Anantha Chathurdashi !!

 

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 

 

 

Anantha Chathurdashi commemorates the worship of Lord Anantha/ Adishesha,  one of the Nithyasuris in the Abode of Lord Vishnu on the day of bright fortnight Shukla Paksha in the month Bhadrapad.   

 

 

The legend has that Pandavas during their exile from Hasthinapur prayed to Lord Krishna to get relief from the obstacles.  Lord Krishna narrates an incident which took place in Thretayuga.  There was a Brahmin named Sumant and his wife Diksha.  They had a daughter Shushila, unfortunately Shushila lost her mother at an young age.  Sumant got married to Karkash immediately after the death of his first wife Diksha.  Sushila’s ill fate turned into worst, she had to face hellish torture from her stepmother.  

 

 

Later, Shushila married to Kaundinya and the young couple decided to stay away from the family.  The couple started their journey from their hometown, on their way Kaundinya informed his wife and went for ablations.  Soon, Sushila joined with a crowd of women who were engaged in observing Ananatha Chathurdashi Vow, out of curiosity Sushila enquired the austerities followed on this day.  The women gathered around explained to her that  the worship of Lord Anantha made of Dharba grass, offerings of flowers, ghee lamp, bhog, incense stick and  a silk string  are the part of the austerities.  At the end of the faithful worship of Lord Anantha, the silk string is tied around the wrist as a promise to keep the worshipper with good health, prosperity and happiness all through their life.  Sushila and her husband Kaundinya also followed the austerities sincerely. 

 

 

Years passed by Sushila and Kaundinya had all the happiness, prosperities and richness in their life.  Kaundinya’s pride and ego took its form, Shushila and Kaundinya had a heated argument about the Ananta Chathurdashi vow.  Finally, Kaundinya plucked the silk string from Sushila’s hand and threw into fire.  He argued that the prosperity and achievements all came into his life only out of his hard work and intelligence not because of the blessings of Lord Anantha.  After this incident, Kaundinya had to face many tragedies in life and constrained to extreme poverty.  Kaundinya deeply regretted about his past deeds and underwent severe penance praying to Lord Anantha.  He continued his spiritual search for Lord Anantha.  He entered into a forest and came across:

 

 

·      Mango trees full of ripened mangoes were attacked by worms – A Brahmin (Mango tree) who was not willing to share his vast knowledge in his previous life.

 

·        A cow and a calf – Had eaten all the seeds while on the Earth

 

·        A bull on the lush green land without eating any grass - Religion

 

·        Two big Lakes combined together – Two sisters who loved each other dearly

 

·        A donkey and Elephant

 

 

 In a moment, Kaundinya felt wretched and pathetic decided to put an end to his life.  He tied rope around his neck and hanged to death.  Miraculously, there appeared a Brahmin rushed to Kaundinya and saved him.  The Brahmin led Kaundinya to a nearby cave which has no lights inside.  Soon, a piercing blue light guzzled the whole place there Kaundinya could visualize Lord Vishnu on Anantha.  The most compassionate Lord explained Kaundinya the fruitful meaning of the things he had  witnessed  while in his search of Lord.  Lord Anantha advised Kaundinya to follow the austerities of Anantha Chathurdashi to get rid of all the sins.  Kaundinya followed the advice of Lord Anantha and faithfully observed all the Anantha Chathurdashi Vratas and attained prosperity, good health and once again the couple lived happily ever after.

 

 

 

Another importance of this day is that, the ten day long worship of Lord Ganesha started exactly from the day of Vinayaka Chathurthi ends on Anantha Chathurdashi day.  The idol of Lord Ganesha worshipped taken to waterfront and immersed in it.  Thus, the Grand festival of Ganesha Chathurthi comes to an end on this day.  

 

 

 

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!