Anant Chaturdashi: the story of Sushila and Kaundinya behind worshipping Vishnu's Anant form

On Anant Chaturdashi, devotees observe the Anant Vrat by worshipping Lord Vishnu's "Anant" form. This is also called the worship of Anant. Behind this vrat lies a well-known legend of Sushila and Kaundinya, which highlights the importance of the Anant Sutra and the value of devotion.

According to the legend, there was a Brahmin named Sumant. His wife Diksha died, after which Sumant married a woman named Karkasha. Sumant had a daughter named Sushila from his first wife. When Sushila grew up, she was married to a sage named Kaundinya. After the wedding, Sushila and Kaundinya set out for his ashram.

On the way, they saw some women performing a puja on the banks of a river. These women told Sushila that they were worshipping Lord Anant and observing the Anant Vrat. They explained to her the importance of this vrat and also showed her how to make and worship a sacred thread with 14 knots, called the Anant Sutra. Sushila worshipped Anant with devotion and, after the puja, tied the Anant Sutra on her hand.

According to the legend, after Sushila tied the Anant Sutra, prosperity and happiness entered the couple's life. Wealth and grain in their home began to increase. But Kaundinya could not understand the reason for this prosperity. He noticed the Anant Sutra tied on Sushila's hand and asked her about it. Sushila then told him everything about the Anant Vrat and the sacred thread.

Kaundinya did not believe that a single thread could bring so much prosperity. In anger, he pulled the Anant Sutra off Sushila's hand and threw it into the fire. This left Sushila deeply distressed. She tried to get the thread back and sought forgiveness from Lord Anant.

The legend says that after this disrespect to the Anant Sutra, misfortunes began striking Kaundinya one after another and his wealth started to be destroyed. He then realised his mistake and resolved to find Lord Anant. He performed intense penance and prayed to Lord Vishnu with devotion.

According to the legend, pleased with Kaundinya's penance, Lord Vishnu appeared before him. He explained to Kaundinya the importance of the Anant Vrat and blessed him to observe it with devotion. Kaundinya then took a vow to worship Lord Anant with devotion. After this, all the troubles in his life disappeared and he regained happiness and prosperity, as the legend holds.

On Anant Chaturdashi, there is a tradition of tying an Anant Sutra with 14 knots. According to religious belief, these 14 knots are linked to the 14 lokas (worlds). After the puja, men tie the Anant Sutra on their right hand and women on their left hand, a practice seen in many places.

The story of Sushila and Kaundinya brings out the importance of devotion, patience and righteous conduct. It also conveys the message that one should understand the faith behind any religious tradition without disrespecting it. The Anant Vrat is dedicated to Lord Vishnu's Anant form, and on this day devotees pray for happiness, prosperity and the wellbeing of their families.