Matsya Dwadashi Story

Once in the Satya Yuga, there was a kingdom called Dravida ruled by a pious and generous king named Satyavrat. One day, while bathing in the Kritamala River, he found a small fish in his hands. The king released it back into the river, but the fish pleaded with him to protect its life, as larger creatures in the river would eat it. Moved by the fish's plea, the king placed it in his water pot and took it home. Overnight, the fish grew too large for the pot, so the king transferred it to a bigger container, but the fish outgrew that too. Eventually, the king moved the fish to a lake, but it continued to grow. Realizing it was no ordinary fish, the king prayed and asked the fish about its true identity. The fish revealed itself as Lord Vishnu and explained that a demon named Hayagriva had stolen the Vedas from Brahma, plunging the world into ignorance and chaos. Lord Vishnu had taken the form of a fish to defeat the demon and retrieve the Vedas. He also warned the king that a great flood would occur in seven days, submerging the entire world. Lord Vishnu instructed the king to build a boat and gather all types of seeds, medicinal plants, and the seven sages (Saptarishis) to board the boat. When the flood came, Lord Vishnu, in the form of the fish, protected the boat by tying it to a mountain peak, now known as "Naukabandh." After the flood subsided, Lord Vishnu killed the demon Hayagriva, restored the Vedas to Brahma, and imparted their wisdom to King Satyavrat. The king, enriched with knowledge, came to be known as Vaivasvat Manu, the ancestor of humanity. The day Lord Vishnu took the fish form and defeated Hayagriva is celebrated as Matsya Dwadashi. This is the story behind the festival.