مچهـ machh :
مچهـ machh S or
machchha (मच्छ or
मत्स्य) s. m. 1. A fish in
general. 2. The name of the first
avatār, or
incarnation, when
Vish̤ṇu appeared in the shape of the small fish
(शफरी) sapharī, to
Satyavrata, or
Hayagrīva, to warn him of the
general deluge, and
desire him to place the four Vedas in the boat which he
(Vish̤ṇu) would
preserve. The fish was first taken up by
Hayagrīva in his hands when
bathing, being then of the size of the
sapharī (or
ponṭhī); but, it grew too large for being
contained in a tank,
river, &c. and was
carried to the sea;
where, afterwards, it
supported the