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Anant Vrat is performed on the fourteenth day in Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad month.
Ananta Vratam is dedicated to Lord Ananta Padmanabha Swamy, who is Lord Vishnu
appears in Anant Sayana form, reclines on Ananta (Aadi Seshu – Snake Anant). Anant
vrata is performed by married couple for marital bliss.
Devotees of Lord Vishnu believe that worship of Lord Vishnu in the form of Ananta
Padmanabha, will remove their sorrows. The word ‘Ananta itself gives the meaning –
endless. Endless joy and happiness is provided by performing Anantha Vratham. Ananta
Vratam has to be observed for 14 consecutive years by married couple for their long and
everlasting bond of love and affection.
The legend and the Anant Vrat Katha are mentioned in several Puranas. According to
some legends, Lord Krishna suggested King Yudhishtira to observe Anant Vrata for 14
continuous years to get rid of his sorrows and to bring back his wealth and kingdom that
he lost in gambling game of Kauravas.
The important ritual of Anant Vrata is tying the Sacred Thread, Anant Daara, to hand.
The performers of Anant Vrata place the Anant Daaram along with the idol of Anant
Padmanabha to sanctify the thread. Anant Daara is worshipped along with the Lord by
showering turmeric powder, kumkum and akshata and all other pujas. Ananta Daara is
made of 14 strands which indicate the 14 years of the observance of Anantha Vratha. In
some places people prepare it of 14 knots.
After performing Ananta Vratham, women tie Anantha Daaram on their left hand men on
to their right hand or vice versa. In some regions, devotees prepare an idol of Lord
Anantha Padmanabha swami with Durva (garika or darbha) grass blades and worship
the Lord with placing it in a bamboo basket.
Significance of Anantha
Anantha is one of the most significant and prominent names of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.
We find several references to the name Anantha. Lord Sri Krishna says in Sri Bhagawad
Geeta (Chapter#10 sloka#29) that He is the Anantha among the Naga Sect, a Serpent
God. The name Anantha also popularly figures in Sri Vishnu, Naamathraya Japa viz.
Achyutaya Namaha, Ananthaaya Namaha and Govindaaya Namaha. Sri Vishnu
Sahasra Nama Sthothram (sloka # 70, 95 and 100) as well as the Phala Sruthi eulogizes
Lord Sri Maha Vishnu with the name Anantha as follows.
Kamadevah kamapalah kami kantah krutagamah
Anirdeshya-vapur vishnur viro ananto dhananjayah
Anantha means the one who is all pervasive, who is eternal, who is beyond all
boundaries and for whom there is no limit either by space, time or location. He is the one
who has infinite number of forms and He dwells in the entire Universe. He is invincible
and omnipresent. His glory is infinite. He is highly meritorious among the meritorious. No
one can describe or define Him precisely. He is also popularly called as Padmanabha
the one who has a Lotus like navel or the one who has Lotus in the navel. Anantha
Padmanabha is none other than Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.
Namostvananthaya Sahasramuurthaye!
SahasraPaadaakshi Sirorubaahave!
Sahasranaamne Purushaya Saswathe!
SahasraKoti Yugadhaarine Namah!!
(Brahma Uvacha)
Salutations to the Infinite, one who has manifested as innumerable number of forms,
who has innumerable feet, eyes, heads, arms, one who has innumerable number of
names, who is an eternal person, and who holds thousands of crores of Yugas which are
uncountable.
Above sloka is a dhyana sloka of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu that describes Him as the
embodiment and personification of peace, one who reclines on the great serpent bed
Aadisesha, one whose navel is in the form of a Lotus that has given birth to the creation
of Universe, one who is the Lord of the Deities, on whose support entire Universe is
rested, who is all pervading like the sky, one whose colour resembles that of a cloud, the
one who has a beautiful and auspicious body configuration, one who is the Lord of
Goddess Lakshmi Devi, one who has Lotus eyes, one who rests in the hearts of Yogis
who perceive Him through meditation, He is the one who is the destroyer of fear of cycle
of births and deaths (Samsara), and I adore Sri Maha Vishnu the Lord of entire
Universe.
Several austerities are prescribed to be performed in the name of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu
in Hindu religion. One such prominent austerity performed that is dedicated to Lord Sri
Maha Vishnu is Sri Anantha Padmanabha Vratha. This vratha is performed every year
on the 14th day (Chaturdasi) of bright fortnight (sukla paksha) in Bhadrapada Masam as
per Hindu Lunar Calendar. Since it is performed on the Chaturdasi day it is popularly
known as Anantha Chaturdasi. Chaturdasi day associated with Pournami thithi is
preferred and considered as auspicious and sacred for performing this Vratha.
In this vratha, Lord Sri Maha Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Anantha with shodasa
upachaara pooja. Seven # Dharbha (Kusa grass) are tied together representing Lord
Anantha with seven hoods. Goddess Yamuna Devi is also worshipped along with Lord
Anantha on this day. In Anantha Padmanabha vratha there is significance for # 14. It is
performed on the 14th day in the Lunar Calendar. This vratha is performed for 14 years
before it is concluded with Udyapana. Lord Vishnu is worshipped with 14 varieties of
flowers, fruits and dishes. A special sweet dish made with wheat flour and jaggery is
prepared in 28 # and half of it is given as charity to a Brahmin after Nivedana to Lord
Anantha.
Another significant feature in this vratha is worshipping Lord Anantha with a red coloured
silk thread having 14 knots known as Thora. On completion of the pooja this Thora is
tied to the shoulder or wrist of the Grihastha. It is believed to act as a protection
(Raksha) to the one who wears it. It is retained till next year and replaced with a new one
at the time of Sri Anantha Padmanabha vratha. Both men and women participate in this
vratha.
As per scripts it is said that Lord Sri Krishna had narrated the significance of Sri Anantha
Padmanabha Vratha to Dharmaraja. On the advice and direction of Lord Sri Krishna,
Dharmaraja had performed this Vratha during their exile in forests. It is said that details
of Anantha Padmanabha Vratha Kalpa are mentioned in Bhavishyottara Purana. It is
believed and said that those who perform this austerity as per the norms with total
devotion and sincerity will be bestowed with multiple merits viz. Dharma, Artha, Kama
and Moksha. Giving a Cow as a charity (Ghodana) on this day is considered as highly
sacred and meritorious.
We have number of temples especially in South India which are dedicated to Lord Sri
Anantha Padmanabha. Prominent among them is the temple at Thiruvananthapuram
(Trivandrum) in Kerala known as Anantha Sayanam. There is also an ancient temple
dedicated to Lord Sri Anantha Padmanabha at Sri Kshethra Kudupu near Mangalore. It
is said that this temple is in existence since Krita Yuga. Aslesha Bali pooja performed at
this temple for Naga dosha is vey popular. It is a rare temple dedicated to Lord Sri
Anantha Padmanabha.
There is also another very ancient temple dedicated to Lord Anantha at Ananthagiri
about 75 km from Hyderabad city. Here the Lord is said to have manifested as a
Salagrama Shila who appears in Trimurthi Swaroopa of Anantha, Narasimha and
Srinivasa. It is said that Sage Markandeya had performed penance at this place.
The three Ranganatha kshetras at Sri Rangam (Trichy), Srirangapatna (near Mysore)
and Shivana Samudra (about 100 km from Bangalore near Mandya on the way to
Mysore) all the three on the banks of sacred river Kaveri also have temples of Lord
Maha Vishnu in reclining form resting on Anantha (Bhujaga sayana).
On this auspicious day of Anantha Chaturdasi special celebrations are held at all those
temples that are dedicated to Lord Sri Anantha Padmanabha. Reciting Sri Vishnu
Sahasra Nama Sthothram, Purusha Sooktham, Sri Vishnu Sooktham on this day is
considered as highly meritorious.
Sloka
Kalasha Puja
Sloka
Dhyanam
Avahanam
Aasanam
Thora Sthapana
Arghyam
Padyam
Achamaneeyam
Madhuparkam
Panchamritham
Shuddhodaka Snanam
Vastra Yugmam
Upaveetham
Gandham
Akshatan
Pushpa pooja
Adhanga Pooja
Om padmanabhaya Namah
Om sheshaya Namah
Om thalpathmakaya Namah
Om padmakaraya Namah
Om gadadharaya Namah
Om chaturbahave Namah
Om avyayaya Namah
Om devaya Namah
Om phaneshwaraya Namah
Om sankarshanaya Namah
Om chitswarupaya Namah
Om sutragrande Namah
Om susamsthitaya Namah
Om prithvidharini Namah
Om sahasrakshaya Namah
Om akhiladharaya Namah
Om sahasrabahave Namah
Om srimathe Namah
Om sevyaya Namah
Om satyamurtaye Namah
Om neelavasase Namah
Om jagatgurave Namah
Om brahmanyaya Namah
Om maharogayudhaya Namah
Om karunanidhaye Namah
Om mahathe Namah
Om dharmaparayanaya Namah
Om nagalokeshwaraya Namah
Om swabhuve Namah
Om vaikuntaya Namah
Om sarvathomukhaya Namah
Om balabhadraya Namah
Om pralambaghne Namah
Om kanthikarshanaya Namah
Om niradharaya Namah
Om kapilaya Namah
Om kamaphaalaya Namah
Om achyutagrajaya Namah
Om asthikagurave Namah
Om avyagraya Namah
Om baladevaya Namah
Om mahabalaya Namah
Om ajaaya Namah
Om mahatejase Namah
Om niranjanaya Namah
Om sarvaloka pratapanaya Namah
Thoragranthi Pooja
Dhupam
Deepam
Naivedyam
Tambulam
Neerajanam – Mantrapushpam
Pradakshina Namaskaran
Thora grahanam
Thora Namaskaram
Thora Bandhanam
Upayadana daanam
There once lived a brahmin called Sumanta born in Vasishtha Gotra and had married
Brighu’s daughter Dheeksha. They had a charming daughter called Susheela. When
Susheela was a young girl, she lost her mother. Her father married a woman called
Karkashe who was hard hearted and quarrelsome. She made the life of Susheela
miserable. In spite of these difficulties at home, Susheela grew to be a fine lady ready to
be married. When Sumanta was worried over her marriage, there came to his house
looking for a bride, a rishi called Kaundinya. Sumanta gives his daughter to Kaundinya
rishi in marriage. With his wife being uncooperative, he could give to his son in law as a
marriage gift, a little of fried wheat flour.
Kaundinya accompanied by his wife Susheela left the place and reached the bank of a
river during their travel. That day being Bhadrapada shukla Chaturdashi many brahmins
and their wives who were wearing red dress, were worshiping Ananta Padmanabha.
Curious Susheela approaches these ladies and asks them for details of the vrata. They
say that the vrata is called Anantha vrata and the fruits are infinite (anantha); when
Susheela showed interest in performing the vrata, they tell her in detail as follows:
Having listened to the narration with attention, faith and devotion, Susheela performed
the puja with those gathered there; distributed half of the fried wheat flour to brahmanas,
wore the red thread and with the thoughts of Ananta Padmanabha accompanied her
husband to his ashram. Because of the power of Anantha vrata, Kaundinya’s ashram
acquired beauty and wealth. All his relatives were eagerly waiting to do the Anantha
vrata. Susheela had acquired an aura of brilliance.
One day Kaundinya sees the red thread on Susheela’s hand and asks for an
explanation. In spite of her telling him the truth, in a fit of anger and jealousy, Kaundinya
forcibly removes the thread and throws it in the fire. Susheela picks up the half burnt
thread and immerses it in milk. This behavior proved very dear to Kaundinya; pretty soon
all his wealth was lost; his relatives deserted him; his cattle died and he now knew that
this was on account of his rudeness to Ananta Padmanabha swami in the form of the red
thread.
Kaundinya returned home and did the puja with shraddha and bhakti. He lived a life of
wealth and happiness. In the bygone days, sages like Agastya, kings like Janaka,
Sagara, Dilipa, and Harishchandra have performed this vrata.
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