Ananta Caturdasi Vrata

[Center for Bhakti Studies]

Ananta Caturdasi Vrata

The fourteenth day in the bright fortnight of the month of bhaadrapada is known as anantana vrata. The Lord Ananta Padmanaabha is invoked in a pot filled with water and decorated with coconut and flowers. Special puuja is celebrated with fourteen varieties of dishes.

CHATURDASI (fourteenth day): In Bengal, Savitri Caturdasi is celebrated on the Jyestha krsna caturdasi day. It is a vrata for women to secure blessed wifehood and longevity for their husbands. Once started, it has to be continued for 14 years. It seems to be a substitute for the Vatasavitri-vrata performed in other parts of the country. Of all the vratas assigned to caturdasi, the Anantacaturdasi-vrata (Bhadrapada sukla caturdasi)seems to be the most important and widely observed. It is also called 'Anantapadmanabha-vrata'. Lord Visnu is believed to haved to have appeared on this day as Padmanabha lying on the couch of Ananta (the thousand-hooded serpent). It is more an individual vrata for happiness that a socio-religious festival. An icon of Ananta the great serpent, and manifestation of Visnu, has to be prepared in durva grass, kept on a jar and worshipped. A thread dyed in saffron or turmeric-technically called 'doraka'-with 14 knots (symbolizing the fourteen worlds created by God) is to be offered to Ananta with a mantra and then worn. Women should wear it on the left wrist and men on the right. It may also be worn round the neck. In times of yore, Yudhisthira, the eldest son of the Pandava brothers, is said to have observe this vrata for 14 years on the advice of Sri Krsna, to overcome all his diffculties and get back his kingdom. 'O Vasudeva! Save people sunk in the great and endless ocean of samsara and make them apply themselves to the contemplaction of the form of Ananta. Salutation to Thee that hast numerous forms!' Anyone doing the same, is assured of living in the abode of Visnu.
Another vrata observed on the caturdasi day is the Vaikuntha-caturdasi vrata during Karttika suklapaksa. The legend goes that Lord Visvesvara (Siva) established the Visvesvara linga at Varanasi (Benaras) on this day after a bath in the Ganga river and observing the Pasupatavrata. According to another myth, Visnu is said to have worshiped Siva with 1008 lotuses and got the Sudarsana Cakra (the famous discus weapon) from him. Worship of Visnu in the night is the main item of this vrata. Devotees of Siva are advised to have a darsana of his linga on this day in the light of 720 oil lamps.

A point of interest:
Ganesha Chaturthi is the birthday of Lord Ganesha on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturti, the day is specially sacred to Lord Ganesha. The worship of Ganesha continues till Ananta Chaturdasi (Bhadrapada Shukla 14th). The festivities continue for full ten days. Thereafter the highly decorated image made of clay, is carried in big processions and immersed in sea, river or well.