One of the Hindu gods, Lord Vishnu, is known as the Lord of Preservation among the Trimurtis, also including Shiva & Brahma. Through his ten incarnations/Dashavatars, he maintains and guards the universe, bringing it back into harmony, symbolizing eternal peace, compassion, and righteousness.
To protect humanity and the ancient texts (Vedas) from a massive flood, Lord Vishnu assumed the shape of Matsya, a giant fish. He guided King Manu’s boat, carrying sages and living beings, ensuring the continuity of life. Protection, preservation, and the victory of knowledge over chaos are all represented by this avatar.
Lord Vishnu took on the Kurma form to maintain Mount Mandara while the universe's ocean was churning (Samudra Manthan). Kurma held the mountain on his back while demons and gods, who were exploding the ocean, sought Amrit, the nectar of immortality. This avatar represents power, steadiness, and cosmic harmony.
To save Goddess Earth (Bhudevi) from the demon Hiranyaksha, who had drowned her in the cosmic ocean, Lord Vishnu took on the form of Varaha, a powerful boar. Varaha raised the Earth on his tusks with great strength and put her back where she belonged. This avatar stands for bravery, protection, and the triumph of good over evil.
Lord Vishnu took on the half-lion, half-man form of Narasimha to save his devotee Prahlada and put an end to the oppression of Hiranyakashipu, the demon king. To meet the requirements of the blessing, Narasimha emerged from a pillar and killed the demon at dusk, both indoors and outdoors. This avatar represents justice, devotion's victory, and heavenly protection.
The demon king Bali had taken control of the three planets, so Lord Vishnu took on the form of Vamana, a lowly dwarf Brahmin, to defeat him. After requesting three land steps, Vamana transformed into a giant (Trivikrama), covering the world in two. The third step was placed on Bali's head. This avatar represents righteousness, humility, and the reestablishment of cosmic order.
The purpose of Lord Vishnu's incarnation as the violent Brahmin warrior Parashurama was to rid the planet of arrogant and corrupt Kshatriya kings who misused their position of authority. He reestablished dharma by defending sages and punishing injustice with his heavenly axe, Parashu. Discipline, fairness, and the struggle against injustice are all symbolised by this avatar.
To destroy Ravana, the evil king, and preserve dharma, Lord Vishnu took on the form of Rama, a moral prince of Ayodhya. The epic Ramayana celebrates the life and actions of Rama, who is renowned for his courage, righteousness, and devotion to truth. This avatar represents duty, virtue, and the ideal of leading a moral life
For the sake of guiding humanity, destroying evil, and spreading devotion, Lord Vishnu took on the form of Krishna. From his playful leelas in Vrindavan as a kid to his role as Arjuna's horseman in the Mahabharata, Krishna represented strategy, intelligence, and love. Compassion, divine delight, and the everlasting path of righteousness (dharma) are all represented by this avatar.
By taking on the form of Gautama Buddha, Lord Vishnu wanted to guide humanity away from ignorance and violence and toward self-realisation, compassion, and peace. He promoted enlightenment and disengagement from worldly cravings in his teachings. Ahimsa, or non-violence, knowledge, and the significance of inner enlightenment for real liberation are all represented by this avatar.
At the end of Kali Yuga (the current era of evil and corruption), Kalki, Lord Vishnu's tenth and promised incarnation, has not yet occurred. Kalki, who is portrayed riding a white horse and brandishing a flaming sword, will vanquish evil, bring back righteousness (dharma), and bring about a new age of virtue and truth.