According to mythological story, In this we will see how Lord Vishnu, in the form of Matsya Avatar, saved King Satyavrata from the deluge and rebuilt the creation.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Long ago, during the early period of the Satya Yuga, King Satyavrata ruled the earth. Satyavrata was a very devout, truthful, and god-fearing king. He spent most of his life in meditation, penance, and adherence to dharma.
One day, while King Satyavrata was performing ablutions in a lake in his kingdom, a small fish came into his hands. The king looked at the fish attentively and then released it back into the water. However, the fish pleaded with the king to save it, as bigger fish might eat it.
The Growing Fish
King Satyavrata, moved by the fish’s earnest plea, put it in his kamandalu (water pot). He tried to return to his daily duties but noticed that the fish was growing and could no longer fit in the kamandalu.
The king transferred the fish to a larger vessel, but it continued to grow. He then placed it in a pond, but the fish kept increasing in size. Eventually, the king decided to release the fish into a lake, then a river, and finally into the sea, but each time, the fish kept growing rapidly.
The Mystery of the Fish
King Satyavrata was deeply astonished by this unusual occurrence. He thought that this could not be an ordinary fish. He then asked the fish, “Oh fish! Who are you? Why is your form so unusual?”
The fish smiled and replied, “Oh Satyavrata! I am not an ordinary fish. I am Lord Vishnu. I have chosen you because you are a righteous and truthful king. Soon, a great deluge will occur on this earth, submerging everything in water. I entrust you with the task of saving the creation from this deluge.”
Warning of the Deluge
Lord Vishnu informed King Satyavrata that a great deluge would come in a few days, submerging the entire earth in water. He instructed the king to build a large boat. In this boat, he was to place the seven great sages (Saptarishi), seeds of various creatures, seeds of plants, herbs, and sacred scriptures. When the time of the deluge comes, Lord Vishnu would appear in the form of a fish and take the boat to a safe place.
Arrival of the Deluge
As time passed, Lord Vishnu’s prophecy came true. Heavy rains began to pour on the earth, and water inundated everything. Everything submerged in water, and life seemed to come to an end.
King Satyavrata had built a large boat as per Lord Vishnu’s instructions. He placed the seven sages, seeds of creatures, plants, herbs, and sacred scriptures in the boat. As the deluge spread all around, King Satyavrata meditated on Lord Vishnu.
Manifestation of Matsya Avatar
Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of a fish and tied the large boat to his horns. He safely led the boat through the deluge waters and reached the heights of the Himalayas, where the waters of the deluge could not reach.
After reaching the heights of the Himalayas, Lord Vishnu entrusted King Satyavrata and the Saptarishis with the task of rebuilding the creation. He provided them with all the knowledge and resources necessary for the creation. Lord Vishnu then abandoned the form of the fish and returned to his original form.
Rebuilding of Creation
After the deluge ended, King Satyavrata and the Saptarishis rebuilt the creation as per Lord Vishnu’s instructions. They established the seeds of creatures, plants, and other life forms back on earth and began a new era.
Importance of the Story
The story of Matsya Avatar conveys the message that whenever there is a crisis on earth, Lord Vishnu incarnates to protect it. This avatar symbolizes the protection of life, the restoration of dharma, and the reconstruction of creation.
In this story, Lord Vishnu also indicates that he is the protector of the creation and that whenever adharma (unrighteousness) spreads on earth, he incarnates to eradicate it. Matsya Avatar is considered the first avatar of Lord Vishnu’s Dashavatara, symbolizing the beginning of creation and the liberation from the crisis of the deluge.
If you want to read this article in Hindi, click here.
