Anant Chaturdashi
Anant Chaturdashi is one of the most auspicious festivals observed and celebrated by Hindus and Jains. It is the day with very high positive vibrations. 'Chaturdashi' is the 14th day of lunar fortnight. Anant Chaturdashi is celebrated on Bhadrapad Shukla-paksh chaturdashi. This holy day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in His Anant Roop (infinite form). It is a common practice for devotees to observe vrat (fast) to get rid of Karmic reactions, sorrow and sufferings. In the parts of Bihar and eastern UP, the festival is closely linked to Kshir-sagar(Ocean of milk) and Lord Vishnu's Anant Roop.
On this day 14 tilaks (small vertical strip-like symbols) of vermilion are made on a duly consecrated wooden plank, 14 puri (deep fried wheat bread), and 14 pua (deep fried sweet wheat bread) are placed on the vermillion strips. A bowl containing Panchamrit (made of milk, curd, honey, ghee and Gangajal) symbolizing the Kshir-sagar (allegory for the Cosmic Ocean) is placed on this wooden plank. A thread with 14 knots, symbolizing Lord Anant, is wrapped on a cucumber and swirled 5 times in this 'Ocean of milk'. Later this anant thread is tied on the right arm by men. Women tie this on their left arm. This anant thread is removed after 14 days.
This is to recreate the Puranic episode wherein Lord Vishnu incarnated as ‘Kacchap’, the giant tortoise, and sat at the bottom of the Kshir-sagar, with Mandrachal Mountain on His back. The great Vasuki serpent wrapped itself around Mandrachal and thus the Devas and Asuras churned the ocean in their quest for Amrit (nectar of immortality).
It is said when the Pandavas lost all their wealth and kingdom in a gambling game and were exiled of 12 years, Lord Krishna advised Yudhisthir to observe the fast of Lord Anant which will help him to get his kingdom back. Lord Krishna also told him a story. The story is as follows:
There was Shushila, daughter of a Brahmin, married to sage Kaudinya. When they were going towards their home, Shushila saw a cluster of women worshipping a god there. She went to the women and asked them that whom they were worshipping. Those women told her about the significance of fast for the worship of Lord Anant. Shushila also decided to observe this fast, and returned to Sage Kaudinya with the thread of 14 knots tied on her arm.
Kaudinya asked the mystery behind the thread, Shushila told the whole story to him. Kaudinya found it ridiculous, broke the thread and threw it away. This dishonoring of Lord Anant brought the sage prolonged misery and his whole wealth was destroyed. When Shushila reminded him of the Anant thread, the sage then regretted his act and went to forest in the search of that thread. Then, lord Anant appeared in front of him and said to go back to home and asked him to observe the fast for 14 years. In due time, Kaundinya’s pains were eliminated and he became wealthy and prosperous again.
Anant Chaturdashi is celebrated every year and prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu on this day. This the belief that fasting on this day for the 14 years devotees can achieve the Paramdham or Vishnu Lok.
Author Ms Rati is an ardent devotee of Sri Krishna.