The third was in a Boar, the fourth in a Man-Lion, the fifth in the Dwarf who deceived Bali, who had become so powerful by austerities as to conquer the gods and take possession of Heaven.

In the eighth Avatar he appears as Krishna and in the ninth as Buddha.
This system of Avatars is so peculiar and so deeply rooted in the system, that it would seem to indicate some law of Hindoo thought.

Perhaps some explanation may be reached thus:-- We observe that,-- Vischnu does not mediate between Brahma and Siva, but between the deities and the lower races of men or demons.
The danger arises from a certain fate or necessity which is superior both to gods and men.

There are laws which enable a man to get away from the power of Brahma and Siva.
But what is this necessity but nature, or the nature of things, the laws of the outward world of active existences?
It is not till essence becomes existence, till spirit passes into action, that it becomes subject to law.
The danger then is from the world of nature.

The gods are pure spirit, and spirit is everything.