Sri Guru Charitra - By Shri S.N.Huddar

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Chapter XLII - Significance of Anant Vrata Shri Guru narrated the significance of Anant vrata to Sayamdev. He said, `Dharmaraj, the son of Pandu, did this vrata. He regained his kingdom, which was lost in a game of chess with the

Kauravas. Thereafter the Pandavas were living in the forest with great sufferings. The Kauravas sent Durvas Rishi to the Pandavas for harassing them even in the forest. Shri Krishna, protector of his devotees, assisted Pandavas in difficulties. Once Droupadhi and the five Pandavas bowed to Shri Krishna and asked , `How shall we be relieved from this vanvas (living in forest)?' Shri Krishna advised them to do the Anant vrata. Shri Krishna said, `Anant should be worshipped on bhadrapad Shuddha 14. I will tell you a tale regarding this Vrata. In the Krit-yug there lived a Brahmin named Sumantu of the Vasishta Gotra. Deeksha was his devoted wife. She begot a daughter named Sushila. Later Deeksha died and in order to continue the Grahastha rites he married with Karkasha, who used to quarrel with her

husband and daughter every now and then. Due to this, Sumantu was always dejected. As Sushila grew, she became fit for marriage. One day Koundinya came to Sumantu, who gave Sushila to him in marriage. In Ashadha and Shrawan months, Sushila and Koundinya lived with Sumantu, but Karkasha quarreled with Sushila daily. So Koundinya requested Sumantu to allow him to go home. Sumantu felt very sorry, as his only daughter would be going away. He said, `This is not my wife but she is my enemy. Now my daughter will go away. Where there is no peace, the home is like a forest. Koundinya consoled him. Due to his persuasion, he agreed to

stay for 12 days more. On the 13th day Sumantu asked his wife to prepare delicious food for his daughter and son-in-law, as they were departing. Karkasha entered the inner room, shut the door and placed stones against the door so that it should not be opened easily. At least Sumantu gave wheat konda to Sushila and bade them good-bye. Next morning they reached a river. Koundinya got down from the chariot and went to the river for bath and rituals. Sushila saw that many females wearing red silk saris, had gathered in the sand and they were worshipping some god. Sushila went to them, and inquired what they were doing. The females replied, `We are worshipping Anant. By doing this vrata, all the desires are fulfilled.' Sushila took instructions from them. She gave 14 knots to a red string and prepared

Anant and Shesha (cobra) of darbha and worshipped Anant with 16 upchars. She then tied the Anant on her wrist. Once when they were sitting, Koundinya observed the red string on the wrist of Sushila. He asked angrily, 'Did you tie this red string to keep me under your thumb?' She said, `This is Anant, by whose favor we got this kingdom and prosperity.' Hearing this, Koundinya took the string by force and threw it into fire. He remarked, `It is due to my penance that this kingdom is obtained by us.' To Be Contd...Devotees Can Read This Book from The Book Section ofwww.Saileelas.org/books/ShriGuruCharitra.doc

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