Anant Chaturdashi Vrat

1. Anant Vrat

Ananta - Bhagawan Sri Vishnuji — Ananta – Bhagawan Sri Vishnu

1. Anant chaturdashi Vrat

The implied meaning of Ananta is the Energy in the form of Chaitanya that has no end. The date as per the Hindu lunar calendar (tithi) of Sri Ganesh Chaturthi is Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi. During the period from this tithi to Anant Chaturdashi, the energy is emitted in higher proportion from Sri Ganeshji. Similarly, on this day the Ganesh Principle is also emitted 10% more in the Universe.

The duration of Ananta vrat is fourteen years. Thereafter the vrat is concluded. This vrat is undertaken on the advice of someone or getting the thread of Ananta easily.

1.1 Objective of Ananta vrat

Ananta vrat is observed with the intention of fulfillment of worldly desires (‘kamya vrat’). This vrat is mainly observed for regaining lost prosperity. On the day of Ananta Chaturdashi, the frequencies of Sri Vishnu are active in the Universe. It is easy for average people to attract and absorb these frequencies on this day. Doing Anantapujan means absorbing the action-energy of Sri Vishnu.

The presiding Deity of Ananta vrat is Ananta, that is, Bhagawan Sri Vishnu. The Deities Yamuna and Shesha also accompany Sri Vishnuji.

1.2 Ananta vrat pujan

As far as possible, the ritualistic worship of Ananta should be performed by a couple. In exceptional cases, a man or a woman alone can perform the worship.

Before commencing the vrat pujan, the resolve to perform this pujan for regaining the lost prosperity is made.
Thereafter, in the Yamunapujan, Sri Yamuna Devi is worshipped ritualistically with sixteen substances.
First Sri Yamuna Devi is offered a seat.
The ritual of washing the Holy feet of Sri Yamuna Devi is done.
Thereafter, arghya is offered.
Thereafter, the ritual of giving a bath with five substances is performed.
The Devi is consecrated with water.
The lady doing the vrat offers turmeric powder and vermillion to Sri Yamuna Devi
Later unbroken rice grains are put in a kalasha and body-worship (anga-puja) of Sri Yamuna Devi is done.
The worship is concluded by offering substances like incense-cake (dhup), arati, Holy sacrament (naivedya) etc.

Subtle-process taking place on invoking Yamunaji in the kalasha filled with water during the ritualistic worship of Ananta vrat: By invoking Yamunaji, the frequencies of Srikrushna in the water are awakened. These frequencies are obtained by the worshipper and they destroy the black, round, spiral-shaped raja-tama-dominant frequencies in the worshipper’s body. With this, the body of the worshipper is purified. The ritualistic worship done with a pure body gives more benefit.

1.3 Ritualistic worship of Sheshanag

In this the cobra (nag) with seven hoods made of the sprouts of a type of grass called darbha is ritualistically worshipped as a symbol of Sheshanag.

First the Deity Sheshanag is invoked.
The ritual of offering a seat to Sheshanag is performed. After this, the rituals like washing of Holy feet, offering of water etc. are performed.
The body-worship (anga-puja) of the Deity Sheshanag is done.
His seven hoods are worshipped.
Thereafer His Name-worship (nampuja) is done.
At the end, incense, lamp, Holy sacrament etc. are offered.

1.4 Reason underlying the ritualistic worship of Sheshnag in Ananta vrat

On the day of Ananta Chaturdashi, action frequencies associated with Sri Vishnu principle are emitted in the Universe. Deity Sheshnag is an excellent carrier of these frequencies.

The task of Energy of Action (Kriyashakti) associated with human body:

The action energy present in human body maintains his gross body through the medium of the Absolute Earth Principle and the shape of the body through the medium of the Absolute Water Principle. Sheshadevata provides energy required for the various tasks of that part of the Divine Consciousness that governs the functioning of the mind and body (Chetanashakti).

The action frequencies in the form of the Absolute Fire Principle present in the darbha circulate in active form. Through the symbol of Sheshanag made of darbha, the round spiral action frequencies of Sri Vishnu present in the Universe are attracted. These frequencies spread at the place of ritualistic worship. They touch the worshipper and spread in his body.

1.5 Ritualistic worship of the thread symbolic of Ananta

After the ritualistic worship of Sheshanag, the worship of the thread, the symbol of Sri Vishnu, that is, Ananta is done. Before worshipping the thread is purified by reciting mantras. For the consecration of Ananta, Madanant Deity, that is, Bhagawan Sri Vishnuji is invoked. Among the two threads in the glass (fulpatra), the thread on the left of the worshiper is the male thread and thread to his right is the female thread.

After the consecration of the thread, to offer seat to Ananta. Unbroken rice grains smeared with vermillion (akshat) are offered from below upwards on the 14 knots on the male thread. Thereafter, akshat are offered on the female thread in a similar way.
Gandhodak snan – Bathing the deity with water mixed with sandalwood paste (gandh).
Pushpodak snan – Bathing the deity with water containing flowers.
Phalodak snan – Bathing the deity with fruit juice.
Thereafter the deity is bathed with water containing precious stones.
Then the threads are placed for ritualistic worship.
The threads are ritualistically worshiped with five substances (panchopachar) using substances like gandh, flower etc.
Thereafter dwadash avaran ritualistic worship is performed. Thereafter, leaves like Bel, Karavir, Shami, Tulasi, Apamarg, Datura and Tadini are offered and patrapuja is performed. After Anantapujan, the special naivedya of sweet puris made of pumpkin is offered. The threads placed in the glass are taken out and tied on the arm and the old threads are discarded.

1.6 The importance and science underlying the Ananta thread of 14 knots

There are 14 main knots (granthis) in human body. These knots are connected to each other through the flow of Chetanashakti. As a symbol of which, the thread with 14 knots is ritualistically worshipped with recitation of mantras.

The action frequencies of Sri Vishnu present in the Universe are attracted towards the Ananta threads, after its ritualistic worship and the thread is charged with these frequencies. By tying the thread on the arms, the entire body of the person is charged with these energy frequencies. Thus, the flow of Chetanashakti present in his body gains momentum.

1.7 Science underlying offering sweet puris made of pumpkin in Anantpujan

Naivedya of sweet puris made of pumpkin is offered in Anantpujan and the Deity of vrat is immersed. The vrat is concluded (udyapan) after 14 years.

Subtle air sheaths of pumpkin have the capacity of attracting and storing the action energy frequencies of the Universe. Hence, the active frequencies of Energy of Action are attracted in the puris made of pumpkin in a short time.

Sanatan Hindu Dharma includes observation of particular vrats on particular tithis, various actions associated with that vrat, observation of rituals and restrictions etc. In Hindu Dharma, rules are laid down in the Scriptures for enabling the humans to be strong, competent and to gain all necessary energies.

1.8 The teaching gained from Anant Chaturdashi

Be it the Ananta vrat observed on the day of Ananta Chaturdashi or immersion of Sri Ganeshji on the same day, a common point is learnt.

During the period of 10 days, from Sri Ganesh Chaturthi to Ananta Chaturdashi, Ganesh principle descends on Earth and spreads in so many homes and merges into infinity (Ananta) with immersion of the Ganesh idol. In short, Celebrating Anant Chaturdashi means remembering the ultimate goal of God-realisation and reaching Vaikunth.

For more information on this article, read Sanatan Sanstha’s publication – ‘Holy festivals, Religious festivals and Vowed religious observances’

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