CHAPTER V.

THE INCARNATIONS OR AVATARAS OF VISHNU.

1. THE MATSYA OR FISH AVATARA.

THE earliest account of what was afterwards regarded as an incarnation of Vishnu is found in the "Satapatha Brahmana." It will be noticed that though in this passage a wonderful fish is described, it is not said to have been an incarnation of any of the gods. The Mahabharata says that Brahma assumed this form; whilst the Puranas teach that the fish here spoken of was Vishnu. This transfer of work from one deity to another is not a matter of much surprise, when we remember how frequently it is declared that all the various gods are but forms of one supreme being. "It should be noticed that the Manu here referred to is regarded as a progenitor of the human race, and is represented as conciliating the Supreme Being by his piety in an age of universal depravity." Here is the passage: [**]

"There lived in ancient time a holy man
Called Manu, who, by penances and prayers,
Had won the favour of the lord of heaven.
One day they brought him water for ablution;

Then, as he washed his hands,. a little fish
Appeared, and spoke in human accents thus:
'Take care of me, and I will be thy saviour.'
'From what wilt thou preserve me?' Manu asked.
The fish replied, 'A flood will sweep away

Click to enlarge
THE MATSYA AVATARA.

All creatures; I will rescue thee from that.'
'But how shall I preserve thee?' Manu said.
The fish rejoined, 'So long as we are small,
We are in constant danger of destruction,
For fish eat fish; so keep me in a jar.