> > Srimad Bhagavatam - Canto 8
> > Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
> > (for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)

> > *****

> > Canto 8: 'Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations'

> > ****

> > Chapter Twenty-four: Matsya, the Lord's Fish Incarnation

> > *****

> > TEXT 1

> > srî-rajovâca

> > bhagavân chrotum icchâmi

> > harer adbhuta-karmanah

> > avatâra-kathâm âdyâm

> > maya-matsya-vidambanam

> > srî-râja uvâca--King Parîksit said; bhagavan--O most powerful; srotum--to hear; icchâmi--I desire; hareh--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari; adbhuta-karmanah--whose activities are wonderful; avatâra-kathâm--pastimes of the incarnation; âdyâm--first; mâyâ-matsya-vidambanam--which is simply an imitation of a fish.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Maharaja Pariksit said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, is eternally situated in His transcendental position, yet He descends to this material world and manifests Himself in various incarnations. His first incarnation was that of a great fish. O most powerful Sukadeva Gosvami, I wish to hear from you the pastimes of that fish incarnation.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 2-3

> > yad-artham adadhâd rûpam

> > mâtsyam loka-jugupsitam

> > tamah-prakrti-durmarsam

> > karma-grasta ivesvarah

> > etan no bhagavan sarvam

> > yathâvad vaktum arhasi

> > uttamasloka-caritam

> > sarva-loka-sukhâvaham

> > yat-artham--for what purpose; adadhât--accepted; rûpam--form; mâtsyam--of a fish; loka-jugupsitam--which is certainly not very favorable in this world; tamah--in the mode of ignorance; prakrti--such behavior; durmarsam--which is certainly very painful and condemned; karma-grastah--one who is under the laws of karma; iva--like; îsvarah--the Supreme Personality of Godhead;

> > etat--all these facts; nah--unto us; bhagavan--O most powerful sage; sarvam--everything; yathâvat--properly; vaktum arhasi--kindly describe; uttamasloka-caritam--the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sarva-loka-sukha-âvaham--by hearing of which everyone becomes happy.

> > TRANSLATION

> > What was the purpose for which the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepted the abominable form of a fish, exactly as an ordinary living being accepts different forms under the laws of karma? The form of a fish is certainly condemned and full of terrible pain. O my lord, what was the purpose of this incarnation? Kindly explain this to us, for hearing about the pastimes of the Lord is auspicious for everyone.

> > *****

> > TEXT 4

> > srû-sûta uvâca

> > ity ukto visnu-râtena

> > bhagavân bâdarâyanih

> > uvâca caritam visnor

> > matsya-rûpena yat krtam

> > srî-sûtah uvâca--Srî Sûta Gosvâmî said; iti uktah--thus being questioned; visnu-râtena--by Mahârâja Parîksit, known as Visnurâta; bhagavân--the most powerful; bâdarâyanih--the son of Vyâsadeva, Sukadeva Gosvâmî; uvâca--said; caritam--the pastimes; visnoh--of Lord Visnu; matsya-rûpena--by Him in the form of a fish; yat--whatever; krtam--was done.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Suta Gosvami said: When Pariksit Maharaja thus inquired from Sukadeva Gosvami, that most powerful saintly person began describing the pastimes of the Lord's incarnation as a fish.

> > *****

> > TEXT 5

> > srî-suka uvâca

> > go-vipra-sura-sâdhûnâm

> > chandasâm api cesvarah

> > raksâm icchams tanûr dhatte

> > dharmasyârthasya caiva hi

> > srî-sukah uvâca--Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmî said; go--of the cows; vipra--of the brâhmanas; sura--of the demigods; sâdhûnâm--and of the devotees; chandasâm api--even of the Vedic literature; ca--and; îsvarah--the supreme controller; raksâm--the protection; icchan--desiring; tanûh dhatte--accepts the forms of incarnations; dharmasya--of the principles of religion; arthasya--of the principles of the purpose of life; ca--and; eva--indeed; hi--certainly.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: O King, for the sake of protecting the cows, brahmanas, demigods, devotees, the Vedic literature, religious principles, and principles to fulfill the purpose of life, the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepts the forms of incarnations.

> > *****

> > TEXT 6

> > uccâvacesu bhûtesu

> > caran vâyur ivesvarah

> > noccâvacatvam bhajate

> > nirgunatvâd dhiyo gunaih

> > ucca-avacesu--having higher or lower bodily forms; bhûtesu--among the living entities; caran--behaving; vâyuh iva--exactly like the air; îsvarah--the Supreme Lord; na--not; ucca-avacatvam--the quality of higher or lower grades of life; bhajate--accepts; nirgunatvât--because of being transcendental, above all material qualities; dhiyah--generally; gunaih--by the modes of material nature.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Like the air passing through different types of atmosphere, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, although appearing sometimes as a human being and sometimes as a lower animal, is always transcendental. Because He is above the material modes of nature, He is unaffected by higher and lower forms.

> > *****

> > TEXT 7

> > âsîd atîta-kalpânte

> > brâhmo naimittiko layah

> > samudropaplutâs tatra

> > lokâ bhûr-âdayo nrpa

> > âsît--there was; atîta--past; kalpa-ante--at the end of the kalpa; brâhmah--of Lord Brahmâ's day; naimittikah--because of that; layah--inundation; samudra--in the ocean; upaplutâh--were inundated; tatra--there; lokâh--all the planets; bhûh-âdayah--Bhûh, Bhuvah and Svah, the three lokas; nrpa--O King.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O King Pariksit, at the end of the past millennium, at the end of Brahma's day, because Lord Brahma sleeps during the night, annihilation took place, and the three worlds were covered by the water of the ocean.

> > *****

> > TEXT 8

> > kâlenâgata-nidrasya

> > dhâtuh sisayisor balî

> > mukhato nihsrtân vedân

> > hayagrîvo 'ntike 'harat

> > kâlena--because of time (the end of Brahmâ's day); âgata-nidrasya--when he felt sleepy; dhâtuh--of Brahmâ; sisayisoh--desiring to lie down to sleep; balî--very powerful; mukhatah--from the mouth; nihsrtân--emanating; vedân--the Vedic knowledge; hayagrîvah--the great demon named Hayagrîva; antike--nearby; aharat--stole.

> > TRANSLATION

> > At the end of Brahma's day, when Brahma felt sleepy and desired to lie down, the Vedas were emanating from his mouth, and the great demon named Hayagriva stole the Vedic knowledge.

> > *****

> > TEXT 9

> > jnâtvâ tad dânavendrasya

> > hayagrîvasya cestitam

> > dadhâra sapharî-rûpam

> > bhagavân harir îsvarah

> > jnâtvâ--after understanding; tat--that; dânava-indrasya--of the great demon; hayagrîvasya--of Hayagrîva; cestitam--activity; dadhâra--accepted; sapharî-rûpam--the form of a fish; bhagavân--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; harih--the Lord; îsvarah--the supreme controller.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Understanding the acts of the great demon Hayagriva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, who is full of all opulences, assumed the form of a fish and saved the Vedas by killing the demon.

> > *****

> > TEXT 10

> > tatra râja-rsih kascin

> > nâmnâ satyavrato mahân

> > nârâyana-paro 'tapat

> > tapah sa salilâsanah

> > tatra--in that connection; râja-rsih--a king equally qualified as a great saintly person; kascit--someone; nâmnâ--by the name; satyavratah--Satyavrata; mahân--a great personality; nârâyana-parah--a great devotee of Lord Nârâyana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; atapat--performed austerities; tapah--penances; sah--he; salila-âsanah--only drinking water.

> > TRANSLATION

> > During the Caksusa-manvantara there was a great king named Satyavrata who was a great devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Satyavrata performed austerities by subsisting only on water.

> > *****

> > TEXT 11

> > yo 'sâv asmin mahâ-kalpe

> > tanayah sa vivasvatah

> > srâddhadeva iti khyâto

> > manutve harinârpitah

> > yah--one who; asau--He (the Supreme Person); asmin--in this; mahâ-kalpe--great millennium; tanayah--son; sah--he; vivasvatah--of the sun-god; srâddhadevah--by the name Srâddhadeva; iti--thus; khyâtah--celebrated; manutve--in the position of Manu; harinâ--by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; arpitah--was situated.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In this [the present] millennium King Satyavrata later became the son of Vivasvan, the king of the sun planet, and was known as Sraddhadeva. By the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he was given the post of Manu.

> > *****

> > TEXT 12

> > ekadâ krtamâlâyâm

> > kurvato jala-tarpanam

> > tasyânjaly-udake kâcic

> > chaphary ekâbhyapadyata

> > ekadâ--one day; krtamâlâyâm--on the bank of the Krtamâlâ River; kurvatah--executing; jala-tarpanam--the offering of oblations of water; tasya--his; anjali--palmful; udake--in the water; kâcit--some; sapharî--a small fish; ekâ--one; abhyapadyata--was generated.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One day while King Satyavrata was performing austerities by offering water on the bank of the River Krtamala, a small fish appeared in the water in his palms.

> > *****

> > TEXT 13

> > satyavrato 'njali-gatâm

> > saha toyena bhârata

> > utsasarja nadî-toye

> > sapharîm dravidesvarah

> > satyavratah--King Satyavrata; anjali-gatâm--in the water held in the palms of the King; saha--with; toyena--water; bhârata--O King Parîksit; utsasarja--threw; nadî-toye--in the water of the river; sapharîm--that small fish; dravida-îsvarah--Satyavrata, the King of Dravida.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Satyavrata, the King of Dravidadesa, threw the fish into the water of the river along with the water in his palm, O King Pariksit, descendant of Bharata.

> > *****

> > TEXT 14

> > tam âha sâtikarunam

> > mahâ-kârunikam nrpam

> > yâdobhyo jnâti-ghâtibhyo

> > dînâm mâm dîna-vatsala

> > katham visrjase râjan

> > bhîtâm asmin sarij-jale

> > tam--unto him (Satyavrata); âha--said; sa--that small fish; ati-karunam--extremely compassionate; mahâ-kârunikam--extremely merciful; nrpam--unto King Satyavrata; yâdobhyah--to the aquatics; jnâti-ghâtibhyah--who are always eager to kill the smaller fish; dînâm--very poor; mâm--me; dîna-vatsala--O protector of the poor; katham--why; visrjase--you are throwing; râjan--O King; bhîtâm--very much afraid; asmin--within this; sarit-jale--in the water of the river.

> > TRANSLATION

> > With an appealing voice, the poor small fish said to King Satyavrata, who was very merciful: My dear King, protector of the poor, why are you throwing Me in the water of the river, where there are other aquatics who can kill Me? I am very much afraid of them.

> > *****

> > TEXT 15

> > tam âtmano 'nugrahârtham

> > prîtyâ matsya-vapur-dharam

> > ajânan raksanârthâya

> > sapharyâh sa mano dadhe

> > tam--unto the fish; âtmanah--personal; anugraha-artham--to show favor; prîtyâ--very much pleased; matsya-vapuh-dharam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who had assumed the form of a fish; ajânan--without knowledge of this; raksana-arthâya--just to give protection; sapharyâh--of the fish; sah--the King; manah--mind; dadhe--decided.

> > TRANSLATION

> > To please himself, King Satyavrata, not knowing that the fish was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, decided with great pleasure to give the fish protection.

> > *****

> > TEXT 16

> > tasyâ dînataram vâkyam

> > âsrutya sa mahîpatih

> > kalasâpsu nidhâyainâm

> > dayâlur ninya âsramam

> > tasyâh--of the fish; dîna-taram--pitiable; vâkyam--words; âsrutya--hearing; sah--that; mahî-patih--the King; kalasa-apsu--in the water contained in the water jug; nidhâya--taking; enâm--the fish; dayâluh--merciful; ninye--brought; âsramam--to his residence.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The merciful King, being moved by the pitiable words of the fish, placed the fish in a water jug and brought Him to his own residence.

> > *****

> > TEXT 17

> > sâ tu tatraika-râtrena

> > vardhamânâ kamandalau

> > alabdhvâtmâvakâsam vâ

> > idam âha mahîpatim

> > sâ--that fish; tu--but; tatra--therein; eka-râtrena--in one night; vardhamânâ--expanding; kamandalau--in the waterpot; alabdhvâ--without attaining; âtma-avakâsam--a comfortable position for His body; vâ--either; idam--this; âha--said; mahî-patim--unto the King.

> > TRANSLATION

> > But in one night that fish grew so much that He could not move His body comfortably in the water of the pot. He then spoke to the King as follows.

> > *****

> > TEXT 18

> > nâham kamandalâv asmin

> > krcchram vastum ihotsahe

> > kalpayaukah suvipulam

> > yatrâham nivase sukham

> > na--not; aham--I; kamandalau--in this waterpot; asmin--in this; krcchram--with great difficulty; vastum--to live; iha--here; utsahe--like; kalpaya--just consider; okah--residential place; su-vipulam--more expanded; yatra--wherein; aham--I; nivase--can live; sukham--in pleasure.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O My dear King, I do not like living in this waterpot with such great difficulty. Therefore, please find some better reservoir of water where I can live comfortably.

> > *****

> > TEXT 19

> > sa enâm tata âdâya

> > nyadhâd audancanodake

> > tatra ksiptâ muhûrtena

> > hasta-trayam avardhata

> > sah--the King; enâm--unto the fish; tatah--thereafter; âdâya--taking out; nyadhât--placed; audancana-udake--in a well of water; tatra--therein; ksiptâ--being thrown; muhûrtena--within a moment; hasta-trayam--three cubits; avardhata--immediately developed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Then, taking the fish out of the waterpot, the King threw Him in a large well. But within a moment the fish developed to the length of three cubits.

> > *****

> > TEXT 20

> > na ma etad alam râjan

> > sukham vastum udancanam

> > prthu dehi padam mahyam

> > yat tvâham saranam gatâ

> > na--not; me--unto Me; etat--this; alam--fit; râjan--O King; sukham--in happiness; vastum--to live; udancanam--reservoir of water; prthu--very great; dehi--give; padam--a place; mahyam--unto Me; yat--which; tvâ--unto you; aham--I; saranam--shelter; gatâ--have taken.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The fish then said: My dear King, this reservoir of water is not fit for My happy residence. Please give Me a more extensive pool of water, for I have taken shelter of you.

> > *****

> > TEXT 21

> > tata âdâya sâ râjnâ

> > ksiptâ râjan sarovare

> > tad âvrtyâtmanâ so 'yam

> > mahâ-mîno 'nvavardhata

> > tatah--from there; âdâya--taking away; sâ--the fish; râjnâ--by the King; ksiptâ--being thrown; râjan--O King (Mahârâja Parîksit); sarovare--in a lake; tat--that; âvrtya--covering; âtmanâ--by the body; sah--the fish; ayam--this; mahâ-mînah--gigantic fish; anvavardhata--immediately developed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Maharaja Pariksit, the King took the fish from the well and threw Him in a lake, but the fish then assumed a gigantic form exceeding the extent of the water.

> > *****

> > TEXT 22

> > naitan me svastaye râjann

> > udakam salilaukasah

> > nidhehi raksâ-yogena

> > hrade mâm avidâsini

> > na--not; etat--this; me--unto Me; svastaye--comfortable; râjan--O King; udakam--water; salila-okasah--because I am a big aquatic; nidhehi--put; raksâ-yogena--by some means; hrade--in a lake; mâm--Me; avidâsini--perpetual.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The fish then said: O King, I am a large aquatic, and this water is not at all suitable for Me. Now kindly find some way to save Me. It would be better to put Me in the water of a lake that will never reduce.

> > *****

> > TEXT 23

> > ity uktah so 'nayan matsyam

> > tatra tatrâvidâsini

> > jalâsaye 'sammitam tam

> > samudre prâksipaj jhasam

> > iti uktah--thus being requested; sah--the King; anayat--brought; matsyam--the fish; tatra--therein; tatra--therein; avidâsini--where the water never diminishes; jala-âsaye--in the reservoir of water; asammitam--unlimited; tam--unto the fish; samudre--in the ocean; prâksipat--threw; jhasam--the gigantic fish.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When thus requested, King Satyavrata took the fish to the largest reservoir of water. But when that also proved insufficient, the King at last threw the gigantic fish into the ocean.

> > *****

> > TEXT 24

> > ksipyamânas tam âhedam

> > iha mâm makarâdayah

> > adanty atibalâ vîra

> > mâm nehotsrastum arhasi

> > ksipyamânah--being thrown in the ocean; tam--unto the King; âha--the fish said; idam--this; iha--in this place; mâm--Me; makara-âdayah--dangerous aquatics like sharks; adanti--will eat; ati-balâh--because of being too powerful; vîra--O heroic King; mâm--Me; na--not; iha--in this water; utsrastum--to throw; arhasi--you deserve.

> > TRANSLATION

> > While being thrown in the ocean, the fish said to King Satyavrata: O hero, in this water there are very powerful and dangerous sharks that will eat Me. Therefore you should not throw Me in this place.

> > *****

> > TEXT 25

> > evam vimohitas tena

> > vadatâ valgu-bhâratîm

> > tam âha ko bhavân asmân

> > matsya-rûpena mohayan

> > evam--thus; vimohitah--bewildered; tena--by the fish; vadatâ--speaking; valgu-bhâratîm--sweet words; tam--unto him; âha--said; kah--who; bhavân--You; asmân--us; matsya-rûpena--in the form of a fish; mohayan--bewildering.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After hearing these sweet words from the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the form of a fish, the King, being bewildered, asked Him: Who are You, sir? You simply bewilder us.

> > *****

> > TEXT 26

> > naivam vîryo jalacaro

> > drsto 'smâbhih sruto 'pi vâ

> > yo bhavân yojana-satam

> > ahnâbhivyânase sarah

> > na--not; evam--thus; vîryah--powerful; jala-carah--aquatic; drstah--seen; asmâbhih--by us; srutah api--nor heard of; vâ--either; yah--who; bhavân--Your Lordship; yojana-satam--hundreds of miles; ahnâ--in one day; abhivyânase--expanding; sarah--water.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, in one day You have expanded Yourself for hundreds of miles, covering the water of the river and the ocean. Before this I had never seen or heard of such an aquatic animal.

> > *****

> > TEXT 27

> > nûnam tvam bhagavân sâksâd

> > dharir nârâyano 'vyayah

> > anugrahâya bhûtânâm

> > dhatse rûpam jalaukasâm

> > nûnam--certainly; tvam--You (are); bhagavân--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sâksât--directly; harih--the Lord; nârâyanah--the Personality of Godhead; avyayah--inexhaustible; anugrahâya--to show mercy; bhûtânâm--to all living entities; dhatse--You have assumed; rûpam--a form; jala-okasâm--like an aquatic.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, You are certainly the inexhaustible Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, Sri Hari. It is to show Your mercy to the living entities that You have now assumed the form of an aquatic.

> > *****

> > TEXT 28

> > namas te purusa-srestha

> > sthity-utpatty-apyayesvara

> > bhaktânâm nah prapannânâm

> > mukhyo hy âtma-gatir vibho

> > namah--I offer my respectful obeisances; te--unto You; purusa-srestha--the best of all living entities, the best of all enjoyers; sthiti--of maintenance; utpatti--creation; apyaya--and destruction; îsvara--the Supreme Lord; bhaktânâm--of Your devotees; nah--like us; prapannânâm--those who are surrendered; mukhyah--the supreme; hi--indeed; âtma-gatih--the supreme destination; vibho--Lord Visnu.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O my Lord, master of creation, maintenance and annihilation, O best of enjoyers, Lord Visnu, You arethe leader and destination of surrendered devotees like us. Therefore let me offer my respectful obeisances unto You.

> > *****

> > TEXT 29

> > sarve lîlâvatârâs te

> > bhûtânâm bhûti-hetavah

> > jnâtum icchâmy ado rûpam

> > yad-artham bhavatâ dhrtam

> > sarve--everything; lîlâ--pastimes; avatârâh--incarnations; te--of Your Lordship; bhûtânâm--of all living entities; bhûti--of a flourishing condition; hetavah--the causes; jnâtum--to know; icchâmi--I wish; adah--this; rûpam--form; yat-artham--for what purpose; bhavatâ--by Your Lordship; dhrtam--assumed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > All Your pastimes and incarnations certainly appear for the welfare of all living entities. Therefore, my Lord, I wish to know the purpose for which You have assumed this form of a fish.

> > *****

> > TEXT 30

> > na te 'ravindâksa padopasarpanam

> > mrsâ bhavet sarva-suhrt-priyâtmanah

> > yathetaresâm prthag-âtmanâm satâm

> > adîdrso yad vapur adbhutam hi nah

> > na--never; te--of Your Lordship; aravinda-aksa--My Lord, whose eyes are like the petals of a lotus; pada-upasarpanam--worship of the lotus feet; mrsâ--useless; bhavet--can become; sarva-suhrt--the friend of everyone; priya--dear to everyone; âtmanah--the Supersoul of everyone; yathâ--as; itaresâm--of others (the demigods); prthak-âtmanâm--living entities who have material bodies different from the soul; satâm--of those who are spiritually fixed; adîdrsah--You have manifested; yat--that; vapuh--body; adbhutam--wonderful; hi--indeed; nah--unto us.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O my Lord, possessing eyes like the petals of a lotus, the worship of the demigods, who are in the bodily concept of life, is fruitless in all respects. But because You are the supreme friend and dearmost Supersoul of everyone, worship of Your lotus feet is never useless. You have therefore manifested Your form as a fish.

> > *****

> > TEXT 31

> > srî-suka uvâca

> > iti bruvânam nrpatim jagat-patih

> > satyavratam matsya-vapur yuga-ksaye

> > vihartu-kâmah pralayârnave 'bravîc

> > cikîrsur ekânta-jana-priyah priyam

> > srî-sukah uvâca--Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti--thus; bruvânam--speaking like that; nrpatim--unto the King; jagat-patih--the master of the entire universe; satyavratam--unto Satyavrata; matsya-vapuh--the Lord, who had assumed the form of a fish; yuga-ksaye--at the end of a yuga; vihartu-kâmah--to enjoy His own pastimes; pralaya-arnave--in the water of inundation; abravît--said; cikîrsuh--desiring to do; ekânta-jana-priyah--most beloved by the devotees; priyam--something very beneficial.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sukadeva Gosvami said: When King Satyavrata spoke in this way, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who at the end of the yuga had assumed the form of a fish to benefit His devotee and enjoy His pastimes in the water of inundation, responded as follows.

> > *****

> > TEXT 32

> > srî-bhagavân uvâca

> > saptame hy adyatanâd ûrdhvam

> > ahany etad arindama

> > nimanksyaty apyayâmbhodhau

> > trailokyam bhûr-bhuvâdikam

> > srî-bhagavân uvâca--the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; saptame--on the seventh; hi--indeed; adyatanât--from today; ûrdhvam--forward; ahani--on the day; etat--this creation; arimdama--O King who can subdue your enemies; nimanksyati--shall be inundated; apyaya-ambhodhau--in the ocean of destruction; trailokyam--the three lokas; bhûh-bhuva-âdikam--namely Bhûrloka, Bhuvarloka and Svarloka.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O King, who can subdue your enemies, on the seventh day from today the three worlds--Bhuh, Bhuvah and Svah--will all merge into the water of inundation.

> > *****

> > TEXT 33

> > tri-lokyâm lîyamânâyâm

> > samvartâmbhasi vai tadâ

> > upasthâsyati nauh kâcid

> > visâlâ tvâm mayeritâ

> > tri-lokyâm--the three lokas; lîyamânâyâm--upon being merged; samvarta-ambhasi--in the water of destruction; vai--indeed; tadâ--at that time; upasthâsyati--will appear; nauh--boat; kâcit--one; visâlâ--very big; tvâm--unto you; mayâ--by Me; îritâ--sent.

> > TRANSLATION

> > When all the three worlds merge into the water, a large boat sent by Me will appear before you.

> > *****

> > TEXTS 34-35

> > tvam tâvad osadhîh sarvâ

> > bijâny uccâvacâni ca

> > saptarsibhih parivrtah

> > sarva-sattvopabrmhitah

> > âruhya brhatîm nâvam

> > vicarisyasy aviklavah

> > ekârnave nirâloke

> > rsînâm eva varcasâ

> > tvam--you; tâvat--until that time; osadhîh--herbs; sarvâh--all kinds of; bîjâni--seeds; ucca-avacâni--lower and higher; ca--and; sapta-rsibhih--by the seven rsis; parivrtah--surrounded; sarva-sattva--all kinds of living entities; upabrmhitah--surrounded by;

> > âruhya--getting on; brhatim--very large; nâvam--boat; vicarisyasi--shall travel; aviklavah--without moroseness; eka-arnave--in the ocean of inundation; nirâloke--without being illuminated; rsînâm--of the great rsis; eva--indeed; varcasâ--by the effulgence.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thereafter, O King, you shall collect all types of herbs and seeds and load them on that great boat. Then, accompanied by the seven rsis and surrounded by all kinds of living entities, you shall get aboard that boat, and without moroseness you shall easily travel with your companions on the ocean of inundation, the only illumination being the effulgence of the great rsis.

> > *****

> > TEXT 36

> > dodhûyamânâm tâm nâvam

> > samîrena balîyasâ

> > upasthitasya me srnge

> > nibadhnîhi mahâhinâ

> > dodhûyamânâm--being tossed about; tâm--that; nâvam--boat; samîrena--by the wind; balîyasâ--very powerful; upasthitasya--situated nearby; me--of Me; srnge--to the horn; nibadhnîhi--bind; mahâ-ahinâ--by the large serpent (Vâsuki).

> > TRANSLATION

> > Then, as the boat is tossed about by the powerful winds, attach the vessel to My horn by means of the great serpent Vasuki, for I shall be present by your side.

> > *****

> > TEXT 37

> > aham tvâm rsibhih sârdham

> > saha-nâvam udanvati

> > vikarsan vicarisyâmi

> > yâvad brâhmî nisâ prabho

> > aham--I; tvâm--unto you; rsibhih--with all the saintly persons; sârdham--all together; saha--with; nâvam--the boat; udanvati--in the water of devastation; vikarsan--contacting; vicarisyâmi--I shall travel; yâvat--as long as; brâhmî--pertaining to Lord Brahmâ; nisâ--night; prabho--O King.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Pulling the boat, with you and all the rsis in it, O King, I shall travel in the water of devastation until the night of Lord Brahma's slumber is over.

> > *****

> > TEXT 38

> > madîyam mahimânam ca

> > param brahmeti sabditam

> > vetsyasy anugrhîtam me

> > samprasnair vivrtam hrdi

> > madîyam--pertaining to Me; mahimânam--glories; ca--and; param brahma--the Supreme Brahman, the Absolute Truth; iti--thus; sabditam--celebrated; vetsyasi--you shall understand; anugrhîtam--being favored; me--by Me; samprasnaih--by inquiries; vivrtam--thoroughly explained; hrdi--within the heart.

> > TRANSLATION

> > You will be thoroughly advised and favored by Me, and because of your inquiries, everything about My glories, which are known as param brahma, will be manifest within your heart. Thus you will know everything about Me.

> > *****

> > TEXT 39

> > ittham âdisya râjânam

> > harir antaradhîyata

> > so 'nvavaiksata tam kâlam

> > yam hrsîkesa âdisat

> > ittham--as aforementioned; âdisya--instructing; râjânam--the King (Satyavrata); harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; antaradhîyata--disappeared from that place; sah--he (the King); anvavaiksata--began to wait for; tam kâlam--that time; yam--which; hrsîka-îsah--Lord Hrsîkesa, the master of all the senses; âdisat--instructed.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After thus instructing the King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead immediately disappeared. Then King Satyavrata began to wait for that time of which the Lord had instructed.

> > *****

> > TEXT 40

> > âstîrya darbhân prâk-kûlân

> > râjarsih prâg-udan-mukhah

> > nisasâda hareh pâdau

> > cintayan matsya-rûpinah

> > âstîrya--spreading; darbhân--kusa grass; prâk-kûlân--the upper portion facing east; râja-rsih--Satyavrata, the saintly King; prâk-udak-mukhah--looking toward the northeast (îsâna); nisasâda--sat down; hareh--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; pâdau--upon the lotus feet; cintayan--meditating; matsya-rûpinah--who had assumed the form of a fish.

> > TRANSLATION

> > After spreading kusa with its tips pointing east, the saintly King, himself facing the northeast, sat down on the grass and began to meditate upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, who had assumed the form of a fish.

> > *****

> > TEXT 41

> > tatah samudra udvelah

> > sarvatah plâvayan mahîm

> > vardhamâno mahâ-meghair

> > varsadbhih samadrsyata

> > tatah--thereafter; samudrah--the ocean; udvelah--overflowing; sarvatah--everywhere; plâvayan--inundating; mahîm--the earth; vardhamânah--increasing more and more; mahâ-meghaih--by gigantic clouds; varsadbhih--incessantly pouring rain; samadrsyata--King Satyavrata saw it.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Thereafter, gigantic clouds pouring incessant water swelled the ocean more and more. Thus the ocean began to overflow onto the land and inundate the entire world.

> > *****

> > TEXT 42

> > dhyâyan bhagavad-âdesam

> > dadrse nâvam âgatâm

> > tâm âruroha viprendrair

> > âdâyausadhi-vîrudhah

> > dhyâyan--remembering; bhagavat-âdesam--the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; dadrse--he saw; nâvam--a boat; âgatâm--coming near; tâm--aboard the boat; âruroha--got up; vipra-indraih--with the saintly brâhmanas; âdâya--taking; ausadhi--herbs; vîrudhah--and creepers.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As Satyavrata remembered the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he saw a boat coming near him. Thus he collected herbs and creepers, and, accompanied by saintly brahmanas, he got aboard the boat.

> > *****

> > TEXT 43

> > tam ûcur munayah prîtâ

> > râjan dhyâyasva kesavam

> > sa vai nah sankatâd asmâd

> > avitâ sam vidhâsyati

> > tam--unto the King; ûcuh--said; munayah--all the saintly brâhmanas; prîtâh--being pleased; râjan--O King; dhyâyasva--meditate; kesavam--upon the Supreme Lord, Kesava; sah--His Lordship; vai--indeed; nah--us; sankatât--from the great danger; asmât--as now visible; avitâ--will save; sam--auspiciousness; vidhâsyati--He will arrange.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The saintly brahmanas, being pleased with the King, said to him: O King, please meditate upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kesava. He will save us from this impending danger and arrange for our well-being.

> > *****

> > TEXT 44

> > so 'nudhyâtas tato râjnâ

> > prâdurâsîn mahârnave

> > eka-srnga-dharo matsyo

> > haimo niyuta-yojanah

> > sah--the Lord; anudhyâtah--being meditated upon; tatah--thereafter (hearing the words of the saintly brâhmanas); râjnâ--by the King; prâdurâsît--appeared (before him); mahâ-arnave--in the great ocean of inundation; eka-srnga-dharah--with one horn; matsyah--a big fish; haimah--made of gold; niyuta-yojanah--eight million miles long.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Then, while the King constantly meditated upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a large golden fish appeared in the ocean of inundation. The fish had one horn and was eight million miles long.

> > *****

> > TEXT 45

> > nibadhya nâvam tac-chrnge

> > yathokto harinâ purâ

> > varatrenâhinâ tustas

> > tustâva madhusûdanam

> > nibadhya--anchoring; nâvam--the boat; tat-srnge--onto the horn of the big fish; yathâ-uktah--as advised; harinâ--by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; purâ--before; varatrena--used as a rope; ahinâ--by the great serpent (of the name Vâsuki); tustah--being pleased; tustâva--he satisfied; madhusûdanam--the Supreme Lord, the killer of Madhu.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Following the instructions formerly given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the King anchored the boat to the fish's horn, using the serpent Vasuki as a rope. Thus being satisfied, he began offering prayers to the Lord.

> > *****

> > TEXT 46

> > srî-râjovâca

> > anâdy-avidyopahatâtma-samvidas

> > tan-mûla-samsâra-parisramâturâh

> > yadrcchayopasrtâ yam âpnuyur

> > vimuktido nah paramo gurur bhavân

> > srî-râjâ uvâca--the King offered prayers as follows; anâdi--from time immemorial; avidyâ--by ignorance; upahata--has been lost; âtma-samvidah--knowledge about the self; tat--that is; mûla--the root; samsâra--material bondage; parisrama--full of miserable conditions and hard work; âturâh--suffering; yadrcchayâ--by the supreme will; upasrtâh--being favored by the âcârya; yam--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; âpnuyuh--can achieve; vimukti-dah--the process of liberation; nah--our; paramah--the supreme; guruh--spiritual master; bhavân--Your Lordship.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The King said: By the grace of the Lord, those who have lost their self-knowledge since time immemorial, and who because of this ignorance are involved in a material, conditional life full of miseries, obtain the chance to meet the Lord's devotee. I accept that Supreme Personality of Godhead as the supreme spiritual master.

> > *****

> > TEXT 47

> > jano 'budho 'yam nija-karma-bandhanah

> > sukhecchayâ karma samîhate 'sukham

> > yat-sevayâ tâm vidhunoty asan-matim

> > granthim sa bhindyâd dhrdayam sa no guruh

> > janah--the conditioned soul subjected to birth and death; abudhah--most foolish because of accepting the body as the self; ayam--he; nija-karma-bandhanah--accepting different bodily forms as a result of his sinful activities; sukha-icchayâ--desiring to be happy within this material world; karma--fruitive activities; samîhate--plans; asukham--but it is for distress only; yat-sevayâ--by rendering service unto whom; tâm--the entanglement of karma; vidhunoti--clears up; asat-matim--the unclean mentality (accepting the body as the self); granthim--hard knot; sah--His Lordship the Supreme Personality of Godhead; bhindyât--being cut off; hrdayam--in the core of the heart; sah--He (the Lord); nah--our; guruh--the supreme spiritual master.

> > TRANSLATION

> > In hopes of becoming happy in this material world, the foolish conditioned soul performs fruitive activities that result only in suffering. But by rendering service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one becomes free from such false desires for happiness. May my supreme spiritual master cut the knot of false desires from the core of my heart.

> > *****

> > TEXT 48

> > yat-sevayâgner iva rudra-rodanam

> > pumân vijahyân malam âtmanas tamah

> > bhajeta varnam nijam esa so 'vyayo

> > bhûyât sa îsah paramo guror guruh

> > yat-sevayâ--the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by serving whom; agneh--in touch with fire; iva--as it is; rudra-rodanam--a block of silver or gold becomes purified; pumân--a person; vijahyât--can give up; malam--all the dirty things of material existence; âtmanah--of one's self; tamah--the mode of ignorance, by which one performs pious and impious activities; bhajeta--may revive; varnam--his original identity; nijam--one's own; esah--such; sah--He; avyayah--inexhaustible; bhûyât--let Him become; sah--He; îsah--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; paramah--the supreme; guroh guruh--the spiritual master of all other spiritual masters.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One who wants to be free of material entanglement should take to the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and give up the contamination of ignorance, involving pious and impious activities. Thus one regains his original identity, just as a block of gold or silver sheds all dirt and becomes purified when treated with fire. May that inexhaustible Supreme Personality of Godhead become our spiritual master, for He is the original spiritual master of all other spiritual masters.

> > *****

> > TEXT 49

> > na yat-prasâdâyuta-bhâga-lesam

> > anye ca devâ guravo janâh svayam

> > kartum sametâh prabhavanti pumsas

> > tam îsvaram tvâm saranam prapadye

> > na--not; yat-prasâda--of the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; ayuta-bhâga-lesam--only one ten-thousandth; anye--others; ca--also; devâh--even the demigods; guravah--the so-called gurus; janâh--the total population; svayam--personally; kartum--to execute; sametâh--all together; prabhavanti--can become equally able; pumsah--by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tam--unto Him; îsvaram--unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tvâm--unto You; saranam--shelter; prapadye--let me surrender.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Neither all the demigods, nor the so-called gurus nor all other people, either independently or together, can offer mercy that equals even one ten-thousandth of Yours. Therefore I wish to take shelter of Your lotus feet.

> > *****

> > TEXT 50

> > acaksur andhasya yathâgranîh krtas

> > tathâ janasyâviduso 'budho guruh

> > tvam arka-drk sarva-drsâm samîksano

> > vrto gurur nah sva-gatim bubhutsatâm

> > acaksuh--one who does not have his power of sight; andhasya--for such a blind person; yathâ--as; agranîh--the leader, who goes first; krtah--accepted; tathâ--similarly; janasya--such a person; avidusah--who has no knowledge of the goal of life; abudhah--a foolish rascal; guruh--the spiritual master; tvam--Your Lordship; arka-drk--appear like the sun; sarva-drsâm--of all sources of knowledge; samîksanah--the complete seer; vrtah--accepted; guruh--the spiritual master; nah--our; sva-gatim--one who knows his real self-interest; bubhutsatâm--such an enlightened person.

> > TRANSLATION

> > As a blind man, being unable to see, accepts another blind man as his leader, people who do not know the goal of life accept someone as a guru who is a rascal and a fool. But we are interested in self-realization. Therefore we accept You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as our spiritual master, for You are able to see in all directions and are omniscient like the sun.

> > *****

> > TEXT 51

> > jano janasyâdisate 'satîm gatim

> > yayâ prapadyeta duratyayam tamah

> > tvam tv avyayam jnânam amogham anjasâ

> > prapadyate yena jano nijam padam

> > janah--a person who is not a bona fide guru (an ordinary person); janasya--of an ordinary person whodoes not know the goal of life; âdisate--instructs; asatîm--impermanent, material; gatim--the goal of life; yayâ--by such knowledge; prapadyeta--he surrenders; duratyayam--insurmountable; tamah--to ignorance; tvam--Your Lordship; tu--but; avyayam--indestructible; jnânam--knowledge; amogham--without material contamination; anjasâ--very soon; prapadyate--achieves; yena--by such knowledge; janah--a person; nijam--his own; padam--original position.

> > TRANSLATION

> > A materialistic so-called guru instructs his materialistic disciples about economic development and sense gratification, and because of such instructions the foolish disciples continue in the materialistic existence of ignorance. But Your Lordship gives knowledge that is eternal, and the intelligent person receiving such knowledge is quickly situated in his original constitutional position.

> > *****

> > TEXT 52

> > tvam sarva-lokasya suhrt priyesvaro

> > hy âtmâ gurur jnânam abhîsta-siddhih

> > tathâpi loko na bhavantam andha-dhîr

> > jânâti santam hrdi baddha-kâmah

> > tvam--You, my dear Lord; sarva-lokasya--of all planets and their inhabitants; suhrt--the most well-wishing friend; priya--the most dear; îsvarah--the supreme controller; hi--also; âtmâ--the supreme soul; guruh--the supreme teacher; jnânam--the supreme knowledge; abhîsta-siddhih--the fulfillment of all desires; tathâ api--still; lokah--persons; na--not; bhavantam--unto You; andha-dhîh--because of blind intelligence; jânâti--can know; santam--situated; hrdi--in his heart; baddha-kâmah--because of being bewildered by material lusty desires.

> > TRANSLATION

> > My Lord, You are the supreme well-wishing friend of everyone, the dearmost friend, the controller, the Supersoul, the supreme instructor and the giver of supreme knowledge and the fulfillment of all desires. But although You are within the heart, the foolish, because of lusty desires in the heart, cannot understand You.

> > *****

> > TEXT 53

> > tvam tvâm aham deva-varam varenyam

> > prapadya îsam pratibodhanâya

> > chindhy artha-dîpair bhagavan vacobhir

> > granthîn hrdayyân vivrnu svam okah

> > tvam--how exalted You are; tvâm--unto You; aham--myself; deva-varam--worshiped by the demigods; varenyam--the greatest of all; prapadye--fully surrendering; îsam--unto the supreme controller; pratibodhanâya--for understanding the real purpose of life; chindhi--cut off; artha-dîpaih--by the light of purposeful instruction; bhagavan--O Supreme Lord; vacobhih--by Your words; granthîn--knots; hrdayyân--fixed within the core of the heart; vivrnu--kindly explain; svam okah--my destination in life.

> > TRANSLATION

> > O Supreme Lord, for self-realization I surrender unto You, who are worshiped by the demigods as the supreme controller of everything. By Your instructions, exposing life's purpose, kindly cut the knot from the core of my heart and let me know the destination of my life.

> > *****

> > TEXT 54

> > srî-suka uvâca

> > ity uktavantam nrpatim

> > bhagavân âdi-pûrusah

> > matsya-rûpî mahâmbhodhau

> > viharams tattvam abravît

> > srî-sukah uvâca--Srî Sukadeva Gosvâmî said; iti--thus; uktavantam--being addressed by Mahârâja Satyavrata; nrpatim--unto the King; bhagavân--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; âdi-pûrusah--the original person; matsya-rûpî--who had assumed the form of a fish; mahâ-ambhodhau--in that water of inundation; viharan--while moving; tattvam abravît--explained the Absolute Truth.

> > TRANSLATION

> > Sukadeva Gosvami continued: When Satyavrata had thus prayed to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who had assumed the form of a fish, the Lord, while moving in the water of inundation, explained to him the Absolute Truth.

> > *****

> > TEXT 55

> > purâna-samhitâm divyâm

> > sânkhya-yoga-kriyâvatîm

> > satyavratasya râjarser

> > âtma-guhyam asesatah

> > purâna--the subject matter explained in the Purânas, the old histories, especially the Matsya Purâna; samhitâm--the Vedic instructions contained in Brahma-samhitâ and other samhitâs; divyâm--all transcendental literatures; sânkhya--the philosophical way of sânkhya-yoga; yoga--the science of self-realization or bhakti-yoga; kriyâvatîm--practically applied in life; satyavratasya--of King Satyavrata; râja-rseh--the great king and saint; âtma-guhyam--all the mysteries of self-realization; asesatah--including all branches.

> > TRANSLATION

> > The Supreme Personality of Godhead thus explained to King Satyavrata the spiritual science known as sankhya-yoga, the science by which one distinguishes between matter and spirit [in other words, bhakti-yoga], along with the instructions contained in the Puranas [the old histories] and the samhitas. The Lord explained Himself in all these literatures.

> > *****

> > TEXT 56

> > asrausîd rsibhih sâkam

> > âtma-tattvam asamsayam

> > nâvy âsîno bhagavatâ

> > proktam brahma sanâtanam

> > asrausît--he heard; rsibhih--the great saintly persons; sâkam--with; âtma-tattvam--the science of self-realization; asamsayam--without any doubt (because it was spoken by the Supreme Lord); nâvi âsînah--sitting in the boat; bhagavatâ--by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; proktam--explained; brahma--all transcendental literatures; sanâtanam--eternally existing.

> > TRANSLATION

> > While sitting in the boat, King Satyavrata, accompanied by the great saintly persons, listened to the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in regard to self-realization. These instructions were all from the eternal Vedic literature [brahma]. Thus the King and sages had no doubt about the Absolute Truth.

> > *****

> > TEXT 57

> > atîta-pralayâpâya

> > utthitâya sa vedhase

> > hatvâsuram hayagrîvam

> > vedân pratyâharad dharih

> > atîta--passed; pralaya-apâye--at the end of the inundation; utthitâya--to bring him to his senses after sleeping; sah--the Supreme Lord; vedhase--unto Lord Brahmâ; hatvâ--after killing; asuram--the demon; hayagrîvam--by the name Hayagrîva; vedân--all the Vedic records; pratyâharat--delivered; harih--the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

> > TRANSLATION

> > At the end of the last inundation [during the period of Svayambhuva Manu] the Supreme Personality of Godhead killed the demon named Hayagriva and delivered all the Vedic literatures to Lord Brahma when Lord Brahma awakened from sleeping.

> > *****

> > TEXT 58

> > sa tu satyavrato râjâ

> > jnâna-vijnâna-samyutah

> > visnoh prasâdât kalpe 'sminn

> > âsîd vaivasvato manuh

> > sah--he; tu--indeed; satyavratah--Satyavrata; râjâ--the King; jnâna-vijnâna-samyutah--enlightened in full knowledge and its practical use; visnoh--of Lord Visnu; prasâdât--by the mercy; kalpe asmin--in this period (ruled by Vaivasvata Manu); âsît--became; vaivasvatah manuh--Vaivasvata Manu.

> > TRANSLATION

> > King Satyavrata was illuminated with all Vedic knowledge by the mercy of Lord Visnu, and in this period he has now taken birth as Vaivasvata Manu, the son of the sun-god.

> > *****

> > TEXT 59

> > satyavratasya râjarser

> > mâyâ-matsyasya sârnginah

> > samvâdam mahad-âkhyânam

> > srutvâ mucyeta kilbisât

> > satyavratasya--of King Satyavrata; râja-rseh--of the great king; mâyâ-matsyasya--and the fish incarnation; sârnginah--who had one horn on His head; samvâdam--the description or dealings; mahat-âkhyânam--the great story; srutvâ--by hearing; mucyeta--is delivered; kilbisât--from all sinful reactions.

> > TRANSLATION

> > This story concerning the great King Satyavrata and the fish incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, is a great transcendental narration. Anyone who hears it is delivered from the reactions of sinful life.

> > *****

> > TEXT 60

> > avatâram harer yo 'yam

> > kîrtayed anvaham narah

> > sankalpâs tasya sidhyanti

> > sa yâti paramâm gatim

> > avatâram--incarnation; hareh--of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; yah--whoever; ayam--he; kîrtayet--narrates and chants; anvaham--daily; narah--such a person; sankalpâh--all ambitions; tasya--of him; sidhyanti--become successful; sah--such a person; yâti--goes back; paramâm gatim--back home to Godhead, the supreme place.

> > TRANSLATION

> > One who narrates this description of the Matsya incarnation and King Satyavrata will certainly have all his ambitions fulfilled, and he will undoubtedly return home, back to Godhead.

> > *****

> > TEXT 61

> > pralaya-payasi dhâtuh supta-sakter mukhebhyah

> > sruti-ganam apanîtam pratyupâdatta hatvâ

> > ditijam akathayad yo brahma satyavratânâm

> > tam aham akhila-hetum jihma-mînam nato 'smi

> > pralaya-payasi--in the water of inundation; dhâtuh--from Lord Brahmâ; supta-sakteh--who was inert because of sleeping; mukhebhyah--from the mouths; sruti-ganam--Vedic records; apanîtam--stolen; pratyupâdatta--gave back to him; hatvâ--by killing; ditijam--the great demon; akathayat--explained; yah--one who; brahma--Vedic knowledge; satyavratânâm--for the enlightenment of Satyavrata and the great saintly persons; tam--unto Him; aham--I; akhila-hetum--unto the cause of all causes; jihma-mînam--appearing as and pretending to be a great fish; natah asmi--I offer my respectful obeisances.

> > TRANSLATION

> > I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who pretended to be a gigantic fish, who restored the Vedic literature to Lord Brahma when Lord Brahma awakened from sleep, and who explained the essence of Vedic literature to King Satyavrata and the great saintly persons.

> > Back to the running text