Painting of the 10 Primary Avatars of Vishnu, Andhra Pradesh, 19th century, India.

From left: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Balarama, Krishna, Kalki.

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, or graze the plains. / Narasheem Awataram The man-lion incarnation of Vishnu (Narasimha avatara)

5. Next [came the] Little Man's reign / Oe'r earth and watr'y 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 fights / 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).

- painting depicts Krishna, and the various traditions interchange Buddha and Krishna's position.

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)