Shloka 40
Adhyāya 188: Mārkaṇḍeya’s Account of Yuga-Decline and the Restoration Motif
Kali-yuga to Kalki
शड्डिणं तं यथोक्तेन रूपेणाद्रिमिवोच्छितम् । वटारकमयं पाशमथ मत्स्यस्य मूर्थनि,शत्रुनगरविजयी नरेश्वर! तदनन्तर मनुने भगवान् मत्स्यका चिन्तन किया। यह जानकर शृंंगधारी भगवान् मत्स्य वहाँ शीघ्र आ पहुँचे। नरश्रेष्ठ भरतकुलशिरोमणे! समुद्रमें अपने पूर्वकथित रूपसे ऊँचे पर्वतकी भाँति शृंगंधारी मत्स्य भगवानको आया देख उनके मस्तकवर्ती सींगमें उन्होंने बँटी हुई रस्सी बाँध दी
ṣaḍḍiṇaṃ taṃ yathoktena rūpeṇādrimivocchritam | vaṭārakamayaṃ pāśam atha matsyasya mūrdhani ||
马尔坎德耶说道：“随后，摩奴看见那长角之鱼，正如先前所述之形相——巍然高耸，如同山岳——便将以婆吒罗（vaṭāra）纤维制成、编作套索的绳索，系在鱼的头上（其角处）。继而，摩奴观想那神圣之鱼，了知主宰的临在；那负角之鱼亦迅疾而至。噢，大王，攻克敌城者！当摩奴见主鱼自海中升起，宛若高山，他便把那股编绳系在其头上之角。”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic preparedness joined with devotion: Manu follows the earlier instruction (yathokta) and, through mindful remembrance of the Lord, receives timely divine aid. Ethical emphasis falls on disciplined action, trust in righteous guidance, and the idea that divine protection supports those who act responsibly.
In Mārkaṇḍeya’s narration of the Manu–Matsya episode, the horned divine Fish appears in the ocean in the foretold gigantic form. Manu secures a braided rope/noose made from vaṭāra fibres to the Fish’s horn/head, preparing for the forthcoming task in which the Fish will guide and protect (as in the deluge tradition).