AVATĀRA

AVATĀRA. - Sanskrit term from the root tar with the prefix ava, “to descend”: literally, “descent,” used especially 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 retains his own essence intimately fused with the assumed nature, so that he is at once true god and true man. From the awareness of the humanity lived by the god in his earthly life and of the struggles and sufferings endured by him in it, in which he had become incarnate for the benefit of men (every a. or “descent” occurs in times of danger to the salvation or consolation of humanity), there arises in believers a spirit of trust and a great feeling of love toward him, equal to that which he cherishes for them. Among all incarnations, the most famous are those of Viṣṇu (v. INDUISMO), some of which were also realized in animals (fish, tortoise, boar).