These avatars are generally categorized based on the type of empowerment they receive:
1. Bhagavān-śakti-āveśa – Direct empowerment by God to perform divine acts.
2. Jñāna-śakti-āveśa – Empowerment with divine knowledge.
3. Bala-śakti-āveśa – Empowerment with divine strength.
4. Bhakti-śakti-āveśa – Empowerment to spread devotion.
5. Vibhūti-śakti-āveśa – Empowerment to influence and lead others.
Examples of Śaktāveśa Avatāras
1. Vyāsa (Veda Vyāsa) – Empowered to compile and classify the Vedas.
2. Parashurāma – A unique case; though sometimes considered a līlā-avatāra, he is also described as an empowered being sent to rid the world of corrupt rulers.
3. Nārada Muni – Empowered to spread devotion and divine knowledge.
4. Prithu Mahārāja – An empowered king who established righteous governance.
5. Brahmā (in some cases) – As the secondary creator, Brahmā is sometimes considered a śaktāveśa avatāra when he functions with divine empowerment.
6. Jesus Christ and Muhammad (according to some Gaudiya Vaishnava scholars) – Seen as empowered messengers of God, though not direct expansions.
Distinction from Other Avatars
• Līlā-avatāras (e.g., Rama, Krishna) are direct manifestations of Vishnu.
• Guṇa-avatāras (e.g., Brahmā, Vishnu, Shiva) control the three modes of material nature.
• Manvantara-avatāras appear in different cosmic ages.
• Yuga-avatāras establish religious principles for a particular age.
Śaktāveśa Avatāras stand out because they are still jīvas (individual souls) who have been granted divine power rather than being direct expansions of God.