Once the Asura Hayagriva stole the Vedas from Brahma, which spread unrighteousness and chaos in the universe. To protect religion, Lord Vishnu took a fisherman and freed the Vedas by killing Hayagriva. It was the first incarnation of Lord Vishnu, which took place on Chaitra Shukla Tritiya.
Story of King Satyavrat and Matsya avatar
Before Kalpant, a saintly king named Satyavrat was bathing in the river Kritamala. While offering a small fish in Anjali, who spoke to the king, “Rajan, protect me, otherwise big fish will eat me.” The king felt pity and kept the fish in the kamandal.
The size of the fish increased so much at night that the kamandal began to fall short. The king put him in a large vessel, then left the lake, river and finally in the sea, but the size of the fish continued to grow. The king said surprised, “You are not an ordinary fish, but God yourself.”
Lord Vishnu appeared in a fishery form and said, “Asura Hayagriva has stolen the Vedas. After seven days the Holocaust will come, then I will provide you with knowledge. A boat will come, in which you will sit with the seeds of Sapta sages, grains and medicines. I will come and take that boat to a safe place.”
Refraction of water holocaust and Vedas
Seven days later, the Mahapralaya came on the earth. Lord Vishnu appeared in a huge fish form and tied the boat to his horn with the help of Vasuki Nag. They took King Manu, Sapta Rishis and the seeds of life safely to the Himalayas.
After this Lord Vishnu gave Satyavrat knowledge of self -element –
“I only live in all beings. The world is mortal, and nothing except me. One who sees me everywhere, attains salvation.”
When the Holocaust ended, Lord Vishnu killed Hayagriva and returned the Vedas to Brahma Ji and established religion in the creation. Satyavrat was entrusted with the responsibility of new creation as King Manu.
This story of Matsya avatar symbolizes the preservation of religion, knowledge and creation.
