श्रीमद्भागवतमहापुराणम् अष्टम: स्कन्ध: चतुर्विंश: अध्याय: राजा-उवाच - The King said - भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि हरेरद्भुतकर्मण: ।
अवतारकथामाद्यां मायामत्स्यविडम्बनम् ॥१॥
भगवन्-श्रोतुम्-इच्छामि O Holy One! hear want to
हरे:-अद्भुत-कर्मण: Shree Hari's of strange deeds अवतार-कथाम्-आद्याम् the descent story, the very first, माया-मत्स्य विडम्बनम् by Maaya fish intriguing O Holy One! I want to hear the story of Shree Hari, Whose deeds are strange, of His very first intriguing descent in the form of a fish, taken on by Maaya, His wonderful creative energy.


यदर्थमदधाद् रूपं मात्स्यं लोकजुगुप्सितम् ।
तम:प्रकृति दुर्मर्षं कर्मग्रस्त इवेश्वर: ॥२॥
यत्-अर्थम्-अदधाद् रूपम् for what reason took on the form
मात्स्यम् लोक-जुगुप्सितम् of a fish, by the worlds detested तम:-प्रकृति: दुर्मर्षम् Taamasic by nature, fierce, कर्म-ग्रस्त इव-ईश्वर: by Karma subjected to, like, The All Powerful Lord For what reason, as if subjected to Karma, The All powerful Lord take on the form of a fish, the most detested by the people, Taamasic by nature, and fierce?


एतन्नो भगवन् सर्वं यथावद् वक्तुमर्हसि ।
उत्तमश्लोकचरितं सर्वलोकसुखावहम् ॥३॥
एतत्-न: भगवन् सर्वम् this, to us, O lord! all
यथा-वत् वक्तुम्-अर्हसि as it is, to tell be pleased उत्तमश्लोक-चरितम् of The Highly Famed Lord's story सर्व-लोक-सुख-आवहम् for all the people happiness bringing O lord! Be pleased to tell all this, as it is, the story of The Highly Famed Lord, which brings happiness to all the people.


सूत उवाच - Soota said - इत्युक्तो विष्णुरातेन भगवान् बादरायणि: ।
उवाच चरितं विष्णोर्मत्स्यरूपेण यत् कृतम् ॥४॥
इति-उक्त: विष्णुरातेन thus being asked by Pareekshita
भगवान् बादरायणि: the lord Shukadeva उवाच चरितम् विष्णो:- said the story of Vishnu मत्स्य-रूपेण यत् कृतम् in fish form which was taken Thus being asked by Pareekshita, lord Shukadeva told the story of Lord Vishnu, in which He had taken the form of the fish.


श्री शुक उवाच - Shree Shuka said - गोविप्रसुरसाधुनां छन्दसामपि चेश्वर: ।
रक्षामिच्छंस्तनूर्धत्ते धर्मस्यार्थस्य चैव हि ॥५॥
गो-विप्र-सुर-साधुनाम् for the cows, Braahmanas, gods, noble people,
छन्दसाम्-अपि च-ईश्वर: Vedas also and The All Powerful Lord रक्षाम्-इच्छन्-तनू:-धत्ते protection desiring, form takes on धर्मस्य-अर्थस्य च-एव हि for the righteousness purpose, and also indeed In spite of being The All Powerful Lord, with the desire of protecting the cows, the Braahmanas, the gods, the noble people, the Vedas, He takes on various forms, also for the purpose of the protection of righteousness.


उच्चावचेषु भूतेषु चरन् वायुरिवेश्वर: ।
नोच्चावचत्वं भजते निर्गुणत्वाद्धियो गुणै: ॥६॥
उच्च-अवचेषु भूतेषु in high and low creatures,
चरन् वायु:-इव-ईश्वर: functioning, air like, The All Powerful Lord न-उच्च-अवचत्वम् भजते not high or low status acquires निर्गुणत्वात्-धिय: गुणै: because of being devoid of Gunas, by Gunas Though The All-Powerful Lord, like the air, functions in all high and low creatures, He being devoid of Gunas, does not acquire the status of high or low caused by their nature of Gunas.


आसीदतीतकल्पान्ते ब्राह्मो नैमित्तिको लय: ।
समुद्रोपप्लुतास्तत्र लोका भूरादयो नृप ॥७॥
आसीत्-अतीत-कल्प-अन्ते there was in the past, at the Kalpa's end
ब्राह्म:-नैमित्तिक: लय: Braahma named Naimitika dissolution समुद्र-उपप्लुता:-तत्र (when) by the ocean were washed there लोका भू:-आदय: नृप the worlds, the earth and others, O King! O King! In the past, at Kalpa's end, there was a Naimitika dissolution named Braahma, when, there, all the worlds and the earth and everything were washed away by the ocean.


कालेनागतनिद्रस्य धातु: शिशयिषोर्बली ।
मुखतो नि:सृतान् वेदान् हयग्रीवोऽन्तिकेऽहरत् ॥८॥
कालेन-आगत निद्रस्य in time, overcome by sleep,
धातु: शिशयिषो:-बली Brahmaa's wanting to sleep, the powerful, (demon) मुखत: नि:सृतान् वेदान् from the mouth, emanating Vedas हयग्रीव:-अन्तिके-अहरत् Hayagreeva, close by, stole Due to the time, Brahmaa, overcome by sleep, wanted to sleep. The Vedas emanated from his mouth, were stolen by the powerful Daitya Hayagreeva, who was close by.


ज्ञात्वा तद् दानवेन्द्रस्य हयग्रीवस्य चेष्टितम् ।
दधार शफरीरूपं भगवान् हरिरीश्वर: ॥९॥
ज्ञात्वा तत् दानव-इन्द्रस्य knowing that, of the Daanava chief
हयग्रीवस्य चेष्टितम् Hayagreeva's action दधार शफरी-रूपम् took on fish form भगवान् हरि:-ईश्वर: The Lord Shree Hari, The All-powerful The Lord Shree Hari, The All-powerful Lord, coming to know of that action of the Daanava chief, Hayagreeva, took on the form of a fish.


तत्र राजऋषि: कश्चिन्नाम्ना सत्यव्रतो महान् ।
नारायणपरोऽतप्यत् तप: स सलिलाशन: ॥१०॥
तत्र राज-ऋषि: कश्चित्- there, a royal sage some,
नाम्ना सत्यव्रत: महान् by name of Satyavrata the great नारायण-पर:-अतप्यत् to Naaraayana devoted, practiced तप: स: सलिल-आशन: austerities, he on water subsisting There, in that Kalpa, there was a great royal sage by the name of Satyavrata, devoted to Naaraayana, who practiced austerities subsisting on water.


योऽसावस्मिन् महाकल्पे तनय: स विवस्वत: ।
श्राद्द्धदेव इति ख्यातो मनुत्वे हरिणार्पित: ॥११॥
य:-असौ-अस्मिन् महाकल्पे who this, in this great Kalpa
तनय: स: विवस्वत: son of Vivasvata, (The Sun) श्राद्द्धदेव इति ख्यात: Shraaddhadeva, thus well known मनुत्वे हरिणा-अर्पित: to Manu's position by Shree Hari was exalted That he, in this present great Kalpa, became the son of Vivasvata, the Sun, well known by the name of Shraadhadeva, and was exalted to the position of Manu by The Lord Shree Hari.


एकदा कृतमालायां कुर्वतो जलतर्पणम् ।
तस्याञ्जल्युदके काचिच्छफर्येकाभ्यपद्यत ॥१२॥
एकदा कृतमालायाम् one day, in Kritamaalaa (river)
कुर्वत: जल-तर्पणम् (while) doing water oblation तस्य-अञ्जलि-उदके in his hands' hollow's water काचित्-शफरी-एका-अभ्यपद्यत some fish, one appeared One day, on the bank of the river Kritamaalaa, while he was doing water oblation to the manes, there appeared in the water of the hollow of his hands, some one fish.


सत्यव्रतोऽञ्जलिगतां सह तोयेन भारत ।
उत्ससर्ज नदीतोये शफरीं द्रविडेश्वर: ॥१३॥
सत्यव्रत:-अञ्जलि-गताम् Satyavrata, in the hollow of the palms appeared
सह तोयेन भारत with the water, O Scion of Bhaarata! उत्ससर्ज नदी-तोये released in the river water शफरीम् द्रविड-ईश्वर: the fish, Drawida's Ruler O Scion of Bharata! The Ruler of Dravida, Satyavrata, released the fish which had appeared in the hollow of his palms, with the water, in the water of the river.


तमाह सातिकरुणं महाकारुणिकं नृपम् ।
यादोभ्यो ज्ञातिघातिभ्यो दीनां मां दीनवत्सल ।
कथं विसृजसे राजन् भीतामस्मिन्सरिज्जले ॥१४॥
तम्-आह सा-अति-करुणम् to him said she, with most pity
महा-कारुणिकम् नृपम् to the very compassionate king यादोभ्य: ज्ञाति-घातिभ्य: of water creatures, (own) species the killers दीनाम् माम् दीनवत्सल the afflicted me, O to the afflicted kind! कथम् विसृजसे राजन् how come throw O King! भीताम्-अस्मिन् सरित्-जले afraid (that I am), in this river water She said to him, the most compassionate king, most pitiably, 'O King ! kind to the afflicted! How come do you throw me in the water of this river, afflicted as I am, and afraid of the water creatures that kill their own species?'


तमात्मनोऽनुग्रहार्थं प्रीत्या मत्स्यवपुर्धरम् ।
अजानन् रक्षणार्थाय शफर्या: स मनो दधे ॥१५॥
तम्-आत्मन:-अनुग्रह-अर्थम् Him, on self grace to shower,
प्रीत्या मत्स्य-वपु:-धरम् lovingly fish form taking अजानन् रक्षण-अर्थाय not aware of, protect to शफर्या: स: मन: दधे in the fish he, mind made up To shower grace on himself, He, The Lord had lovingly assumed the form of a fish, not being aware of this, he, Satyavrata made up his mind to protect the fish.


तस्या दीनतरं वाक्यमाश्रुत्य स महीपति: ।
कलशाप्सु निधायैनां दयालुनिन्य आश्रमम् ॥१६॥
तस्या: दीनतरम् वाक्यम्- her very pitiful words
आश्रुत्य स: महीपति: having heard, that king कलश-अप्सु निधाय-एनाम् in the pot water, putting her दयालु:-निन्ये आश्रमम् the kind one took to the hermitage Having heard her very pitiful words, that kind king put her in the water of his pot and took her to his hermitage.


सा तु तत्रैकरात्रेण वर्धमाना कमण्डलौ ।
अलब्ध्वाऽऽत्मावकाशं वा इदमाह महीपतिम् ॥१७॥
सा तु तत्र-एक-रात्रेण she, indeed, there, in one night
वर्धमाना कमण्डलौ growing in the water pot अलब्ध्वा-आत्म-अवकाशम् not having for herself space वा इदम्-आह महीपतिम् or, this said to the king She grew there, in the water pot, in one night, and not finding space for herself, she said this to the king,…


नाहं कमण्डलावस्मिन् कृच्छ्रं वस्तुमिहोत्सहे ।
कल्पयौक: सुविपुलं यत्राहं निवसे सुखम् ॥१८॥
न-अहम् कमण्डलौ-अस्मिन् not I in Kamandalu (water pot), this
कृच्छ्रम् वस्तुम्-इह-उत्सहे with difficulty, to live here want कल्पय-ओक: सुविपुलम् arrange for a shelter, well extensive यत्र-अहम् निवसे सुखम् where, I may live comfortably 'I do not want to live in difficulty in this Kamandalu, water pot. Arrange for a well extensive shelter where I may live comfortably.'


स एनां तत आदाय न्यधादौदञ्चनोदके ।
तत्र क्षिप्ता मुहूर्तेन हस्तत्रयमवर्धत ॥१९॥
स: एनाम् आदाय he, her brought
न्यधात्-औदञ्चन-उदके and put in pitcher water तत्र क्षिप्ता मुहूर्तेन there thrown, within an hour हस्त-त्रयम्-अवर्धत hands three became big He brought her and put her in the water of the pitcher, where it grew to the measure of three hands, within an hour.


न म एतदलं राजन् सुखं वस्तुमुदञ्चनम् ।
पृथु देहि पदं मह्यं यत् त्वाहं शरणं गता ॥२०॥
न मे एतत्-अलम् राजन् not for me this is enough, O King!
सुखम् वस्तुम्-उदञ्चनम् for comfortable living, the pitcher पृथु देहि पदम् मह्यम् extensive give space to me यत् त्वा-अहम् शरणम् गता because in your I protection have sought O King! This pitcher is not enough for me to live in comfort. Do arrange for me an extensive space, as I have sought your protection.


तत आदाय सा राज्ञा क्षिप्ता राजन् सरोवरे ।
तदावृत्यात्मना सोऽयं महामीनोऽन्ववर्धत ॥२१॥
तत: आदाय सा राज्ञा from there bringing, she by the king
क्षिप्ता राजन् सरोवरे was thrown, O King! in a pond तत्-आवृत्य-आत्मना that covering by own (body) स:-अयम् महामीन:-अन्ववर्धत he that great fish, increased into O King! She was brought from there and thrown into a pond. It covered the pond with its body as it increased into a big fish.


नैतन्मे स्वस्तये राजन्नुदकं सलिलौकस: ।
निधेहि रक्षायोगेन हृदे मामविदासिनि ॥२२॥
न-एतत्-मे स्वस्तये राजन् not this for my well being, O King!
उदकम् सलिल-ओकस: the water in the water body निधेहि रक्षा-योगेन arrange by protection arrangements हृदे माम्-अविदासिनि in lake me deep O King! This water in this water body is also not for my well being. With the arrangements of my protection, arrange for a more extensive and deep lake.


इत्युक्त: सोऽनयन्मत्स्यं तत्र तत्राविदासिनि ।
जलाशये सम्मितं तं समुद्रे प्राक्षिपज्झषम् ॥२३॥
इति-उक्त: स:-अनयत्-मत्स्यम् thus told, he took the fish
तत्र तत्र-अविदासिनि to this and that extensive जलाशये सम्मितम् तम् water body, accordingly increasing her समुद्रे प्राक्षिपत्-झषम् in the ocean threw the fish Thus told, he took the fish to this and that extensive water body, the fish increased accordingly, so he threw it in the ocean.


क्षिप्यमाणस्तमाहेदमिह मां मकरादय: ।
अदन्त्यतिबला वीर मां नेहोत्स्रष्टुमर्हसि ॥२४॥
क्षिप्यमाण:-तम्-आह-इदम्- when throwing him said this,
इह माम् मकर-आदय: here me alligators and others अदन्ति-अतिबला वीर will eat very mighty, O Valliant King! माम् न-इह-उत्स्रष्टुम्-अर्हसि me not here to leave should As he was throwing the fish, it said, 'O Valliant King! Mighty alligators and others will eat me here, so you should not leave me here.'


एवं विमोहितस्तेन वदता वल्गुभारतीम् ।
तमाह को भवानस्मान् मत्स्यरूपेण मोहयन् ॥२५॥
एवम् विमोहित:-तेन thus, enchanted by its
वदता वल्गु-भारतीम् saying in sweet words तम्-आह क: भवान्- to it said Who are you अस्मान् मत्स्य-रूपेण मोहयन् us by fish form deluding Thus enchanted by the sweet words spoken by the fish, to it said the king Satyavrata, 'Who are you, deluding us in the form of a fish?'


नैवं वीर्यो जलचरो दृष्टोऽस्माभि: श्रुतोऽपि ।
यो भवान् योजनशतमह्नाभिव्यानशे सर: ॥२६॥
न-एवम् वीर्य: जलचर: दृष्ट: not such powerful acquatic creature, seen
अस्माभि: श्रुत:-अपि by us, heard of also य: भवान् योजन-शतम्- that you yojana hundred अह्ना-अभिव्यानशे सर: spreading, have encircled the pond We have never seen or heard of an acquatic creature of such power, in that, you spreading for a hundred yojanas, have encircled the pond.


नूनं त्वं भगवान् साक्षात्-हरिर्नारायणोऽव्यय: ।
अनुग्रहाय भूतानां धत्से रूपं जलौकसाम् ॥२७॥
नूनम् त्वम् भगवान् साक्षात् definitely, You are The Lord Himself
हरि:-नारायण:-अव्यय: Shree Hari Naaraayana Infinite अनुग्रहाय भूतानाम् धत्से to grace the beings have taken रूपम् जल-ओकसाम् the form of water creature 'You, definitely are The Lord Himself, Lord Shree Hari, Naaraayana, The Infinite! To be gracious to the beings You have taken the form of the water creatures, a fish.'


नमस्ते पुरुषश्रेष्ठ स्थित्युत्पत्त्यप्ययेश्वर ।
भक्तानां न: प्रपन्नानां मुख्यो ह्यात्मगतिर्विभो ॥२८॥
नमस्ते पुरुष-श्रेष्ठ Salutations to Person Supreme
स्थिति-उत्पत्ति- maintenance, creation अप्यय-ईश्वर dissolution The Controller भक्तानाम् न: प्रपन्नानाम् of the devotee, us, seeking shelter, मुख्य: हि-आत्मगति:-विभो the Truth, indeed of the Self the goal, O Infinite! 'O Infinite, Supreme Person, salutations to You, The Controller of the maintenance, creation and dissolution of the cosmos. You are the very Truth, the goal of The Self, of us, Your devotees, seeking Your shelter.'


सर्वे लीलावतारास्ते भूतानां भूतिहेतवे ।
ज्ञातुमिच्छाम्यदो रूपम् यदर्थं भवता धृतम् ॥२९॥
सर्वे लीला-अवतारा:-ते all sportful descent Yours
भूतानाम् भूति-हेतवे are for the being's welfare conducive ज्ञातुम्-इच्छामि-अद: रूपम् want to know of this form यत्-अर्थम् भवता धृतम् for what reason by You is taken Although all Your sportful descents are conducive to the well-being of the beings, I want to know the reason for which You have taken this form.


न तेऽरविन्दाक्ष पदोपसर्पणं मृषा भवेत् सर्वसुहृत्प्रियात्मन: ।
यथेतरेषां पृथगात्मनां सतामदीदृशो यद् वपुरद्भुतं हि न: ॥३०॥
न ते-अरविन्दाक्ष not Your, O Lotus eyed One!
पद-उपसर्पणम् मृषा भवेत् feet approaching, meaningless become सर्वसुहृत्-प्रिय-आत्मन: of all a friend, beloved of the Self यथा-इतरेषाम् पृथक्-आत्मनाम् like of the others' different minded सताम्-अदीदृश: यद् वपु: noble, have shown that form अद्भुतम् हि न: most wonderful indeed to us O Lotus eyed One! To approach Your feet is not futile, like it is to approach the others who are different from the Self, because, You are a friend of all and the beloved of The Self, You have revealed this wonderful form, indeed, to us Your devotees.


श्री शुक उवाच - Shree Shuka said - इति ब्रुवाणं नृपतिं जगत्पति: सत्यव्रतं मत्स्यवपुर्युगक्षये ।
विहर्तुकाम: प्रलयार्णवेऽब्रवीत् चिकीर्षुरेकान्तजनप्रिय: प्रियम् ॥३१॥
इति ब्रुवाणम् नृपतिम् to the so saying king
जगत्पति: सत्यव्रतम् The Lord of the Universe, to Satyavrata मत्स्य-वपु:-युग-क्षये the fish form, at the Kalpa's end विहर्तु-काम: प्रलय-अर्णवे- to sport wanting, in the dissolution waters, अब्रवीत् चिकीर्षु:-एकान्त said, wanting to do, for the intensive जनप्रिय: प्रियम् person good To the king Satyavrata, who was saying so, The Lord of the universe, Who in the form of the fish was keen on sporting in the dissolution waters, at the end of the Kalpa, and Who wished to do good to His intense devotees, said …….


श्री भगवान्-उवाच - The Lord said - सप्तमेऽद्यतनादूर्ध्वमहन्येतदरिन्दम ।
निमङ्क्ष्यत्यप्ययाम्भोधौ त्रैलोक्यं भूर्भुवादिकम् ॥३२॥
सप्तमे-अद्यतनात्-ऊर्ध्वम्- on the seventh from today, after
अहनि-एतत्-अरिन्दम the day this, O subduer of the foes! निमङ्क्ष्यति-अप्यय-अम्भोधौ will be plunged in dissolution water ocean त्रैलोक्यम् भू:-भुव-आदिकम् the three worlds, earth, Ariel region, and others O Subduer of the foe! After the seventh day from today, the three worlds, the earth, the aerial regions and the heavens will be plunged in the waters of the ocean of dissolution.


त्रिलोक्यां लीयमानायां संवर्ताम्भसि वै तदा ।
उपस्थास्यति नौ: काचिद् विशाला त्वां मयेरिता ॥३३॥
त्रिलोक्याम् लीयमानायाम् as the three worlds will be submerging
संवर्ताम्भसि वै तदा in the dissolution waters, indeed, then, उपस्थास्यति नौ: काचिद् will come a boat some विशाला त्वाम् मया-ईरिता huge, to you, by Me instigated As the three worlds will be submerging in the deluge waters, some huge boat will come to you, instigated by Me.


त्वं तावदोषधी: सर्वा बीजान्युच्चावचानि च ।
सप्तर्षिभि: परिवृत: सर्वसत्त्वोपबृंहित: ॥३४॥
त्वम् तावत्-ओषधी: सर्वा: you till then, the herbs all
बीजानि-उच्च-अवचानि च seeds big and small सप्तर्षिभि: परिवृत: by the seven seers accompanied सर्व-सत्त्व-उपबृंहित: all varieties of animals collected Till then, you collect all the herbs, the big and small seeds, all varieties of animals and accompanied with the seven seers,….


आरुह्य बृहतीम् नावं विचरिष्यस्यविक्लव: ।
एकार्णवे निरालोके ऋषीणामेव वर्चसा ॥३५॥
आरुह्य बृहतीम् नावम् boarding that huge boat
विचरिष्यसि-अविक्लव: sail about, undaunted एक-अर्णवे निर्-आलोके in the one ocean without light ऋषीणाम्-एव वर्चसा of the sages' only halo Boarding that huge boat, you sail about undaunted in that one ocean, without any light, led only by the effulgence of the sages.


दोधूयमानां तां नावं समीरेण बलीयसा ।
उपस्थितस्य मे शृङ्गे निबध्नीहि महाहिना ॥३६॥
दोधूयमानाम् ताम् नावम् to the rocking that boat
समीरेण बलीयसा by the wind powerful उपस्थितस्य मे शृङ्गे arrived to My horn निबध्नीहि महा-अहिना tie by the great serpent That boat, rocking due to the powerful wind, fasten it to My horn, Who will be present there, with the great serpent Vaasuki.


अहं त्वामृषिभि: साकं सहनावमुदन्वति ।
विकर्षन् विचरिष्यामि यावद् ब्राह्मी निशा प्रभो ॥३७॥
अहम् त्वाम्-ऋषिभि: साकम् I, you the sages along with
सह-नावम्-उदन्वति and with the boat in the ocean विकर्षन् विचरिष्यामि pulling will roam about यावद् ब्राह्मी निशा प्रभो until Brahma's night, O Satyavrata 'O King Satyavrata! I will pull the boat along with you and the sages and will roam about in the waters of the ocean till the end of Brahmaa's night.


मदीयं महिमानं च परं ब्रह्मेति शब्दितम् ।
वेत्स्यस्यनुगृहीतं मे संप्रश्नैर्विवृतं हृदि ॥३८॥
मत्-इयम् महिमानम् च My this glory and
परम् ब्रह्म-इति शब्दितम् the Param Brahma (Supreme Reality), named as वेत्स्यसि-अनुगृहीतम् मे will realize by grace My संप्रश्नै:-विवृतम् हृदि by questions revealed in the heart My that glory named as Param Brahma, the transcendent Reality, will be realized by You, by My grace, and your questions will be revealed in your heart.


इत्थमादिश्य राजानं हरिरन्तरधीयत ।
सोऽन्ववैक्षत तं कालं यं हृषीकेश आदिशत् ॥३९॥
इत्थम्-आदिश्य राजानम् in this manner, instructing the king
हरि:-अन्तरधीयत Shree Hari disappeared स:-अन्ववैक्षत तम् कालम् he awaited that time यम् हृषीकेश: आदिशत् which Lord Vishnu had pointed out In this manner, instructing the king, Shree Hari disappeared. He awaited the time which Lord Vishnu, The Controller of the senses, had indicated.


आस्तीर्य दर्भान् प्राक्कूलान् राजर्षि: प्रागुदङ्मुख: ।
निषसाद हरे: पादौ चिन्तयन् मत्स्यरूपिण: ॥४०॥
आस्तीर्य दर्भान् प्राक्-कूलान् spreading the grass, to the east pointing
राजर्षि: प्राक्-उदङ्मुख: the royal sage, east towards facing निषसाद हरे: पादौ चिन्तयन् sat, Shree Hari's feet contemplating on मत्स्य-रूपिण: in the fish form The royal sage, Satyavrata spread the grass, with its pointed upper edge pointing towards east, and sat on it with his face towards the east. He sat there contemplating on the feet of Shree Hari in His form of a fish.


तत: समुद्र उद्वेल: सर्वत: प्लावयन् महीम् ।
वर्धमानो महामेघैर्वर्षद्भि: समदृश्यत ॥४१॥
तत: समुद्र: उद्वेल: then, the ocean rising high
सर्वत: प्लावयन् महीम् from all sides overflowing, the earth वर्धमान: महा-मेघै:- increasing by the great clouds वर्षद्भि: समदृश्यत raining (he) saw Then, he saw, the ocean rising high, overflowing by the raining great clouds and submerging the earth on all sides.


ध्यायन् भगवदादेशं ददृशे नावमागताम् ।
तामारुरोह विप्रेन्द्रैरादायोषधिवीरुध: ॥४२॥
ध्यायन् भगवत्-आदेशम् meditating on The Lord's command
ददृशे नावम्-आगताम् saw the boat arrived ताम्-आरुरोह विप्रेन्द्रै:- it boarded with the great Braahmin sages आदाय-ओषधि-वीरुध: taking the herbs and seeds As he was meditating on the command of The Lord, he saw the boat had arrived. He boarded it with the great sages, taking with him the herbs and seeds.


तमूचुर्मुनय: प्रीता राजन् ध्यायस्व केशवम् ।
स वै न: संकटादस्मादविता शं विधास्यति ॥४३॥
तम्-ऊचु:-मुनय: प्रीता: to him said the sages lovingly
राजन् ध्यायस्व केशवम् O King! meditate on Keshava, (Lord Vishnu) स: वै न: संकटात्-अस्मात्- He, indeed, us from calamity this अविता शम् विधास्यति will save, happiness will bring The sages lovingly said to him, 'O King! Meditate on Keshava, Lord Vishnu. He will save us from this calamity and bring happiness.


सोऽनुध्यातस्ततो राज्ञा प्रादुरासीन्महार्णवे ।
एकशृङ्गधरो मत्स्यो हैमो नियुतयोजन: ॥४४॥
स:-अनुध्यात:-तत: राज्ञा He, being meditated upon, by the king
प्रादु:-आसीत्-महा-अर्णवे appeared in the great ocean एक-शृङ्ग-धर: मत्स्य: one horn bearing fish हैम: नियुत-योजन: golden, of one lakh Yojanas As the king was meditating on Him, He appeared on the great ocean, in the form of a huge golden fish of one Yojana long, bearing one horn.


निबध्य नावं तच्छृङ्गे यथोक्तो हरिणा पुरा ।
वरत्रेणाहिना तुष्टस्तुष्टाव मधुसूदनम् ॥४५॥
निबध्य नावम् तत्-शृङ्गे binding the boat to that horn
यथा-उक्त: हरिणा पुरा as was said by Lord Shree Hari before वरत्रेण-अहिना तुष्ट:- by Vaasuki serpent, satisfied, तुष्टाव मधुसूदनम् extolled Madhusoodana (Vishnu) The King, Satyavrata bound the boat to that horn with the serpent Vaasuki, as was said by Lord Shree Hari before. Then, satisfied, he sang praises to Madhusoodana, Lord Vishnu.


राजा-उवाच- The King said - अनाद्यविद्योपहतात्मसंविदस्तन्मूलसंसारपरिश्रमातुरा: ।
यदृच्छयेहोपसृता यमाप्नुयुर्विमुक्तिदो न: परमो गुरुर्भवान् ॥४६॥
अनादि-अविद्या-उपहत- by the beginingless ignorance obscured
आत्म-संविद: तत्-मूल- Self Knowledge, in it rooted संसार-परिश्रम-आतुरा: by the material (existence) toils exhausted यदृच्छया-इह-उपसृता: by Your grace, here (in Your shelter) having come यम्-आप्नुयु:-विमुक्तिद: Him attain The liberation Granter न: परम: गुरु:-भवान् (is) our ultimate preceptor You By the ageless ignorance The Self Knowledge is obscured, which is the root cause of material existence, by the toil of which the people are exhausted. They come here, in your shelter, by Your grace. Hence, You are the ultimate preceptor and The Bestower of Liberation.


जनोऽबुधोऽयं निजकर्मबन्धन: सुखेच्छया कर्म समीहतेऽसुखम् ।
यत्सेवया तां विधुनोत्यसन्मतिं ग्रन्थिं स भिन्द्याद्धृदयं स नो गुरु: ॥४७॥
जन:-अबुध:-अयम् human ignorant this
निज-कर्म-बन्धन: सुख-इच्छया by own actions bondage, by happiness desiring कर्म समीहते-असुखम् by the action incurs unhappiness यत्-सेवया ताम् विधुनोति- by Whose worship that (unhappiness) wrenches असन्मतिम् ग्रन्थिम् ignorance knot स भिन्द्यात् हृदयम् स: न: गुरु: may He snap of the heart, He is our Preceptor The ignorant human being, with the desire of happiness, by his own actions' bondage, incurs unhappiness by those actions. By the worship of Whom that unhappiness is wrenched, may He, Our True Preceptor, snap the knot of our hearts.


यत्सेवयाग्नेरिव रुद्ररोदनं पुमान् विजह्यान्मलमात्मनस्तम: ।
भजेत वर्णं निजमेष सोऽव्ययो भूयात् स ईश: परमो गुरोर्गुरु: ॥४८॥
यत्-सेवया-अग्ने:-इव by Whose worship, in the fire, just as
रुद्र-रोदनम् पुमान् gold silver, human being विजह्यात्-मलम्-आत्मन:-तम: banishes impurity of Self the ignorance भजेत वर्णम् निजम्-एष acquires purity own he स:-अव्यय: भूयात् He Infinite may be स: ईश: परम: गुरो:-गुरु: That Lord Supreme, of preceptors' The Preceptor Just as gold and silver shed their impurities in the fire, a human being banishes his own impurities in the fire of Your worship, and shedding the ignorance of the Self, acquires purity. May that Supreme Lord be The Preceptor of the preceptors.


न यत्प्रसादायुतभागलेशमन्ये च देवा गुरवो जना: स्वयम् ।
कर्तुं समेता: प्रभवन्ति पुंसस्तमीश्वरं त्वां शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥४९॥
न यत्-प्रसाद-अयुत-भाग- not Whose grace's ten thousand part's
लेशम्-अन्ये च देवा: strand, and other gods, गुरव: जना: स्वयम् teachers, people themselves कर्तुम् समेता: प्रभवन्ति to confer, put together, are capable पुंस:-तम्-ईवरम् त्वाम् on man, to That The Lord, You शरणम् प्रपद्ये shelter I take All other gods, teachers and men put together are not capable to confer grace on a man, equivalent to the one part of ten thousand parts' strand of His grace. I take shelter, of That Lord.


अचक्षुरन्धस्य यथाग्रणी: कृतस्तथा जनस्याविदुषोऽबुधो गुरु: ।
त्वमर्कदृक् सर्वदृशां समीक्षणो वृतो गुरुर्न: स्वगतिं बुभुत्सताम् ॥५०॥
अचक्षु:-अन्धस्य यथा-अग्रणी: vision-less, a blind, just as guide
कृत:-तथा जनस्य- made, like that, of the people अविदुष:-अबुध: गुरु: of ignorant, unenlightened soul the preceptor त्वम्-अर्क-दृक् सर्व-दृशाम् You sun like self illumined, of all the senses समीक्षण: वृत: गुरु:-न: the perceiving force, are chosen preceptor, ours स्वगतिम् बुभुत्सताम् Self realization seeking Just like a vision impaired person, chooses a blind man for a guide, so also the ignorant people choose unenlightened soul as their preceptor. You are self effulgent like the sun and also impart the perceiving force to all the senses. We, the self-realization seekers choose You as the Preceptor.


जनो जनस्यादिशतेऽसतीं मतिं यया प्रपद्येत दुरत्ययं तम: ।
त्वं त्वव्ययं ज्ञानममोघमञ्जसा प्रपद्यते येन जनो निजं पदम् ॥५१॥
जन: जनस्य-आदिशते- a man to (another) man gives
असतीम् मतिम् यया unwise counsel, by which प्रपद्यते दुरत्ययम् तम: is established undecaying darkness त्वम् तु-अव्ययम् ज्ञानम्- You, whereas, unfailing knowledge अमोघम्-अञ्जसा प्रपद्यते definite, easily attains येन जन: निजम् पदम् by which, man, own state (of Self Realization) A worldly man gives unwise counsel to another man, by which undecaying darkness of ignorance of transmigration is established. Whereas, You impart unfailing definite knowledge, by which a soul easily attains his own true state of Self-Realization.


त्वं सर्वलोकस्य सुहृत् प्रियेश्वरो ह्यात्मा गुरुर्ज्ञानमभीष्ट सिद्धि: ।
तथापि लोको न भवन्तमन्धधीर्जानाति सन्तं हृदि बद्धकाम: ॥५२॥
त्वम् सर्व-लोकस्य सुहृत् You are, of the whole world the friend,
प्रिय-ईश्वर: हि-आत्मा गुरु:- beloved inner-Controller, very Self, teacher, ज्ञानम्-अभीष्ट-सिद्धि: wisdom, of all desires the realization तथा-अपि लोक: न भवन्तम्- even then, the world, does not You अन्धधी: जानाति सन्तम् of blinded intellect know, present हृदि बद्धकाम: in the heart, bound by actions Indeed, You are the friend, beloved, the inner-Controller, the very Self, the teacher, the wisdom, the realisations of all the desires, of the whole world . Even then, the world, of a blinded intellect, and bound by actions, does not know You present in the heart.


तं त्वामहं देववरं वरेण्यं प्रपद्य ईशं प्रतिबोधनाय ।
छिन्ध्यर्थदीपैर्भगवन् वचोभिर्ग्रन्थीन् हृदय्यान् विवृणु स्वमोक: ॥५३॥
तम् त्वाम्-अहम् That You, I
देववरम् वरेण्यम् प्रपद्ये by the best of the gods, adorable, approach ईशम् प्रतिबोधनाय The Almighty Lord, for enlighten छिन्धि-अर्थदीपै:-भगवन् cut asunder by meaningful lights, O Lord! वचोभि:-ग्रन्थीन् हृदय्यान् words, the knots embedded in the heart विवृणु स्वम्-ओक: reveal own Self I approach You, O You, That Almighty Lord, adorable by the best of gods, for enlightening me. O Lord! by Your meaningful words cut asunder the knots embedded in the heart and reveal Your Own Self.


श्री शुक उवाच - Shree Shuka said - इत्युक्तवन्तं नृपतिं भगवानादिपूरुष: ।
मत्स्यरूपी महाम्भोधौ विहरंस्तत्त्वमब्रवीत् ॥५४॥
इति-उक्तवन्तम् नृपतिम् to him who thus saying, to the king,
भगवान्-आदिपूरुष: The Lord, The Primary Person मत्स्य-रूपी महा-अम्भोधौ in fish form, in the vast water of the ocean विहरन्-तत्त्वम्-अब्रवीत् sporting, The Truth taught To the king who was saying thus, The Almighty Lord, The Primary Person, in the form of a fish, taught The Truth, as He sported in the vast expanse of the ocean water.


पुराणसंहितां दिव्यां सांख्ययोगक्रियावतीम् ।
सत्यव्रतस्य राजर्षेरात्मगुह्यमशेषत: ॥५५॥
पुराण-संहिताम् दिव्याम् The Purana's collection divine
सांख्य-योग-क्रियावतीम् The Saankhya Yoga with rituals सत्यव्रतस्य राजर्षे:- to Satyavrata the royal sage आत्म-गुह्यम्-अशेषत: of His own Self the mystery, in full He revealed to the royal sage the mystery of His own Self, contained in the divine collection of the Puraanas, and the Saankhya Yoga with the rituals.


अश्रौषीदृषिभि: साकमात्मतत्त्वमसंशयम् ।
नाव्यासीनो भगवता प्रोक्तं ब्रह्म सनातनम् ॥५६॥
अश्रौषीत्-ऋषिभि: साकम्- heard, along with the sages
आत्म-तत्त्वम्-असंशयम् The Truth of The Self, the doubt-less नावि-आसीन: भगवता प्रोक्तम् on the boat seated, by The Almighty Lord said ब्रह्म सनातनम् The Brahma eternal Seated on the boat, the king Satyavrata, listened, along with the sages, the doubt-less Truth of The Self, of The Eternal Brahma, as told by The Almighty Lord.


अतीतप्रलयापाय उत्थिताय स वेधसे ।
हत्वासुरं हयग्रीवं वेदान् प्रत्याहरत् हरि: ॥५७॥
अतीत-प्रलय-आपाय after the dissolution last
उत्थिताय स: वेधसे and having awoken, that Brahmaa हत्वा-असुरम् हयग्रीवम् having killed the demon Hayagreeva वेदान् प्रति-आहरत् हरि: the Vedas restored Lord Shree Hari After the last dissolution, and Brahmaa having awoken, Lord Shree Hari killed the demon Hayagreeva, and restored the Vedas.


स तु सत्यव्रतो राजा ज्ञानविज्ञानसंयुत: ।
विष्णो: प्रसादात् कल्पेऽस्मिन्नासीद् वैवस्वतो मनु: ॥५८॥
स: तु सत्यव्रत: राजा he indeed, Satyavrata the king
ज्ञान-विज्ञान-संयुत: with wisdom and knowledge endowed विष्णो: प्रसादात् कल्पे-अस्मिन्न- by Vishnu's grace, in Kalpa this आसीत्- वैवस्वत: मनु: was Vaivasvata Manu This same king Satyavrata, endowed with wisdom and knowledge by Lord Vishnu's grace became Vaivasvata Manu, in this Kalpa.


सत्यव्रतस्य राजर्षेर्मायामत्स्यस्य शार्ङ्गिण: ।
संवादं महदाख्यानं श्रुत्वा मुच्यते किल्विषात् ॥५९॥
सत्यव्रतस्य राजर्षे:- of Satyavrata, the royal sage,
माया-मत्स्यस्य शार्ङ्गिण: and of the deluding fish, the Shaaranga bow wielder संवादम् महत्-आख्यानम् dialogue, the great story श्रुत्वा मुच्यते किल्विषात् having heard, is rid of sins The great story consisting of the dialogue between Lord Vishnu, the wielder of the Shaaranga bow, disguised as the deluding fish, and the royal sage Satyavrata, who ever hears, is rid of his sins.


अवतारो हरेर्योऽयं कीर्तयेदन्वहं नर: ।
सङ्कल्पास्तस्य सिध्यन्ति स याति परमां गतिम् ॥६०॥
अवतार: हरे:-य:-अयम् descent of Lord Shree Hari, whoever,
कीर्तयेत्-अन्वहम् नर: recites, day to day man सङ्कल्पा:-तस्य सिध्यन्ति desires his are accomplished स: याति परमाम् गतिम् he attains the supreme state This descent of Shree Hari, whoever recites day after day, his desires are accomplished and he attains the supreme state.


प्रलयपयसि धातु: सुप्तशक्तेर्मुखेभ्य: श्रुतिगणमपनीतं प्रत्युपादत्त हत्वा ।
दितिजमकथयद् यो ब्रह्म सत्यव्रतानां तमहमखिलहेतुं जिह्ममीनं नतोऽस्मि ॥६१॥
प्रलय-पयसि धातु: in deluge waters, of Brahmaa's
सुप्त-शक्ते:-मुखेभ्य: dormant energy, from the mouth श्रुति-गणम्-अपनीतम् the Srutis texts collection stolen प्रत्युपादत्त हत्वा restored by killing (Hayagreeva) दितिजम्-अकथयद् to the seven sages taught य: ब्रह्म सत्यव्रतानाम् Who the Brahma Puraana to Satyavrata तम्-अहम्-अखिल-हेतुम् to Him I, the Eternal Cause जिह्म-मीनम् नत:-अस्मि the disguised fish, bowed am I I Bow to Him, Who restored the collection of the Srutis texts by killing Hayagreeva who had stolen them from the mouth of Brahmaa, with his dormant energies, sleeping on the deluge waters. I bow down to The Eternal Cause, the disguised Fish form, Who taught to the seven seers and Satyavrata the Brahma Puraana.


श्रीमद्भागवते महापुराणे वैयासिक्यामष्टादशसाहस्र्यां पारमहंस्यां संहितायामष्टमे स्कन्धे मत्स्यावतारचरित्रानुवर्णनं नाम चतुर्विंशोध्याय: ॥२४॥
Thus ends the twenty-fourth discourse entitled 'The story of the Descent of the divine Fish recounted', in Book Eight of the great and glorious Bhaagavata-Puraana.


END OF BOOK EIGHT