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The following is a list of the avatars of the epic Mahabharata, and their original devatas (deities) or other beings.

Character Deity
Ashwatthama Portions of Shiva, Kala, Krodha and Yama[1]
Abhimanyu Varchas/son of Chandra and Rohini
Arjuna A portion of Indra, rebirth of the sage Nara[2][3]/a portion of Vishnu
Asoka Asva
Amitaujas Ketuman
Balarama Shesha/rebirth of Lakshmana (Ramayana)[4]
Bahlika One of the Krodhavasas
Bhadra A portion of Lakshmi
Bhagadatta A portion of the asura Bāṣkala
Bhanumati Sanjana/rebirth of Dhanyamalini (Ramayana)
Bhima A portion of Vayu
Bhishma Prabhasa (Vasu of the Star), a portion of Ganga (goddess)
Brihadratha The asura Sukshma
Bhurishravas A portion of one of the Rudras
Chandravarma The asura Chandra
Chitrāngadā A portion of Shachi
Chitrasena Khara
Dantavakra Vijaya/rebirth of Kumbhakarna (Ramayana)
Danda and Dandadhara (two princes of Magadha) Krodhahantri and Krodhavardana
Darada The asura Surya
Damayanti Rebirth of Ahukā/the wife of Ahuka
Devaki Rebirth of Kaikeyi (Ramayana)
Dhrishtadyumna A portion of Agni
Dhenuka Rebirth of Khara (Ramayana)
Dhristaketu Rebirth of Anuhlda/brother of Prahlada
Dhritarasthra Hansa/the son of Arishta
Dirghaprajna Vrishaparvan
Draupadi Portions of Shachi, Agni and Svaha
Dronacharya Brihaspati
Drupada One of the Maruts
Drumasena Garishta
Duhsala A portion of goddess Kuhu
Durvasa A portion of Shiva
Duryodhana A portion of Kali (demon)
Dushasana Rebirth of Indrajita (Ramayana)
Ekalavya One of the Krodhavasas
Gandhari Mati
Ghatotkacha Nirṛti
Hanuman Portions of Vayu and Shiva
Hamsa Vishnu
Hayagriva Vishnu
Iravan Vacchi/son of Chandra and Revati, a portion Mangala
Jarasandha Viprachitti[5]
Jambavan A portion of Brahma
Jambavati A portion of Lakshmi
Jara - Hunter Rebirth of Vali/a portion of Indra (Ramayana)
Jayatsena One of the Kalakeyas
Jyotsana - Dushasana's wife Rebirth of Sulochana (Ramayana)
Kalindi Yamuna
Kamsa Rebirth of Kalanemi[6]
Karna A portion of Surya, rebirth of Dambhodbhava
Kalki Vishnu
Kirata - Hunter Shiva
Kratha Rahu
Kripacharya Portions of Brahma, one of the Rudras and one of the Maruts
Kripi Tara
Krishna Vishnu/rebirth of Rama (Ramayana)
Kritavarma One of the Maruts
Kshema One of the Krodhavasas
Kshemadhurti One of the Krodhavasas
Kunti Siddhi
Lakshmana Lakshmi
Madri Dhriti
Maniman Vritra, the son of Danayu
Mauravi Ahilawati/the daughter of serpent king Vasuki
Mitravinda Ganga (goddess)
Nakula A portion of the Ashvins
Nagnajita Ishupa
Nagnajiti Niladevi (Lakshmi)
Nala Rebirth of Ahuka/the forester
Nanda Rebirth of Dasharatha (Ramayana)
Narada A portion of Vishnu
Nila One of the Krodhavasas
Parashurama Vishnu
Paurava Sarabha
Paundraka Vasudeva Rebirth of Vena
Pradyumna Kamadeva, a portion of sage Sanat Kumara
Rama Rebirth of sage Narayana/Vishnu
Revati Rebirth of Jyothismati
Rohini Surabhi
Rukmi One of the Krodhavasas
Rukmini Rebirth of Sita/Sridevi (Lakshmi)[7]
Rochamana Asvagriva
Sahadeva A portion of the Ashvins
Samba Kartikeya[8]
Samudrasena One of the Kalakeyas
Satyabhama Bhudevi (Lakshmi)
Satyaki One of the Maruts
Satyavati Acchoda
Savitri A portion of Gayatri
Senabindu Tuhunda
Shalva Ajaka
Shalya Rebirth of Sanhlda, brother of Prahlada
Shakuni Dvapara Yuga
Shantanu Rebirth of king Mahabhisha
Shikhandi Rebirth of Amba
Shishupala Jaya/rebirth of Ravana (Ramayana)
Sons of Ganga Vasus
Sreniman One of the Kalakeyas
Srutayudha A portion of Varuna
Subala Disciple of Prahlada
Subhadra Yogamaya
Subahu Trishira
Sunaka Chandrahantri
Sulochana Rebirth of Ahiravana (Ramayana)
Ugrasena Svarbhanu
Upapandavas Visvadevas
Upachitrana Rebirth of Subahu
Varaha Vishnu
Uttamaujas and Yudhamanyu Amshuman and Aryaman
Vasudeva Kashyapa
Veerabhadra Shiva
Vidura Dharma/Yama
Virata One of the Maruts
Vindhyavasini Adi Shakti
Vikarna Atikaya
Vyasa A portion of Brahma, rebirth of the sage Apantaratamas/a portion of Vishnu
Yashoda Aditi/rebirth of Kaushalya (Ramayana)
Yudhishthira A portion of Dharma
Five Kekaya brothers Aswashira, Ayashira, Ayashanka, Gaganamurdha, and Vegavan
Junior wives of Krishna Various apsaras

References

  1. ^ "The Mahabharata,Book 1:Adi Parva:Section LXVII". sacred texts.
  2. ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Kairata Parva: Section XL". www.sacred-texts.com.
  3. ^ "The Padma Purana,Section 1:Chapter 14". Wisdom Library.
  4. ^ "Bhagavata purana,Canto 1:Creation:Chapter 3". Vedabase.
  5. ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section LXVII". sacred-texts.com.
  6. ^ "The Hare Krsnas - Battles of Vishnu Avatars - Kalanemi". harekrsna.com.
  7. ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section LXVII". sacred-texts.com.
  8. ^ "CHAPTER ONE". vedabase.io. Retrieved 29 April 2022.