Image: Dasavatar, 19th century

Description: Dasavatar, Andhra Pradesh, 19th century. India. (Combined version of two pieces of a scroll painting. Enhanced, corrected and joined using Photoshop 7) Watercolour and gold on paper. From left: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna, Kalki. "Marks and inscriptions '1. The Fish denotes the fatal day / When Earth beneath the Waters lay. / Macha Awataram' The fish incarnation of Vishnu (Matsya avatara) '2. Th'amphibious Turtle marks the time / When it again the shores could climb. / Koorma Awataram.' The turtle incarnation of Vishnu (Kurma avatara) '3. The Boar's an emblem of the God / Who raised again the mighty clod. / Waraha Awataram' The boar incarnation of Vishnu (Varaha avatara) '4. The Lion-king and savage trains / Now roam the woods, o[r] graze the [plains]. / Narasheem Awataram' The man-lion incarnation of Vishnu (Narasimha avatara) '5. Next [came the] Little Man's reign / Oe'r earth an[d wa]try' main / Wamana Awataram' The dward incarnation of Vishnu (Vamana avatara) '6. Ram with the Axe then takes his stand, / Fells the thick forests - clears the land. / Parasurama Awataram' Rama with the Axe (Parasurama avatara) '7. Ram with the Bow 'gainst tyrants fight[s] / And thus defends the people's rights. / Shreerama Awataram' Rama with the bow (Rama avatara) '8. Ram with the Plough turns up the soil, / And teaches man for food to toil. / Balarama Awataram' Rama with the Plough (Balarama avatara) '9. Buddha for Reformation came, / And formed a Sect well known to fame. / Boodha Awataram' Vishnu as the Buddha (Buddha avatara). '10. When Kalki mounts his milk white Steed, / Heav'n, Earth, and all will then recede! / Kalkeekawataram' Vishnu as a warrior on a white horse (Kalki avatara)"
Title: Dasavatar, 19th century
Credit: V & A Museum [1]
Author: Anonymous
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No