Agni Purana — Avatara-lila, Shloka 6
मत्स्यावतारवर्णनम्
The Description of the Matsya Incarnation
ब्रह्मावगम्यते इति ख, ग, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः अगोत्रचरणं परमिति ग, चिह्नितपुस्तकपाठः न मां क्षिप नृपोत्तम इति ख, ग, घ, चिह्नितपुस्तकत्रयपाठः प्>ग्राहादिभ्यो भयं मे ऽद्य तच् छ्रुत्वा कलशे ऽक्षिपत् स तु वृद्धः पुनर्मत्स्यः प्राह तं देहि मे वृहत्
brahmāvagamyate iti kha, ga, gha, cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ agotracaraṇaṃ paramiti ga, cihnitapustakapāṭhaḥ na māṃ kṣipa nṛpottama iti kha, ga, gha, cihnitapustakatrayapāṭhaḥ p>grāhādibhyo bhayaṃ me 'dya tac chrutvā kalaśe 'kṣipat sa tu vṛddhaḥ punarmatsyaḥ prāha taṃ dehi me vṛhat
ข้อความต่างฉบับ: “พึงเข้าใจว่าเป็นพรหมัน”—(ข, ค, ฆ); “ความสูงสุดอยู่เหนือโคตรและสาขาเวท”—(ค); “อย่าทิ้งข้าเลย โอราชาผู้ประเสริฐ”—(ข, ค, ฆ); และ “วันนี้ข้ากลัวจระเข้และสิ่งอื่นๆ” ครั้นได้ยินดังนั้น เขาจึงใส่มันลงในหม้อน้ำ. ต่อมาเมื่อปลานั้นเติบโตขึ้น ก็กล่าวอีกว่า “จงให้ภาชนะที่ใหญ่กว่านี้แก่ข้า”
Narrator voice of the Purana (Agni Purana’s recitational frame; verse reports the fish’s speech to the king)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Avatara-Katha","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Illustrates protective custody (placing the fish in a jar) and responsiveness to escalating needs; also preserves textual-critical awareness via variant readings, useful for reciters and editors.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Commentary","entry_title":"Matsya’s Fear of Crocodiles; Growth and Request for Larger Vessel (with Variant Readings)","lookup_keywords":["textual variants","graha fear","kalasha","Matsya growth","Brahman reading"],"quick_summary":"Records manuscript variants and narrates the fish’s plea for safety from predators, prompting Manu to place it in a jar; as it grows, it asks for a larger container—signaling divine, limitless nature."}
Alamkara Type: Atiśayokti (hyperbolic escalation)
Concept: Sevā and rakṣaṇa as spiritual practice; the infinite (Brahman/Vishnu) reveals itself through progressive signs beyond ordinary containment.
Application: Respond to duties proportionally as circumstances expand; cultivate discernment and humility when encountering the extraordinary; for scholars, respect pāṭhabheda while preserving narrative sense.
Khanda Section: Avataras & Pralaya-katha (Matsya-avatara narrative; protection of life and dharma)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Type: River
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Manu gently places the fish into a water-jar (kalaśa); later the fish appears larger within the jar, pressing against its limits, asking for a bigger abode; shadowy crocodiles implied outside.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, kalaśa prominently centered with patterned bands, fish inside with glowing aura, stylized crocodile forms at the river edge, Manu in calm protective posture, bold outlines and flat colors.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore, richly ornamented kalaśa with gold work, fish with gold-highlighted scales, Manu with halo, decorative river scene, luxuriant textiles and embossed gold detailing.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, sequential panel-like depiction: (1) fish in jar, (2) fish grown and requesting larger vessel; clear instructional storytelling, soft pastel background.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, realistic glass/earthen jar rendering with water reflections, fish enlarged, attendants and river fauna, crocodile hinted in margins, fine manuscript border."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"instructional","suggested_raga":"Shuddha Saveri","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"instructional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: me adya → me 'dya; tat śrutvā → tac chrutvā; kalaśe akṣipat → kalaśe 'kṣipat. (Item contains extensive manuscript-variant notes; analysis focuses on the main running text segment: grāhādibhyo ... dehi me vṛhat.)
Related Themes: Agni Purana continuation where fish is moved to larger waters and finally the ocean; flood warning and ark motif
FAQs
No ritual procedure is taught here; the verse conveys a narrative instruction in protection (rakṣaṇa)—the king preserves the fish by transferring it to a safer container as it grows.
It illustrates the Purana’s multi-layered transmission: (1) mythic avatāra narrative (Matsya motif) and (2) explicit textual-critical awareness via manuscript variant readings, showing how the text preserves multiple recensions alongside the story.
Compassionate protection of life (dayā and rakṣā) is presented as dharmic conduct; safeguarding a vulnerable being becomes the karmically meritorious trigger for receiving divine guidance associated with the Matsya narrative.