Anantha Chaturdasi
(Sri Anantha Padmanabha Vratha)
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)
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 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 who is sky coloured, 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.
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.
Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
bhargavasarma