Anantha Chaturdashi

Anant Chaturdasi 

 A day signifying the essence of time. Perseverance is important in everything, more so when while showing honour and obedience towards our Gods. Anant means never ending, since the very beginning, something that cannot be measured; as with God’s grace.

A Hindu religious observance performed on the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight (Shukla paksha) of Bhadrapad month of  the Hindu calendar. A prominent day, it is considered auspicious to immerse the idol of Lord Ganesh. Along side, prayers are offered to Lord Ananth ( Vishnu ) on this day.

Mythological Significance

Pandavas, during their exile are once visited by Lord Krishna. King Yudishter, the eldest among them asks the Lord to suggest a way through which their difficulties would pass soon.  Replying, the Lord answers “A way there is to rid you of all your sins, remove all your difficulties, promote your material prosperity and eventually lead you towards the path of moksha(liberation). The vrata, called Ananata Padmanabha vrata needs to be done a day prior to pournami(bhadrapada shukla chaturdashi) of the month of bhadrapada. This vrata is reputed to be the foremost in protecting devotees from all adversaries.”

King Yudishter, though pleased wonders who does Ananta represents; would it be Aadishesha or maybe Takshaka, or is it Brahma. Lord Krishna smiles, revealing the form of Vishwaroopa. “ I am Ananta ; Ananta is the endless time. You may call him Hari, Vishnu, Krishna, Shiva, Surya, Adishesha or Brahma. I reside in the hearts of all creatures, assume different avataars for protecting the good and punishing evil, I am that Parmeshwar Himself. In me reside all the 14 lokas, 14 indras, 12 adityas, 11 rudras, 8 vasus, 7 rishis,the earth and the sky, rivers and mountains. “

 Overwhelmed , King Yudishter requests Lord Krishna to guide him in observing this vrata. The Lord, pleased begins to narrate the origin of this vrata which took place in Tretayuga.

Anant Chaturdashi katha

A Brahmin named Sumanta born in Vasishta gotra was married to Brigu's daughter Dheeksha who bore him a beautiful daughter, Susheela. Unfortunately, Dheeksha demised early leaving the child motherless. Her step - mother, Karkashe was a cold and angry woman who gave Susheela a tough time. Yet, Susheela grew to be a fine young lady and ready for marriage. Just then a young rishi, Kaundinya came about looking for a bride. Overjoyed, Sumanta gives his daughters hand in marriage to rishi Kaundiya. As a gift to the parting couple he offers them fried wheat flour.

 Kaundinya accompanied by his wife Susheela travel on foot and by noon reaches the bank of a river. That very day being the chaturdasi of Bhadrapada shukla, many brahmins along with their wives , were worshipping Ananta Padmanabha dressed in red attire. Curious, Susheela approaches these ladies and asks them details of the vrata. They inform her that the vrata is called Ananata vrata and its fruits are infinite(ananta); while Sushila expresses her desire to observe the vrata, they guide her through it as follows.

The vrata is to be performed on Bhadrapada shukla chaturdashi. After bathing and attiring in red, decorate the altar with devotion. Keep a kalasha on the south of the altar in which you invite the Lord. Keep 7 darbhas tied to each other to represent ananta. Keep a red thread with 14 knots on the altar. Worship lord with 14 variety of flowers and 14 variety of leaves. The prasad for this vrata is Atiras. Make 28 of them and serve them to brahmanas. Those attendning should be given food and respect. Do this vrata for 14 years each year replacing the thread that was worn in the earlier year. 15th year do the udyapana(conclusion with donation of gifts to brahmanas).

 After listening to the narration with  faith and devotion, Susheela performs the puja along with those gathered around, distributes half of the fried wheat flour to the gathered Brahmanas, wears the red thread and with thoughts of Lord Ananta Padmanabha accompnies her husband to his ashram. By the grace of Anantavrata, rishi Kaundinya's ashram acquires beauty and wealth. Susheela had acquired an aura of brilliance.

One day rishi Kundinya 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 pulls the thread off, throwing it into the fire. Sushila picks the half burnt thread and immerses it in milk. But this attitude of rishi Kaundinya is not forgiven; soon his wealth and fame is lost; friends and family desert him; cattle die and he realises his folly.

Rishi Kaundinya leaves home looking for Lord Anantha padmanabha. Entering a forest he aproaches a mango tree and enqueries “Have you seen Ananta Padmanabha swami ? “ He goes further and asks a cow along with its calf the same question. A little further he meets a bullock to who he poses this question. He continues further and comes across two lakes overflowing to whom he puts forth the same question. The next in line are a donkey and an elephant who could not answer his question either. By now he was tired and heartbroken. He falls down there. Lord in His infinite compassion comes there in the form an old brahman, revives him and takes him to a palace where he shows him his four armed form along with Goddess Mahalakshmi. Rishi Kaundinya praises the Lord in many stotras. The Lord pleased gives him three boons viz., Removal of poverty, Aability to follow dharma, Mukti Saubhagya ( Path to liberation).


 Now rishi Kaundinya asks the Lord about the strange sights he saw on his way. The Lord explains. The man who was full of knowledge but did not teach his disciples was the useless mango tree. Although wealthy one who never ate himsef and did not give to others became the cow. The king who gave non productive lands as gifts is born now as a bullock. The two lakes which overflow are dharma and adharma. One who neglected his ancestors' dharma has become an elephant. The donkey represents the one who condemned others and lived through unrighteous ways. Do this vrat for 14 years and you shall be granted a permanent place in the heavens.

Rishi 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, Harischandra have done this vrat. You to do this vrat and all your troubles will be over. Listening to this the exiled King Yudishter also performs this vriat.

 One who hears this story or narrates it will be rid of all woes and difficulties and will acquire all kinds of wealth.

Method to observe the Anant Chaturdashi  Vrata

Women fast and pray for their husband’s long life and for prosperity at home. The 10-day long Ganeshotsav also comes to an end on this day. The women, who want to fast on this day, wake up in the morning and worship Lord Vishnu after taking a vow to fast.

Keep a 14 granthiyukta anant sutra (a thread with 14 knots) along with the idol of Lord Vishnu and worship both. Offer roli, moli, sandalwood paste, flowers, deep and sweets and chant the following mantra while offering each item.

“Om anantay namah namah”

After the puja, chant the mantra given below:

Namaste devdeveshe namaste dharnidhar
Namaste sarnagendra namaste purushottam
Nyunatiriktani parisfutani
Yanih karmani maya krutani
Sarvani chetani mam kshamasva
Prayahi tushtah punragmay
Data cha vishnurbhagavannantah
Pratigrahita ch sa ev vishnuh
Tasmattavya sarvamidam tatam cha
Prasid devesh varan ddasva

After the puja, men should tie the rakshasutr on right hand while women on the left. Chant the following mantra while tying the rakshasutra:

Anantasansarmahasamudre magnan samabhyuddhar vasudev
Anantrupe viniyojitatmamahyanantrupay namonamaste

After this, offer food to a Brahmin and then have food yourself.

Chant of the Day : Om anantay namah namah

Note: Have food without salt on this day.