Anantha Padmanbha Swamy Vratha Vidhanam

[K.N.RAMESH]

Anantha Padmanbha Swamy Vratha Vidhanam:

Anant Vrata, Anantha Vratam (Anant Padmanabha swamy vratha), is a puja to Lord Vishnu observed on Anant Chaturdashi day.

Anant Vrat is performed on the fourteenth day in Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapad month.

Ananta Vratam is dedicated to Lord Ananta Padmanabha Swamy, who is Lord Vishnu appears in Anant Sayana form, reclines on Ananta (Aadi Seshu – Snake Anant). Anant vrata is performed by married couple for marital bliss.

Why Ananta Vrata is performed?

Devotees of Lord Vishnu believe that worship of Lord Vishnu in the form of Ananta Padmanabha, will remove their sorrows. The word ‘Ananta itself gives the meaning – endless. Endless joy and happiness is provided by performing Anantha Vratham. Ananta Vratam has to be observed for 14 consecutive years by married couple for their long and everlasting bond of love and affection.

Legend of Ananta Vrata:

The legend and the Anant Vrat Katha are mentioned in several Puranas. According to some legends, Lord Krishna suggested King Yudhishtira to observe Anant Vrata for 14 continuous years to get rid of his sorrows and to bring back his wealth and kingdom that he lost in gambling game of Kauravas.

Ananta Daaram – Sacred thread of Anant Vrata:

The important ritual of Anant Vrata is tying the Sacred Thread, Anant Daara, to hand. The performers of Anant Vrata place the Anant Daaram along with the idol of Anant Padmanabha to sanctify the thread. Anant Daara is worshipped along with the Lord by showering turmeric powder, kumkum and akshata and all other pujas. Ananta Daara is made of 14 strands which indicate the 14 years of the observance of Anantha Vratha. In some places people prepare it of 14 knots.

After performing Ananta Vratham, women tie Anantha Daaram on their left hand men on to their right hand or vice versa. In some regions, devotees prepare an idol of Lord Anantha Padmanabha swami with Durva (garika or darbha) grass blades and worship the Lord with placing it in a bamboo basket.

Significance of Anantha

Anantha is one of the most significant and prominent names of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. We find several references to the name Anantha. Lord Sri Krishna says in Sri Bhagawad Geeta (Chapter#10 sloka#29) that He is the Anantha among the Naga Sect, a Serpent God. The name Anantha also popularly figures in Sri Vishnu, Naamathraya Japa viz. Achyutaya Namaha, Ananthaaya Namaha and Govindaaya Namaha. Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram (sloka # 70, 95 and 100) as well as the Phala Sruthi eulogizes Lord Sri Maha Vishnu with the name Anantha as follows.

Kamadevah kamapalah kami kantah krutagamah

Anirdeshya-vapur vishnur viro ananto dhananjayah

Ananto huta-bhug bhokta sukhado naikajo-grajah

Anirvinnah sadamarshi lokadhishthana-madbhutah

Ananta-rupo ananta-shri jitamanyur bhayapahah

Chaturashro gabhiratma vidisho vyadisho dishah

Anantha means the one who is all pervasive, who is eternal, who is beyond all boundaries and for whom there is no limit either by space, time or location. He is the one who has infinite number of forms and He dwells in the entire Universe. He is invincible and omnipresent. His glory is infinite. He is highly meritorious among the meritorious. No one can describe or define Him precisely. He is also popularly called as Padmanabha the one who has a Lotus like navel or the one who has Lotus in the navel. Anantha Padmanabha is none other than Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.

Namostvananthaya Sahasramuurthaye!

SahasraPaadaakshi Sirorubaahave!

Sahasranaamne Purushaya Saswathe!

SahasraKoti Yugadhaarine Namah!!

(Brahma Uvacha)

Salutations to the Infinite, one who has manifested as innumerable number of forms, who has innumerable feet, eyes, heads, arms, one who has innumerable number of names, who is an eternal person, and who holds thousands of crores of Yugas which are uncountable.

Shaantaakaaram Bhujaga-Shayanam Padmanaabham Suresham

Vishvaadhaaram Gagana-Sadrisham Meghavarnam Shubha-angam

Lakshmi-Kaantam Kamala-Nayanam Yogibhir-dhyana-gamyam

Vande Vishnum Bhava-Bhaya-Haram Sarva-Lokaika-Natham

Above sloka is a dhyana sloka of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu that describes Him as the embodiment and personification of peace, one who reclines on the great serpent bed Aadisesha, one whose navel is in the form of a Lotus that has given birth to the creation of Universe, one who is the Lord of the Deities, on whose support entire Universe is rested, who is all pervading like the sky, one whose colour resembles that of a cloud, the one who has a beautiful and auspicious body configuration, one who is the Lord of Goddess Lakshmi Devi, one who has Lotus eyes, one who rests in the hearts of Yogis who perceive Him through meditation, He is the one who is the destroyer of fear of cycle of births and deaths (Samsara), and I adore Sri Maha Vishnu the Lord of entire Universe.

Several austerities are prescribed to be performed in the name of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu in Hindu religion. One such prominent austerity performed that is dedicated to Lord Sri Maha Vishnu is Sri Anantha Padmanabha Vratha. This vratha is performed every year on the 14th day (Chaturdasi) of bright fortnight (sukla paksha) in Bhadrapada Masam as per Hindu Lunar Calendar. Since it is performed on the Chaturdasi day it is popularly known as Anantha Chaturdasi. Chaturdasi day associated with Pournami thithi is preferred and considered as auspicious and sacred for performing this Vratha.

In this vratha, Lord Sri Maha Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Anantha with shodasa upachaara pooja. Seven # Dharbha (Kusa grass) are tied together representing Lord Anantha with seven hoods. Goddess Yamuna Devi is also worshipped along with Lord Anantha on this day. In Anantha Padmanabha vratha there is significance for # 14. It is performed on the 14th day in the Lunar Calendar. This vratha is performed for 14 years before it is concluded with Udyapana. Lord Vishnu is worshipped with 14 varieties of flowers, fruits and dishes. A special sweet dish made with wheat flour and jaggery is prepared in 28 # and half of it is given as charity to a Brahmin after Nivedana to Lord Anantha.

Another significant feature in this vratha is worshipping Lord Anantha with a red coloured silk thread having 14 knots known as Thora. On completion of the pooja this Thora is tied to the shoulder or wrist of the Grihastha. It is believed to act as a protection (Raksha) to the one who wears it. It is retained till next year and replaced with a new one at the time of Sri Anantha Padmanabha vratha. Both men and women participate in this vratha.

As per scripts it is said that Lord Sri Krishna had narrated the significance of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Vratha to Dharmaraja. On the advice and direction of Lord Sri Krishna, Dharmaraja had performed this Vratha during their exile in forests. It is said that details of Anantha Padmanabha Vratha Kalpa are mentioned in Bhavishyottara Purana. It is believed and said that those who perform this austerity as per the norms with total devotion and sincerity will be bestowed with multiple merits viz. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Giving a Cow as a charity (Ghodana) on this day is considered as highly sacred and meritorious.

Temples of Lord Anantha Padmanabha

We have number of temples especially in South India which are dedicated to Lord Sri Anantha Padmanabha. Prominent among them is the temple at Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) in Kerala known as Anantha Sayanam. There is also an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Sri Anantha Padmanabha at Sri Kshethra Kudupu near Mangalore. It is said that this temple is in existence since Krita Yuga. Aslesha Bali pooja performed at this temple for Naga dosha is vey popular. It is a rare temple dedicated to Lord Sri Anantha Padmanabha.

There is also another very ancient temple dedicated to Lord Anantha at Ananthagiri about 75 km from Hyderabad city. Here the Lord is said to have manifested as a Salagrama Shila who appears in Trimurthi Swaroopa of Anantha, Narasimha and Srinivasa. It is said that Sage Markandeya had performed penance at this place.

The three Ranganatha kshetras at Sri Rangam (Trichy), Srirangapatna (near Mysore) and Shivana Samudra (about 100 km from Bangalore near Mandya on the way to Mysore) all the three on the banks of sacred river Kaveri also have temples of Lord Maha Vishnu in reclining form resting on Anantha (Bhujaga sayana).

On this auspicious day of Anantha Chaturdasi special celebrations are held at all those temples that are dedicated to Lord Sri Anantha Padmanabha. Reciting Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Sthothram, Purusha Sooktham, Sri Vishnu Sooktham on this day is considered as highly meritorious.

Ananta Chaturdashi Vrata Vidhi

Sloka

Shuklam bharadaram vishnum shashi varnam chathurbhujam

prasanna vadhanamdhyayeth sarva vignopa shanthaye

Gururbrahmaa, gurur Vishnu. Gurur devo maheswaraha,

guru sakshath parabrahmathasmisri guravey namaha

Mama Sreeman (your gothra)….. Gothrodhbhavasya, (your name) namadeyasya, darmapathni samethasya saha kutumbaanaam dharmartha kaama moksha chaturvidha phala purushartha sidhyartham shatru jayaartham evamguna visheshana vishishtayam Shubhaphala siddhyartham varshe varshe prayukta Srimad Ananta padmanabha devata muddhishya madanantha padmanabha devatha prithyartham padmapuranoktha prakarena yaavath shakti dyanavahanadhi shodashopachara pujam karishye (Touch the water).

Kalasha Puja

Thadamgathwena kalasha poojam karishye

Kalashe gandha pushpa akshataraibhyarcha kalashasyo parihastham nidhaya

Sloka

Kalashasya mukhe Vishnu kante rudra samashritha

Moole tatrastitho brahma madhye matruganasmrita

Kukshouthu sagarassarve sapta dweepa vasundhara

Rigvedo – dha yajurveda samavedo adharvana

Angaischa sahitha sarve kalashambu samashrita

Ayanthu deva poojartham durithakshya karika

Gangecha yamunechaiva Godavari saraswati

Narmade sindhu kaveri jalesmin sannidhimkuru

Atha Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Pujakalpah

Dhyanam

Kruthwa darbha mayam devam paridhana samanvitha

Phanai saptabhira vishnum pingalaksham chaturbhujam

Dakshinagrakare padmam shankham thasmatshyada kare

Chakramurthwakare vaame gadaantha syashyadha kare

Dadhyanam sarvalokesham sarvabharana bhushitham

Avyayam sarvalokesham peethambhara dharma harim

Dughdabdhi shaayanam dhyathwachaiva maavaha yethsudhi

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha dhyanam samarpayami

Avahanam

Agachchanantha devesha tejorashe jagadpathe

Imam mayakritam poojam gruhana surasatthama

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Avahanam samarpayami

Aasanam

Ananthaya namasthubyam sahasra shirase namaha

Ratnasimhasanam charu prityartham pratigrihyatham

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Aasanam samarpayami

Thora Sthapana

Thasyagratho dhrudam suthram kumkumoktham suthorakam

Chaturdasha granthiyuktam upakalpya prapoojayeth

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Thora Sthapanam samarpayami

Arghyam

Anantha guna ratnaya vishwaroopa dharayacha

Arghyam dadaami the deva vishwadhipathaye namaha

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Arghyam samarpayami

Padyam

Sarvatman sarvalokesha sarva vyapin sanatana

Padyam gruhana bhagavan divyaroopa namosthute

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Padyam samarpayami

Achamaneeyam

Damodara namastestu narakarnava taraka

Gruhanaachamanam devamayadattamhi keshava

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Achamaneeyam samarpayami

Madhuparkam

Anantananta devesha ananta phaladayaka

Dadhimadhwajya samyuktam madhuparkam dadaamithe

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Madhuparkam samarpayami

Panchamritham

Anantha guna gambhira vishwaroopa dharanagha

Panchamrithaischa vidhi vatsnapayami dayanidhe

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Panchamritha snanam samarpayami

Shuddhodaka Snanam

Gangecha yamunechaiva Godavari saraswati

Narmade sindhu kaveri jalesmin sannidhim kuru

Jalam prakalpaye tirtham sarvapapa pramukthaye

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Shuddhodaka snanam samarpayami

Vastra Yugmam

Sridharaya namastubhyam vishnuve paramatmane

Pithambaram pradasyami ananthaya mahatmane

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Vastra Yugmam samarpayami

Upaveetham

Narayana namastesthu thrahimam bhava sagarath

Brahmasutram chotthariyam gruhana purushottama

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Upaveetham samarpayami

Gandham

Sri gandham chandano mishram kumkumadi bhiranvitam

Vilepanam surashreshta prithyartham pratigrihyatam

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Gandhan samarpayami

Akshatan

Shaliyan tandulan ramyaan mayadattan shubhavahan

Achyutanantha govinda akshatan sweekuru prabho

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Akshatan samarpayami

Pushpa pooja

Karaveerairjatiku sumaishchampa kairvakulai shubhai

Shatapatraischa kalharair archayeth purushottamam

Sri Anantha Padmanabhayanamaha Pushpani samarpayami

Adhanga Pooja

Om Ananthaya Namaha  – Paadau Poojayami

Om Sheshaya Namaha  – gulphou Poojayami

Om kalatmane Namaha  – Janghe Poojayami

Om vishveroopaya Namaha  – jaanooni Poojayami

Om jagannathaya Namaha  – guhyam Poojayami

Om govindaya Namaha  – shrothram Poojayami

Om padmanabhaya Namaha  – nabhim Poojayami

Om sarvatmane Namaha  – kukshim Poojayami

Om sri vatsa vakshase Namaha  – vakshasthalam Poojayami

Om chakrahastaya Namaha  – hasthan Poojayami

Om ajanubahave Namaha  – baahoon Poojayami

Om sri kantaya Namaha  – kantam Poojayami

Om chandramukhaya Namaha  – mukham Poojayami

Om vachaspathaye Namaha  – vakthram Poojayami

Om keshavaya Namaha  – nasikam Poojayami

Om narayanaya Namaha  – nethram Poojayami

Om anantha padmanabhaya Namaha  – shiram Poojayami

Om vishnave Namaha  – sarvanyangani Poojayami

Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 Names)

Om anathaya Namah

Om padmanabhaya Namah

Om sheshaya Namah

Om saptha phananvithaya Namah

Om thalpathmakaya Namah

Om padmakaraya Namah

Om pingaprasanna lochanaya Namah

Om gadadharaya Namah

Om chaturbahave Namah

Om shanka chakradharaya Namah

Om avyayaya Namah

Om navamra pallavaa bhasaya Namah

Om brahmasutra virajitaya Namah

Om shila supujitaya Namah

Om devaya Namah

Om kaundinya vrata toshitaya Namah

Om nabhasya shuklasta chaturdashi pujyaya Namah

Om phaneshwaraya Namah

Om sankarshanaya Namah

Om chitswarupaya Namah

Om sutragrande Namah

Om susamsthitaya Namah

Om kaundinya varadaya Namah

Om prithvidharini Namah

Om pathala nayakaya Namah

Om sahasrakshaya Namah

Om akhiladharaya Namah

Om sarvayogi krupakaraya Namah

Om sahasra padma sampujyaya Namah

Om ketaki kusuma priyaya Namah

Om sahasrabahave Namah

Om sahasra shirase Namah

Om shritajana priyaya Namah

Om bhaktadukha haraya Namah

Om srimathe Namah

Om bhavasagara tarakaya Namah

Om Yamuna theera sadrushtaya Namah

Om sarvanagendra vanditaya Namah

Om yamunaradhya padabjaya Namah

Om yudhishtira supujithaya Namah

Om dhyeyaya Namah

Om Vishnu paryankaya Namah

Om chakshu shravana vallabhaya Namah

Om sarvakama pradaya Namah

Om sevyaya Namah

Om bhimasenamrita pradaya Namah

Om phanamani vibhushitaya Namah

Om satyamurtaye Namah

Om shukla thanave Namah

Om neelavasase Namah

Om jagatgurave Namah

Om avyaktha padaya Namah

Om brahmanyaya Namah

Om subramanya nivasabhuve Namah

Om ananta bhogashayanaya Namah

Om divakara munitashaya Namah

Om madhukavriksha samstanaya Namah

Om divakara varapradaya Namah

Om dakshahastha sada pujyaya Namah

Om shivalinga nivastadhiye Namah

Om tripratihara samdrushaya Namah

Om mukhadaapi padambujaya Namah

Om nrisimha kshetra nilayaya Namah

Om durga samanvithaya Namah

Om matsya tirtha viharine Namah

Om dhardharmadi rupavathe Namah

Om maharogayudhaya Namah

Om varthi tirasthaya Namah

Om karunanidhaye Namah

Om om tamraparni parshvavarthine Namah

Om mahathe Namah

Om dharmaparayanaya Namah

Om mahakavya pranethre Namah

Om nagalokeshwaraya Namah

Om swabhuve Namah

Om ratnasimhasana aseenaya Namah

Om spuran makara kundalaya Namah

Om sahasraditya samkashaya Namah

Om purana purushaya Namah

Om jwalath ratna kireetadyaya Namah

Om sarvabharana bhushitaya Namah

Om nagakanyashtatha pranthaya Namah

Om dikpalaka paripujithaya Namah

Om gandharva gaana santhushtaya Namah

Om yogashastra pravarthakaya Namah

Om devavainika sampujyaya Namah

Om vaikuntaya Namah

Om sarvathomukhaya Namah

Om ratnangadha lasathbahave Namah

Om balabhadraya Namah

Om pralambaghne Namah

Om kanthikarshanaya Namah

Om bhaktha vatsalaya Namah

Om revati priyaya Namah

Om niradharaya Namah

Om kapilaya Namah

Om kamaphaalaya Namah

Om achyutagrajaya Namah

Om asthikagurave Namah

Om avyagraya Namah

Om baladevaya Namah

Om mahabalaya Namah

Om ajaaya Namah

Om vathashana dheeshaya Namah

Om mahatejase Namah

Om niranjanaya Namah

Om sarvaloka pratapanaya Namah

Om sajvala pralayagnimukhe Namah

Om sarvalokaika samharthre Namah

Om sarveshtartha pradayakaya Namah

Anantha Padmanabhaswamine Namaha Ashotottara Shatanama Pooja Sampurnam

Thoragranthi Pooja

Krishnaya Namaha – Prathama Granthim – Pujayami

Vishnave Namaha – Dwitiya Granthim – Pujayami

Jishnave Namaha – Tritiya Granthim – Pujayami

Kalayana Namaha – Chaturtha Granthim – Pujayami

Brahmane Namaha – Panchama Granthim – Pujayami

Bhaskaraya Namaha – Shashtama Granthim – Pujayami

Sheshaya Namaha – Sapthama Granthim – Pujayami

Somaya Namaha – Ashtama Granthim – Pujayami

Eshwaraya Namaha – Navama Granthim – Pujayami

Vishwathmane Namaha – Dashama Granthim – Pujayami

Mahakaalaya Namaha – Ekadasha Granthim – Pujayami

Srishti sthityantha karine Namaha – Dwadasha Granthim – Pujayami

Achyuthaya Namaha – Trayodasha Granthim – Pujayami

Sri Anantha Padmanabha Namaha – Chaturdasha Granthim – Pujayami

Dhupam

Vanaspathi rasai divyainanagam daischa samyuthah

Aghreyasaarva devanam dhupoyam pratigrihyatam

Anantha Padmanabhaya Namaha dhupam samarpayami

Deepam

Sajyam trivarthi samyuktam vahni na jyotitham mayaa

Gruhana mangalamdeepam trailokya timirapaham

Anantha Padmanabhaya Namaha deepam samarpayami

Naivedyam

Naivedyam gruhyadevesha bhaktim mehya chalamkuru

Apsitham mevaram dehi parathra cha paramgathim

Annam chaturvidham bhakthai rasai shadbhi samanvitham

Mayaaniveditham thubhyam sweekurushwa janardhana

Anantha Padmanabhaya Namaha Naivedyam samarpayami

Tambulam

Phoogiphala samayuktam nagavalli dalairyutham

Karpurachurna samyuktam tambulam pratigrihyatam

Anantha Padmanabhaya Namaha Tambulam samarpayami

Neerajanam – Mantrapushpam

Samassarva hitharthaya jagadhaadhara murthaye

Srishti sthithyantha rupayah ananthaya namonamah neerajanam samarpayami

Anantha Padmanabhaya Namaha Neerajana Mantrapushpam samarpayami

Pradakshina Namaskaran

Yanikani cha papani janmanthara krithanicha

Thani thani pranashyanti pradakshina pade pade

Papoham papakarmaham papatma papasambhava

Thrahimam krupaya deva sharanagatha vatsala

Anyadha sharanam nasthi thwameva sharanam mama

Tasmathkarunya bhavena raksharaksha janardhana

Namaste devadevesha Namaste purushottama

Anantha Padmanabhaya Namaha Pradakshina namaskaran samarpayami

Thora grahanam

Daridrya nashanarthaya putrapautra pravruddhaye

Ananthakhyamidam sutram dharayamyaham uttamam

Anantha Padmanabhaya Namaha Thoragrahanam samarpayami

Thora Namaskaram

Anantha samsara maha samudra magnam samubhyuddhara vasudeva

Anantha rupin viniyojayajasya ananta sutraya namonamaste

Anantha Padmanabhaya Namaha Thora namaskaran samarpayami

Thora Bandhanam

Samsara gahwara guhanusukham vihurthum

Vanchathi may kuru kulodbhava shuddha satthwa

Sampujyancha tribhuneshamanantha rupam

Badnanthi dakshinakare vara thorakam thei

Anantha Padmanabhaya Namaha Thora bandhanam karishyami

Jeerna Thora Visarjanam

Anantha nantha deveshah ananta phaladayaka

Sutragrandhishu samsthaya vishwarupaya the namaha

Anantha Padmanabhaya Namaha Jeernathora visarjanam samarpayami

Upayadana daanam

Anantha pratigrihnathi anantho vai dadathi cha

Ananthastharako babhya ananthaya namonamah

Ithi Poojaa Vidhanam Samapthah

Anantha Chaturdashi katha:

There once lived a brahmin called Sumanta born in Vasishtha Gotra and had married Brighu’s daughter Dheeksha. They had a charming daughter called Susheela. When Susheela was a young girl, she lost her mother. Her father married a woman called Karkashe who was hard hearted and quarrelsome. She made the life of Susheela miserable. In spite of these difficulties at home, Susheela grew to be a fine lady ready to be married. When Sumanta was worried over her marriage, there came to his house looking for a bride, a rishi called Kaundinya. Sumanta gives his daughter to Kaundinya rishi in marriage. With his wife being uncooperative, he could give to his son in law as a marriage gift, a little of fried wheat flour.

Kaundinya accompanied by his wife Susheela left the place and reached the bank of a river during their travel. That day being Bhadrapada shukla Chaturdashi many brahmins and their wives who were wearing red dress, were worshiping Ananta Padmanabha. Curious Susheela approaches these ladies and asks them for details of the vrata. They say that the vrata is called Anantha vrata and the fruits are infinite (anantha); when Susheela showed interest in performing the vrata, they tell her in detail as follows:

The vrata is to be performed on Bhadrapada shukla Chaturdashi. Having taken bath and wearing a clean dress, decorate the altar with devotion. Keep a kalasha on the south of the altar in which you invite the Lord. Keep seven darbhas tied to each other to represent Ananta. Keep a red thread with 14 knots on the altar. Worship the Lord with 14 varieties of flowers and 14 varieties of leaves. The prasad for this vrata is Atiras. Make 28 of them and serve them to brahmanas. Those attending should be given food and respect. Do this vrata for 14 years each year replacing the thread that was worn in the earlier year. On the 15th year do the udyapana (conclusion with donation of gifts to brahmanas).

Having listened to the narration with attention, faith and devotion, Susheela performed the puja with those gathered there; distributed half of the fried wheat flour to brahmanas, wore the red thread and with the thoughts of Ananta Padmanabha accompanied her husband to his ashram. Because of the power of Anantha vrata, Kaundinya’s ashram acquired beauty and wealth. All his relatives were eagerly waiting to do the Anantha vrata. Susheela had acquired an aura of brilliance.

One day Kaundinya sees the red thread on Susheela’s hand and asks for an explanation. In spite of her telling him the truth, in a fit of anger and jealousy, Kaundinya forcibly removes the thread and throws it in the fire. Susheela picks up the half burnt thread and immerses it in milk. This behavior proved very dear to Kaundinya; pretty soon all his wealth was lost; his relatives deserted him; his cattle died and he now knew that this was on account of his rudeness to Ananta Padmanabha swami in the form of the red thread.

Kaundinya leaves his house in search of Anantha Padmanabha. Like a demented person he enters the jungle. After some days he falls down. The Lord in His infinite compassion comes there in the form of an old brahmin, revives him and takes him to a palace where he shows him his four armed form along with Mahalakshmi. Kaundinya praises the Lord in many stotras. The Lord pleased, gives him three boons viz., removal of poverty, ability to follow dharma, mukti saubhagya.

Kaundinya returned home and did the puja with shraddha and bhakti. He lived a life of wealth and happiness. In the bygone days, sages like Agastya, kings like Janaka, Sagara, Dilipa, and Harishchandra have performed this vrata.