Hindu Festivals No 21.

[Guest guest]

Dear friends and relatives,

 

Bhakti is eternal.

 

21. Ananta Chaturthi.

(Bhadrapada sukla chathurdasi)

 

Ananta means endless, infinite.

 

“ krutvaadarbhamayam dEvam swEtadweepE sthiram haram,

samanvitam saptapaNaihi pingalAksham caturbhujam.â€

 

The fourteenth day (Chaturdashi) of the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) of

Bhadrapada, is a day, when people take their mind away from worldly actions and

devote themselves to God.

 

On this day people recite and listen to the stories and legends of God Vishnu

who is Ananta, the infinite and recite hymns from the Vedas. A fast is observed

and the worship is carried out in mid day. A thread with fourteen knots should

be quenched with kunkumam, keep near the God while carrying the worship and worn

as armlet or around the neck, on this day which awards infinite happiness and

blessings from Lord Vishnu.

 

Once Yudhistira of the Mahabharat, expressed his grief to Lord Krishna. Lord

Krishna replied " Oh Yudhistra, you should worship God Ananta (Vishnu) following

all the rituals and observe a fast. Your problems will be solved and you will

get back your kingdom. "

 

He further narrated the story of Sage Kaunidnya, who married to a Godly

daughter of a Brahmin Sumantu. On the way back, from their wedding, at night

fall, the couple camped on the bank of a river. At that time, the bride saw a

number of women worshipping, and inquired about the importance of the occasion.

 

They explained that they were worshipping Ananta(Vishnu), and that an armlet

with fourteen knots, tied on the arm, blessed the devotee with infinite

happiness.

 

When Kaundinya rishi inquired where she had gone, she explained the importance

of the worship and showed him the armlet. The sage was enraged and tore away the

armlet and threw that away.

 

This act of disrespect made the life of the couple miserable. The sage

realised his blunder, repented and went into the forest in search of Lord

Anantha. He saw there some others who were suffering on account of neglecting

the Lord. At last, Lord Vishnu appeared to Koundinya in disguise of a Brahmin,

explained him the reasons for the sufferings of those whom he saw in the forest

and gave darshan as Lord Vishnu. HE also made Koundinya to understand that

Anantha is nothing but Vishnu who is also called as Ananthapadmanabha.

 

God Ananta (Vishnu) pardoned him, blessed him with infinite happiness.

 

Kaundinya observed the fast religiously for fourteen years and attained

salvation.

 

On the advice of Krishna, Yudhistira also started undertaking the fast in

reverence to God Ananta (Vishnu).

(A collection)

 

With love and regards,

 

Sastry.

 

 

 

 

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