In the Hindu tradition, the Supreme Godhead is said to incarnate from age to age when evil is rampant and righteousness is in danger of extinction. He comes to reestablish justice and spiritual order. By an act of divine will, he assumes a human form to reverse the trend of social decline.

Whenever there is a languishing of dharma (spiritual duty) of righteousness and an upheaval of unrighteousness, I create myself, for it is part of the primal resolution, or sankalpa to protect the spiritual structure of the universe. I lay aside my formless essence and assume a name and a form suited to the purpose for which I come. Whenever evil threatens to vanquish good, I have to come and save it from decline.

Sathya Sai Speaks 5

The Lord takes human birth to save the good and subdue evildoers. When evil threatens to overwhelm righteousness and devotees pray for redemption, the Lord incarnates to renew the path of spiritual endeavor. The call of earnest aspirants draws the Lord to manifest himself. Their prayers and his compassion culminate in this epochal event.

The Lord comes as avatar when He is anxiously awaited by saints and sages. Sadhus prayed ---and I have come.

Sathya Sai Speaks 4

The Lord takes birth to show us the means to achieve God-realization. Only by appearing as a human being can be illustrate correct paths of action. Only by living among us can he encourage aspirants to understand and love God. We require an example to demonstrate divine qualities.

This formless being comes in the form of a human being so that he may mix with the human beings and set up examples and ideals for human beings and convey to them all aspects that they should learn.

Summer Roses on the Blue Mountains

By assuming human form, the Lord sets an example of ideal human behavior. By appearing among us, he captures our love and motivates us to action. The epic tales of ancient India (the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Puranas) recount the lives of the avatars such as Rama and Krishna in past ages. These accounts are not simply histories: they are guidebooks of spiritual living. They set forth-ideal examples of right conduct, compassion, and truth. They illustrate the tender and "human" side of God as well as his might.

The Avatara behaves in a human way so that mankind can feel kinship, but rises to superhuman heights so that mankind can aspire to those heights.

Sathya Sai Speaks 4

The reason for God to incarnate in each age vary in detail. The manifestation must suit the time and circumstance. Some incarnations appear for a specific and limited purpose. Others avatars come for more general reasons, such as reestablishing truth and spiritual direction.

Of the avatars, some are for a definite limited purpose, like Vamana or Narasimha. They are just manifestations to counter some particular evils. They are not full-fledged, long-lasting, expansive, like Rama and Krishna.

Sathya Sai Speaks 4

For this reason, some incarnations are born with only the power requisite for the task at hand. Others, such as Sathya Sai, are endowed with powers beyond the immediate need. The Rama avatar manifested part of his power through his brothers. However, Krishna was a poorna (full) avatar, an incarnation manifesting complete divine powers.

That is to say, the avatar might manifest only such part of the Divine Glory as was essential for the task which brought the form or it might exceed the limited purpose for which it came and shine in full grandeur. Rama is a good example of the first and Krishna of the second.

Sathya Sai Speaks 4

The goal of the avatar suits the requirements of the age. During the four spiritual ages of humanity, the message is taught according to human capacity to learn. In the Kritha Yuga, the spiritual "Golden Age," meditation was emphasized. In the Treta Yuga, the following era, ritual acts and sacrifices held primary importance. In the declining Dwapara Yuga, ritual worship dominated spiritual endeavor. In the current age, the Kali Yuga, which is characterized by spiritual decline, the principal lesson is implying remembrance of the name of the Lord. The Kali Yuga commenced at the time of Krishna’s death, February 20, 3102 B.C. It will have a duration of 11,000 years.

It is not possible for human beings to fully understand the nature of the avatar. Although he appears as a human being, his power and capacity soar beyond our understanding. He sees the past, present, and future of all. By his unique powers, he guides individuals and society toward spiritual regeneration.

The avatara-purusha, however, has come solely to save mankind, and so he is aware of the pilgrim, the path , and the goal. He is the Master of Creation and he is fully conscious of his power. He knows the past, the present, and the future of all. He leads and liberates.

Sathya Sai Speaks 7