The imminent end of this kalpa
Slipped the Vedas from his sleep
Asura, Hayagriva
By the folly of Brahma he did receive, the Vedas
I fear they will be lost
With the coming of pralaya
This task upon me now
I take the form of Matsya
To a king I am found
To a king I do speak
Protect me from this world
I am but helpless and weak
With hours passing I grow
I beseech you, king, to find me a home
From ponds to lakes and to the sea
My form, no space can hold
Who are you, oh wonderful creature? Surely not of this world
In the matter of a day, the largest lakes you have outgrown
Oh Lord Vishnu can it be true?
Seven days from now
All three worlds will be submerged by the oceans
Which will rise for the dissolution of creation
Build a vessel to hold all life
And the lord of the serpents, Vasuki
Fear not for I will come for you
And bring you salvation
Terror gripped him inside
As the beast that is Matysa approached him
Slaughtered in silence, he perished
Restoring the Vedas to Brahma
Before his slumber is ended
Before the next kalpa
Seven days later clouds gathered over the ocean
The rain poured down in torrents
The ocean, it did begin to rise, swallowing all of earth
Darkening skies, we wait with the hope for our savior
And so he appeared with an illuminated horn of gold
Lighting the way, giving them hope
The serpent king, Vasuki, he became the bridge, the rope
He told them not to fear, no harm shall come to you
As they sailed on through a day of Brahma
Vishnu did impart wisdom, the highest form of truth
A collection of puranic lore, called Matsya Purana
Saving the true devotees from dissolution
Carrying the divine knowledge into the next kalpa