Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

त्वं तावदोषधी: सर्वा बीजान्युच्चावचानि च । सप्तर्षिभि: परिवृत: सर्वसत्त्वोपबृंहित: ॥ ३४ ॥ आरुह्य बृहतीं नावं विचरिष्यस्यविक्लव: । एकार्णवे निरालोके ऋषीणामेव वर्चसा ॥ ३५ ॥

Transliteration

tvaṁ tāvad oṣadhīḥ sarvā bījāny uccāvacāni ca saptarṣibhiḥ parivṛtaḥ sarva-sattvopabṛṁhitaḥ

Translation

Thereafter, O King, gather every kind of herb and all varieties of seeds, and load them upon that great boat. Surrounded by all living beings and accompanied by the seven ṛṣis, board the vessel; free from sorrow you shall travel easily upon the single ocean of devastation, though all is dark, taking only the effulgence of the great sages as your light.

Synonyms

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम (pronoun); उत्तम-पुरुषार्थे (2nd person reference); प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular)

• तावत्: for the time being; then
• तावत्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Discourse particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तावत् (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable); काल/परिमाण-निर्देशक (temporal/extent particle)

• ओषधीः: medicinal herbs; plants
• ओषधीः: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ओषधि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine); द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• सर्वाः: all
• सर्वाः: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: विशेषण (adjective); स्त्रीलिङ्ग (Feminine); द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural); ओषधीः इति विशेष्य-सामानाधिकरण्यम्

• बीजानि: seeds
• बीजानि: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बीज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter); द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural)

• उच्चावचानि: high and low; various kinds
• उच्चावचानि: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उच्च + अवच (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: विशेषण (adjective); नपुंसकलिङ्ग (Neuter); द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/2nd), बहुवचन (Plural); बीजानि इति विशेष्य-सामानाधिकरण्यम्

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्यय (conjunction)

• सप्तर्षिभिः: by/with the seven sages
• सप्तर्षिभिः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सप्त + ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine); तृतीया-विभक्ति (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन (Plural); ‘सप्त’ संख्या-पूर्वपद (numeral qualifier)

• परिवृतः: surrounded; accompanied
• परिवृतः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि√वृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त-प्रत्यय)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine); प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/1st), एकवचन (Singular); कर्तरि/विशेषणरूपेण ‘त्वम्’ इति विशेष्ये

• सर्वसत्त्वोपबृंहितः: nourished/strengthened with all living beings (i.e., carrying them)
• सर्वसत्त्वोपबृंहितः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व + सत्त्व + उप√बृंह् (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: समासः (compound) ‘सर्व-सत्त्व’ (all beings) + ‘उपबृंहित’ (nourished/strengthened); भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग (Masculine); प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘त्वम्’ इति विशेष्ये

Characters & Entities

• Matsya
• Satyavrata Manu (Vaivasvata Manu)
• Saptarishi

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about preserving life during pralaya (cosmic dissolution)?

In this verse, Lord Matsya instructs Manu to gather all medicinal herbs and diverse seeds and to remain with the Saptarishis and living beings—showing divine, dharmic preservation through the Lord’s guidance.

Why did Matsya Avatar instruct Manu to collect herbs and seeds?

Because after the floods of pralaya, creation and civilization must be re-established; preserving seeds and medicinal plants ensures renewal of agriculture, health, and life under the Lord’s protection.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Prepare responsibly for change while staying anchored in spiritual guidance—protect essentials, act with foresight, and keep saintly association (sādhu-saṅga) as your shelter.