| 1 | Matsya | (fish) |
| 2 | Kurma | (tortoise) |
| 3 | Varaha | (boar) |
| 4 | Narasimha | (man-lion) |
| 5 | Vamana | (dwarf) |
| 6 | Parasurama | (aborigine man -- angry, aggressive) |
| 7 | Rama | (ideal man -- honest, monogamous) |
| 8 | Krishna | (clever man -- political, bigamous) |
| 9 | Buddha | (enlightened man) |
| 10 | Kalki | (superman) |
Some say Balaram was also a Vishnu-avataar and if he is to be included, tell me which one above is wrong? I do seem to recall that he was Shri Krishna's merely human elder brother..
However, I can remember another interesting story to cofnuse the issue even further...
Lord Vishnu has a serpent companion whom some call Vasuki and others call Adhisesha. Lakshman (Rama's younger brother) is Adhisesha's incarnation. At some point, Lakshman-Adhisesha said to Rama-Vishnu: "One of these times, I'd like to be older than you." "Tathhaastu, Balaram," was the Lord's answer.