Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 14
Matsya-avatāra: The Lord as Fish Saves the Vedas and Guides Satyavrata
तमाह सातिकरुणं महाकारुणिकं नृपम् । यादोभ्यो ज्ञातिघातिभ्यो दीनां मां दीनवत्सल । कथं विसृजसे राजन् भीतामस्मिन् सरिज्जले ॥ १४ ॥
tam āha sātikaruṇaṁ mahā-kāruṇikaṁ nṛpam yādobhyo jñāti-ghātibhyo dīnāṁ māṁ dīna-vatsala kathaṁ visṛjase rājan bhītām asmin sarij-jale
那可怜的小鱼以柔和动听的声音对极其慈悲的萨提亚弗拉塔王说道：大王，怜悯贫弱者的护佑者啊，你为何把我放入这河水中？这里有别的水族会杀害我；我对它们十分恐惧。
In the Matsya Purāṇa it is said:
FAQs
This verse highlights the ideal of dīna-vatsalatā—showing protective compassion toward the frightened and helpless—by appealing to the king’s merciful nature, which the Lord Himself draws out as part of divine instruction.
The fish (actually the Lord as Matsya in disguise) appealed to Satyavrata’s mercy to awaken and test his protective dharma, drawing him into the divine līlā that would culminate in the Lord’s revelation and guidance.
Practice dīna-vatsalatā: respond to vulnerability with protection and responsibility—help those who are afraid or exposed to harm, rather than abandoning them when they depend on you.