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
हे पुरुषश्रेष्ठ! सृष्टी-स्थिती-प्रलयाचे स्वामी! हे विभो विष्णु! आम्हा शरणागत भक्तांचा आपणच प्रमुख नेता व परम गती आहात. आपणास नमस्कार।
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.