Krishna, the central figure in Hinduism and the protagonist of the Bhagavad Gita, is believed to be the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. He is considered to be one of the most popular and revered deities in Hinduism, and his life and teachings have had a profound impact on the religion.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu takes on different avatars to maintain the balance of good and evil in the world. These avatars are known as 'Dashavatara', meaning ten incarnations. Krishna is believed to be the eighth avatar, and his life is filled with various tales and legends that showcase his divine nature.

The different avatars of Krishna are:

1. Matsya Avatar: This was the first avatar of Lord Vishnu, where he appeared as a fish to save the world from a great flood. In this avatar, Krishna is believed to have saved the Vedas (sacred texts) from the demon Hayagriva.

2. Kurma Avatar: In this avatar, Lord Vishnu took the form of a turtle to help the gods and demons churn the ocean of milk to obtain the nectar of immortality. Krishna is said to have supported the mountain on his back, which was used as a churning rod.

3. Varaha Avatar: In this avatar, Lord Vishnu appeared as a boar to defeat the demon Hiranyaksha and rescue the earth, which had been submerged in the ocean.

4. Narasimha Avatar: This was one of the most fierce avatars of Lord Vishnu, where he appeared as a half-man, half-lion to protect his devotee Prahlada from his demon father Hiranyakashipu.

5. Vamana Avatar: In this avatar, Lord Vishnu appeared as a dwarf Brahmin to defeat the demon king Bali and restore order in the universe.

6. Parashurama Avatar: This avatar of Lord Vishnu was born to rid the world of the corrupt and tyrannical Kshatriya kings. Krishna is believed to have received his divine axe from Lord Parashurama.

7. Rama Avatar: This is one of the most well-known avatars of Lord Vishnu, where he appeared as the prince of Ayodhya to defeat the demon king Ravana and establish the rule of dharma (righteousness).

8. Krishna Avatar: This is the most popular and beloved avatar of Lord Vishnu, where he appeared as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki. Krishna's life is filled with various stories and teachings, and he is considered to be the ultimate embodiment of love, wisdom, and divinity.

9. Buddha Avatar: In this avatar, Lord Vishnu appeared as Buddha to spread the message of peace and non-violence.

10. Kalki Avatar: This is the final avatar of Lord Vishnu, which is yet to come.