Symbolism of Vishnu Avatars

Dasavatara: Ten Avatars of Vishnu

The ten most famous incarnations of Vishnu are collectively known as the 'Dasavatara' ('dasa' in Sanskrit means ten) in the four Yugas, in this pattern.

1.Matsya, the fish, appeared in the Satya Yuga.
2.Kurma, the tortoise, appeared in the Satya Yuga.
3.Varaha, the boar, appeared in the Satya Yuga.
4.Narasimha, the half-man/half-lion appeared in the Satya Yuga.

1.Vamana, the dwarf, appeared in the Treta Yuga.
2.Parashurama, Rama with the axe, appeared in the Treta Yuga.
3.Rama, Ramachandra, the prince and king of Ayodhya, appeared in the Treta Yuga.

1.Balarama, is the elder brother Krishna Dwapara-Yuga.
2.Krishna  appeared in the Dwapara-Yuga

1.Kalki ("The Destroyer of foulness"), who is expected to appear at the end of Kali Yuga.

     The ten avatars represent the evolution of life through Mankind to final Divine-hood. Matsya, the fish, represents life in water. Kurma, the tortoise, represents the next stage, amphibianism. The third animal, the boar Varaha, symbolizes life on land. Narasimha, the Man-Lion, symbolizes the beastly development. Vamana, the dwarf, symbolizes the first pygmy type man development. Then, Parashurama, the forest-dweller, connotes  development of hunter man. The King Rama signals man's ability to form society. Balarama denotes man's development of tools and technology. Krishna represents the man of Inner spiritual development and Kalki represents the final spiritual culmination.

Inner Symbolism of Avatars: All avatars represent the evolution of life. It also represents our psychological status. Our wisdom (knowledge/gnana) is buried deep inside the ocean of darkness. Unless we make an effort we are doomed in the ocean.

 Matsya avatar

     This is symbolically represented in Matsya avatar. The ocean is Samsara Sagaram and in that we (Brahma) the creator of our own world is robbed of the wisdom by an Asura (ego). The Vedas represent wisdom which is snatched by the Asuras from the sleeping (ignorant) Brahma. Fish the avatar of Vishnu represent the aspect of our searching (inquiry) attitude about the reality of life. This alone brings hope to kill the Asura and restore wisdom to Brahma.

 Click here to continue reading  Four Yugas  to as given by the Vedic Rishis.