The Sanskrit word avatar (or avatara) literally means “descent.”⁠ ⁠ It refers to the descent of divinity from heaven to earth, and is typically used to describe an incarnation of God. ⁠ ⁠ Paramhansa Yogananda explained that the term avatar refers to a soul who has been freed from maya (delusion) and is sent by the will of God back into manifested existence to help others.⁠ ⁠ Examples include the founders of major world religions, such as Jesus Christ, Buddha, and Krishna. ⁠ ⁠ Yogananda said that