Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

दोधूयमानां तां नावं समीरेण बलीयसा । उपस्थितस्य मे श‍ृङ्गे निबध्नीहि महाहिना ॥ ३६ ॥

Transliteration

dodhūyamānāṁ tāṁ nāvaṁ samīreṇa balīyasā upasthitasya me śṛṅge nibadhnīhi mahāhinā

Translation

Then, when the boat is tossed about by mighty winds, bind the vessel to My horn that will be near you, using the great serpent Vāsuki as the rope; for I shall be present at your side.

Synonyms

• दोधूयमानाम्: being tossed/shaken
• दोधूयमानाम्: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दो√धू (धातु) + शानच् (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमानकाले कर्मणि/भावे कृदन्त (present passive participle, शानच्); स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नावम् इति विशेष्ये

• ताम्: that
• ताम्: Karma (कर्म/Object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम-विशेषण; स्त्रीलिङ्ग; द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; नावम् इति विशेष्ये

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

• समीरेण: by the wind
• समीरेण: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समीरण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• बलीयसा: stronger; more powerful
• बलीयसा: Karana (करण/Instrument qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बलिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तुलनात्मक-विशेषण (comparative); पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग-रूपेण तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समीरेण इति विशेष्ये

• उपस्थितस्य: of (me) who is present/appeared
• उपस्थितस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उप√स्था (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (PPP, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग; षष्ठी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; शृङ्गे इति सम्बन्धः (of the one who has appeared/present)

• मे: my
• मे: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम; षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

• शृङ्गे: on the horn
• शृङ्गे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शृङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; सप्तमी-विभक्ति (Locative/7th), एकवचन

• निबध्नीहि: bind; fasten
• निबध्नीहि: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि√बन्ध् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative); मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• महाहिना: with a great serpent
• महाहिना: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महा + अहि (प्रातिपदिक-द्वय)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; ‘महान् अहिः’ इति कर्मधारयः

Characters & Entities

• Matsya
• Satyavrata (Vaivasvata Manu)
• Vāsuki (the great serpent)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Matsya Avatar saving Manu during the flood?

In this verse, Matsya instructs that the storm-tossed boat be tied to His horn, showing the Lord’s direct protection of His devotee and the sacred mission during pralaya.

Why did Matsya tell Satyavrata (Manu) to bind the boat to His horn with a great serpent?

Because the winds and waters were overpowering; tying the boat to Matsya’s horn with the great serpent provides a secure divine anchor so Manu and the sages can be guided safely through the deluge.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

When life feels “storm-tossed,” take shelter of the Lord as the steady refuge—bind the mind to Him through prayer, chanting, and disciplined devotion rather than relying only on fragile worldly supports.