Lord Vishnu has various incarnations. However, as per the DASAVATARA incarnations, ‘Matsya Avatara’ is the 1st Avatara (Incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. The Vedic reference of Matsya Avatara can be found in ‘Yujur Veda – Shatapatha Brahamana – Skandh 1 – Chapter 8’. Also it can be found in various Puranas as well. I am writing the Matsya Avatara from the referene of ‘Bhagwat Purana – Skandh 8 – Chapter 24’.
At the end of the previous KALPA, Brahma went to sleep and hence the great Pralaya (apocalypse) occurred. While Brahma was sleeping, Vedas were stolen by the demon Hayagriva and the entire world was about to destroy due to the flood. This upcoming destruction was already informed to the King Satyavrata, a week earlier by Lord Vishnu himself and he was given the appropriate instructions as well to follow during the destruction.
As instructed by Lord Vishnu, King Satyavrata gathered both genders of all the creatures & species, seeds of all types and the seven sages. After that, he took everyone in the huge boat in order to protect them from the great flood. When the boat was about to lose the balance, the Lord Vishnu appeared as his first incarnation in the form of a fish (MATSYA). King Satyavrata tied the boat with the huge horn of the Matsya with the help of snake Vasuki. The Matsya kept on swimming along with the boat till the flood was over.
Once the flood was over, the Matsya killed the demon Hayagriva and took back the Vedas. Then the Matsya bestowed the Vedas knowledge to King Satyavrata along with the seven sages. After that the Matsya returned the Vedas back to Brahma. All the creatures & species continued the life-cycle once again and the seeds continued the life-cycle of trees and plants. The great act of King Satyavrata was blessed with the Lord and thus he became the current Manu known as Vaivasvata Manu of the 7th Manavantara.
The next incarnation as per the DASAVATARA incarnations is the ‘Kurma Avatara’ which I shall explain in my next post.
OM 