70- Matsya Avatar: Story of Satyavrat, the Seven Rishis and the Cosmic Flood

After hearing the divine leela of Vaman Avatar from Shukdevji, King Parikshit asks,
“O revered sage, the actions of Shree Hari are truly marvellous. I have heard that once, through His Yogmaya, He assumed the form of a fish (Matsya) and performed beautiful leelas. Kindly narrate that to me in detail.”

Shukdevji began:

At the end of the previous Kalpa, when Brahmaji went into slumber, a Naimittik Pralay (intermediate dissolution) occurred, and all the worlds were submerged in cosmic water. At that time, the Vedas emerged from Brahmaji’s mouth. Seeing this, a powerful daitya named Hayagriva stole them and disappeared. Witnessing this, Bhagwan Shree Hari assumed the form of Matsya (a giant fish) to protect the Vedas.

At the same time, there lived a pious king named Satyavrat, who sustained himself only on water and was performing intense austerities. He later became Vaivasvat Manu. One day, while offering water oblations in the river, a tiny fish swam into his hands. Out of compassion, the king released it back into the river. But the fish spoke to him,
“O King, large fish in the water will eat me. Please protect me.”

Unaware that it was Bhagwan Himself, the king, moved by kindness, placed the fish in his kamandalu (water pot) and brought it to his hermitage. But in just one night, the fish grew so large that it no longer fit in the pot. The king then transferred it to a larger vessel, but the fish continued to grow rapidly. He then placed it in a pond, then in larger lakes, but each time the fish filled the entire space. Finally, the king decided to release it into the ocean.

But the fish said, “O King! Ferocious creatures like crocodiles dwell in the ocean. They might devour me. Please don’t leave me there.”

Hearing this strange and sweet plea, the king was astonished. He said, “You are no ordinary fish. To grow this much in just a day is beyond the capacity of any aquatic creature. I have neither seen nor heard anything like this before. You must be none other than the all-powerful Bhagwan Shree Hari!”

“O Lord! Surely You have taken this form for a special reason. Please tell me why You have incarnated as a fish.”

Moved by the king’s sincerity, Bhagwan Matsya spoke for his protection and welfare, “Satyavrat, in seven days a great flood will occur. The three worlds- Bhu, Bhuvah, and Swah- will be submerged in water. At that time, a massive boat will approach you by My will. Board it with the seven sages (Saptarishis). Also, gather seeds of all grains and herbs to preserve life for the future.

There will be water everywhere. No sun, moon, or stars will be visible; only the divine glow of the sages will give light. Without fear, float upon the waters in that boat. When storms arise and the boat begins to rock, I will appear again in this same fish form. Tie the boat to My horn with the help of Vasuki Naag. Until Brahmaji's night ends, I will guide your boat through the waters. During that time, ask Me whatever you wish. By My grace, supreme knowledge of the Parabrahma will awaken in your heart. You will know My true glory.”

After giving this instruction, Bhagwan disappeared, and the king waited earnestly for the promised time.

He sat on sacred grass facing the northeast and began meditating on Bhagwan Matsya. Soon, the foretold time arrived. The oceans swelled beyond their limits, doomsday clouds thundered and poured rain, and gradually the entire earth was submerged.

Recalling Bhagwan’s command, the king saw the great boat approaching. Taking the sages and the stored seeds with him, he boarded it. The sages lovingly told the king, “O King, now invoke the Lord. Only He can save us from this cosmic calamity.”

With profound devotion, the king meditated on Bhagwan.

At that moment, Bhagwan appeared in the form of a colossal fish, shining like gold and stretching four lakh kosh (approx. 1.1 million km) in length. He had a great horn on His head. With the help of the serpent Vasuki, the boat was tied to His horn. King Satyavrat was filled with divine joy and offered heartfelt prayers.

He said, “O Bhagwan, due to ignorance, living beings suffer in the world. Only by Your grace can they attain true knowledge and be liberated. You alone are the true Guru who dispels ignorance and establishes beings in their divine essence. Just as fire purifies gold, so too Your service purifies the soul. All other gods are insignificant before Your grace. The ignorant make other ignorant beings their gurus, which only deepens the darkness. But You are the divine Guru who bestows Self-realisation. You are the true well-wisher, the inner Self, and the Supreme God. Kindly cut the knot of ignorance in my heart with Your wisdom.”

Hearing this sincere prayer, Bhagwan Matsya, while roaming in the waters of the cosmic flood, instructed King Satyavrat in the supreme knowledge of the Self. He revealed to the king the divine truths about His own nature, complete with the wisdom of Jnana, Bhakti, and Karma Yog. These teachings came to be known as the “Matsya Puran”.

While seated in the boat along with the sages, the king listened, free of all doubts, to this eternal Brahma-tattva (truth of the Supreme Self) from the Supreme Bhagwan Himself. After the flood ended and Brahmaji awakened from His sleep, Bhagwan killed the daitya Hayagriva, retrieved the stolen Vedas, and returned them to Brahmaji. By the Lord’s grace, King Satyavrat, now full of knowledge and realisation, became Vaivasvat Manu in the current creation cycle.

In conclusion, Shukdevji says, “When Brahmaji was asleep and his power of creation was dormant, Hayagriva stole the Vedas from his mouth and took them to the netherworld. Bhagwan Matsya killed the daitya and restored the Vedas to Brahmaji. He also imparted supreme knowledge to King Satyavrat and the seven sages. I bow to that Matsya Bhagwan, the divine cause of all worlds, whose leelas are beyond comprehension.”

Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Shreemad Bhagavat Katha [Hindi]- 28.07.2025