Ananta Chaturdashi Vrata

Anantha Chaturdashi Pooja/Vrata

Each year, the Anantha Vratha is performed on the 14th day (Chaturdasi) of the Sukla Paksha in Bhadrapada month.

During this vratha, Lord Sri Maha Vishnu is worshipped as Anantha with a Shodasa Upachara Puja.

Seven darbha grasses are tied together to symbolize the seven hoods of Lord Anantha.

On this day, Goddess Yamuna Devi is also honored along with Lord Anantha.

Two kalasas are prepared for this vratha: one for Yamuna and one for Anantha. The Yamuna Puja is conducted first, followed by the Anantha Puja.

It is believed that Lord Sri Krishna explained the significance of the Anantha Padmanabha Vratha to Dharmaraja, who performed it as advised by Krishna during their forest stay.

The Bhavishyottara Purana is said to contain details about the Anantha Padmanabha Vratha Kalpa.

Performing this vratha with full devotion and according to its traditions is believed to bring blessings of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.

The name ‘Ananta’ means endless, and it is believed that Lord Narayana will alleviate all difficulties if the Ananta Vrata is observed with sincere devotion.

Story 

Once there was a Brahmin named Sumanta from the Vasishtha Gotra, who married Dheeksha, the daughter of Brighu. They had a lovely daughter named Susheela. Unfortunately, Susheela's mother passed away when she was young. Her father remarried a woman named Karkashe, who was harsh and quarrelsome, making Susheela's life difficult. Despite these challenges, Susheela grew into a graceful young woman ready for marriage.

When Sumanta was concerned about finding a suitable husband for her, a sage named Kaundinya came to their house seeking a bride. Sumanta gave his daughter to Kaundinya, but due to his wife’s uncooperative nature, he could only offer a small amount of fried wheat flour as a wedding gift.

As Kaundinya and Susheela traveled together, they reached a riverbank on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi. Many Brahmins and their wives, dressed in red, were worshipping Ananta Padmanabha. Curious, Susheela approached them and learned about the Anantha Vrata. The ladies explained that this vrata, performed on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturdashi, involves decorating an altar with devotion, placing a kalasha on the south side, and tying seven darbhas together to represent Ananta. A red thread with 14 knots is placed on the altar, and the Lord is worshipped with 14 varieties of flowers and leaves. The prasadam for this vrata is Atiras, of which 28 pieces are prepared and distributed to Brahmins. The vrata should be performed for 14 years, replacing the thread each year, and on the 15th year, it concludes with the donation of gifts to Brahmins.

Following this guidance, Susheela performed the vrata with dedication, distributed half of the fried wheat flour to Brahmins, and wore the red thread. The power of the Anantha Vrata brought prosperity and beauty to Kaundinya’s ashram, and his relatives also became interested in performing the vrata. Susheela’s radiance grew.

One day, Kaundinya noticed the red thread on Susheela’s hand and demanded an explanation. Despite her truthful account, Kaundinya, in anger and jealousy, removed the thread and threw it into the fire. Susheela retrieved the half-burnt thread and immersed it in milk. Kaundinya soon experienced the loss of his wealth, the desertion of his relatives, and the death of his cattle. Realizing his mistake, he set out to find Ananta Padmanabha.

In the forest, Kaundinya collapsed, but the Lord appeared as an old Brahmin, revived him, and took him to a palace where He revealed His four-armed form with Mahalakshmi. Kaundinya praised the Lord and was granted three boons: the removal of poverty, the ability to follow dharma, and mukti saubhagya.

Upon returning home, Kaundinya performed the puja with devotion and lived a prosperous and happy life. This vrata has also been observed by sages like Agastya and kings like Janaka, Sagara, Dilipa, and Harishchandra in ancient times.