Anantha Padmanabha Vratam – Prosperity, Longevity and Spiritual Upliftment
In Hindu philosophy, every day of the month is sacred if life is treated as a symbolic spiritual journey.
Of them,
- Chaviti (4th Day),
- Panchami (5th Day),
- Shasti (6th Day),
- Saptami (7th Day)
- Astami (8th Day),
- Navami (9th Day)
- Dashami (10th Day)
- Ekadashi (11th Day)
- Chaturdhasi (14th Day)
are the most sacred days in a month to celebrate with deep devotion.
Ekadashi Vrata, a sacred observance dedicated to Lord Vishnu, brings spiritual purification and helps in attaining blessings from the Supreme Divine. Generally, it is observed twice in a lunar month, once during the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) and the other is the waning moon (Krishna Paksha).
There are various Ekadashi dates throughout the year each with its significance and rituals. People observe this vrat by fasting, offering prayers, reading scriptures and performing acts of charity. It is believed that observing Ekadashi vrat helps in spiritual purification, promotes good health, and brings prosperity and happiness to one’s life.
Lord Vishnu has several names. Anantha is the one who conveys symbolically the endless and infinite nature of the Lord. Anantha Padmanabha Vrata is performed to seek health, prosperity and happiness in one’s life. It is observed on Anantha Chaturdashi which generally falls in the month of Bhadrapada (September or October).
It has been believed for centuries that the performance of Anantha Padmanabha Vrat brings the divine grace of Lord Anantha Padmanabha Swamy and removes all obstacles.
Many stories and anecdotes highlight the immense importance of Anantha Padmanabha Vrata from epics, Puranas and the Upanishads of which the Mahabharata story is very popular among the people. Lord Krishna narrates the significance of Vrata to Yudhishthira during their exile in the forest. Once Pandavas along with Draupadi were facing numerous hardships during their exile.
Feeling dejected, and seeking solace, they approached Sage Vyasa for guidance. He advised them to perform this Vrat which would help them overcome their difficulties and attain success in their endeavours. Another story runs from the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Anantha (the Infinite) and his devotee, Dhruva.
This narrative highlights the significance of devotion, righteousness and the power of Lord Vishnu’s blessings. Anantha Padmanabha vrat holds special importance as it marks the conclusion of the Ganesh Chaturthi which celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesh.
Anantha Chaturdhasi
On the day of Anantha Chaturdhasi devotees perform various rituals to seek the blessings of Lord Anantha Padmanabha. Devotees wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath. Special prayers, hymns, and devotional songs dedicated to the deities are recited. They strongly observe a fast throughout the day, abstaining from consuming food and water until the conclusion of ‘vrat’.
One of the key rituals of Anantha Chaturdashi ‘vrat’ involved tying a sacred thread known as “Anantha Dhara” or “Anantha Sutra”. This thread is typically made of cotton or silk and is tied around the right wrist of the devotes. During the tying of the thread, prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu for protection, longevity and prosperity. The thread is usually tied while reciting the Anantha Chaturdashi ‘vrat katha‘ (story) which recounts the legend associated with the ‘vrat’.
During the day, the devotees offer various items such as fruits, flowers, sweets, and incense to Lord Vishnu besides donating food, clothes, and money to the needy. The Anantha Chaturdashi ‘vrat’ concludes after the sunset.
Devotees perform the rituals of “Anantha Visarjan” or “Anantha samskara” where the sacred thread tied around the wrist is removed and immersed in a water body, symbolizing the conclusion of the vrat and culmination of prayers.
Final Word
Thus, the Anantha Chaturdashi Vrat is believed to bring prosperity, longevity and spiritual upliftment to the devotees while also fostering a sense of gratitude to the divine.
