Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 28
Matsya-avatāra: The Lord as Fish Saves the Vedas and Guides Satyavrata
नमस्ते पुरुषश्रेष्ठ स्थित्युत्पत्त्यप्ययेश्वर । भक्तानां न: प्रपन्नानां मुख्यो ह्यात्मगतिर्विभो ॥ २८ ॥
namas te puruṣa-śreṣṭha sthity-utpatty-apyayeśvara bhaktānāṁ naḥ prapannānāṁ mukhyo hy ātma-gatir vibho
ഹേ പുരുഷശ്രേഷ്ഠാ! സൃഷ്ടി-സ്ഥിതി-പ്രളയങ്ങളുടെ അധിപനേ! ഹേ വിഭു വിഷ്ണുവേ! ഞങ്ങൾ ശരണാഗത ഭക്തർക്കു നിങ്ങൾ തന്നെയാണ് മുഖ്യനായകനും പരമഗതിയും. നമസ്കാരം.
FAQs
This verse declares that for surrendered devotees (prapannānām), the Lord Himself is the highest refuge and ultimate destination (mukhyo hy ātma-gatiḥ).
In his prayer to Lord Matsya, Satyavrata acknowledges the Lord’s supreme lordship over all cosmic functions—creation, preservation, and annihilation—showing that the avatāra is the same Supreme Controller.
It teaches devotional priority: instead of seeking ultimate security in temporary supports, one can practice surrender through prayer, remembrance, and aligning decisions with devotion, seeing God as the final shelter.