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Shloka 9

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

ज्ञात्वा तद् दानवेन्द्रस्य हयग्रीवस्य चेष्टितम् । दधार शफरीरूपं भगवान् हरिरीश्वर: ॥ ९ ॥

jñātvā tad dānavendrasya hayagrīvasya ceṣṭitam dadhāra śapharī-rūpaṁ bhagavān harir īśvaraḥ

Setelah mengetahui perbuatan raja asura Hayagrīva, Bhagavān Hari, Tuhan Yang Maha Berdaulat lagi penuh segala kemuliaan, mengambil rupa ikan (Matsya) dan demi memelihara Veda membunuh asura itu.

ज्ञात्वाhaving known
ज्ञात्वा:
Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
TypeVerb
Rootज्ञा (धातु)
Formक्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (Gerund/Absolutive), पूर्वकाल (prior action), from √ज्ञा
तत्that
तत्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootतद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)
दानवेन्द्रस्यof the lord of the Dānavas
दानवेन्द्रस्य:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
TypeNoun
Rootदानव + इन्द्र (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: दानवानाम् इन्द्रः
हयग्रीवस्यof Hayagrīva
हयग्रीवस्य:
Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
TypeNoun
Rootहय + ग्रीव (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: हयस्य ग्रीवा यस्य (name)
चेष्टितम्the deed/act
चेष्टितम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootचेष्टित (प्रातिपदिक; √चेष्ट्)
FormNeuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; भाववाचक/कर्मवाचक ‘act, deed’
दधारassumed/bore
दधार:
Kriyā (क्रिया)
TypeVerb
Rootधृ (धातु)
Formलिट् (Perfect/परोक्षभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन (singular), परस्मैपद
शफरीरूपम्the form of a śapharī (fish)
शफरीरूपम्:
Karma (कर्म)
TypeNoun
Rootशफरी + रूप (प्रातिपदिक)
FormNeuter, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: शफर्याः रूपम्
भगवान्the Blessed Lord
भगवान्:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootभगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular
हरिःHari
हरिः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootहरि (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular
ईश्वरःthe Lord
ईश्वरः:
Karta (कर्ता)
TypeNoun
Rootईश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
FormMasculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular; apposition to हरिः/भगवान्

Because everything was inundated by water, to save the Vedas it was necessary for the Lord to assume the form of a fish.

H
Hari (Bhagavān)
H
Hayagrīva

FAQs

In this verse, Śukadeva explains that the Supreme Lord Hari assumed the fish form after understanding the plans of the Daitya king Hayagrīva—showing the Lord’s timely descent to protect dharma.

Because He discerned Hayagrīva’s intentions and actions; as the supreme controller, He adopted an appropriate form to counter the threat and accomplish His divine purpose.

When challenges arise, this verse reminds devotees that the Lord is aware of all circumstances and can provide protection and guidance in the most suitable way—encouraging faith, steadiness, and dharmic action.