Avatāra

Avatāra (devanāgarī: अवतार) is a Sanskrit word meaning "descent", and in Hinduism refers to a deliberate incarnation of a deity or supreme being on earth.

In H. P. Blavatsky words:

Avatâra (Sk.) Divine incarnation. The descent of a god or some exalted Being, who has progressed beyond the necessity of Rebirths, into the body of a simple mortal. Krishna was an avatar of Vishnu. The Dalai Lama is regarded as an avatar of Avalokiteswara, and the Teschu Lama as one of Tson-kha-pa, or Amitâbha. There are two kinds of avatars: those born from woman, and the parentless, the anupapâdaka.

Kalki Avatar

In Hinduism, Kalki (Devanagari: कल्कि) is the tenth and final Maha Avatar (great incarnation) of Vishnu, who will bring to an end the present age of darkness and destruction known as Kali Yuga. He will establish a new era based on truth, righteousness, humanism and goodness, called Krita Yuga (or Satya Yuga). The origins of the name Kalki probably lie in the Sanskrit word "kalka" which refers to mud, dirt, filth, or foulness and hence denotes the "destroyer of foulness," "destroyer of confusion," "destroyer of darkness," or "annihilator of ignorance."

Further reading

• Avatāra at Theosopedia