Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

तस्या दीनतरं वाक्यमाश्रुत्य स महीपति: । कलशाप्सु निधायैनां दयालुर्निन्य आश्रमम् ॥ १६ ॥

Transliteration

tasyā dīnataraṁ vākyam āśrutya sa mahīpatiḥ kalaśāpsu nidhāyaināṁ dayālur ninya āśramam

Translation

فلما سمع الملك الرحيم كلمات السمكة البائسة، وضعها في جرّة ماء وأخذها إلى مقامه.

Synonyms

• तस्याः: of her
• तस्याः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive), एकवचन

• दीनतरम्: more pitiable
• दीनतरम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दीन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तरप्-प्रत्यय (comparative) विशेषणम् (of वाक्यम्)

• वाक्यम्: speech, words
• वाक्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाक्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative), एकवचन

• आश्रुत्य: having heard
• आश्रुत्य: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + √श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having heard’

• सः: he
• सः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• महीपतिः: the lord of the earth (king)
• महीपतिः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही + पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• कलश-अप्सु: in the pot-waters
• कलश-अप्सु: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कलश + अप् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (अप्), सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative), बहुवचन; ‘कलशे अप्सु’ = in the water (kept) in a pot

• निधाय: having put
• निधाय: Pūrvakāla-kriyā (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि + √धा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्यय (absolutive/gerund), अव्ययभाव; ‘having placed’

• एनाम्: her (that one)
• एनाम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: एतद्/इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• दयालुः: compassionate
• दयालुः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दयालु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (of सः/महीपतिः)

• निन्य: led, took
• निन्य: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नी (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• आश्रमम्: to the hermitage
• आश्रमम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आश्रम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Characters & Entities

• Satyavrata (King)
• Matsya (the fish, Lord’s incarnation)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about compassion to helpless beings?

This verse shows King Satyavrata responding to a distressed plea with active mercy—he gives shelter and protection, illustrating dharma expressed as compassion in action.

Why did King Satyavrata take the fish to his hermitage?

Moved by the fish’s pitiable request, the king placed it safely in a pot of water and brought it to his āśrama to protect and care for it.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Offer tangible help—not just sympathy—when someone vulnerable seeks shelter: protect, provide a safe place, and act responsibly with kindness.