Matsya Teaches King Manu the Principles of Dharma After the Great Flood

Long ago, after the great flood that wiped out nearly all life on Earth, King Manu, the first man, stood on the mountain peaks with the seven great sages, the Saptarishis, and all the seeds of plants and pairs of animals they had preserved. The floodwaters had receded, and life on Earth was about to begin anew. It was a moment of relief and hope, but also a time of uncertainty.

Manu, the wise and righteous king, had been saved by the divine intervention of Lord Vishnu, who had taken the form of a great fish, Matsya, to guide Manu’s boat through the stormy seas of the flood. Now that the world was ready to be repopulated, Matsya appeared once more, rising gracefully from the tranquil waters.

In his divine form, Matsya approached Manu. His voice, filled with the wisdom of the universe, echoed in the stillness. “Manu, you have been chosen to lead the new world. But with this great responsibility comes the duty to uphold Dharma—the eternal law of righteousness. Without Dharma, the new world will once again fall into chaos.”

Manu bowed before Matsya, listening intently. “O Lord Vishnu, you have saved us from the flood, but how can we ensure that righteousness will prevail in the new world? What is my duty as the father of humankind?”

Matsya, shining with divine light, began to speak of the importance of justice, truth, and moral duty. “Manu,” he said, “the world must be built on the foundation of Dharma. This Dharma is not just a set of rules, but a way of living in harmony with the universe. You must ensure that justice is upheld in every decision, that truth is always honored, and that moral duty guides your every action.”

Matsya then imparted the principles of Dharma to Manu. He spoke of the four varnas, or classes, that would emerge in society: the Brahmins, who would preserve wisdom and spirituality; the Kshatriyas, who would protect and govern with righteousness; the Vaishyas, who would engage in trade and agriculture to sustain life; and the Shudras, who would serve society through their labor. These classes, Matsya explained, were not about superiority or power, but about fulfilling one’s duties according to their abilities, always in the service of the greater good.

He also taught Manu the laws of Karma—that every action has consequences, and that living in accordance with Dharma would lead to harmony, while going against it would bring suffering. Matsya emphasized that Manu, as the leader of this new world, must always act with compassion, fairness, and wisdom. “A ruler’s first duty,” said Matsya, “is to protect the weak, to ensure that justice is served, and to guide the people toward righteousness.”

Manu absorbed these teachings with reverence. He knew that these principles would shape the new world, guiding not only him but all future generations. Matsya’s words were not just instructions but a sacred covenant between the divine and humankind, ensuring that the new world would prosper under the rule of Dharma.

As Matsya prepared to return to the cosmic ocean, he left Manu with one final piece of advice: “Remember, Manu, the strength of a society lies not in its wealth or power, but in its commitment to righteousness. When Dharma is upheld, prosperity and peace will follow.”

With that, Matsya, the divine fish, disappeared into the depths of the ocean, leaving Manu to lead the new world with the wisdom of Dharma guiding his every step.

Moral: The story of Matsya teaching righteousness to Manu underscores the importance of Dharma—living a life of justice, truth, and moral duty. It teaches that a just society is built on the foundation of righteousness and that the true strength of a leader lies in upholding these values.