The Matsya Avatar

In Hindu mythology, Matsya is the first avatar of Vishnu. According to ancient texts, Vishnu appeared in the form of a fish during the Satya Yuga to save living beings from a great flood – a story that has striking similarities with the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark. The great flood is mentioned in texts such as the Satapatha Brahmana, where the Matsya Avatar appears to save the pious and the first man, Manu, and advises him to build a great boat.

According to the Matsya Purana, the king of pre-ancient Dravida and a Vishnu devotee, Satyavrata – who was later known as Manu – was washing his hands in a river when a fish swam into his hands and pleaded with him to save its life. Satyavrata put the fish in a jar. As the fish began growing, Satyavrata moved it to a tank and then to a river. But there was no vessel big enough to contain the fish. The fish then revealed itself to be Vishnu and prophesied that a deluge would occur within seven days and destroy all life on earth. Satyavrata was instructed to build a boat that could accommodate ‘all medicinal herbs, all the varieties of seeds, and accompanied by the seven saints’ along with the serpent Vasuki and other animals.

The Matsya Avatar of Vishnu is usually represented as a four-armed figure with the upper torso of a man and the lower body of a fish. The importance of the fish in many Indian cultures is often linked to this avatar. The fish is also seen as a symbol of constant renewal and plays a major role in wedding ceremonies in many parts of India.

Blessed Be!