Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 41

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

Devanagari script

तत: समुद्र उद्वेल: सर्वत: प्लावयन् महीम् । वर्धमानो महामेघैर्वर्षद्भ‍ि: समद‍ृश्यत ॥ ४१ ॥

Transliteration

tataḥ samudra udvelaḥ sarvataḥ plāvayan mahīm vardhamāno mahā-meghair varṣadbhiḥ samadṛśyata

Translation

Daraufhin schwoll der Ozean an und begann, die Erde von allen Seiten zu überfluten. Durch die unablässigen Regenfälle gewaltiger Wolken schien er immer weiter anzuwachsen.

Synonyms

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Kāla/Anantarya (काल/अनन्तर्य)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपादान/कालवाचक (thereupon/then)

• समुद्रः: the ocean
• समुद्रः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समुद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन

• उद्वेलः: overflowing, surging
• उद्वेलः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्वेल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण (of ‘समुद्रः’)

• सर्वतः: on all sides
• सर्वतः: Deśa (देश)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वतः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; देशवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of place: on all sides)

• प्लावयन्: flooding, inundating
• प्लावयन्: Kriyā (सहायक/समकालिक)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √प्लु (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle), पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन; causative sense ‘to flood’ (प्लावयति)

• महीम्: the earth
• महीम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मही (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• वर्धमानः: growing, increasing
• वर्धमानः: Kriyā (सहायक/समकालिक)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृध् (धातु)
• Form: शानच्-प्रत्यय (present middle participle), पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन; ‘increasing’

• महामेघैः: by great clouds
• महामेघैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + मेघ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/करण), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (great clouds)

• वर्षद्भिः: by (clouds) raining
• वर्षद्भिः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √वृष् (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle) used substantively; पुंलिङ्ग तृतीया बहुवचन; ‘raining’

• समदृश्यत: was seen, appeared
• समदृश्यत: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+√दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about pralaya (cosmic inundation) in Canto 8?

This verse describes the deluge: the ocean overflows and, along with heavy rains from massive clouds, floods the earth everywhere—setting the scene for the Lord’s saving intervention.

Why is the flood described before the Matsya avatara’s rescue in Bhagavatam 8.24?

The rising waters establish the urgency and scale of destruction, highlighting that only divine guidance and protection can preserve life and sacred knowledge during pralaya.

What is the practical application of this verse for modern life?

It reminds a seeker that worldly stability can change suddenly; cultivating surrender, steadiness in dharma, and devotion to the Lord is the secure refuge amid life’s upheavals.