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Hindu Gods > Matsyavataram
 In
this Avataram, Mahavishnu took the form of a fish to retrieve the vedas from the
Asura Hayagreevan (head of a horse) and also to safeguard herbs and seeds at the
end of one cycle of creation.
Brahma at the end of his day's work of creation,
was resting in Brahmalogam. The vedas were flowing out of his mouth. An asura
called Hayagreevan stole the vedas from Brahma and disappeared in the ocean. Without
the vedas, Brahma could not continue with his duty of creation and hence Lord
Vishnu took the form of a fish to retrieve the vedas.
Satyavridan was a staunch
devotee of Lord Vishnu, who did severe penance, surviving by drinking only water.
One day as he was performing his rituals by the riverside, a tiny fish settled
in his hands. As he was about to drop it back into the river, the fish spoke out
to him asking for protection from the bigger fishes in the river. The king dropped
the fish in his kamandalam (pot) and took it to his ashramam. The fish grew at
a rapid pace and the king had to find bigger and bigger area of water for the
fish to survive. When the king finally decided to leave it in the ocean, the fish
again pleaded not to leave it at the mercy of sharks.
At this, the king
worshipped the fish, aware that he must be Lord Vishnu himself. Maha Vishnu, blessed
and reassured Satyavridan asking him to collect rare herbs and seeds and load
them all on a huge boat. The king did as ordered. He then tied the boat to the
horn of the fish (Lord Vishnu in fish form) using the snake Vaasuki as a rope.
The Saptharishis shed light and guided the boat through the darkness and flood.
Lord Vishnu in his fish form guided the boat and once the flood had subsided brought
it to shore.
Brahma had risen from his rest and realised that the vedas were
missing. He prayed to Lord Vishnu retrieve them. Lord Vishnu still in his fish
form, found and fought with Hayagreevan and returned the vedas to Lord Brahma
who continued with his work of creation. |