Manu's Flood Story

One morning as Manu was washing and preparing for the day, he heard a small voice calling to him for help.  Manu looked around for to see what was in trouble but saw nothing. 

He reached forward to continue his cleaning and found a fish in his water.  He grasped it and immediately understood where the voice was coming from.  It was this small fish that was calling out for him.

"Yes, it is me calling for your help.  I need your protection," the fish asked of Manu, "If you take care of me, I will promise to reapay you."

"You are just a small fish; from what will you save me?" Manu asked of the fish.
"There will be a flood coming to wash away all the living creatures.  If you help me, I will shelter you from it," the small fish insisted.

"What would you ask of me?" Manu questioned the fish.

"You must keep me here, away from the ocean, until I have grown.  If you return me now I will be destroyed.  I am asking that you let me grow in your care until I am large enough to protect myself."  The fish was intent on Manu's help.

"Yes, I will care for you until you have grown." Manu vowed to foster the growth of this small fish.

The fish grew quickly, Manu visited with the fish often and helped it prosper greatly.  After many years, their friendship was great and during one of their visits, the fish addressed Manu.

"Manu, you have cared for me greatly.  I am now one of the largest fish and ready to return to the sea." The fish was grateful for all that Manu had done and continued, "There will be a year to come in which a great deluge will occur.  You must build a ship in my honor and remember me.  When the flood comes, get into the ship and I will be there to save you."

"Thank you." Manu  truly believed what the Fish said. "I will now return you to the sea."

Manu did as was asked by the fish, building a boat and remaining near the fish.  When the rains began he entered the ship.  As the waters rose, the large fish swam toward him and Manu attached a strong rope to the once small fish's horn and waited as the fish pulled him to the northern mountain.

"Now you must fasten this cord to the tree and wait for the waters to recess."  The fish had completed his rescue.

Manu did as was told and began to realize that all the creatures had been swept away.
Manu was grateful for this rescue but was alone.

He made offerings and sacrifices to the gods, and a woman was produced as his daughter.  They worshiped together and began offspring generating all races. 

 
Analysis:

I have detailed this story for you in order to give a clear example of Karma.  It was the good deeds done by Manu to the fish which saved him.  The goodness of his actions were repaid to him and he alone was saved from the flood.  It is said that the fish was actually the God Vishnu. 
This story demonstrated a cause and effect scenario displaying Karma.  Karma is defined by Wikipedia as a "deed or act".  Without Manu's help, the fish was bound to be eaten by the larger fish of the ocean.  Therefore, the fish needed Manu.  Had Manu not helped this small innocent fish, he too would have been destroyed in the rising waters.  Hence, it was a series of consequences resulting from each others' actions.  It was by his actions of service that he was saved.  It was not an action he was forced into doing, but rather a choice.  He chose to help this fish.  He also believed that this fish could save him.  This is evident because he did what the fish asked; he built the boat and paid homage to the fish waiting nearby in the time suggested.  According to most understandings of Karma if one does good they will receive good, if one does evil they will receive evil.  We see here that Manu did good to the fish and received good by having his life spared.

Narayan, R. K. The Mahabharata. New York: Viking, 1978.

Buck, William. Mahabharata. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1973.

"Manu", in Dowson, John. A classical dictionary of Hindu mythology and religion, geography, history, and literature. London: Trübner, 1879. Available online:  http://www.mythfolklore.net/india/encyclopedia/manu.htm

"Manu", in Mythological Tales. A Zed Infocom Pvt. Ltd. Presentation. Available online: http://www.urday.com/manu.htm

"Flood Myths, Hindu", Robert O'Connell, Toronto. Last Updated: Wednesday, February 21st, 1996. Available online: http://www.mythome.org/fludmyt6.html

Image Information:

The Art Institute of Chicago: Art Access-Be a Vishnu Avatar-Indian Divinity-Indian Mythology
Weblink: http://www.webonautics.com/mythology/vishnu2.html

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