Reading Notes: Pattanaik's "Seven Secrets of Vishnu" (Part B)

Chapter 2: Matsya's Secret

"Only humans can empathize and exploit."

• Matsya = avatar of vishnu in form of fish
• Larger Brain = transform pashu (animal) to purusha (human)
• Creates Brahma who seeks Brahman.
• Physical manifestation of spiritual real
• Born of vishnu to realize him
• Manavas = Humans
• First human is named Manu.
• Jungle Rule (Matsya Nyaya): Might is right.
• Only humans can overturn this rule.
• Mighty humans can help weak ones.
• Manu interferes with nature because of empathy, transforming nature.
• Saves little fish by putting him in pot.
• When fish grows, Manu gives him bigger pot.
• Notion of property - from empathy/compassion or fear/greed
• Dharma = artificial construct to create a secure world
• Imagination + Empathy = Inclusive Property --> Dharma
• Imagination + Fear/Exploitation = Exclusive Property --> Adharma
• Rama = Dharma, Ravana = Adharma
•   King Shibi rescued dove from hawk.
• When hawk asks what he will eat, King replies he should eat another dove.
• Hawk questions why King would save one dove but sacrifice another.
• King changes mind and says to eat a rat or serpent.
• Hawk questions why they should die for the dove to live. No answer.
•  Vishnu draws attention to imperfect culture.
• Culture is built on the destruction of a natural ecosystem.
• Law of Karma = Ever action as a reaction.
• Newton's third law??
• Flooding (death of the world) - Manu creates boat by horned fish's instructions
• Similar to Noah's ark

Matsya

Bibliography: Devdutt Pattanaik's "Secrets of Vishnu"