03.185
मत्स्योपाख्यानम्
The story of the fish.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
ततः स पाण्डवो भूयो मार्कण्डेयमुवाच ह। कथयस्वेह चरितं मनोर्वैवस्वतस्य मे ॥०३-१८५-१॥
Then the Pāṇḍava again said to Mārkaṇḍeya: "Please tell me here the story of Manu Vaivasvata." (03-185-1)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
विवस्वतः सुतो राजन्परमर्षिः प्रतापवान्। बभूव नरशार्दूल प्रजापतिसमद्युतिः ॥०३-१८५-२॥
O king, the son of Vivasvat, who was a supreme seer and possessed of great splendor, became (among men) a tiger, equal in brilliance to Prajāpati. (03-185-2)
ओजसा तेजसा लक्ष्म्या तपसा च विशेषतः। अतिचक्राम पितरं मनुः स्वं च पितामहम् ॥०३-१८५-३॥
By vigor, radiance, prosperity, and especially by austerity, Manu surpassed his father and his own grandfather. (03-185-3)
ऊर्ध्वबाहुर्विशालायां बदर्यां स नराधिपः। एकपादस्थितस्तीव्रं चचार सुमहत्तपः ॥०३-१८५-४॥
In Viśālā at Badarī, the king practiced very great and intense austerity, standing on one leg with arms raised. (03-185-4)
अवाक्षिरास्तथा चापि नेत्रैरनिमिषैर्दृढम्। सोऽतप्यत तपो घोरं वर्षाणामयुतं तदा ॥०३-१८५-५॥
With his head bent down and with unblinking eyes, he steadily performed fierce penance for ten thousand years at that time. (03-185-5)
तं कदाचित्तपस्यन्तमार्द्रचीरजटाधरम्। वीरिणीतीरमागम्य मत्स्यो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥०३-१८५-६॥
At a certain time, as he was performing austerities wearing wet garments and matted hair, having come to the bank of the Virini, the fish spoke these words to him. (03-185-6)
भगवन्क्षुद्रमत्स्योऽस्मि बलवद्भ्यो भयं मम। मत्स्येभ्यो हि ततो मां त्वं त्रातुमर्हसि सुव्रत ॥०३-१८५-७॥
O blessed one, I am a small fish; I have fear of the strong. Therefore, O virtuous one, you ought to protect me from the other fishes. (03-185-7)
दुर्बलं बलवन्तो हि मत्स्यं मत्स्या विशेषतः। भक्षयन्ति यथा वृत्तिर्विहिता नः सनातनी ॥०३-१८५-८॥
The strong fish indeed devour the weak fish in particular, as this is the eternal mode of life established for us. (3-185-8)
तस्माद्भयौघान्महतो मज्जन्तं मां विशेषतः। त्रातुमर्हसि कर्तास्मि कृते प्रतिकृतं तव ॥०३-१८५-९॥
Therefore, as I am especially sinking in the great flood of fear, you ought to save me; I am acting in return for your favor to me. (03-185-9)
स मत्स्यवचनं श्रुत्वा कृपयाभिपरिप्लुतः। मनुर्वैवस्वतोऽगृह्णात्तं मत्स्यं पाणिना स्वयम् ॥०३-१८५-१०॥
Hearing the fish's words, Manu, son of Vivasvat, was filled with compassion and himself took the fish in his hand. (03-185-10)
उदकान्तमुपानीय मत्स्यं वैवस्वतो मनुः। अलिञ्जरे प्राक्षिपत्स चन्द्रांशुसदृशप्रभम् ॥०३-१८५-११॥
Vaivasvata Manu brought the fish to the edge of the water and, in Aliñjara, placed it there; it shone with a radiance like the rays of the moon. (03-185-11)
स तत्र ववृधे राजन्मत्स्यः परमसत्कृतः। पुत्रवच्चाकरोत्तस्मिन्मनुर्भावं विशेषतः ॥०३-१८५-१२॥
There the fish, being most highly honored, grew, O King; and Manu especially showed him the affection one has for a son. (03-185-12)
अथ कालेन महता स मत्स्यः सुमहानभूत्। अलिञ्जरे जले चैव नासौ समभवत्किल ॥०३-१८५-१३॥
Then, after much time had passed, that fish became very great. He could no longer remain in the waters of the Aliñjara, it is said. (03-185-13)
अथ मत्स्यो मनुं दृष्ट्वा पुनरेवाभ्यभाषत। भगवन्साधु मेऽद्यान्यत्स्थानं सम्प्रतिपादय ॥०३-१८५-१४॥
Then, having seen Manu, the fish again addressed him: "O venerable one, kindly grant me another place today." (03-185-14)
उद्धृत्यालिञ्जरात्तस्मात्ततः स भगवान्मुनिः। तं मत्स्यमनयद्वापीं महतीं स मनुस्तदा ॥०३-१८५-१५॥
Then Manu, having lifted the fish from Āliñjara, at that time, led the great fish to a large pond. (03-185-15)
तत्र तं प्राक्षिपच्चापि मनुः परपुरञ्जय। अथावर्धत मत्स्यः स पुनर्वर्षगणान्बहून् ॥०३-१८५-१६॥
There, Manu, the conqueror of enemy cities, also threw him in. Then that fish grew again for many years. (03-185-16)
द्वियोजनायता वापी विस्तृता चापि योजनम्। तस्यां नासौ समभवन्मत्स्यो राजीवलोचन ॥ विचेष्टितुं वा कौन्तेय मत्स्यो वाप्यां विशां पते ॥०३-१८५-१७॥
There was a tank two yojanas long and one yojana wide. O lotus-eyed one, in that pond, that fish was not present together (with others). O son of Kunti, O lord of men, the fish in that pond could not even move about. (3-185-17)
मनुं मत्स्यस्ततो दृष्ट्वा पुनरेवाभ्यभाषत। नय मां भगवन्साधो समुद्रमहिषीं प्रभो ॥ गङ्गां तत्र निवत्स्यामि यथा वा तात मन्यसे ॥०३-१८५-१८॥
The fish, having seen Manu, again addressed him: "O venerable, O virtuous one, lead me to the queen of oceans, O lord. I will stay there in the Gaṅgā, or wherever else you think best, O dear one." (03-185-18)
एवमुक्तो मनुर्मत्स्यमनयद्भगवान्वशी। नदीं गङ्गां तत्र चैनं स्वयं प्राक्षिपदच्युतः ॥०३-१८५-१९॥
Thus addressed, Manu—being the master and venerable one—led the fish to the river Ganga, and there, Acyuta himself threw him in. (03-185-19)
स तत्र ववृधे मत्स्यः किञ्चित्कालमरिंदम। ततः पुनर्मनुं दृष्ट्वा मत्स्यो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥०३-१८५-२०॥
The fish grew there for some time, O subduer of enemies. Then, having seen Manu again, the fish spoke these words. (03-185-20)
गङ्गायां हि न शक्नोमि बृहत्त्वाच्चेष्टितुं प्रभो। समुद्रं नय मामाशु प्रसीद भगवन्निति ॥०३-१८५-२१॥
O lord, I am not able to move in the Ganges due to its vastness. Please lead me quickly to the ocean and be gracious, O blessed one. (03-185-21)
उद्धृत्य गङ्गासलिलात्ततो मत्स्यं मनुः स्वयम्। समुद्रमनयत्पार्थ तत्र चैनमवासृजत् ॥०३-१८५-२२॥
Manu himself then lifted the fish from the water of the Gaṅgā and brought it to the ocean, O Pārtha, and there released it. (03-185-22)
सुमहानपि मत्स्यः सन्स मनोर्मनसस्तदा। आसीद्यथेष्टहार्यश्च स्पर्शगन्धसुखश्च वै ॥०३-१८५-२३॥
Even though the fish was very large, at that time he was pleasing to Manu's mind, easily handled as desired, and indeed pleasant to the touch and smell. (03-185-23)
यदा समुद्रे प्रक्षिप्तः स मत्स्यो मनुना तदा। तत एनमिदं वाक्यं स्मयमान इवाब्रवीत् ॥०३-१८५-२४॥
When the fish was cast into the ocean by Manu, then, as if smiling, he spoke these words to him. (03-185-24)
भगवन्कृता हि मे रक्षा त्वया सर्वा विशेषतः। प्राप्तकालं तु यत्कार्यं त्वया तच्छ्रूयतां मम ॥०३-१८५-२५॥
Indeed, all the protection you have made for me, O revered one, is especially complete; but now, hear from me what action is timely for you to perform. (03-185-25)
अचिराद्भगवन्भौममिदं स्थावरजङ्गमम्। सर्वमेव महाभाग प्रलयं वै गमिष्यति ॥०३-१८५-२६॥
O revered one, soon this whole world of immobile and mobile beings on earth, O greatly fortunate one, will surely go to dissolution. (03-185-26)
सम्प्रक्षालनकालोऽयं लोकानां समुपस्थितः। तस्मात्त्वां बोधयाम्यद्य यत्ते हितमनुत्तमम् ॥०३-१८५-२७॥
The time for the complete cleansing of the worlds has arrived; therefore, today I am informing you of that which is supremely beneficial to you. (03-185-27)
त्रसानां स्थावराणां च यच्चेङ्गं यच्च नेङ्गति। तस्य सर्वस्य सम्प्राप्तः कालः परमदारुणः ॥०३-१८५-२८॥
For all moving and unmoving beings, whether they move or do not move, the most dreadful time has come. (03-185-28)
नौश्च कारयितव्या ते दृढा युक्तवटाकरा। तत्र सप्तर्षिभिः सार्धमारुहेथा महामुने ॥०३-१८५-२९॥
O great sage, you should have a firm ship made, equipped with a strong framework. Together with the seven sages, you should board it there. (03-185-29)
बीजानि चैव सर्वाणि यथोक्तानि मया पुरा। तस्यामारोहयेर्नावि सुसङ्गुप्तानि भागशः ॥०३-१८५-३०॥
He should place all the seeds, as previously described by me, on that boat in a well-protected manner and in portions. (03-185-30)
नौस्थश्च मां प्रतीक्षेथास्तदा मुनिजनप्रिय। आगमिष्याम्यहं शृङ्गी विज्ञेयस्तेन तापस ॥०३-१८५-३१॥
O beloved of sages, stand on the boat and wait for me then. I, Śṛṅgī, the ascetic whom you should recognize, will come. (03-185-31)
एवमेतत्त्वया कार्यमापृष्टोऽसि व्रजाम्यहम्। नातिशङ्क्यमिदं चापि वचनं ते ममाभिभो ॥०३-१८५-३२॥
Thus, this task which you asked me to do, I am going. Also, O master, there is nothing to be greatly suspicious about in this word of yours and mine. (03-185-32)
एवं करिष्य इति तं स मत्स्यं प्रत्यभाषत। जग्मतुश्च यथाकाममनुज्ञाप्य परस्परम् ॥०३-१८५-३३॥
He addressed the fish, saying, "Thus I will do." Then both, having granted each other permission, departed as they wished. (03-185-33)
ततो मनुर्महाराज यथोक्तं मत्स्यकेन ह। बीजान्यादाय सर्वाणि सागरं पुप्लुवे तदा ॥ नावा तु शुभया वीर महोर्मिणमरिंदम ॥०३-१८५-३४॥
Then Manu, O subduer of enemies, as instructed by the fish, took all the seeds and floated on the ocean with the auspicious boat, O hero, by the force of the great waves. (03-185-34)
चिन्तयामास च मनुस्तं मत्स्यं पृथिवीपते। स च तच्चिन्तितं ज्ञात्वा मत्स्यः परपुरञ्जय ॥ शृङ्गी तत्राजगामाशु तदा भरतसत्तम ॥०३-१८५-३५॥
Manu reflected upon the fish, O king of the earth. And the fish, having understood his thought, O conqueror of enemy cities, Śṛṅgī came there quickly at that time, O foremost of the Bharatas (03-185-35)
तं दृष्ट्वा मनुजेन्द्रेन्द्र मनुर्मत्स्यं जलार्णवे। शृङ्गिणं तं यथोक्तेन रूपेणाद्रिमिवोच्छ्रितम् ॥०३-१८५-३६॥
O king among men, having seen him, Manu beheld the horned fish in the ocean, towering like a mountain, in the very form as described. (03-185-36)
वटाकरमयं पाशमथ मत्स्यस्य मूर्धनि। मनुर्मनुजशार्दूल तस्मिञ्शृङ्गे न्यवेशयत् ॥०३-१८५-३७॥
Then Manu, O best of men, placed the rope made of banyan fiber on the horn on the fish's head. (03-185-37)
संयतस्तेन पाशेन मत्स्यः परपुरञ्जय। वेगेन महता नावं प्राकर्षल्लवणाम्भसि ॥०३-१८५-३८॥
O conqueror of enemy cities, the fish, being bound by that rope, swiftly dragged the boat in the salt water. (03-185-38)
स ततार तया नावा समुद्रं मनुजेश्वर। नृत्यमानमिवोर्मीभिर्गर्जमानमिवाम्भसा ॥०३-१८५-३९॥
He, O king of men, crossed the ocean in that boat, as if dancing amidst the waves and roaring with the waters. (03-185-39)
क्षोभ्यमाणा महावातैः सा नौस्तस्मिन्महोदधौ। घूर्णते चपलेव स्त्री मत्ता परपुरञ्जय ॥०३-१८५-४०॥
O conqueror of enemy cities, that boat, being agitated by great winds in the vast ocean, spun about like a fickle and intoxicated woman. (03-185-40)
नैव भूमिर्न च दिशः प्रदिशो वा चकाशिरे। सर्वमाम्भसमेवासीत्खं द्यौश्च नरपुङ्गव ॥०३-१८५-४१॥
O foremost among men, there appeared neither earth nor the cardinal nor the intermediate directions; all that existed was only water, along with sky and heaven. (03-185-41)
एवम्भूते तदा लोके सङ्कुले भरतर्षभ। अदृश्यन्त सप्तर्षयो मनुर्मत्स्यः सहैव ह ॥०३-१८५-४२॥
O best of the Bharatas, when the world had thus become confused, the seven sages, Manu, and the fish were seen together. (03-185-42)
एवं बहून्वर्षगणांस्तां नावं सोऽथ मत्स्यकः। चकर्षातन्द्रितो राजंस्तस्मिन्सलिलसञ्चये ॥०३-१८५-४३॥
Thus, O King, for many years, the fish then untiringly dragged that boat in that accumulation of water. (03-185-43)
ततो हिमवतः शृङ्गं यत्परं पुरुषर्षभ। तत्राकर्षत्ततो नावं स मत्स्यः कुरुनन्दन ॥०३-१८५-४४॥
Then, O bull among men, the fish drew the boat to the highest peak of the Himalayas, O descendant of Kuru. (03-185-44)
ततोऽब्रवीत्तदा मत्स्यस्तानृषीन्प्रहसञ्शनैः। अस्मिन्हिमवतः शृङ्गे नावं बध्नीत माचिरम् ॥०३-१८५-४५॥
Then, at that time, the fish said to the sages with a gentle smile: "Tie the boat to this peak of the Himalaya without delay." (03-185-45)
सा बद्धा तत्र तैस्तूर्णमृषिभिर्भरतर्षभ। नौर्मत्स्यस्य वचः श्रुत्वा शृङ्गे हिमवतस्तदा ॥०३-१८५-४६॥
O bull among the Bharatas, then, the sages quickly fastened the boat there on the peak of Himavat, having heard the words of Matsya. (03-185-46)
तच्च नौबन्धनं नाम शृङ्गं हिमवतः परम्। ख्यातमद्यापि कौन्तेय तद्विद्धि भरतर्षभ ॥०३-१८५-४७॥
O Kaunteya, that supreme peak of Himavat named Naubandhana is famous even today—know that, O best of the Bharatas. (03-185-47)
अथाब्रवीदनिमिषस्तानृषीन्सहितांस्तदा। अहं प्रजापतिर्ब्रह्मा मत्परं नाधिगम्यते ॥ मत्स्यरूपेण यूयं च मयास्मान्मोक्षिता भयात् ॥०३-१८५-४८॥
Then Nimiṣa (Viṣṇu) said to those assembled sages: I am Prajāpati, I am Brahmā; none higher than me can be attained. In the form of a fish, you too have been saved by me from danger. (3-185-48)
मनुना च प्रजाः सर्वाः सदेवासुरमानवाः। स्रष्टव्याः सर्वलोकाश्च यच्चेङ्गं यच्च नेङ्गति ॥०३-१८५-४९॥
Also, by Manu, all beings—including the gods, asuras, and humans—were to be created: all worlds and everything that moves and does not move. (3-185-49)
तपसा चातितीव्रेण प्रतिभास्य भविष्यति। मत्प्रसादात्प्रजासर्गे न च मोहं गमिष्यति ॥०३-१८५-५०॥
Through very intense austerity, (knowledge) will manifest; by my favor, in the creation of beings, delusion will not arise. (03-185-50)
इत्युक्त्वा वचनं मत्स्यः क्षणेनादर्शनं गतः। स्रष्टुकामः प्रजाश्चापि मनुर्वैवस्वतः स्वयम् ॥ प्रमूढोऽभूत्प्रजासर्गे तपस्तेपे महत्ततः ॥०३-१८५-५१॥
Having spoken thus, the fish vanished in an instant. And Manu, the son of Vivasvat, desirous of creating offspring, himself became confused about creation and thereafter performed great austerity. (3-185-51)
तपसा महता युक्तः सोऽथ स्रष्टुं प्रचक्रमे। सर्वाः प्रजा मनुः साक्षाद्यथावद्भरतर्षभ ॥०३-१८५-५२॥
O best of the Bharatas, Manu, endowed with great austerity, then began to create all beings directly and properly. (03-185-52)
इत्येतन्मात्स्यकं नाम पुराणं परिकीर्तितम्। आख्यानमिदमाख्यातं सर्वपापहरं मया ॥०३-१८५-५३॥
Thus, this Purāṇa named Matsya has been proclaimed. I have narrated this account, which removes all sins. (03-185-53)
य इदं शृणुयान्नित्यं मनोश्चरितमादितः। स सुखी सर्वसिद्धार्थः स्वर्गलोकमियान्नरः ॥०३-१८५-५४॥
Whoever always listens to this account of Manu's deeds from the beginning, that man, happy and fulfilled in all accomplishments, will go to the heavenly world. (03-185-54)
