Text 15] Matsya, the Lord’s Fish Incarnation 235

tam—unto him (Satyavrata); Gha—said; sd—that small fish; ati-
karunam—extremely compassionate, mahd-karunikam—extremely
merciful; nrpam—unto King Satyavrata; yaddobhyah—to the aquatics;
jnati-ghatibhyah—who are always eager to kill the smaller fish;
dinam—very poor; mam—me; dina-vatsala—O protector of the poor;
katham—why; visrjase—you are throwing; rdjan—O King; bhitam—
very much afraid; asrmmin—within this; sarit-jale—in the water of the
river.

TRANSLATION
With an appealing voice, the poor small fish said to King

Satyavrata, who was very merciful: My dear King, protector of the
poor, why are you throwing Me in the water of the river, where
there are other aquatics who can kill Me? I am very much afraid of
them.

PURPORT
In the Matsya Purana it is said:

ananta-saktir bhagavan
matsya-riipi jandrdanah

kridartham yaécaydm asa
svayam satyavratam nrpam

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead possesses unlimited potency.
Nonetheless, in His pastime in the form of a fish He begged protection
from King Satyavrata.”

TEXT 15
THRAAISSMETE MEAT ARRIATAT |
AAA TINA THA: I AA TT LAM

tam Gtmano “nugrahartham
pritya matsya-vapur-dharam

ajanan raksanarthaya
Sapharyah sa mano dadhe
