Ananta Chaturdashi Vrat

 

1. Ananta 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 Shrī Gaṇēsh Chaturthī  is Bhādrapad Shukla Chaturthī. During the period from this tithi to Ananta Chaturdashī, the energy is emitted in higher proportion from Shrī  Gaṇēsh. Similarly, on this day the Shrī  Gaṇēsh 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 Chaturdashī, the frequencies of  Shrī Vishṇu  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 Shrī  Vishṇu.

The presiding Deity of Ananta vrat is Ananta, that is, Bhagawān  Shrī  Vishṇu. The Deities Yamuna and Shēsh also accompany Shrī Vishṇu.

1.2 Ananta vrat pūjān

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 pūjān, the resolve to perform this pūjān for regaining the lost prosperity is made.

• Thereafter, in the Yamunapūjān, Shrī Yamuna Devi is worshipped ritualistically with sixteen substances.

• First  Shrī Yamuna Devi is offered a seat.

• The ritual of washing the Holy feet of Shrī 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 Shrī Yamuna Devi

• Later unbroken rice grains are put in a kalash and body-worship (anga-pūjā) of Shrī Yamuna Devi is done.

• The worship is concluded by offering substances like incense-cake (dhup), Ārtī, Holy sacrament (naivēdya) etc.

Subtle-process takes place on invoking Shrī Yamuna in the kalash filled with water during the ritualistic worship of Ananta vrat: By invoking Shrī  Yamuna, the frequencies of Shrī  Krushṇa in the water are awakened. These frequencies are absorbed 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 Shēshnag

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 Shēshnag.

• First the Deity Shēshnag is invoked.

• The ritual of offering a seat to Shēshnag   is performed. After this, the rituals like washing of Holy feet, offering of water etc. are performed.

• The body-worship (anga-pūjā) of the Deity Shēshnag               n  is done.

• His seven hoods are worshipped.

• Thereafer His Name-worship (nām-pūjā) is done.

• At the end, incense, lamp, holy sacrament etc. are offered.

1.4 Reason underlying the ritualistic worship of Shēshnag in Ananta vrat

On the day of Ananta Chaturdashī, action frequencies associated with  Shrī Vishṇu principle are emitted in the Universe. Deity Shēshnag is an excellent carrier of these frequencies.

The task of Energy of Action (kriyā-shakti) 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. Shēshdevata provides energy required for the various tasks of that part of the Divine Consciousness that governs the functioning of the mind and body (chētanāshakti).

The action frequencies in the form of the Absolute Fire Principle present in the darbha circulate in active form. Through the symbol of Shēshnag made of darbha, the round spiral action frequencies of Shrī Vishṇu 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 Shēshnag, the worship of the thread, the symbol of Shrī Vishṇu, that is, Ananta is done. Before worshipping the thread is purified by reciting mantras. For the consecration of Ananta, Madanant Deity, that is, Bhagawān Shrī  Vishṇu 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 (akshatā) are offered from below upwards on the 14 knots on the male thread. Thereafter, akshatā 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 dwādash avaran ritualistic worship is performed. Thereafter, leaves like bēl, Karavir, shamī, tulsī, Apamarg, Datura and Tadini are offered and patrapūjā is performed. After Anantapūjān, the special naivēdya of sweet purīs 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 the human body. These knots are connected to each other through the flow of chētanāshakti. As a symbol of which, the thread with 14 knots is ritualistically worshipped with recitation of mantras.

The action frequencies of Shrī Vishṇu 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 chētanā-shakti present in his body gains momentum.

1.7 Science underlying offering sweet purīs made of pumpkin in Anantpūjān

Naivēdya of sweet purīs made of pumpkin is offered in Anantpūjān 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 purīs 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 humans beings to be strong, competent and to gain all necessary energies.

1.8 The teaching gained from Ananta Chaturdashī

Be it the Ananta vrat observed on the day of Ananta Chaturdashī or immersion of Shrī Gaṇēsh on the same day, a common point is learnt.

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

For more information on this article, read Sanatan Sanstha's publication - 'Holy festivals, Religious festivals and Vowed religious observances'

 

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