The Supreme Omniscient Lord of the Universe, in the spirit of Divine Sport, taking a form and coming to live among the mortals of the world because of His infinite love and compassion towards all beings, is known as an Avatar.

This apparent descent of the Supreme is probably the most daring of all philosophical concepts, and accepted only in Hinduism.It is believed that whenever there is a decline in dharma, which is the means for prosperity and absolute good of all beings, and there is a rise of adharma, then the Lord makes His mighty descent.