Matsya

Dashavatara Sequence
Dashavatara Sequence
Predecessor	-
Successor	Kurma

Matsya
Matsya
Member of Dashavatara
	Matsya avatar in British Museum, 1820
Devanagari	मत्स्य
Affiliation	Avatar of Vishnu
Mantra	Om Namo Bhagavate Matsya Devaya
Weapon	Sudarshana Chakra, Kaumodaki
Festivals	Matsya Jayanti
Consort	Lakshmi

Matsya (Sanskrit: मत्स्य, lit. 'fish') is the fish avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu.^[2] Often described as the first of Vishnu's ten primary avatars, Matsya is described to have rescued the first man, Manu, from a great deluge.^[3] Matsya may be depicted as a giant fish, often golden in color, or anthropomorphically with the torso of Vishnu connected to the rear half of a fish.

The earliest account of Matsya is found in the Shatapatha Brahmana, where Matsya is not associated with any particular deity. The fish-saviour later merges with the identity of Brahma in post-Vedic era, and still later, becomes regarded with Vishnu. The legends associated with Matsya expand, evolve, and vary in Hindu texts. These legends have embedded symbolism, where a small fish with Manu's protection grows to become a big fish, and the fish saves the man who would be the progenitor of the next race of mankind.^[4] In later versions, Matsya slays a demon named Hayagriva who steals the Vedas, and thus is lauded as the saviour of the scriptures.^[5]

The tale is ascribed with the motif of flood myths, common across cultures.

^ Jośī, Kanhaiyālāla (2007). Matsya mahāpurāṇa: An exhaustive introduction, Sanskrit text, English translation, scholarly notes and index of verses. Parimal Publications. ISBN 9788171103058. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
^ Bandyopadhyaya, Jayantanuja (2007). Class and Religion in Ancient India. Anthem Press. p. 136. ISBN 978-1-84331-332-8. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
^ Valborg, Helen (2007). Symbols of the Eternal Doctrine: From Shamballa to Paradise. Theosophy Trust Books. p. 313. ISBN 978-0-9793205-1-4. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
^ Dalal, Roshen (18 April 2014). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-81-8475-277-9. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
^ Ninan, M. M. (23 June 2008). The Development of Hinduism. Madathil Mammen Ninan. p. 234. ISBN 978-1-4382-2820-4. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.

[1] Jośī, Kanhaiyālāla (2007). Matsya mahāpurāṇa: An exhaustive introduction, Sanskrit text, English translation, scholarly notes and index of verses. Parimal Publications. ISBN 9788171103058. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 10 July 2022.

[2] Bandyopadhyaya, Jayantanuja (2007). Class and Religion in Ancient India. Anthem Press. p. 136. ISBN 978-1-84331-332-8. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.

[3] Valborg, Helen (2007). Symbols of the Eternal Doctrine: From Shamballa to Paradise. Theosophy Trust Books. p. 313. ISBN 978-0-9793205-1-4. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.

[4] Dalal, Roshen (18 April 2014). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-81-8475-277-9. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.

[5] Ninan, M. M. (23 June 2008). The Development of Hinduism. Madathil Mammen Ninan. p. 234. ISBN 978-1-4382-2820-4. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]