Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 14
Matsya-avatāra: The Lord as Fish Saves the Vedas and Guides Satyavrata
तमाह सातिकरुणं महाकारुणिकं नृपम् । यादोभ्यो ज्ञातिघातिभ्यो दीनां मां दीनवत्सल । कथं विसृजसे राजन् भीतामस्मिन् सरिज्जले ॥ १४ ॥
tam āha sātikaruṇaṁ mahā-kāruṇikaṁ nṛpam yādobhyo jñāti-ghātibhyo dīnāṁ māṁ dīna-vatsala kathaṁ visṛjase rājan bhītām asmin sarij-jale
D’une voix douce, le petit poisson misérable dit au roi Satyavrata, si compatissant : Ô roi, protecteur des pauvres, pourquoi me jettes-tu dans l’eau de cette rivière ? Il s’y trouve d’autres êtres aquatiques capables de me tuer ; je les crains grandement.
In the Matsya Purāṇa it is said:
FAQs
This verse highlights the ideal of dīna-vatsalatā—showing protective compassion toward the frightened and helpless—by appealing to the king’s merciful nature, which the Lord Himself draws out as part of divine instruction.
The fish (actually the Lord as Matsya in disguise) appealed to Satyavrata’s mercy to awaken and test his protective dharma, drawing him into the divine līlā that would culminate in the Lord’s revelation and guidance.
Practice dīna-vatsalatā: respond to vulnerability with protection and responsibility—help those who are afraid or exposed to harm, rather than abandoning them when they depend on you.