The first avatar of Lord Vishnu | Matsya avatar
First avatar of Lord Visnhu
As we all know that Lord Vishnu had pledged that he would appear every time when someone threatens the existence of humanity.
Matsya avatar -
Matsya Avatar is the Fish Avatar of Lord Vishnu. This avatar is described as the first avatar of Lord Vishnu. Matsya has been depicted as the Giant fish with a horn or anthropomorphic depiction as half human and half fish.
This avatar is mentioned in the “Shatapatha Brahmana” where Matsya is not associated with any particular deity.
Why Lord Vishnu took Matsya avatar -
This was the story of the beginning of Satya Yuga, When a king Vaivasvata Manu, who is believed to be the first human in the earth was performing his religious rituals on the banks of the Cherivi river in the Badri forest. While Manu was performing his rituals, a small fish jump out of the river and asked him for his protection, promising to save him from the upcoming deluge in future.
Manu keeps the fish but eventually, the fish started growing very quickly. He shifts the fish into the water tank, then into the river but lastly, Manu had to release him into the ocean and then realise that it is Lord Vishnu who was in the form of Matsya.
Lord Vishnu informed Manu of the upcoming destruction (floods and fire) in the world. Lord Vishnu directed Manu to build a boat and be in it with seven sages (Saptarishi) to keep everyone safe.
On the day of the deluge, Lord Vishnu appeared as a huge fish with a big horn and leads them into safety. In the end, Lord Vishnu handed over the Vedas to Manu so that he could use them for the welfare of humankind.
|| Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata
Abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham
Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskritam
Dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge ||
It’s said that Lord Vishnu has already completed 9 avatars and the last one is expected to appear in the form of “Kalki Avatar” in Kali Yuga.
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