Series depicting the dashavatara
Awadhi artists
c.1800
Opaque watercolour with gold paint
Devotion to Vishnu and his ten earthly incarnations or ‘avatars’ (the ‘dashavatara’) is particularly prevalent in north India. According to Hindu belief, Vishnu was compelled to descend to earth in these ten animal and human manifestations in order to restore dharma (cosmic order).
Indian School, late 18th century
Vishnu and Lakshmi
Indian School, late 18th century
Matsya, the first incarnation of Vishnu.
Indian School, late 18th century
Kurma, the second incarnation of Vishnu.
Indian School, late 18th century
Varaha, the third incarnation of Vishnu.
Indian School, late 18th century
Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Vishnu.
Indian School, late 18th century
Narasimha, the fourth incarnation of Vishnu.
Indian School, late 18th century
Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu.
Indian School, late 18th century
Rama, the seventh incarnation of Vishnu.
Indian School, late 18th century
Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu.
Indian School, late 18th century
Buddha, the ninth incarnation of Vishnu.
Indian School, late 18th century
