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14. THE CONCEPT OF AVATARS
III - MATSYAVATARA KATHA (HINDU PAURANIC VERSION)
The story of Vishnus incarnation as a fish Srimad Bhagavatham 8th Skanda 24th chapter
In the end of Kalpa, the entire universe was plunged into the sea-water when Brahma, wished to sleep, the demon Hayagreeva stole all the Vedas from Brahma. Knowing the bad intention of the demon, Lord Vishnu took incarnation as a Fish.
In the previous Kalpa, one king-sage named Satyavrata was doing penance without partaking food & taking only water. The same gentleman in this Kalpa took birth as Vaivaswata Manu and was crowned as Manu by Lord Vishnu.
Once when he was doing Tarpana at Kritamala River, a small Fish come into his hand. This Dravidian King left that water along with the fish in the river. The fish requested that it may be kept in a safe place since there is danger of being swallowed by big fishes in the river. So the king kept it in his Kamandalu. The fish grew large by the hour so that the fish was transferred to a well the next day. Then the fish got large enough so that it was transferred to the pond, then in a river and at last in the sea. The king was surprised and prayed almighty to reveal the fun or magic behind it. They Lord Vishnu appeared and told Manu.
Yes, I am Lord Vishnu in the form of a Fish. From today, on the 7th day the 3 lokas will be immersed in the sea water. Oh King, at that time, I will send one boat near you. You collect and keep all vegetables, all seeds and along with Saptarshi get into the boat and in the total darkness move ahead with the help of light from the Saptarshi. You tie the boat on my horns to protect from wind. I will be dragging that ship up to the end of Brahmas night. Then I will reply to your questions and you will know about Brahman. Then Lord Vishnu disappeared. The King sat on a Darbha with its ends towards east and facing to Esanya side. The saptarshis said Oh, King, you are well blessed, since you could see Lord Vishnu & here his words. Then the King tied the ship to the horn of the fish with the help of a
snake as a rope.
The king praised Lord Vishnu who then gave him Atma-Jnana & Bhakti. Then Lord Vishnu killed the Demon Hayagreeva & recovered the Vedas.
(http://www.mudgala.com/sri-krishna-mangal/legends_of_the_world_2.html)
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