1270:, the story is closer to the Mahabharata version. At the end of Kalpa, Brahma is resting and a demon Hayagriva steals the Vedas. Vishnu discovers the theft. He descends to earth in the form of a little fish, or the Matsya avatar. One day, the king of Dravida desha (South India) named Satyavrata cups water in his hand to offer it to his ancestors. There he finds a little fish. The fish asks him to save him from predators and let him grow. Satyavrata is filled with compassion for the little fish. He puts the fish in a pot, from there to a well, then a tank, and when it outgrows the tank, he transfers the fish finally to sea. The fish rapidly outgrows the sea. Satyavrata realizes this is no ordinary fish, and asks the fish, "who are you?" The fish identifies itself as Vishnu, and informs the king of the impending deluge. The king is asked to save one member of every species of animal, plant and seeds in a boat and along with all this, a copy of the Vedas. The fish asks the king to tie the boat to its fins with the help of
285:. The character Manu is presented as the legislator and the ancestor king. One day, water is brought to Manu for his ablutions. In the water is a tiny fish. The fish states it fears being swallowed by a larger fish and appeals to Manu to protect him. In return, the fish promises to rescue Manu from an impending flood. Manu accepts the request. He puts the fish in a pot of water where it grows. Then he prepares a ditch filled with water, and transfers him there where it can grow freely. Once the fish grows further to be big enough to be free from danger, Manu transfers him into ocean. The fish thanks him, tells him the date of the great flood, and asks Manu to build a boat by that day, one he can attach to its horn. On the predicted day, Manu visits the fish with his boat. The devastating floods come, Manu ties the boat to the horn. The fish carries the boat with Manu to the high grounds of the northern mountains (interpreted as
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1351:. Agni describes how god Hari (Vishnu) saved the good from the evil through his fish avatar. As Brahma starts to sleep, an asura steals the Vedas. Meanwhile, Vaivasvata Manu was making his religious offering in Kritamala River, when a small fish appeared in his hand. The fish asked Manu to protect him from larger fishes. Manu accepts the request, puts the fish in a jar. When the fish outgrows it, Manu puts it in a pond, then a lake, finally into the sea. Once there, the fish instantly expands to a gigantic size. Manu then realizes that the fish is Vishnu Narayana, and accepts he was deluded previously. The fish then informs the king that a flood is coming in seven days, to go collect all kinds of seeds and the seven sages, then board the boat that has been made for him. Manu does so. The fish with horn appears. They tie the boat to the horn and the fish saves them. The fish then finds the
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is over. When the great flood begins, Manu ties the Ananta Sesha (cosmic serpent) to the fish's horn. The fish carries everyone to safety. According to
Bonnefoy, the Matsya Puranic story is also symbolic though quite different. The fish is divine to begin with, and needs no protection, only recognition and devotion. It also ties the story to its cosmology, connecting two kalpas through the cosmic symbolic residue in the form of
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1511:(salvation), which helps one to cross over. The Himalayas are treated as a boundary between the earthly existence and land of salvation beyond. The protection of the fish and its horn represent the sacrifices that help guide Manu to salvation. Treated as a parable, the tale advises a good king should protect the weak from the mighty, reversing the "law of fishes" and uphold
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348:(sages) and all sorts of grains, on the day of the expected deluge. Manu accepts the fish's advice. The deluge begins, the fish arrives to Manu's aid. He ties the ship to the fish, who then steers the ship to the Himalayas, carrying Manu through a turbulent storm. The danger passes. The fish then reveals himself as
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protection of the legislator and king Manu to enable it to attain its potential and help later. Manu provides the protection, the little fish grows to become big and ultimately saves all existence. The boat that Manu builds to get help from the savior fish, states
Bonnefoy, is symbolism of the means
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accompanied with a deluge. The fish once again has a horn, but Manu does not need to build a boat or ship in this Purana. The gods build it. They build it big enough to carry and save all life forms, and Manu needs to just carry all types of grain seeds to produce food for everyone after the deluge
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The key difference between the Vedic version and the
Mahabharata version of the allegorical legend is the latter's identification of Matsya with Brahma, more explicit discussion of the "law of the fishes" where the weak needs the protection from the strong, and the fish asking Manu to bring along
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comes to him and asks for his protection, promising to save him from a deluge in the future. The legend moves in the same vein as the Vedic version. Manu places him in the jar. Once it outgrows it, the fish asks to be put into tank which Manu helps with. Then the fish outgrows the tank, and with
1476:. The fish motif reminds readers of the Biblical 'Jonah and the Whale' narrative as well; this fish narrative, as well as the saving of the scriptures from a demon, are specifically Hindu traditions of this style of the flood narrative. Similar flood myths also exist in tales from ancient
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In some representations, Matsya is shown with four hands like Vishnu, one holding the chakra, another the shankha, while the front two hands hold a sword and a book signifying the Vedas he recovered from the demon. Over his elbows is an angavastra draped, while a
281:) is the earliest extant text to mention Matsya and the flood myth in Hinduism. It makes no mention of Vishnu, instead identifies the fish with Prajapati-Brahma. The central characters of this legend are the fish (Matsya) and
222:. The legends associated with Matsya expand, evolve and vary in Hindu texts. These legends have embedded symbolism, where a small fish with Manu's protection grows to become a big fish, and the fish saves earthly existence.
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2536: The list of the "ten avatars" varies regionally. Two substitutions involve Balarama, Krishna, and Buddha. Krishna is almost always included; in exceptions, he is considered the source of all avatars.
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Matsya is believed to symbolise the aquatic life as the first beings on earth. Another symbolic interpretation of the Matsya mythology is, states
Bonnefoy, to consider Manu's boat to represent
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According to George
Williams, there are many versions of the Matsya mythology in the Puranas. The names of the characters, the details, the plot and the message diverge in this genre of texts.
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The legend as it appears in section 1.12 states that when a little fish appears to Manu, he recognizes Vishnu
Vasudeva in the fish. The fish tells him about the impending fiery end of
1375:(ten major avatars of Vishnu) lists. However, that was not always the case. Some lists do not list Matsya as first, only later texts start the trend of Matsya as the first avatar.
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form. In the latter form, the upper half is that of the four-armed man and the lower half is a fish. The upper half resembles Vishnu and wears the traditional ornaments and the
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text, the man-fish avatar of Vishnu not only recovers the Vedas from the demon
Hayagriva who stole and tried to destroy it, but the avatar also saves the sage Satyavrata, the
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Matsya iconography sometimes is zoomorphic as a giant fish with horn, or anthropomorphic in the form of a human torso connected to the rear half of a fish.
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In rare representations, his lower half is human while the upper body (or just the face) is of a fish. The fish-face version is found in a relief at the
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evolves the legend further, by identifying the fish-savior (Matsya) with Vishnu instead of Brahma. The Purana derives its name from Matsya.
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to avert complete destruction and for human salvation. The mountains are symbolism for the doorway for ultimate refuge and liberation.
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According to
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presents a modified version for the Matsya mythology. The story is presented through a character named
Badarayani. At the end of a
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Matsya temples are relatively rare, but the iconography is found in Hindu temple reliefs. Above: Matsya on a mandapa pillar in
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serpent. The deluge comes. The fish avatar saves existence. A new cycle of life restarts after the great deluge ends.
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Puranic
Encyclopaedia: a Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature
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Monier Monier-Williams, Sanskrit-English Dictionary and Etymology, Oxford University Press, pages 776-777
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The story of a great Deluge is found in many civilizations across the earth. It is often related to the
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and Satyavrata to prepare them for the next cycle of existence.
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The tale of Matsya appears in chapter 12.187 of the Book 3, the
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is a Sanskrit word and means "fish". The term appears in the
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214:. The fish-savior later merges with the identity of
2095:. Mapin Publishing Pvt Ltd. pp. 78, 117, 125.
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218:in post-Vedic era, and still later as an avatar of
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2237:. Vol. 1: Part I. Madras: Law Printing House.
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1934:Ronald Inden; Jonathan Walters; Daud Ali (2000).
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1940:. Oxford University Press. pp. 180–181.
1892:. Oxford University Press. pp. 155–165.
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1758:. University of Texas Press. pp. 19–20.
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207:and earthly existence from a great deluge.
203:Vishnu. Matsya is described to have rescued
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258:Matsya, Central India, 9th - 10th century.
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1961:Bibek Debroy; Dipavali Debroy (2005).
1391:Matsya is depicted in two forms: as a
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2003:. Penguin Books India. p. 250.
1343:version presents the legend through
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1663:. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. 2012
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1281:Matsya preparing to slay the demon.
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2312:. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers.
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1845:The cult of Draupadī: Mythologies
52:. The present address (URL) is a
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2155:. University of Chicago Press.
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2000:Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide
1967:. Bharatiya Kala. p. 640.
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2235:Elements of Hindu iconography
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2233:Rao, T.A. Gopinatha (1914).
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2269:. Oxford University Press.
2266:Handbook of Hindu Mythology
2263:George M. Williams (2008).
1752:A. L. Dallapiccola (2003).
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1543:) and Kuppuchipudur ( Near
24:of this page, as edited by
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2191:Krishna, Nanditha (2009).
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3024:Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
2123:Hindu Temple, Somnathpur
1886:Ariel Glucklich (2008).
1842:Alf Hiltebeitel (1991).
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340:Manu's help reaches the
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2197:. Penguin Books India.
2052:George M. Williams 2008
1869:George M. Williams 2008
1717:George M. Williams 2008
1660:Encyclopædia Britannica
124:Matsya (disambiguation)
1964:The history of Puranas
1782:Surabhi Sheth (1979).
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1997:Roshen Dalal (2011).
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1488:of Americas and the
122:For other uses, see
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1533:Vedanarayana Temple
993:Satyabhinava Tirtha
274:Shatapatha Brahmana
242:. It is related to
197:ten primary avatars
95:← Previous revision
3091:Water and Hinduism
2194:The Book of Vishnu
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1091:Related traditions
1008:Satyadhyana Tirtha
1003:Satyadharma Tirtha
963:Raghavendra Tirtha
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836:Vaishnava-Sahajiya
356:sages and grains.
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2319:978-0-8426-0822-0
2276:978-0-19-533261-2
2204:978-0-14-306762-7
2162:978-0-226-06456-7
2152:Asian Mythologies
2102:978-0-7141-2424-7
2010:978-0-14-341421-6
1974:978-81-8090-062-4
1947:978-0-19-535243-6
1899:978-0-19-971825-2
1855:978-81-208-1000-6
1828:978-0-89281-354-4
1795:978-0-8426-1102-2
1765:978-0-292-70233-2
1707:, pp. 79–80.
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1409:(discus) and a
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1073:Vadiraja Tirtha
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680:Divya Prabandha
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2070:Rao pp. 125-6
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2460:Four Kumaras
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2106:. Retrieved
2091:
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2040:Krishna 2009
2014:. Retrieved
1999:
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1929:
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1665:. Retrieved
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1133:Jagannathism
1078:Yamunacharya
1023:Swaminarayan
908:Madhvacharya
888:Jiva Goswami
831:Swaminarayan
793:
768:Dvaitadvaita
758:Śuddhādvaita
685:Gita Govinda
667:
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342:Ganges River
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3081:Flood myths
3008:Mahabharata
2919:Kuladevatas
2698:Vishvakarma
2515:Prsnigarbha
2500:Dhanvantari
2410:Parashurama
2375:Dashavatara
1755:Hindu Myths
1561:Dashavatara
1537:Nagalapuram
1492:of Africa.
1424:abhayamudra
1418:varadamudra
1379:Iconography
1373:Dashavatara
1340:Agni Purana
1333:Agni Purana
1321:Saptarishis
1187:Kabir panth
1108:Pancharatra
1103:Vaikhanasas
1098:Bhagavatism
1068:Vyasatirtha
1058:Vishnuswami
1028:Sripadaraja
868:Chakradhara
806:Mahanubhava
737:Sampradayas
662:Mahabharata
649:Pancharatra
501:Dhanvantari
495:Other forms
432:Dashavatara
378:Vaishnavism
332:Mahabharata
309:Mahabharata
165:Vaishnavism
161:Affiliation
20:This is an
3065:Categories
2990:Upanishads
2909:Gandharvas
2633:Dattatreya
2480:Dattatreya
2108:13 January
2079:Rao p. 127
2016:12 January
1728:Rao p. 127
1605:References
1566:Flood myth
1525:Bet Dwarka
1474:Noah's Ark
1464:Flood myth
1393:zoomorphic
1192:Dadu panth
1155:Pushtimarg
1128:Krishnaism
968:Ram Charan
893:Jñāneśvara
883:Jayatirtha
873:Dadu Dayal
778:Tattvavada
644:Vaikhanasa
639:Upanishads
536:Shrinathji
464:Parasurama
326:Vana Parva
279:Yajur veda
152:Devanagari
3071:Fish gods
2929:Rakshasas
2799:Mahavidya
2742:Saraswati
2729:Goddesses
2658:Kartikeya
2520:Hayagriva
2400:Narasimha
2285:cite book
2243:cite book
2213:cite book
2171:cite book
1549:Tamilnadu
1545:Anaimalai
1349:Vasishtha
1172:Ramanandi
1123:Munitraya
1118:Vadakalai
1053:Vidyapati
1018:Sankardev
973:Ramananda
928:Nathamuni
923:Nammalvar
903:Madhavdev
878:Harivansh
863:Chaitanya
704:Bhagavata
675:Harivamsa
516:Jagannath
511:Hayagriva
454:Narasimha
287:Himalayas
229:Etymology
212:Prajapati
201:Hindu god
84:(add tag)
49:(add tag)
3045:Hinduism
3001:Ramayana
2943:Yakshini
2849:Shashthi
2809:Matrikas
2794:Mahadevi
2596:Trimurti
2490:Rishabha
2420:Balarama
2308:(1975).
2292:Invalid
2250:Invalid
2220:Invalid
2178:Invalid
1815:(1964).
1655:"Matsya"
1555:See also
1143:Sahajiya
1138:Haridasa
1113:Tenkalai
1043:Vallabha
1038:Tulsidas
978:Ramanuja
933:Nimbarka
918:Namadeva
826:Sant Mat
821:Ramsnehi
709:Naradiya
669:Ramayana
553:Consorts
474:Balarama
369:a series
367:Part of
337:Matsyaka
181:Sanskrit
79:contribs
38:contribs
2995:Puranas
2983:Atharva
2952:Texts (
2939:Yakshas
2934:Vahanas
2904:Dikpāla
2877:Apsaras
2829:Rukmini
2804:Matangi
2752:Parvati
2747:Lakshmi
2737:Tridevi
2663:Krishna
2643:Hanuman
2638:Ganesha
2628:Chandra
2623:Ashvins
2425:Krishna
2363:Avatars
1529:Gujarat
1519:Worship
1433:shankha
1412:shankha
1310:saphari
1197:Mahanam
1182:Balmiki
1160:Gaudiya
1033:Tukaram
983:Ravidas
841:Warkari
811:Pranami
692:Puranas
602:Hanuman
591:Related
585:Alamelu
580:Rukmini
560:Lakshmi
546:Vithoba
479:Krishna
408:Krishna
360:Puranas
302:dharmic
239:Rigveda
195:in the
187:, lit.
2899:Devata
2892:Danava
2887:Daitya
2882:Asuras
2844:Shakti
2834:Sanjna
2824:Rohini
2784:Shachi
2769:Chhaya
2688:Varuna
2678:Shasta
2668:Kubera
2606:Vishnu
2601:Brahma
2505:Mohini
2495:Prithu
2475:Kapila
2465:Narada
2430:Buddha
2405:Vamana
2395:Varaha
2385:Matsya
2367:Vishnu
2316:
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2201:
2159:
2099:
2007:
1971:
1944:
1896:
1852:
1825:
1792:
1762:
1667:20 May
1513:dharma
1509:moksha
1490:Yoruba
1484:, the
1482:Greece
1326:rishis
1177:Kapadi
1165:ISKCON
794:Others
782:Dvaita
774:Brahma
764:Kumara
714:Garuda
699:Vishnu
612:Shasta
607:Shesha
597:Garuda
531:Prithu
521:Mohini
484:Buddha
459:Vamana
449:Varaha
439:Matsya
404:Vishnu
350:Brahma
346:Rishis
244:maccha
234:Matsya
220:Vishnu
216:Brahma
193:avatar
185:मत्स्य
177:Matsya
156:मत्स्य
134:Matsya
2978:Yajur
2963:Vedas
2814:Radha
2779:Ganga
2774:Durga
2764:Bhumi
2759:Aditi
2683:Surya
2648:Indra
2611:Shiva
2580:texts
2525:Hamsa
2510:Vyasa
2485:Yajna
2435:Kalki
2390:Kurma
1572:Notes
1547:) in
1501:Hampi
1478:Sumer
1445:dhoti
1353:asura
1306:Vedas
1302:asura
1298:kalpa
1272:Sesha
1261:Sesha
1256:kalpa
898:Kabir
754:Rudra
719:Padma
634:Vedas
575:Radha
565:Bhumi
489:Kalki
444:Kurma
291:yajna
267:Vedic
169:Vedic
3031:more
2973:Sama
2954:list
2914:Gana
2860:more
2854:Sita
2839:Sati
2819:Rati
2789:Kali
2709:more
2703:Yama
2693:Vayu
2673:Rama
2653:Kama
2618:Agni
2588:Gods
2578:and
2415:Rama
2314:ISBN
2298:help
2271:ISBN
2256:help
2226:help
2199:ISBN
2184:help
2157:ISBN
2110:2013
2097:ISBN
2018:2013
2005:ISBN
1969:ISBN
1942:ISBN
1894:ISBN
1850:ISBN
1823:ISBN
1790:ISBN
1760:ISBN
1669:2012
1486:Maya
1437:gada
1435:, a
1431:, a
1345:Agni
1337:The
1290:The
1245:The
1148:Baul
784:)),
780:or (
724:Agni
570:Sita
469:Rama
412:Rama
283:Manu
205:Manu
189:fish
111:diff
105:) |
103:diff
91:diff
75:talk
34:talk
2968:Rig
2365:of
1535:in
1531:),
744:Sri
199:of
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