Because of Bhrigu‘s curse, Vishnu had to be born several times on earth. These are known as avataras (incarnations). The Vayu Purana now catalogues Vishnu‘s ten incarnations. These are as follows.
(1) Matsya or fish.
(2) Narasimha or half-man and half-lion
(3) Vamana or dwarf.
(4) Dattatreya, the sage.
(5) Bhavya.
(6) Parashurama.
(7) Rama.
(8) Vedavyasa.
(9) Krishna.
(10) Kalki.