TYPE: Minor incarnation(s) of the god Visnu
ORIGIN: Hindu (Epic and Puranic)
INFORMATION: Some authorities place these as separate avataras, but they are usually linked. Two sons of Dharma, who were born from the heart of Brahma, they spent a thousand years as severe ascetics in the Himalayas, where they were subject to various temptations by Indra. They are described as sages. The texts depict Nara colored green and bearing two hands, while Narayana has four hands and is colored blue. They may also be paralleled by Hari and Krsna. Also Narayana.