Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

निबध्य नावं तच्छृङ्गे यथोक्तो हरिणा पुरा । वरत्रेणाहिना तुष्टस्तुष्टाव मधुसूदनम् ॥ ४५ ॥

Transliteration

nibadhya nāvaṁ tac-chṛṅge yathokto hariṇā purā varatreṇāhinā tuṣṭas tuṣṭāva madhusūdanam

Translation

Ayon sa dating tagubilin ni Hari, itinali ng hari ang bangka sa sungay ng isda, gamit ang ahas na si Vāsuki bilang lubid. Nasiyahan siya at nagsimulang maghandog ng mga papuri kay Madhusūdana.

Synonyms

• निबध्य: having tied
• निबध्य: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकाल-क्रिया)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नि-बन्ध् (धातु) → निबध्य (क्त्वा/ल्यप् अव्ययभाव)
• Form: क्त्वान्त/ल्यपन्त अव्यय (gerund); ‘having bound’

• नावम्: the boat
• नावम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: नौ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• तत्-शृङ्गे: on that (fish’s) horn
• तत्-शृङ्गे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) + शृङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘on its horn’

• यथा-उक्तः: as instructed
• यथा-उक्तः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यथा (अव्यय) + उक्त (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; वच् धातु)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP) ‘said’; पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; अव्ययीभावः ‘as said/according to instruction’

• हरिणा: by Hari
• हरिणा: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचन

• पुरा: formerly/earlier
• पुरा: Kala (काल/Time)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुरा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (temporal adverb)

• वरत्रेण: with a rope
• वरत्रेण: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वरत्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• अहिना: with a serpent
• अहिना: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अहि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• तुष्टः: pleased
• तुष्टः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तुष् (धातु) → तुष्ट (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (क्त/PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘pleased’

• तुष्टाव: praised
• तुष्टाव: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्तु (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद; ‘praised’

• मधुसूदनम्: Madhusūdana (Vishnu)
• मधुसूदनम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मधु (प्रातिपदिक) + सूदन (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; सूद् धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘slayer of Madhu’

Characters & Entities

• Hari
• Matsya
• Satyavrata (King)
• Vāsuki
• Madhusūdana

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Matsya Avatar saving devotees during pralaya?

This verse shows the Lord’s practical protection: by His prior instruction, the devotee secures the boat to Matsya’s horn, and the Lord personally guides and tows it through the deluge.

Why did Satyavrata offer prayers to Madhusudana after tying the boat to Matsya’s horn?

Because he recognized the Lord as his protector and guide; after following Hari’s instruction and receiving shelter, he responded with gratitude and devotion through prayer.

Practical application of surrender and divine guidance in modern life?

Follow genuine spiritual instruction with faith and steadiness, and cultivate gratitude—seeing protection and direction as coming from the Lord, expressed through sincere prayer and remembrance.