies that people use to communicate with each other in the Metaverse.

   • 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Computers: Virtual Intelligence (VI) Codex entry:

     A virtual intelligence is an advanced form of user interface software. VIs use a variety of methods to simulate natural conversation, including an audio interface and an avatar personality to interact with.

   • 2013 November 27, Roger Cohen, “The past in our future”, in The New York Times‎^[1]:

     Devices now track and record our every move and, whether we like it or not, each one of us will bequeath to posterity a virtual avatar, a digital being whose calls, messages, transactions, loves and losses will live on in a vast, unregulated cyberspace. The afterlife has arrived, at least for our cyberbeings.

8. (computing, video games) A simple and static or nearly static digital representation of a person or being in the form of a small digital object, used online as a simulacrum or token of a person or that person’s online alter ego, in any digital environment but especially in non-virtual, non-metaversal ones.

   Hyponyms: profile picture, user pic

   Coordinate term: icon

Derived terms[edit]

• brand avatar

Descendants[edit]

• → Japanese: アバター

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

• Avatar on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons

References[edit]

Catalan[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From English, from Sanskrit.

Pronunciation[edit]

• (Balearic) IPA^(key): /ə.vəˈta/
• (Central) IPA^(key): /ə.bəˈta/
• (Valencian) IPA^(key): /a.vaˈtaɾ/

Noun[edit]

avatar m (plural avatars)

1. (computer games) avatar

Anagrams[edit]

• avarat, tarava

Finnish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From English avatar, from Sanskrit अवतार (avatāra).

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /ˈɑʋɑtɑr/, [ˈɑʋɑt̪ɑr]
• Rhymes: -ɑʋɑtɑr
• Syllabification^(key): a‧va‧tar

Noun[edit]

avatar

1. avatar (earthly incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu)
2. (rare) avatar (physical embodiment of an idea or concept)

   Synonym: ruumiillistuma

3. (rare) avatar (digital representation of a person or being)

   Synonyms: hahmo, virtuaalihahmo

Declension[edit]

Inflection of avatar (Kotus type 5/risti, no gradation)
nominative	avatar	avatarit
genitive	avatarin	avatarien
partitive	avataria	avatareja
illative	avatariin	avatareihin
	singular	plural
nominative	avatar	avatarit
accusative	nom.	avatar	avatarit
gen.	avatarin
genitive	avatarin	avatarien
partitive	avataria	avatareja
inessive	avatarissa	avatareissa
elative	avatarista	avatareista
illative	avatariin	avatareihin
adessive	avatarilla	avatareilla
ablative	avatarilta	avatareilta
allative	avatarille	avatareille
essive	avatarina	avatareina
translative	avatariksi	avatareiksi
instructive	—	avatarein
abessive	avataritta	avatareitta
comitative	See the possessive forms below.

Possessive forms of avatar (type risti)

first-person singular possessor singular plural nominative avatarini avatarini accusative nom. avatarini avatarini gen. avatarini genitive avatarini avatarieni partitive avatariani avatarejani inessive avatarissani avatareissani elative avataristani avatareistani illative avatariini avatareihini adessive avatarillani avatareillani ablative avatariltani avatareiltani allative avatarilleni avatareilleni essive avatarinani avatareinani translative avatarikseni avatareikseni instructive — — abessive avatarittani avatareittani comitative — avatareineni second-person singular possessor singular plural nominative avatarisi avatarisi accusative nom. avatarisi avatarisi gen. avatarisi genitive avatarisi avatariesi partitive avatariasi avatarejasi inessive avatarissasi avatareissasi elative avataristasi avatareistasi illative avatariisi avatareihisi adessive avatarillasi avatareillasi ablative avatariltasi avatareiltasi allative avatarillesi avatareillesi essive avatarinasi avatareinasi translative avatariksesi avatareiksesi instructive — — abessive avatarittasi avatareittasi comitative — avatareinesi first-person plural possessor singular plural nominative avatarimme avatarimme accusative nom. avatarimme avatarimme gen. avatarimme genitive avatarimme avatariemme partitive avatariamme avatarejamme inessive avatarissamme avatareissamme elative avataristamme avatareistamme illative avatariimme avatareihimme adessive avatarillamme avatareillamme ablative avatariltamme avatareiltamme allative avatarillemme avatareillemme essive avatarinamme avatareinamme translative avatariksemme avatareiksemme instructive — — abessive avatarittamme avatareittamme comitative — avatareinemme second-person plural possessor singular plural nominative avatarinne avatarinne accusative nom. avatarinne avatarinne gen. avatarinne genitive avatarinne avatarienne partitive avatarianne avatarejanne inessive avatarissanne avatareissanne elative avataristanne avatareistanne illative avatariinne avatareihinne adessive avatarillanne avatareillanne ablative avatariltanne avatareiltanne allative avatarillenne avatareillenne essive avatarinanne avatareinanne translative avatariksenne avatareiksenne instructive — — abessive avatarittanne avatareittanne comitative — avatareinenne third-person possessor singular plural nominative avatarinsa avatarinsa accusative nom. avatarinsa avatarinsa gen. avatarinsa genitive avatarinsa avatariensa partitive avatariaan avatariansa avatarejaan avatarejansa inessive avatarissaan avatarissansa avatareissaan avatareissansa elative avataristaan avataristansa avatareistaan avatareistansa illative avatariinsa avatareihinsa adessive avatarillaan avatarillansa avatareillaan avatareillansa ablative avatariltaan avatariltansa avatareiltaan avatareiltansa allative avatarilleen avatarillensa avatareilleen avatareillensa essive avatarinaan avatarinansa avatareinaan avatareinansa translative avatarikseen avatariksensa avatareikseen avatareiksensa instructive — — abessive avatarittaan avatarittansa avatareittaan avatareittansa comitative — avatareineen avatareinensa

French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Hindustani अवतार / اوتار‎ (avtār), from Sanskrit अवतार (avatāra, “descent of a deity from a heaven”), a compound of अव (ava, “off, away, down”) and the vṛddhi-stem of the root तरति (√tṝ, “to cross”).

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /a.va.taʁ/
• Homophone: avatars
• Hyphenation: ava‧tar

Noun[edit]

avatar m (plural avatars)

1. (Hinduism) avatar
2. (computing) avatar

Further reading[edit]

• “avatar”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

Indonesian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from English avatar, from Hindustani अवतार / اوتار‎ (avtār), from Sanskrit अवतार (avatāra, “descent of a deity from a heaven”), a compound of अव (ava, “off, away, down”) and the vṛddhi-stem of the root तरति (√tṝ, “to cross”). Doublet of awatara.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /avatar/
• Hyphenation: ava‧tar

Noun[edit]

avatar

1. avatar,
   1. (Hinduism) the incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu.

      Synonym: awatara

   2. (computing) a digital representation of a person or being; often, it can take on any of various forms, as a participant chooses. e.g. 3D, animated, photo, sketch of a person or a person’s alter ego, sometimes used in a virtual world or virtual chat room.

Further reading[edit]

• “avatar” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Jakarta: Language Development and Fostering Agency — Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic Indonesia, 2016.

Italian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Unadapted borrowing from English avatar.

Noun[edit]

avatar m (invariable)

1. avatar (all senses)

Anagrams[edit]

• tarava, varata

Portuguese[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

avatar m (plural avatares)

1. avatar

Romanian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From French avatar.

Noun[edit]

avatar n (plural avataruri)

1. avatar

Declension[edit]

Serbo-Croatian[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /aʋǎtaːr/
• Hyphenation: a‧va‧tar

Noun[edit]

avàtār m (Cyrillic spelling ава̀та̄р)

1. avatar

Declension[edit]

Spanish[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

• avatara

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /abaˈtaɾ/ [a.β̞aˈt̪aɾ]
• Rhymes: -aɾ
• Syllabification: a‧va‧tar

Noun[edit]

avatar m (plural avatares)

1. avatar
2. (in the plural) vicissitudes, ups and downs

Further reading[edit]

• “avatar”, in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014

1	0   0 A picture or cartoon of yourself or a favourite character that you use to represent yourself in games, on message boards or on social networking websites.

2	0   0 Avatar An identity, often in cartoon form, which can be chosen from a selection or created by the person using it to represent themselves in a website chatroom, etc.

3	0   0 Avatar A graphical representation of a real person, often seen in user profiles for online forums, social networks or chat/instant-message services. Avatars can be two-dimensional images, representing the au [..]

4	0   0 Avatar 1784, «descent of a Hindu deity,» from Sanskrit avatarana «descent» (of a deity to the earth in incarnate form), from ava- «off, down» (from PIE *au- (2) «off, away& [..]

5	0   0 Avatar Avatars are 2- or 3-D customized computer representations of people are also referred to as «icons» or «buddy icons» when used on Instant Messenger. Second Life, social communities or other online virtual communities.

6	0   0 Avatar An avatar is a computer representation of users in a computer-generated 3D world, used primarily in chat and entertainment web sites. Potential business applications include customer support, trainin [..]

7	0   0 Avatar image or personification of a person or idea.

8	0   0 Avatar Here are three progressive meanings for ‘avatar’ to show you where it came from and where it is today: A Hindu incarnation on Earth of a god.In unix, a superuser—equal in privile [..]

9	0   0 Avatar A graphic image that represents a person. On a phone, an avatar can be a cartoon-like graphic that serves as a visual symbol to identify different people for caller-ID purposes. More advanced types of [..]

10	0   0 Avatar an online representation or manifestation of a person, generally in visual form. An alternate personality on the internet. An embodiment of a person’s interactions with others in a virtual world.

11	0   0 Avatar Definition An avatar is an image that is used to represent who you are on a site. These avatars are shown in your profile and next to your name in a post.

12	0   0 Avatar An interactive representation of a human in a virtual reality environment. [Bahorsky]

13	0   0 Avatar Generally speaking, an avatar is the embodiment of a person or idea. However, in the computer world, an avatar specifically refers to a character that represents an online user. Avatars are commonly u [..]

14	0   0 Avatar [CMU, Tektronix] n. Syn. root, superuser. There are quite a few UNIX machines on which the name of the superuser account is `avatar’ rather than `root’. This quirk was originated by a CMU ha [..]

15	0   0 Avatar A digital representation of a user in a virtual reality site.

16	0   0 Avatar Jensens Internet Dictionary This term refers to an interactive representation of a human in a virtual reality environment; the term was popularized by Neal Stephenson’s novel «Snow Crash.»

17	0   0 Avatar (1) A virtual representation of the player in a game. (2) A common name for the superuser account on UNIX systems. The other common name is root.

18

0   0 Avatar 1. A graphical icon that represents a real person in a cyberspace system. When you enter the system, you can choose from a number of fanciful avatars. Sophisticated 3D avatars even change shape depending on what they are doing (e.g., walking, sitting, etc.). 2. A common name for the superuser account on UNIX systems. The other common name is root.

19	0   0 Avatar A graphical icon that represents a real person in a cyberspace system. When you enter the system, you can choose from a number of fanciful avatars. Sophisticated 3D avatars even change shape depending [..]

20	0   0 Avatar incarnation of God

21	0   0 Avatar A movable image that represents a person in a virtual reality environment.

22	0   0 Avatar In online environments, a virtual digital image representing a person. In e-learning avatars usually represent the learners. The term comes from a Sanskrit word meaning an incarnation in human form.

23	0   0 Avatar Graphic representation, normally of a person, which is associated with an online user for his/her identification.

24	0   0 Avatar An avatar is a graphic facsimile that you can use in chat rooms. Anyone who has participated in a web chat realizes that exchanging typed messages can get boring very quickly. But what if you could as [..]

25	0   0 Avatar a computer user’s representation of himself or herself, this may be a three-dimensional character used in virtual worlds and video games or a two-dimensional icon used in various Internet forums.

26	0   0 Avatar A graphic that represents the author of a piece of online content, usually in place of the author’s real photo.

27	0   0 Avatar the square image that represents you on your social media channels

28	0   0 Avatar An icon, image, or figure that you can use to represent yourself in a chat room.

29	0   0 Avatar The image of someone attachs to their profile, usually a social media profile. Avatars can also be icons, or whatever image someone chooses to use with their online profile.

30	0   0 Avatar A picture or cartoon used to represent an individual online, in chat forums, games, social media or on other websites.

31	0   0 Avatar An avatar is the icon that represents the cyberspace «you.» As you cruise around the Web in 3-D gaming environments or chat worlds, your avatar is the visual «handle» that enables [..]

32	0   0 Avatar An image used to represent the user in an electronic conversation or virtual world or a forum. They may be 2D or 3D, animated or not. Usually there are means to modify the avatar’s facial expression [..]

33	0   0 Avatar An iconic graphical symbol (e.g. a cartoon character) representing the persona of an actual user in, say, a chat forum. .avi

34	0   0 Avatar An avatar is a graphic image or picture that represents a user.

35	0   0 Avatar This term refers to an interactive representation of a human in a virtual reality environment.

36	0   0 Avatar (n) a new personification of a familiar idea(n) the manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form

37	0   0 Avatar A picture or figure representing a person in an online environment.

38	0   0 Avatar A picture or figure representing a person in an online environment.

39	0   0 Avatar Common name for a super user account; often includes an identifying tag such as a picture.

40	0   0 Avatar  A graphical image or likeness that replaces a photo of the author of the content on a blog or other Web page.

41	0   0 Avatar An icon or figure used to represent particular person in a computer game, Internet forum etc. E.g. the non-digital equivalent would be the playing pieces in a game of Monopoly — each one is a differen [..]

42	0   0 Avatar A graphic representation of the player used in the game, found in the upper left hand corner of the screen, sometimes called ‘character’. You can customize your avatar on the User tab.

43	0   0 Avatar An avatar is a personalized graphical illustration that represents a computer user, or a character or alter ego that represents that user. An avatar can be represented either in three-dimensional form [..]

44	0   0 Avatar From the Sanskrit अवतर or अवतार avatāraḥ, meaning «descent» (of a deity from heaven), avatar: ava, down + tarati, «he crosses.» An incarnation of the cosmic, universal Christ (Vishnu, Chokmah).

45	0   0 Avatar An incarnation of a god on earth, usually in human, but sometimes in animal, form. The God Vishnu

46	0   0 Avatar Avatars of Vishnu # Avatar Comment 1 Matsya The fish 2 Kurma The tortoise 3 Varaha The boar 4 Narasimha The man-lion 5 Vamana The dwarf 6 Parashurama Rama with the axe 7 Rama The perfect man 8 Krishna [..]

47

0   0 Avatar A graphical representation of a user. Often an image, but it can be a cartoon-like character as well. To make the web more personal (and less anonymous), sites like Gravatar help users show their chosen avatar on many web sites. I consider this usage part of setting up a professional image.

48	0   0 Avatar An image that represents an account on social networks and forums.

49	0   0 Avatar A player character, usually customisable. Come in many flavours, occasionally including tall and blue, but none worse than that M. Night Shyamalan movie.

50	0   0 Avatar [Acting] based on the player’s understanding of the avatar’s principles and limited perspective, independent of their own.

51	0   0 Avatar The game character’s model or picture used to represent each player.

52	0   0 Avatar The image used to represent the player in online poker.

53	0   0 Avatar An iconic representation of a player, often used in online gameplay.

54	0   0 Avatar A graphical image of a user, such as used in graphical real-time Chat applications, or, a graphical personification of a computer or a computer process, intended to make the computing or network envir [..]

55	0   0 Avatar A photo or other visual image that represents a person online.

56	0   0 Avatar Your online persona and not a big blue alien. An avatar is a simple icon or figure that represents you in the online world – from an internet forum to massive multi-player online role playing games.

57	0   0 Avatar A specific image, picture or username that represents a person online. Avatar is mostly used on social media and within forums.

58	0   0 Avatar An incarnation or manifestation of Vishnu or God as the Preserver and Sustainer of the Universe. Within the anvantara or cycle stretching (according to Christian symbolism) from the Earthly Paradise ( [..]

59

0   0 Avatar Avatar is an Internet user’s representation of himself or herself, whether in the form of a three-dimensional model (used in computer games), a two-dimensional icon or picture (used on Internet forums and other communities), or a text construct found on early systems. The term avatar can also refer to the personality connected with the screen nam [..]

60	0   0 Avatar (Hinduism) the incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu. The physical embodiment of an idea or concept; a personification. * »’1886»’, Robert Louis Stevenson, dedicatory letter to »Kidnappe [..]

61	0   0 Avatar avatar (The earthly incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu)

62	0   0 Avatar In contemporary gaming and online culture, an avatar

63	0   0 Avatar An avatar (Sanskrit: अवतार, IAST: avatāra), a concept in Hinduism that means «descent», refers to the material appearance or incarnation of a deity on earth. The relative verb to «alight, t [..]

64	0   0 Avatar The Avatar is the main player character and protagonist in the Ultima series of video games by Origin Systems. The character was first introduced as «The Stranger» in the 1981 role-playing video game [..]

65	0   0 Avatar In computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user’s alter ego or character. An icon or figure representing a particular person in a video game, Internet forum, etc. It ma [..]

66	0   0 Avatar Avatar is a term used in Hinduism for a material manifestation of a deity. Other common uses include: Avatar (computing), the graphical representation of a userOtherwise it may refer to:

67	0   0 Avatar Avatar is an early graphics-based multi-user highly interactive role-playing computer game, created on the University of Illinois’ Control Data Corporation PLATO system in the late 1970s. It has grap [..]

68	0   0 Avatar Avatar is a novel by John Passarella set in the fictional universe of the U.S. television series Angel.

69	0   0 Avatar Avatar, marketed as James Cameron’s Avatar, is a 2009 American epic science fiction film directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron, and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen La [..]

70	0   0 Avatar Avatar is a studio album by the indie rock band Comets on Fire. It was released in 2006 on Sub Pop.

71	0   0 Avatar «Avatar» is the twenty-first episode of the third season of the science fiction television series The X-Files. It premiered on the Fox network in the United States on April 26, 1996. The story for the [..]

72	0   0 Avatar Avatar (Sanskrit: अवतार) (from «Aerobic Vehicle for Transatmospheric Hypersonic Aerospace TrAnspoRtation») is a concept study for a robotic single-stage reusable spaceplane capable of horizo [..]

73	0   0 Avatar Avatar (Chinese: 流放化身), also known as Matrix Hunter (Japan DVD title & USA video title), Avatar Exile (working title), Cyber Wars (USA DVD title) is a Singaporean science fiction film dire [..]

74	0   0 Avatar Avatar (Chinese: 流放化身), also known as Matrix Hunter (Japan DVD title & USA video title), Avatar Exile (working title), Cyber Wars (USA DVD title) is a Singaporean science fiction film dire [..]

75	0   0 Avatar Avatar is an album by the Dutch futurepop band Angels and Agony. It was released in 2004.

76	0   0 Avatar Xbox Avatars are avatars and characters that represent users of the Xbox Live service on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One video game consoles, Windows 10, and Windows 10 Mobile. Avatars debuted on the Xbox 3 [..]

77	0   0 Avatar Avatar (March 10, 1972 – December 3, 1992) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 1975 Belmont Stakes. He was bred and raced by San Antonio, Texas businessman Arthur A. Se [..]

78	0   0 Avatar Avatar was an American underground newspaper published in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1967-1968. The newspaper’s first issues were published from the headquarters of Broadside magazine in Cambridge.

79	0   0 Avatar An avatar (Sanskrit: अवतार, IAST: avatāra), a concept in Hinduism that means «descent», refers to the material appearance or incarnation of a deity on earth. The relative verb to «alight, t [..]

80	0   0 Avatar Avatar, marketed as James Cameron’s Avatar, is a 2009 American epic science fiction film directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron, and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen La [..]

81	0   0 Avatar Avatar, marketed as James Cameron’s Avatar, is a 2009 American epic science fiction film directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron, and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen La [..]

82	0   0 Avatar Avatar is a Swedish heavy metal band, formed in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2001. The band has released seven studio albums, the most recent being Avatar Country in 2018. The band has had some success on US [..]

83	0   0 Avatar Avatar, marketed as James Cameron’s Avatar, is a 2009 American epic science fiction film directed, written, produced, and co-edited by James Cameron, and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen La [..]

84	0   0 Avatar Avatar is a lost Italian silent film from 1916, directed by Carmine Gallone. In the UK it was also known as The Magician. It was produced by Società Italiana Cines.

85	0   0 Avatar Avatar, first published in 1856, is a Fantastique 19th century short story by French writer Théophile Gautier.

86	0   0 Avatar A.V.A.T.A.R. MUD is a free, online, massively multiplayer, fantasy, text-based role-playing game (or MUD), set in a real-time virtual environment. It combines elements of role-playing games, hack and [..]

87	0   0 Avatar Avatar is a Swedish heavy metal band, formed in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2001. The band has released seven studio albums, the most recent being Avatar Country in 2018. The band has had some success on US [..]

88	0   0 Avatar Avatar is the third album released by Swedish metal band Avatar, on November 20, 2009. It is the last album to feature the guitarist Simon Andersson before he left the band in December 2011.

89	0   1 Avatar The term used to refer to the graphical representation of a person’s alter ego, common in many role playing games and social networking sites.

90	0   1 Avatar A graphic image that represents a person. Animated avatars use far less bandwidth than streaming video, saving money on data charges.

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The meaning of the word Avatar in English is “incarnation (of a god)”. In Sanskrit, it means “descent” or “descended from the sky”. It mainly refers to gods coming to Earth in different forms. Hindus believe that there are many planets in the universe. Hindu gods live on some of them and descend on Earth in material forms, especially to restore dharma (righteousness).

Avatar is originally a Sanskrit word and is derived from the prefix “ava” (down) and the root “tra” (to cross over). Therefore, the word Avatar in general means “descended from the sky”.

Avatar Meaning in Hindi and Marathi:

The meaning of the word avatar in Hindi and Marathi is the same, i.e., an incarnation of a god in a material form”, but there are some other meanings as well. In Marathi, the word avatar is used for “appearance” also, especially an unkempt one. The word is also used for the birth of divine humans.

Avatar Meaning in Computers:

In computers, an avatar means a static or moving image of or other graphic representation that is used by the users on social media, forums, etc., as their identity.

Dashavatara:

Dashavatara is a group of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu. These are the most popular avatars in Hinduism. Hindus believe that Lord Vishnu is the protector of dharma and Earth.

Whenever the evil forces become stronger than the moral forces, and there is a need to restore dharma (righteousness), Lord Vishnu incarnates and eradicates the evil forces and restores dharma.

There are a total of 24 Vishnu avatars. Their names are as follows: Adi Purusha, four Sanath Kumars, Narada, Nara and Narayana, Kapila, Dattatreya, Yajna, Rishabha, Prithu, Dhanvantari, Mohini, Hayagreeva, Vyasa, Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parshuram, Rama, Balarama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki. (The names may vary slightly.)

You May Also Like to Read: Dashavatara – The 10 Avatars of Lord Vishnu.

Avatars of Other Gods:

Other than Lord Vishnu, other gods and goddesses, like Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Parvati, Goddess Lakshmi, and others, also incarnate on Earth. Sometimes, they are the main “heroes,” and sometimes, they assist the main avatar.

E.g., In the Ramayana, Lord Rama is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Sita of Goddess Lakshmi, Lakshman of Sheshanaga, and Hanuman of Lord Shiva.

Why Do Gods Take Avatar?

There could be many reasons behind this. Following are some of the probable reasons:

1. For Sports/Entertainment:

Per some streams of Hindu philosophy, the universe is a playground for gods. Generally, they only observe what is happening but sometimes participate in the game. Through their life, they set an example for people on how to live a righteous life. Their behavior guides people for generations about what is right and what is wrong.

2. To Restore Dharma and Eradicate Evil:

As we use a computer, we need to clean unnecessary files and viruses from time to time. If we do not maintain our system, it stands a high risk of collapsing. Similarly, Earth requires cleansing from time to time. This world is designed like that only. If the cleansing is stopped, the world will collapse.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, “Whenever O Bharata, dharma declines and adharma is on the rise, then I manifest myself. To eradicate evil and restore dharma, I manifest myself from age to age”.

Therefore, gods take avatars on Earth and restore dharma, sometimes by killing evils.

3. To Guide People:

Not necessarily, all avatars came on Earth to kill evils, but many times gods incarnated as sages and guided humanity through difficult times.

Avatars Are Not Always in Human Forms:

It is generally believed that avatars are in human forms only, but it is not true. Some of the earlier Vishnu avatars were in animal or part-animal-part-human forms. E.g., Varaha, Narasimha, Kurma, etc.

Difference Between an Avatar and a Prophet:

Sometimes, these words are used interchangeably, but there is a slight difference between a prophet and an avatar. A prophet is an individual who claims to be in contact with the divine and speaks on his/her behalf, while an avatar carries a divine part of a god in his/her body and hence is termed as “a god on earth”.

Are Avatars Clones?

I think the incarnations of gods are actually their clones. They possess most of the divine properties of that god, but they are not as powerful as their original form. Gods generally avoid coming to Earth. They create clones with sufficient powers to get the jobs done and send them to Earth. It is a high-level science that is beyond our understanding currently.

In the Shiva Purana, Lord Shiva creates Veerabhadra from a lock of his hair. The celestial nymph, Urvashi, was created from the thighs of the sages Nara and Narayana. There are many such examples in the Hindu texts.

Avatars in the Movie “Avatar”:

The movie Avatar (2009) is one of the most successful Hollywood movies. In this movie, humans, before invading a planet called Pandora, send Na’vi-human hybrids called “avatars” on the planet.

To create these hybrids, scientists take DNA samples from a Na’vi and a human and create an in-vitro embryo in a lab. After they are fully grown, they are allowed to mix with the people of Pandora. The humans whose DNA samples are used to create avatars can control them remotely with their minds with psionic link technology.

This fictional scientific concept sounds great, but nobody knows if the gods use the same technology for real avatars or not.

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Content

• What is Avatar:
• Avatar in Computer Science

What is Avatar:

What avatar It is known, from the point of view of hindu religion, the bodily manifestation of a deity, especially — though not solely — Vishnu. The word, as such, comes from Sanskrit avatâra, which means ‘descent or incarnation of a god’.

In this sense, Hinduism conceives the avatar as divine being that descends to earth in the form of a person, animal or any other type of body, in order to restore the dharma, or divine law, and save the world from disorder and confusion generated by demons. Thus, the deity Vishnu, for example, has had many vicissitudes, and, according to the Hindus, has undergone many incarnations.

See also Dharma.

On the other hand, in other religions this term is also used remembering the incarnations of other deities. In this sense, avatar is any spirit that occupies an earthly body, which is a divine manifestation on earth.

Hence this term has been taken to title Avatar (2009), which is a science fiction film written, produced and directed by James Cameron, where the characters, in order to enter the atmosphere of Pandora, must enter an avatar (the body of an indigenous person) to interact with the natives of the planet and convince them to exploit its natural and mineral resources .

An avatar is also a vicissitude or incident that hinders or hinders the development or correct evolution of something. For example: «We are all subject to the vicissitudes of life.»

Finally, the word avatar is also used, figuratively, as synonymous with reincarnation or transformation.

Avatar in Computer Science

In computer science, as an avatar is called the graphic representation that, in the field of Internet and new communication technologies, is associated with a Username for identification in the virtual world. Avatars can be photographs, drawings, or even three-dimensional representations. As such, avatars can be seen in video game, role-playing games, discussion forums, instant messaging and interaction platforms such as Twitter. Already in the 80s this name was used in a computer game.

Today there are many new and sometimes on the Internetcompletely incomprehensible words for us, such as Skype, spam, flood, userpic and much more. This article will discuss what an avatar is. Believe me, if you are going to become a user of social networks and various forums, you can not do without it.

What it is?

So, what is an avatar and what does it eat? If you thought that it was going to be about James Cameron’s famous box office, you were wrong.

This word has many meanings. But in this case, the avatar is a small picture, a photo with which the user of a social network or forum shows other people their appearance, essence, nature or hobbies. This is a kind of «electronic shower» of the user.

What is an avatar? This is your face in the global Internet. Thanks to a certain picture that a person places on the forum or in a social network, other users get some idea about it. Therefore, it is very important to make the avatar right, so that it matches you as much as possible. In this case, you can easily find a common language with those who are interested in the global network.

Where to use the avatar

Avatar is an image that replacesInternet is your face. If you want to participate in the life of various forums, communicate in social networks or find your soul mate on a dating site, without an avatar simply can not do.

It is located under the name (nickname)the user. It can be seen on your personal page, and it is displayed every time you comment on or publish your notes, answer someone’s questions or ask them yourself. Thanks to this picture, other users «see» to themselves the one with whom they communicate, or rather the one you want to show them. So without an avatar, a person is simply faceless and is of no interest to anyone. Therefore, its importance is not even worth telling — here and so everything is clear.

What does the word avatar mean?

The history of creation and creation of an avatar is a mystery,covered with darkness. It is still unknown who invented this term and who first started using it. But it is reliably known that this word carries a divine meaning.

In the book entitled «Myths of the Nations of the World» there isinterpretation of the meaning of this concept. This Sanskrit word (avatar means «descent»). According to the records, the avatar is the deed of the Hindu sovereign god (Vishnu or Shiva). Namely — his ascent to a sinful Earth and reincarnation into a mortal being (physical form) for the restoration of law, order and virtue in this world.

What is the avatar?

Yes, whatever. It can be your photo or not yours. Various pictures of nature, frames from movies or computer games, photos of famous actors and musicians, images of cars, motorcycles, animals and much more.

There are several types of this picture on the Internet. Most often there is a two-dimensional model of the avatar. This is a kind of «icon», as it is called by users. More rarely — a three-dimensional model, which is represented in multi-user online games. You can meet an avatar, completely consisting of text.

So, the avatar is static or animated. Here everything is simple. Static means immovable. That is, the picture does not move. With animated — all the way around. Here there is some movement, blinking, glow, and also other very diverse effects. Such avatars attract attention of other users.

How to create an avatar

The main thing is to choose the right picture,which will talk about you on the Internet. In social networks or on dating sites it is best to use your real photo as an avatar. If, of course, you want your acquaintance to go into real life. Do not put pictures of celebrities instead of your photos, so as not to mislead other users. And some social networks and dating sites generally do not take pictures or images on which it is impossible to discern a person’s face.

On the forums, the image of the avatar is not sodemanding. You can put anything here. Most often on the sites already have a list of pictures from which you can choose your avatar. But if it does not, then you have to download the picture from your computer. Choosing between a static picture and animated, it is necessary to remember that the Internet connection plays an important role here. The size of the «moving» avatar is much more static. Therefore, if the speed of your Internet is small (less than 128 Kb / s), pages with animated pictures will be loaded slowly.

So, let’s sum up. What is an avatar? In the modern world, on the Internet, this word means a graphic representation of a real user. A small picture, which tells about the person interlocutors and, in general, all who are online.