For the protection of the virtuous...

For the protection of the virtuous, for the destruction of evil-doers, and for establishing Dharma (righteousness) on a firm footing, I am born from age to age." The Messianic hope in Hinduism is direct corollary of its incarnation theory. The Sanskrit word "Avatar" etymologically means 'descent' of a deity; technically, it means an incarnation or manifestation of God. "Vishnu (Sanskr, the "active one"), in the Indian Rig-Veda (is) a minor deity,...

Vishnu in the Epic (Ramayana and Mahabharata) mythology developed into the preserver-god, one of the Hindu triad with Brahma, the creator; and Shiva, the destroyer; and as such he has saved mankind in ten incarnations" 1 whenever a great disorder, physical or moral disturbed the world, Vishnu descended 'in a small portion of his essence' to set it right, to restore the law, and thus to preserve creation.... .

A tenth incarnation, Hindus believe, is reserved for the last day, when Vishnu is to return to earth to execute righteousness and judgment. "Avatar is Hindu mythology (is), an incarnation of the Deity. Ten avatars are peculiarly distinguished, and four of them are the subject of Puranas, or sacred poems. These 10 are among the incarnations of Vishnu, the Supreme God.

The Matsya avatar was the decent of the Deity in the form of a Matsya avatar was the decent of the Deity in the form of a fish; Kachyapa or Kurma, in that of a tortoise; Varaha, as a boar; Nara Sinha (Man Lion), as a monster, half man, half lion; Vamana, as a dwarf; Parasurama,as the son of Jamadagni. All these took place in the Satya Yuga, or Golden Age.

The seventh incarnation was in the form of the four sons of King Dasarath, under the names of Rama, Lakshmana, Bhart, and Strughana, in order to destroy certain demons that infested the earth... Rama forms the subject of the Ramayana. The eighth Avatar of Vishnu, in the form of Krishna, (is) the best known of all; forms the subject of the great ... Mahabharata. Its object was to relieve the earth from the Daityas, and the wicked men who oppressed it. The ninth was in the form of Buddha.

The Kalki, or tenth avatar, is yet to come at the end of Kali Yuga." Kalki, or White horse. This is yet to come.