Avatâras

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About this book

Avatâras is a set of four lectures by Annie Besant, delivered at the twenty-fourth anniversary meeting of the Theosophical Society at Adyar, Madras, December, 1899. The contents list names lectures titled What is an Avatâra? and Shrî Kṛiṣhṇa, among others. The text explains that the word Avatâra has as its root tṛi, passing over, and with the prefix ava gives the idea of descent, one who descends.

The text says two words especially have been used in Hinduism, marking a certain distinction in the nature of the manifestation: Avatâra and A´vesha. Avatâras are spoken of as that of Matsya or the fish, that of Kûrma or the tortoise and that of Vârâha, or the boar. The text speaks of One who hallowed plains and forests by His treading, and says that He judges not as man judges, and He sees the end from the beginning.

About the author

Annie Besant

Annie Besant was an English socialist, theosophist, freemason, women's rights and activist, educationist, involved in women's rights, Home Rule, and Indian nationalism. She gave support to both Irish and Indian self-rule. She had been the first female president of the Indian National Congress in 1917.