Matsya Avatar of Vishnu, Madhubani Painting by Ambika Devi

In this exquisite Madhubani painting by Ambika Devi, we witness the majestic Matsya Avatar, the Fish Incarnation, of Lord Vishnu. Lord Matsya is portrayed as a magnificent figure with the upper torso of a man and the lower body of a fish. Adorned with four arms, he holds the khartaal, a shankha (conch shell), a gada (mace), and a lotus, symbolizing his divine attributes. It is believed to be the first avatar and represents the preservation of life during a catastrophic flood and to have rescued the first man, Manu, from a great deluge. In Madhubani’s painting, the depiction of Matsya Avatar is believed to bring blessings of prosperity, good fortune, and spiritual harmony to the household or the community.