Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

ध्यायन् भगवदादेशं दद‍ृशे नावमागताम् । तामारुरोह विप्रेन्द्रैरादायौषधिवीरुध: ॥ ४२ ॥

Transliteration

dhyāyan bhagavad-ādeśaṁ dadṛśe nāvam āgatām tām āruroha viprendrair ādāyauṣadhi-vīrudhaḥ

Translation

Während Satyavrata an den Befehl des Herrn dachte, sah er ein Boot herankommen. Da sammelte er Heilkräuter und Ranken und stieg, begleitet von heiligen Brāhmaṇas, in das Boot.

Synonyms

• ध्यायन्: meditating
• ध्यायन्: Kriyā (सहायक/समकालिक)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्यय (present active participle); पुंलिङ्ग प्रथमा एकवचन; समकालिक क्रिया

• भगवदादेशम्: the Lord’s command
• भगवदादेशम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् + आदेश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन; समासः—षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (the Lord’s instruction)

• ददृशे: saw
• ददृशे: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √दृश् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• नावम्: a boat
• नावम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नौ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• आगताम्: arrived, come
• आगताम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ√गम् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्यय (past passive participle); स्त्रीलिङ्ग द्वितीया एकवचन; विशेषण (of ‘नावम्’)

• ताम्: that (boat)
• ताम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम (refers to ‘नावम्’)

• आरुरोह: boarded, climbed onto
• आरुरोह: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ√रुह् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect); प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विप्रेन्द्रैः: with the foremost brāhmaṇas
• विप्रेन्द्रैः: Sahakārī/Karaṇa (सह/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विप्र + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया विभक्ति (Instrumental/सह), बहुवचन; समासः—कर्मधारय (chief of brāhmaṇas)

• आदाय: having taken
• आदाय: Kriyā (अनुबन्ध/पूर्वक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ√दा (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया

• औषधिवीरुधः: herbs and creepers
• औषधिवीरुधः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: औषधि + वीरुध् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्व (herbs and creepers)

Characters & Entities

• Manu (Satyavrata)
• Bhagavān (Matsya)

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam 8.24.42 say about following the Lord’s instruction?

This verse shows Manu meditating on and acting upon Bhagavān’s command—he recognizes the Lord’s arrangement (the arriving boat) and prepares responsibly by taking saintly brāhmaṇas and preserving essential herbs and plants.

Why did Manu take brāhmaṇas and medicinal herbs onto the boat during pralaya?

In the pralaya narrative, Manu safeguards both spiritual guidance (the foremost brāhmaṇas who uphold Vedic dharma) and practical necessities (medicinal herbs and plants) to help restore life and order after the flood.

How can this verse be applied in modern life as a devotional teaching?

Keep the Lord’s guidance at the center (dhyāna and obedience), and pair faith with preparedness—preserve what sustains life, seek wise counsel, and act calmly when circumstances feel overwhelming.