Meher Baba has stated explicitly that he is the Ancient One, the Divine Incarnation or “God-Man” whose Advent has been anticipated in many of today’s religious and spiritual traditions. Most commonly, in India he is known as the “Avatar,” a Sanskrit word literally meaning “Descent of God.” Although the doctrines of some religions contend that such manifestations of God have occurred only once in history, through only one particular God-Man or another, the mystical teachings behind all the great religions of the world indicate that the appearance of the Avatar is far from a once-upon-a-time event. As a natural expression of Infinite Compassion and as an integral part of the Divine Plan, such Incarnations are the periodic revelations of God’s Love and Truth—the same One Reality—on earth. According to Meher Baba, these Avataric appearances unfailingly take place approximately every 700-1400 years, depending upon world circumstances and the spiritual needs of any given Age.