| 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[1] |
| Dashavatara Sequence | |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | - |
| Successor | Kurma |
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.