Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

त्रिलोक्यां लीयमानायां संवर्ताम्भसि वै तदा । उपस्थास्यति नौ: काचिद् विशाला त्वां मयेरिता ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

tri-lokyāṁ līyamānāyāṁ saṁvartāmbhasi vai tadā upasthāsyati nauḥ kācid viśālā tvāṁ mayeritā

Translation

ത്രിലോകവും പ്രളയജലത്തിൽ ലയിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുമ്പോൾ, ഞാൻ അയച്ച ഒരു വിശാലമായ नौക നിന്റെ മുമ്പിൽ പ്രത്യക്ഷപ്പെടും.

Synonyms

• tri-lokyām: in the three worlds
• tri-lokyām: Adhikaraṇa (location/time context)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tri (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + lokī/loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga (feminine), Saptamī (Loc.), Ekavacana; dvigu: triṇāṁ lokānāṁ (lokyām)

• līyamānāyām: while (it is) dissolving
• līyamānāyām: Kāla/avasthā (state)
• Type: Verb
• Root: lī (धातु)
• Form: Śānac-pratyaya (present passive participle/शानच्), Strīliṅga, Saptamī (Loc.), Ekavacana; agrees with tri-lokyām

• saṁvarta-ambhasi: in the waters of cosmic dissolution
• saṁvarta-ambhasi: Adhikaraṇa (location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saṁvarta (प्रातिपदिक) + ambhas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुṁsaka, Saptamī (Loc.), Ekavacana; tatpuruṣa: saṁvartasya ambhasi

• vai: indeed
• vai: Nipāta
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; emphasis particle

• tadā: then
• tadā: Kāla (time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; time adverb

• upasthāsyati: will appear/come near
• upasthāsyati: Kriyā
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-sthā (धातु)
• Form: Luṭ (Periphrastic Future), Prathama-puruṣa, Ekavacana, Parasmaipada

• nauḥ: a boat
• nauḥ: Karta (subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nau (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (Nom.), Ekavacana

• kācid: some
• kācid: Viśeṣaṇa of nauḥ
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (Nom.), Ekavacana; indefinite pronoun used adjectivally

• viśālā: large
• viśālā: Viśeṣaṇa
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viśāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Strīliṅga, Prathamā (Nom.), Ekavacana; agrees with nauḥ

• tvām: you
• tvām: Karma (object) of upasthāsyati (approach you)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yusmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Dvitīyā (Acc.), Ekavacana

• mayā: by me
• mayā: Kartṛ-karaṇa (agent) with passive participle
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tṛtīyā (Instr.), Ekavacana

• īritā: sent/impelled
• īritā: Karta-viśeṣaṇa / predicate participle
• Type: Verb
• Root: īr (धातु)
• Form: Kta (past passive participle), Strīliṅga, Prathamā (Nom.), Ekavacana; agrees with nauḥ

Characters & Entities

• Matsya (Vishnu)
• Satyavrata (King Satyavrata/Vaivasvata Manu)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about protection during pralaya (cosmic dissolution)?

In this verse, Lord Matsya assures that when the three worlds dissolve into the waters of devastation, a huge boat sent by Him will appear—showing the Lord’s direct protection of His devotee even during pralaya.

Why did Lord Matsya say this to Satyavrata (Vaivasvata Manu)?

Because the deluge was imminent; the Lord was instructing Satyavrata in advance that He would arrange the means of rescue (the great boat) so the devotee could safely endure the dissolution and carry out the divine mission.

Practical application of surrender to Vishnu in modern life?

This verse teaches trust in divine guidance: when circumstances feel overwhelming, a devotee continues faithful duty, confident that the Lord provides the right support and direction at the needed time.