Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 6
मत्स्यावतारवर्णनम्
The Description of the Matsya Incarnation
ब्रह्मावगम्यते इति ख, ग, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः अगोत्रचरणं परमिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः न मां क्षिप नृपोत्तम इति ख, ग, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः प्>ग्राहादिभ्यो भयं मे ऽद्य तच् छ्रुत्वा कलशे ऽक्षिपत् स तु वृद्धः पुनर्मत्स्यः प्राह तं देहि मे वृहत्
brahmāvagamyate iti kha, ga, gha, cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ agotracaraṇaṃ paramiti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ na māṃ kṣipa nṛpottama iti kha, ga, gha, cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ p>grāhādibhyo bhayaṃ me 'dya tac chrutvā kalaśe 'kṣipat sa tu vṛddhaḥ punarmatsyaḥ prāha taṃ dehi me vṛhat
«(Leçons variantes :) “On le comprend comme Brahman” — ainsi lisent les trois manuscrits marqués (kha, ga, gha). “Le Suprême est au-delà de la lignée et de la recension védique” — ainsi lit le manuscrit marqué (ga). “Ne me jette pas, ô meilleur des rois” — ainsi lisent les trois manuscrits (kha, ga, gha). “Aujourd’hui je crains les crocodiles et autres semblables.” L’ayant entendu, il le plaça dans une jarre d’eau. Puis, lorsque le poisson eut de nouveau grandi, il dit : “Donne-moi un récipient plus grand.”»
Narrator voice of the Purana (Agni Purana’s recitational frame; verse reports the fish’s speech to the king)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Illustrates protective custody (placing the fish in a jar) and responsiveness to escalating needs; also preserves textual-critical awareness via variant readings, useful for reciters and editors.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Matsya’s Fear of Crocodiles; Growth and Request for Larger Vessel (with Variant Readings)","lookup_keywords":["textual variants","graha fear","kalasha","Matsya growth","Brahman reading"],"quick_summary":"Records manuscript variants and narrates the fish’s plea for safety from predators, prompting Manu to place it in a jar; as it grows, it asks for a larger container—signaling divine, limitless nature."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic escalation)
Concept: Sevā and rakṣaṇa as spiritual practice; the infinite (Brahman/Vishnu) reveals itself through progressive signs beyond ordinary containment.
Application: Respond to duties proportionally as circumstances expand; cultivate discernment and humility when encountering the extraordinary; for scholars, respect pāṭhabheda while preserving narrative sense.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Pralaya-katha (Matsya-avatara narrative; protection of life and dharma)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Manu gently places the fish into a water-jar (kalaśa); later the fish appears larger within the jar, pressing against its limits, asking for a bigger abode; shadowy crocodiles implied outside.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, kalaśa prominently centered with patterned bands, fish inside with glowing aura, stylized crocodile forms at the river edge, Manu in calm protective posture, bold outlines and flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly ornamented kalaśa with gold work, fish with gold-highlighted scales, Manu with halo, decorative river scene, luxuriant textiles and embossed gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, sequential panel-like depiction: (1) fish in jar, (2) fish grown and requesting larger vessel; clear instructional storytelling, soft pastel background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic glass/earthen jar rendering with water reflections, fish enlarged, attendants and river fauna, crocodile hinted in margins, fine manuscript border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: me adya → me 'dya; tat śrutvā → tac chrutvā; kalaśe akṣipat → kalaśe 'kṣipat. (Item contains extensive manuscript-variant notes; analysis focuses on the main running text segment: grāhādibhyo ... dehi me vṛhat.)
Related Themes: Agni Purana continuation where fish is moved to larger waters and finally the ocean; flood warning and ark motif
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys a narrative instruction in protection (rakṣaṇa)—the king preserves the fish by transferring it to a safer container as it grows.
It illustrates the Purana’s multi-layered transmission: (1) mythic avatāra narrative (Matsya motif) and (2) explicit textual-critical awareness via manuscript variant readings, showing how the text preserves multiple recensions alongside the story.
Compassionate protection of life (dayā and rakṣā) is presented as dharmic conduct; safeguarding a vulnerable being becomes the karmically meritorious trigger for receiving divine guidance associated with the Matsya narrative.