Sri Matsya Avtara
Introduction:
Generally Ten Avtaras of Lord Visnu are very popular known as DASHA AVTARA. And Among them, The Lord's MATSYA AVATARA (Fish Incarnation) is the first. Sri Jayadeva Goswami writes in Dasavatara Strota.

Pralaya-Payodhi Jale Dhrtavanasi Vedam
Vihitavahitra-Caritra-Makhedam
Keshava Dhrta Mina Sarira
Jaya Jagadeesh Hare

"O Master of the Universe, in the form of a Fish, In the waters of dissolution, you have held up the revealed knowledge of the Vedas, like a boat without effort. O Keshava All Glories to You."
In Srimad Bhagvatam, The Matsya Avatara pastimes of The Lord are explained briefly in the Eight Canto, Chapter Twenty Four. Sri Parikshit Maharaj enquired from Sukadeva Muni, about the Matsya Avtara pastime of Lord Hari. He also wanted to know why Bhagwan, The master of the universe accepted the form of an abominable creature like Fish, as the Fish's life is certainly condemned and full of terrible pain, Why The Lord had to take such form like ordinary living beings who accept different forms under the laws of Karma? What was the purpose for the same?

Sri Sukadeva Goswami Replied:

Sri Suka Uvacha:

Go vipra sura sadhunam
Chandasam api cesvarah
Raksam icchams tanur dhatte
Dharmasyarthasya caiva hi (SB 8.24.5)

(Sri Sukadev Goswami Said, "For the sake of protecting the Cows, Brahamans, Demigods (Daivi & Daivthas), devotees, the vedic literature, religious principles and principles to fulfill the purpose of life, the surpreme personality of Godhead accepts the forms of incarnations.")

Purport: Here it is very clearly mentioned the reasons for the Lord's Avtara (Incarnation). First, to protect the Cows, Secondly, to protect the Brahamanas, and Demigods (We always know that whenever there is problem for the devathas, they surrendered to Lord Vishnu for protection), Thirdly, to protect the Vedas and religious principles.

In this Kaliyuga people are so ignorant and fools that they accept anyone and everyone as an avtar or god, so called avataras and gods are running ashramas, schools, colleges, hospitals, even businesses, How cheap we are making God?

Then Sukadeva Muni explained that Vishnu or Krishna being the master of the amterial nature, is the controller of the laws of nature and he is not under their influence. He gave the example of wind, which blows through many places and in different types of atmosphere also, it is not affected by the qualities of these places, although the Air sometimes carries the odor of a filthy place, The (Air) has nothing to do with such a place. Similarly, Lord Hari Although appearing sometimes as a Human being and sometimes as a lower animal is always transcendental, He is above the material modes of nature, He, is unaffected by higher and Lower Forms.

Once When Lord Brahma slept i.e. at the end of past millennium, annihilation took place and the three worlds were covered by the water of the ocean, in his sleep, Vedas were emanating from his mouth, t...

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