Oblivious to the presence of the Divine within, people embark on the quest for God. They behave like a person who goes to borrow milk from their neighbour, forgetting the wish-fulfilling cow (Kamadhenu) in their backyard. Avatars are of two kinds: Amsavatar and Purnavatar. Every human being is an Amsavatar (partial incarnation of the Divine); in the Gita, Lord Krishna says, ‘a part of the Divine Soul has become the individual soul in the world of living beings (Mamaivaamso jeevaloke jeevabhutah-sanaatanah)’. Many partial incarnations get caught up in Maya (worldly illusion), develop egoism and possessiveness, and lead worldly lives. Purnaavatar (full incarnation of the Divine) may behave, according to the circumstances, as if they were subject to Maya, but they are free from Maya at all times. They subdue and transcend Maya, and manifest their full Divinity to the world throughout their lives.

- Divine Discourse, Aug 14, 1990.