Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 57

Matsya-avatāra: The Lord as Fish Saves the Vedas and Guides Satyavrata

Devanagari script

अतीतप्रलयापाय उत्थिताय स वेधसे । हत्वासुरं हयग्रीवं वेदान् प्रत्याहरद्धरि: ॥ ५७ ॥

Transliteration

atīta-pralayāpāya utthitāya sa vedhase hatvāsuraṁ hayagrīvaṁ vedān pratyāharad dhariḥ

Translation

At the end of the last inundation [during the period of Svāyambhuva Manu] the Supreme Personality of Godhead killed the demon named Hayagrīva and delivered all the Vedic literatures to Lord Brahmā when Lord Brahmā awakened from sleeping.

Synonyms

• atīta-pralaya-apāye: after the passing of the deluge
• atīta-pralaya-apāye: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: atīta-pralaya-apāya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (atīta + pralaya + apāya = ‘when the dissolution had passed/ended’)

• utthitāya: to (him) who had arisen
• utthitāya: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: utthita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; ut-√sthā)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past participle: ‘risen/awakened’)

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• vedhase: to Vedhas (Brahmā)
• vedhase: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vedhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (4th/Dative), एकवचन; ‘विधातृ’ (Brahmā)

• hatvā: having killed
• hatvā: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: han (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund/absolutive): ‘having slain’

• asuram: the demon
• asuram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• hayagrīvam: Hayagrīva
• hayagrīvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hayagrīva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (haya + grīva = ‘horse-necked’, proper name)

• vedān: the Vedas
• vedān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: veda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• pratyāharat: brought back/recovered
• pratyāharat: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: prati-ā-√hṛ (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• hariḥ: Hari (Viṣṇu)
• hariḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hari (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Hari (Lord Viṣṇu)
• Brahmā (Vedhas)
• Hayagrīva (asura)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the Vedas being protected during pralaya?

This verse states that after the dissolution subsided, Lord Hari killed the demon Hayagrīva and returned the Vedas to Brahmā—showing that the Lord safeguards revealed knowledge even through cosmic upheaval.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī mention Hayagrīva and the recovery of the Vedas?

He highlights the Lord’s role as protector of dharma: when demonic forces obstruct sacred knowledge, Viṣṇu intervenes and restores the Vedas so creation and spiritual order can continue under Brahmā.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

When knowledge, values, or spiritual practice feel “lost” amid chaos, this verse encourages faith that divine truth can be recovered—by sincere study, devotion, and seeking authentic guidance.