Vedanta - Discussion Forum I (introductory))

[Sunder]

Rajesh ji, I have to make a distinction here between Incarnation and Avatara. Incarnation is the fusion between inert matter and Consciousness (Kshetra-Kshetri Samyoga.) All life forms are incarnations (i.e. "Carn" means flesh, e.g. Carnal Knowledge.)

Avatara, means "to come down" Ava-Tarathi. I think I had mentioned this before, and am repeating myself here.. An Avatara is a dual purpose. I.e. The Universal Consciousness manifests itself to restore Harmony and Order when Chaos prevails. An Avatara is offensive (Dushta Sikshanam), and defensive (Sishta Rakshanam) in nature. Protecting what is already harmonious, and eliminating what is harmful to Harmony.

Kapila, Buddha et al did not do a Dushta Sikshana per se. Hence they cannot be a full Avatara. (I think Kurma-avatara too did not do Dushta sikshana, while Mohini Avatara did both DS, and SR.)

Did you know that Sri-Rama is not a full avatara? Krishna alone is Purna avatara (while all else is only Amsa-avatara or Partial avataras.) Rama's Avatara-transfer happened when Parashurama passes the Narayana-bow to Rama (at his wedding), and it ends with Ravana Vadham.

(Abhramic Avataras cannot be classified as that of Vishnu by a counsil commmittee or by popular vote..)