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Summary

The incarnations of Vishnu (or God) are a recurrent theme in ancient Vedic history, the source of all yoga. Vishnu exists outside the material realm as the creator, and within every heart as the witnessing Supersoul. He also enters this world as an avatar, or ‘one who descends’, to restore the balance whenever His presence is needed. As it is says in the Bhagavad Gita; “Whenever there is a decline of religion and a rise of irreligion, I incarnate myself. To protect the good, to destroy the wicked, and to re-establish religious principles, I appear in every age.” There are said to be more incarnations of Godhead than waves on the ocean. The avatars of the Divine are of particular interest because He progressively assumes more developed forms, from fish, tortoise and boar to half-animal, half-man, and finally human form. That God should incarnate as an animal, even a supernatural one, shows that animals have an important role to play in the Lord’s eyes. They are living expressions of the spirit and presence of God. Herein are the subtle secret teachings of the ancient yoga sutras. In centuries gone by these ancient mysteries were taught only to the most advanced yogis and were thought to be all but lost. Now comes again a singular opportunity for everyone to enter into the true mystical presence of the mystical incarnations of the Absolute Divinity.
'To understand the incarnations of the Godhead is to be free eternally.' Paramhansa Yogananda