Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

एकदा कृतमालायां कुर्वतो जलतर्पणम् । तस्याञ्जल्युदके काचिच्छफर्येकाभ्यपद्यत ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

ekadā kṛtamālāyāṁ kurvato jala-tarpaṇam tasyāñjaly-udake kācic chaphary ekābhyapadyata

Translation

ഒരു ദിവസം കൃതമാലാ നദീതീരത്ത് ജലതർപ്പണം ചെയ്യുമ്പോൾ, അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ അഞ്ജലിയിലെ വെള്ളത്തിൽ ഒരു ചെറിയ മത്സ്യം പ്രത്യക്ഷപ്പെട്ടു।

Synonyms

• एकदा: once
• एकदा: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एकदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक अव्यय (adverb of time)

• कृतमालायाम्: in the (river) Kṛtamālā
• कृतमालायाम्: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कृतमाला (प्रातिपदिक; नदी-नाम)
• Form: Feminine, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular

• कुर्वतः: while (he) was doing
• कुर्वतः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ (धातु) + शतृ (प्रत्यय)
• Form: शतृ-प्रत्ययान्त वर्तमानकृदन्त (present active participle), Masculine/Neuter, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; ‘of (him) doing’

• जलतर्पणम्: water libation (tarpana)
• जलतर्पणम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जल + तर्पण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष: जलेन/जलस्य तर्पणम् (water-offering/oblations with water)

• तस्य: of him
• तस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular

• अञ्जलि-उदके: in the water held in (his) palms
• अञ्जलि-उदके: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अञ्जलि + उदक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular; तत्पुरुष: अञ्जलौ उदकम् (water in the joined palms)

• काचित्: a certain (female)
• काचित्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: का (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; अनिश्चितवाचक सर्वनाम

• शफरी: a śapharī fish
• शफरी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शफरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular

• एका: one/single
• एका: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; विशेषण of शफरी

• अभ्यपद्यत: came/approached
• अभ्यपद्यत: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + पद् (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect/अनद्यतनभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन, आत्मनेपद; उपसर्ग: अभि; ‘approached/entered’

Characters & Entities

• Manu
• Matsya (as the small fish)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Matsya Avatar appearing as a fish?

In this verse, the Lord’s Matsya-līlā begins subtly: a small fish enters Manu’s cupped water during tarpaṇa, initiating the divine sequence that will lead to protection during the flood.

Why did the fish come into Manu’s hands during water offering (tarpaṇa)?

The narrative presents it as providential—Matsya appears in an ordinary moment of dharma (ritual duty), drawing Manu into a relationship of protection and guidance that culminates in saving him during pralaya.

Practical application of this Bhagavatam verse in modern life?

Stay attentive to divine help arriving in simple, everyday moments—especially while practicing sincere duty and devotion—because grace often begins in small, unexpected ways.