AVATÀRA

AVATARA. - Sanskrit term from the root *tar* with the prefix *ava* "to descend": literally "descent," used particularly to indicate the descent, the incarnation of a supernatural being on earth, in a form different from its original one. In such an incarnation the god maintains his own essence intimately fused with the assumed nature, so that he is at the same time true God and true man. Because of the consciousness of the humanity experienced by the god in his earthly life and of the struggles and sufferings he endured in it, in which he had incarnated for the benefit of men (every avatar or "descent" occurs at a time of danger for the salvation or comfort of humanity), believers are filled with a spirit of trust and a great feeling of love toward him, equal to that which he feels for them. Among all the incarnations, the most famous are those of Visnu (v. INDUISMO), some of which have also taken place in animal forms (fish, tortoise, boar).