Ancient Hindu texts explain the relationship between Creation and Creator using stories. These stories always have layers of meaning. The story of Matsya avatar is one such story. In the beginning The Brahman shows itself in the form of Lord Brahma and creates the universe based on Dharma. The same Brahman then shows itself in form of Vishnu and protects it by protecting Dharma. Yet, a time comes when more and more people give up Dharma. When we completely give up Dharma and make our choices based on greed it destroys balance in nature. That is the time when Brahman shows itself in the form of Shiva and ends creation. After that once again Brahma creates and the cycle of creation continues.
During one such cycle, Brahma’s work of creation was complete. His eyes began to close and he fell asleep. As he slept the Vedas slipped out of his nostrils. This was the moment that the horse faced demon Hayagriva had been waiting for. One by one, he gulped the Vedas as they slipped through Brahma’s nostrils. It took many years for the Vedas to slip out, but Hayagriva remained watchful. As he swallowed the last Veda, his joy knew no limits and he roared with laughter. Lord Brahma woke up with a start and was shocked to see what had happened. He rushed to Lord Vishnu for help. Hayagriva knew Lord Brahma would ask Lord Vishnu to go after him. He dove in the ocean hoping to hide long enough for the next Creation cycle to start without the Vedas. At the same time Lord Brahma was explaining the situation to Vishnu. He said “O Lord the next Cycle must not begin without the Vedas. If humans lose the Vedas then Evil will reign and all creation will be doomed.” He apologized over and over for allowing the Vedas to slip out. Vishnu smiled and said “Lord Brahma, please do not worry”. Whenever Dharma is threatened on Earth I will perform my role of Protector and uphold Dharma.” Lord Brahma was pleased. His worry was gone. He returned home eager to see Lord’s plan in action. Meanwhile, unaware of all this was King Satyavratha. A king who lived like a sage he was a great man. Every morning he would stand in river Kritamala and offer prayers to the Lord. On one such morning he scooped up some water in his hands during his prayers. He was about to offer it to the Lord when he noticed a tiny fish in his hands trembling with fear. Taking pity on the fish, he was about to drop it back in the river when it spoke! “O Merciful King please do not put me back in the river. The bigger fishes and creatures will eat me. Please I have come to you for protection”. The king was amused to see the fish talk and placed it in his Kamandala. He finished his prayers and returned home. At home he saw the fish had already outgrown the Kamandala and was gasping for air. He then placed it in a large vessel and continued to go about his regular duties. Next morning he went to check on the fish. He was shocked to see that it had outgrown the large vessel. It was then transferred to a large sink big enough to hold few well built people. The next morning, his attendees informed him that the fish had outgrown the sink as well! The king was now suspicious of the extraordinary fish. He ordered his attendees to transfer the fish to a pond and watched the transfer himself. The following morning, he was curious to know the fish’s fate. He thought that the fish would continue to grow and he was right. It had outgrown the pond overnight. He then shifted it to the river where the fish continued to grow. Finally Satyavratha transferred it to the Ocean (in the same ocean where Hayagriva was hiding!). As soon as the fish reached the Ocean, it doubled its size. On seeing this, Satyavratha’s suspicion turned to faith. In a hopeful and happy tone he offered his salutations to the fish and asked “Is it you My Lord? Is it you Oh Lotus Eyed Vishnu? Have you blessed me by coming to test me?” The Matsya (fish) spoke to Satyavratha and said “Yes Satyavratha, it is me. In seven days there will be a great flood that will destroy everything. I want you to collect all kinds of seeds, pairs of all animals and board a boat with the seven sages (Saptarishi), their wives and Vasuki the serpent king. Wait for me at the highest point in the Northern Mountains. I will come at the right time to help you so you may survive the Great Flood and start the new Kalpa. Satyavratha was overcome with bliss at having met his Lord. After thanking the Lord he returned to his Ashram and began preparing for the Great Flood.
Meanwhile, the Lord turned his attention to Hayagriva. Hayagriva thought that Vishnu would come after him to free the Vedas. On seeing a giant fish coming towards him he readied for a fight. His challenge was that he had to keep his mouth shut or the Vedas would escape. The Matsya had grown a giant horn between its eyes and pointed it at Hayagriva as it shot through the Ocean depths. A fearsome battle began. Hayagriva fought the impulse to scream as the Matsya wounded him with its horn and tail. The battle continued for days. Finally, Hayagriva felt his strength leave him, his attacks became feeble. He gasped for his last breath and the Vedas rushed out of him towards their rightful place with Lord Vishnu. While Matsya and Hayagriva fought in the ocean depths the Great Flood had begun. The Devatas gifted a ship to Satyavratha to hold all that he had collected for the next cycle of creation. He waited for the Lord to appear in the northern mountains along with the Saptarishi and Vasuki. It had been raining day and night for days at end. Water covered tall mountains and was approaching the summit they stood upon. It seemed as if entire Earth was drowning. Satyavrath gazed upon the Great Flood all around him. You and I would have trembled at the fearful sight but he only saw his Lord’s glory and the hope of a new beginning. He meditated on his Lord as he peeked through the curtain of heavy rain. After a long wait he spotted a giant horn and two loving eyes. The Matsya had arrived to save them. The Lord instructed them “Use Vasuki to tie the ship to my Horn and then board the ship.” Satyavratha and others followed these instructions. The ship anchored to the Lord, navigated a drowned Earth and the greatest storm for many days. During this time the Matsya taught them the Vedas. It seemed the rain would never stop, but after seven days it did! The world was quiet again and the only sounds came from crashing waves and Satyavratha’s ship. On the eighth day the Matsya brought them to a piece of land. Satyavratha and his companions sang the Lord’s praises and thanked him. The Matsya Lord blessed them and said “Satyavratha you will be Manu (first man) in this new Creation Cycle. Plant the seeds and with the help of Saptarishis and their wives step into the Sathya Yuga.” With this the Lord blessed them and disappeared from their sight.