List of people who have been considered avatars

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This is a list of people in Hinduism and other religions, who are considered to be avatars (an incarnation of a deity or higher being) by themselves or by others. It does not include the "ten great avatars" as their historicity is uncertain or their religious status relatively assured within Hinduism.

Who
Image
When
What
* Adi Da (Franklin Jones) b. November 3, 1939 Adi Da (1939-present) states he is the Avatar of " The Bright " incarnate, and uses the title Avatar Adi Da Samraj [1]see footnote for clarification about Avatar status [2]
*Ayya Vaikundar 1833-1851 According to Akilattirattu Ammanai, the religious book of Ayyavazhi and the source of Ayyavazhi mythology, Lord Vaikundar arose from the sea as the Avatar of Narayana to transform Kali Yukam to Dharma Yukam and to rule the earth.
*Gautama Buddha (about 623 BC to 543 BC) Accepted as an avatar by some Hindus, for example by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. For more information, see Vaishnava Theology. Ambedkar and his followers vowed never to consider Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu.
* Meher Baba 18941969 "For example, you are a man. Is it necessary for you to tell others that you are a man? No. But if you are living among donkeys, you would vehemently declare that you are a man. In the same way, I am God, but I have not to speak of it, because it is quite natural. Yet sometimes, I have to declare it."
*Mother Meera 1960 Claimed to be an avatar of the Adiparashakti, the primordial Mother Goddess. Claimed to be one of several avatars on earth today, who do not necessarily have to be known or worshiped.
*Hans Ji Maharaj 1900-1966 Declared that the Satguru is a perfect avatar[1]
*Samael Aun Weor (1917 - 1977) Claimed as the real Kalki Avatar and Buddha Maitreya
* Sathya Sai Baba b. 1926 or 1929 Claims to be an avatar of Shiva, Shakti, and Krishna. Also stated, "I AM GOD, but I do not have to know I am God, for I have always been that."


Contents

[edit] See also

[edit] Bibliography

  • Hogue, John Messiahs: The Visions and Prophecies for the Second Coming (1999) Elements Books ISBN 1-86204-549-6

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  • ^ Adi Da ~ Da Love-Ananda Gita First word , Page 21 , 2nd Edition 2000 Therefore no one should misunderstand me. By Avartarically revealing and confessing my Divine status to one and all. I am not indulging in self-appointment, or illusions of grandiose Divinity. I am not claiming the status of the " Creator God "
  • Meaning of Parushama, an Avesha avatar.
  • Types of Avatars; answers to questions #67-70.
  • Bhakti Schools of Vedanta, pg. 94, by Swami Tapasyananda, available at Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai. available at India web site: http://www.sriramakrishnamath.org and US site: http://www.vedanta.com.
  • *  Gupta, Mahendra. Hans Puran, (1969) New Delhi.
    "Only he is the true teacher [Satguru] who can show what are the religious and social obligations [dharma], show God to you, and give you the Knowledge of the holy name [sat nam]. And he who can give you the Knowledge of this dharma is completely wise. Satguru is the one who has the perfect wisdom. And other than the Satguru no one has the perfect wisdom. Oh! People of the world! Only a perfect avatar with the sixty-four virtues [kalae] can reveal this Knowledge." Hans Ji Maharaj (Bombay, March 1966)