List of avatars in the Mahabharata

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The section Amshavatara Parva (1.7.a) of the Adi Parva in the Mahabharata (Critical Edition). provides a detailed account of the incarnations of Danavas, Asuras, gods, and other celestial beings into human forms, as narrated by Vaisampayana to Janamejaya, revealing the divine origins of prominent figures in the epic.[1][2]

Asuras Human Incarnation
Viprachitti (Danava) Jarasandha
Hiranyakashipu (son of Diti) Shishupala
Samhrada (younger brother of Prahlada) Shalya (king of the Bahlika)
Anuhrada (youngest of the brothers) Dhrishtaketu (king)
Sibi (son of Diti) Druma (king)
Baskala (Asura) Bhagadatta (king)
Ayashiras, Ashvashiras, Ayashanku, Gaganamurdhan, Vegavat 5 kings of the Kekayas
Ketumat (Asura) Amitaujas (king)
Svarbhanu
(Asura) 		Ugrasena (king)
Ashva (Asura) Ashoka (king)
Ashvapati (brother of Ashva) Hardikya (king)
Vrishaparvan (Asura) Dirghaprajna (king)
Ajaka (brother of Vrishaparvan) Malla (king)
Ashvagriva (Asura) Rocamana (king)
Sukshma (Asura) Brihanta (king)
Tuhunda (Asura) Senabindu (king)
Ishtva (Asura) Papajit (king)
Ekacakra (Asura) Prativindhya (king)
Virupaksha
(Asura) 		Citravarman (king)
Hara (Danava) Suvastu (king)
Ahara (Asura) Bahlika (king)
Nicandra (Asura) Munjakesha (king)
Nikumbha (Asura) Devadhipa (king)
Surabha (son of Diti) Paurava (king)
Shalabha (Asura) Prahlada (Bahlika king)
Candra (son of Diti) Rishika (royal seer)
Mritapa (Asura) Pashcimanupaka (king)
Gavishtha (Asura) Drumasena (king)
Mayura (Asura) King of the land Vishva
Suparna (brother of Mayura) Kalakirti (king)
Candrahantri (Asura) Sunaka (royal seer)
Candravinashana (Asura) Janaki (royal seer)
Dirghajihva (Danava) Kashiraja (king)
Kratha (son of Sirphi) Parvateya (king)
Vasumitra (son of Anayus) Vikshara (king)
Second brother of Vasumitra (Asura) King of the Pamsu realm
Balavira (Asura) Paundramatsyaka (king)
Vritra (Asura) Manimat (king-seer)
Krodhahantri (Asura) Danda (king)
Krodhavardhana (Asura) Dandadhara (king)
Kaleyas (Eight Sons of Kalaka)
Jayatsena (king of the Magadhas
), Aparajita (king), King of the Nishadas, Shrenimat (royal seer), Mahaujas (king), Abhiru (royal seer), Samudrasena (king), Brihat (king)
Krodhavasa group Kings: Nandika, Karnaveshta, Siddhartha, Kitika, Suvira, Subahu, Mahavira
Divine Beings Human incarnation
Devaka Chief lord of the Gandharvas
Brihaspati (seer of the Gods) Drona (son of Bharadvaja)
United portions of Mahadeva, Yama, Kama, Krodha
Ashwatthaman
Eight
Vasus
 Sons of
Ganga (youngest: Bhishma
)
Rudras Kripa
Dvapara Shakuni
Maruts Satyaki, Drupada, Kritavarma, Virata
Gandharva king Hamsa (son of Arishta)
Kali (demon) Duryodhana
Various Rakshasas Duryodhana’s brothers (Kauravas, from Dushasana onward: Durmukha, Duhshaha, etc.)
Dharma (god of Justice)[note 1] Yudhishthira
Vayu (god of Wind)
Bhimasena
Indra (King of gods) Arjuna
Ashvins (twin-gods) Nakula and Sahadeva (twins)
Varchas Abhimanyu
Agni (god of Fire) Dhrishtadyumna
A Rakshasa Shikhandi
Vishvadevas Upapandavas (Draupadi’s five sons)
Surya (god of Sun) Karna
Narayana (Vishnu) Krishna
Shesha Balarama
Sanatkumara
 Pradyumna
Apsaras Sixteen thousand junior wives of Krishna
Shri (goddess of Prosperity)[note 2] Draupadi
Siddhi (goddess of Success) Kunti
Dhriti
(goddess of Endurance) 		Madri
Mati (goddess of Wisdom) Gandhari

Notes

  1. ^ The Northern Recension (NR) also includes Vidura as an incarnation of Dharma in the list.
  2. Shachi, likely due to her marriage to Arjuna. Scholars view this shift (Adi Parva, Section LXVII, NR) as a later interpolation, rejecting Shri's association with Rukmini in the Critical Edition of the Mahabharata.[3][2]

References

  1. ISBN 978-0-226-84663-7
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-1-134-11995-0
    .
  3. ISBN 978-81-208-4034-8
    .
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