Avatara : Questions and Answers

Question : Sage Parasurama is beleived to reside here even to this day
(1) Himalayas
(2) Western Ghats
(3) Mahendra Hills
(4) Tirumala


Posted On : 01-08-2018



ANSWER : Sage Parasurama is beleived to reside here even to this day at Mahendra Hills, Odissa and doing pennace there. It is said that He has given up all his weapons, is very calm and learned and is worshipped by Siddhas, Gandharvas and others.




Question : Parasurama is related to one of the great sages who is also a Brahmarishi. Who is this sage?


Posted On : 31-07-2018



ANSWER : Parasurama is related to Sage Vishamitra. CHeck out the notes for further information



Note : Sage Ruchika married Satyavati, daughter of King Gaadhi. Sage Ruchika prepared a potion, based on Satyavatis request for both his wife Satyavati (to get a great sage as son) and to Satyavatis mother (to get a great warrior as son) . However the ladies interchanged the potion and drank what was meant for the other. Gaadhis wife had a son who had the aura of a sage and was none other than Sage Vishwamitra. Satyavati bcos of the interchanged potion was to get a warrior son. She requested Sage Ruchika to do something. RUchika said that he can only postpone the occurence and they had Sage Jamadagni. Sage Jamadagnis son is Parasurama (incarnation of Lord Narayana) who turned to be a warrior



Question : What does Parasu mean and why is Parasurama known so?


Posted On : 30-07-2018



ANSWER : Parasu means axe in Sanskrit. Parasurama was born to Sage Jamadagni and Renuka as their youngest son and was named as Rama. This Rama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who came to destroy the rulers of the land, who had become arrogant and were causing trouble to their citizens. Given that Rama had a great weapon, the axe called as Parasu, he is known as Parasurama and is referred by that name mostly.




Question : Trivikrama had the following weapons on his divine body. Match weapons and meaning
Kaumodaki -best of quivers
Vidhyadara - disc
Akshayasaayaka -Sword
Panchajanya -Bow
Sarnga - Mace
Chakra - conch


Posted On : 25-07-2018



ANSWER : Weapons on Trivikrama and their meaning
Kaumodaki - Mace
Vidhyadara - Sword
Akshayasaayaka - best of quivers
Panchajanya - conch
Sarnga - Bow
Chakra - disc




Question : What does Trivikrama bless Bali to become in future


Posted On : 24-07-2018



ANSWER : The Lord praises Bali for remaining truthful to his word and following the path of righteousness even if it resulted in losing all his possessions. The Lord blessed Bali that he become the King of the heavenly planets during the period of the Manu known as Sāvarṇi. Till then he blessed him to live in Sutala designed by Vishwakarma.




Question : Trivikramas body contained the whole universe. Match what Bali saw in each part of Trivikrama's body (from Bhagavatham)

Foot - All galaxies and planets where heavenly beings are present
Knees - sun
Thighs - Dharma or the rules to be followed by all the beings in the universe.
Navel - All directions
Waist - Devas headed by Indra
Heart - Wind
Neck - fire
Arms - Universal knowledge and all sounds
Ears = Earth with its mountains, rivers, oceans and living beings
Head - Entire skies
Mouth - All flying beings like birds
Nostril - All types of moving winds from the universe
Eye - Great seven oceans of the universe


Posted On : 23-07-2018



ANSWER : Trivikramas body contained the whole universe. Bali saw the following in each part of Trivikrama's body
Foot - Earth with its mountains, rivers, oceans and living beings
Knees - All flying beings like birds
Thighs - All types of moving winds from the universe
Navel - Entire skies
Waist - Great seven oceans of the universe
Heart - Dharma or the rules to be followed by all the beings in the universe.
Neck - Universal knowledge and all sounds
Arms - Devas headed by Indra
Ears = All directions
Head - All galazxies and planets were heavenly beings are present
Mouth - fire
Nostril - Wind
Eye - sun

Check for the complete description in the notes section.



Note : Trivikrama was so huge in size. His body contained everything of the universe. On the foot were the earth and all its mountains, rivers, oceans and living beings. All the flying beings in the universe like birds were near the Lords’ knees, and all types of moving wind from the entire universe were near his thigh. Behind the beautiful clothes worn by Trivikrama, Bali could see twilight. In Trivikrama’s navel, he saw the entire skies. On his waist, Bali saw the great seven oceans, not of the earth, but of the universe. In the heart of Trivikrama, Bali saw dharma, or the rules to be followed by all the beings in the universe. On Trivikrama’s chest, Bali saw all the truth and words that bring peace to one’s mind and are pleasing to hear. He saw Lakshmi on one side of Trivikrama’s chest. On Trivikrama’s neck, he saw all the Universal knowledge and sounds. On His arms, there were all the devas headed by Indra. In his ears, all the directions; on the head, all the galaxies and planets where heavenly beings were present. All the clouds in the Universe were in his matte of hair; Fire was seen in his mouth. Wind could be seen in his nostrils; Sun on the eyes. His eyelids had all the days and all the nights (when his eyelids were open, it was day). On his back, the adharma or the things opposed to rules was there. Death was seen in his shadows. One could see the maya in Trivikrama’s smile. All the hairs in his body were plants and trees. All the rivers were in his veins, and rocks were present in his nails. In his intelligence, Brahma, the devas and all the great saintly persons were present, and throughout his entire body, all the living beings of the universe were present.
How great indeed teh Lord is and how lucky Bali is! JAI SRIMAN NARAYANA ! Jai Trivikrama !



Question : Where does Ganga originate from and when did Ganga start?


Posted On : 22-07-2018



ANSWER : The water of Ganga originates from the the water that Brahma used to wash Lord Trivikramas feet when the Lord measured the upper worlds. Siva slowed the water coming down by catching it in his hair and making her flow in several streams such as Bhagirathi (Gangotri Glacier) and Alakananda that originates from an icefield close to Badrinath. Check notes for more information.



Note : Trivikrama covered the entire earth with just one footstep. He then took his second step - He raised his leg. This foot covered all the galaxies in the universe where higher beings like Brahma live. The lord’s foot extended higher and higher and covered the Maharloka, Janaloka, the Tapoloka and even the most distant loka of Satyaloka. One toenail of the Lord’s second foot was in Brahmaloka. Brahma saw that the radiance coming from this toenail was reducing the tejas or brilliance of his own loka of Brahmaloka, and understood whose toenail it was. Brahma approached Trivikrama. He was joined by all the great sages headed by Marichi rishi, and the great yogis headed by Sanandana. These sages, yogis and Brahma himself were experts in all the knowledge in the Universe, and they had accomplished so much in their lives. They worshipped Trivikrama, and started washing the toe of the Lord with water present in BrahmaLoka. This holy water, after it touched and washed Vishnu’s foot, fell down to the earth - This is the river Ganga, which came to earth very forcefully, and Siva slowed it down by making her flow through his hair in various streams.



Question : WHo are the parents of the Lord in Vamana Avatara


Posted On : 21-07-2018



ANSWER : Sage Kashyapa and Aditi




Question : How are Prahalada and the asura king Bali (in Vamana Avatara) related?


Posted On : 17-07-2018



ANSWER : Prahalada is the grandfather of Bali.




Question : WHich of the following comes to mind when we think of Lord Narasimha
(1) Narasimha is a scary form (2) Removes obstacles of devotees that deter them from following the right path in life (3) That Lord is everywhere. (4) The Lord comes to help his devotees anytime.


Posted On : 16-07-2018



ANSWER : And (2, 3, 4)
Lord Narasimha is not to be feared but hes the one who helps in removing obstacles of devotees that deter them following the right path in life. This avatara also shows that Lord is everywhere and comes to help his devotees anytime.



Note : Parasara Bhattar swami says that Narasimha was so beautiful that if one looks at him, even the most beautiful human being will look ugly compared to him - the most beautiful lion will look ugly compared to him. His beauty combining half lion and half man was the most beautiful being! Narasimha avatara, though considered a fearful avatara, is actually the most kind avatara from the perspective of his devotees. He did all this because he wanted to help his devotee Prahlada. One should not be afraid of Narasimha. In fact, Narasimha is the form of the Lord that is the most kind ,removing the obstacles of His devotees to help lead the right life thinking about him.



Question : Who is the father of Bhaktha Prahalada?


Posted On : 15-07-2018



ANSWER : Hiranyakashipu, the asura is the father of Prahalada.




Question : What form does the Lord take in the Narasimha avatara?


Posted On : 14-07-2018



ANSWER : Nara means man and simha means lion. The lord takes the form of half man half lion in the Narasimha avatara.




Question : Who does Lord Varaha save during his avatara?


Posted On : 12-07-2018



ANSWER : Varaha saved Mother Earth who was submerged in the huge and immense ocean ruled by Varuna. This was an immense ocean that could cover the entire universe unlike the Pacific or Indian ocean we see now. Varaha went into the ocean, and placing the earth between his two tusks, brought her back up. Varaha was so huge that the entire earth fit on his nose between the two tusks!.




Question : WHat form does the Lord take in the Varaha avatara?


Posted On : 11-07-2018



ANSWER : Lord Vishnu took the form of a wild boar with tusks in Varaha avatara. Varaha is the word in Sanskrit.Initially, Varaha was just the size of the end of one’s finger, and he came out of Brahma’s nose. But then, immediately, Lord Varaha grew in size to be a gigantic boar, bluish in colour with giant and powerful tusks. The size and power of Varaha was immense.




Question : Which temple (old one) can we see the Lord in the form of Koorma Avatara (Hint : Its in Andhra Pradesh)


Posted On : 10-07-2018



ANSWER : There is a very old temple in India where the Koorma Avatara form of Vishnu is worshipped. It is a very old and beautiful temple, where one can see Lord Vishnu present in the Kurma form, and one can go very near to Kurma. This place is called Sri Koormam, and is situated about 1 hour from the city of Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.



Note : These are the only 3 main temples in India where Lord Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Kurma Avatar. They are,
• Sri Kurmam Temple, Srikakulam, Andra Pradesh
• Sri Gavi Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Chitradurga, Karnataka
• Sri Kurma Varadharaja Swamy Temple, Chittor, Andra Pradesh
Shri Kurmam temple is one of the main temples in India where Vishnu is worshipped in the form of a tortoise. History says that Sri Ramanujacharya established this temple at Srikakulam. The idol of Lord Vishnu is a big Saligrama and it is one of the most revered deities in the region. Sri Kurmam Temple is located in the exteriors of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh.



Question : Unjumble (Hint: Kurma Avatara related)
1. aaushktub _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
2. harsiub _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. jaaaaiptr _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
4. aciachuhsavrs _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
5. vraaiaat _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
6. vrauni _ _ _ _ _ _
7. idnhtaavnra _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
8. imslhka _ _ _ _ _ _ _


Posted On : 09-07-2018



ANSWER : Unjumble - Objects that came out from the churning of ocean
1. Kausthuba
2. Surabhi
3. Paarijata
4. Uchchaisravas
5. Airavata
6. Varuni
7. Dhanvantari
8. Lakshmi



Note : Objects that came out from the churning of ocean
1. Kausthuba - A jewel that Vishnu placed it on his neck
2. Surabhi - A special cow . She could fulfill all the desires of her owner. The great sages who were watching this churning of the ocean took the Surabhi cow as she would help them with milk, ghee and curd for performing great yagnas.
3. Paarijata - this special flower decorates the places where Devas live, and this flower grants all the wishes for people where it is present.
4. Uchchaisravas - beautiful white horse which Bali took
5. Airavata - white elephant which Indra took
6. Varuni - divine being that Bali took
7. Dhanvantari - The god of medicine who got the Amrita as well
8. Lakshmi - She became the divine consort of Vishnu . She went to Vishnu and rested in his chest.



Question : What was the first thing that came out of the churning of ocean by the devas and asuras in the Kurma Avatara


Posted On : 08-07-2018



ANSWER : The first treasure that came out of the Milk Ocean was the really powerful poison called the Haalahala, or kaalakuta poison - the most poisonous thing. Check notes for more information.




Question : Why did the Lord assume the form of tortoise in Kurma Avatara?
(1) To support the Mandara mountain from sinking (2) To ward off all the other creatures from the ocean
(3) To cheer the devas and asuras in their difficult task (4) To grab the amrita when it came out from the ocean


Posted On : 07-07-2018



ANSWER : The Lord assumed the form of tortoise to support the Mandara mountain during the churning. The mountain was sinking as there was no support at the bottom. Vishnu took the form of a really large tortoise, called Kurma, went under the ocean, and lifted the Mandara Mountain on His back. He now provided support from the bottom for the Mandara Mountain. In order to hold the entire mountain steady for churning, the tortoise form, Kurma had to be really large - thousands of kilometers in size.




Question : For the churning of milk ocean in Kurma Avatara, what mountain was used to churn the ocean and what was used as rope ?


Posted On : 06-07-2018



ANSWER : During the churning of the ocean Mount Mandara was used to churn the ocean and Vasuki the snake was tied around the mountain to help with the churning.




Question : What is Khseerabdi?
(1) Milk Ocean (2) Sweet rava preparation
(3) Sri Vaikuntam (4) Salt ocean


Posted On : 05-07-2018



ANSWER : Ksheerabdi is the ocean of milk where the Lord reclines on Adisesha. This is the place where anyone can approach the lord for help ie. Devas/Brahma/Siva etc




Question : What does pralayam mean?


Posted On : 04-07-2018



ANSWER : Pralaya is the dissolution and recreation of the universe periodically . It happens most times through means of a huge flood / deluge that immerses the earth and major portion of the universe normally. There are different types of Pralaya. Check out notes for further information. We have given a pointer to what Swamis says (website ).



Note : Jai Sriman Narayana

Following is what Vedic Science says for those interested. A chatur yuga cycle is 4.32 million years . Its present in the ratio of 4:3;2:1 (Satya: Treta: Dwapara: Kali). 1000 such cycles forms the day of Brahma. 4.32 billion years is what constitutes Brahmas day. This time period is called Kalpa. Similarly 4.32 billion years constitutes his night. During his day time life exists and during the night time life does not. At the end of each kalpa, that is, the day for Brahma, the earth and a major portion of the Universe is immersed in a flood.. This is called pralaya. After Brahma’s night ends, the Universe re-emerges. Brahms one day is equal to 8.64 million yars.The age of Brahma is 100 years and each year has 360 days. So the age of Brahma in human years is 360*100*8.64 million years = 311. 04 trillion years. At the end of this Maha Pralaya happens where everything goes inside the Lord (hes said to inhale). ANd then the whole next cycle happens when he exhales.

Pointer to what Swami says as part of Thiruppavai discourse:
chinnajeeyar.guru/chinnajeeyar/ultimate-truths-of-vedic-science-weaved-in-a-sweet-song-by-goda-devi-the-before-and-after-of-existence-from-tiruppavai-discourses-of-sri-chinna-jeeyar-swami-2016-2017/



Question : What does avatara mean in the context of our tradition?


Posted On : 03-07-2018



ANSWER : Lord Vishnu appears on this earth in various forms, at various times. This is called avatara in sanskrit, or incarnation in English. Check for more information in notes



Note : Jai Sriman Narayana

The Lord takes avatara in order to protect good people, and to establish the rule of the law, and his avataras happen when good people are in extreme danger, and when many bad people do not follow the rule of the law (called dharma). Lord Vishnu has taken countless avataras, 10 of which are very well known, and are called Dasa Avatara, or the 10 avataras. Of them, the first avatara is Matsya Avatara, or the incarnation in the fish form.



Question : What is the name of the king in Matsya avatara who gathers every type of species on earth (animals and plants) before the deluge (pralayam) on the command of Lord Vishnu?


Posted On : 02-07-2018



ANSWER : King Satyavrata is the one who gathers every type of species based on the command of Lord Vishnu is Matsya Avatara. Lord Vishnu takes the form of a fish in this avatara and saves the world and the entire knowledge of the world known as Vedas. Check for more information in the notes



Note : Lord Vishnu in the Mataya Avatara assumes the form of a fish and takes Satyavrata, the Sapta rishis, and every type of living species gathered by Satyavrata over the flood that happens at the end of Brahma's day. All of them were in a boat and the serpent Vasuki is used as a rope to tie the boat to the horn of the Matsya form of Lord. Matsya pulled the boat into the water, and pulled it along as He swam in the infinite Ocean. This saved the boat and all the beings in it. While pulling the boat along, Matsya taught Satyavrata the real truth regarding living beings, who the Supreme Lord is, how to live life, what to aim for, and how to accomplish that. Lord Vishnu had earlier retrieved all the knowledge in the form of Vedas from Hayagriva the demon. Hayagriva had stolen the knowledge that came from Brahma’s breath while he was sleeping, and took it, and hid it in the ocean. Lord Vishnu had retrieved those Vedas from Hayagreeva the demon. Now, He taught Satyavrata the secrets from them. After the flood ended, life re-emerged from all the things that Satyavrata had saved in the boat. Due to the grace of Lord Vishnu, Satyavrata was born as Vivaswaan, the sun of Surya, the sun god. He became the next Manu (ruler of the world), named Vaivasvata Manu. We now live in the era of Vaivasvata Manu, called Vaivasvata Manvantara.



Question : Today is the thiru nakshattiram of an Azhvar. He is the one who explicitly wished long life even for perumal. Who is he? What are the different names he’s addressed by?


Posted On : 23-06-2018



ANSWER : Periyazhvaar is the one who explicitly wished long life for perumal in his Thirupallaandu wishing perumal to live for many many years.

Periyazhvar - great azhvar (periya also means elder )
Vishnucitta – One who has always Vishnu in his thoughts
Pattar Piraan – chief of Brahmins
Puduvaiyar kone – lord of the new place (Srivilliputtur)
Sriranganatha svasura: - father in law of Lord Ranganatha
Srivilliputhoorarar – the ones lives in Srivillipputtur
Patta naadan




Question : In the Vamana avathara perumal takes the form of a dwarf brahmin. He also assumes another form in the same incarnation. Name that form?


Posted On : 15-06-2018



ANSWER : In the Vamana avathara perumal takes the form of a dwarf brahmin and then he starts growing taller and bigger. The entire earth, sky, all the directions, all the planets, the galaxies, all the oceans, sees, living beings – the entire universe was within His body. This form of Vishnu is called Trivikrama. Bali had promised Vamana 3 steps of land measured by Vamana’s foot.. Trivikrama covered the entire earth with just one footstep, the skies with his body and all the directions with his arms. He then took his second step - This foot covered all the galaxies in the universe where higher beings like Brahma live, basically the entire universe. Since there was no more place left Bali offered his own head for the third step.