Avatāra

AVATĀRA. - Sanskrit term from the root tar with the prefix ava "to descend": literally "descent," used particularly to indicate the descent, the incarnation on earth of a supernatural being in a form different from its own original one. In such an incarnation the god keeps his own essence intimately fused with the nature assumed, so that he is at the same time true god and true man. From the consciousness of the humanity lived by the god in his earthly life and of the struggles and sufferings he endured in it, in which he had become incarnate for the benefit of men (every a., or "descent," takes place in an era of dangers for salvation or for the consolation of humanity), there follows in believers a spirit of confidence and a great feeling of love toward him, equal to that which he nourished for them. Among all the incarnations the most famous are those of Viṣṇu (v. INDUISMO), some of which were even realized in animals (fish, tortoise, boar).

Ambrogio Ballini