The evolution of the Avatāra notion in the Indic traditional culture

Abstract

This paper aims at clarifying the formation, evolution, variation and expansion of the Avatāra notion in Indic traditional culture, from the Vedic period to later philosophical and religious traditions such as Vaisnavism, Saivism and Mahayana Buddhism. Based on methods of analysis, synthesis and text survey, the paper demonstrates that the concept of Avatāra is not only a theological phenomenon, but also a manifestation of the dynamism in Indic religious traditions, illustrating the adaptability and reshaping of religious thought across different ages and social contexts