History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v6.c81.614

v6.c81.614

In front of (the image of) Ananta should be placed a doraka dyed with saffron and having fourteen knots. The mantra (quoted in note) should be recited and the doraka should be tied on one's arm, one should then dine with an easy mind after contemplating on Nārāyaṇa as Ananta. In the story it is narrated how because the husband Kauṇḍinya from youthful rashness and pride cut the Ananta thread tied round his wife's hand he lost everything, then repented and was taken into favour by Ananta. The V. K. K. (pp. 324-339) describes at great length the procedure of Anantapūjā together with stories taken from the Bhaviṣyottara, and the Tithitattva also (p. 123) quotes portions from the Bhaviṣyottara. The Kālanirṇaya (p. 279) expressly states that the Anantavrata is described in the Bhaviṣyottara and discusses a few verses therefrom. The Vratārka (folio 277a-285a) describes this vrata at great length. Briefly it is this: first saṅkalpa, then making a *sarvato-bhadra maṇḍala* and placing a jar thereon, on which is placed a *nāga* with seven hoods made of darbhas and in front of it a *doraka* with 14 knots, worshipping the doraka on the jar with 16 upacāras with the Puruṣasūkta (Ṛg. X. 90) and Paurāṇika mantras; 14 devatās of the knots from Viṣṇu to Vasus are invoked, then there is worship of the limbs from the feet upwards in such mantras as '*Anantāya namaḥ pādau pūjayāmi*,' then a handful of flowers with the mantras of Viṣṇu, prayer to Ananta, tying the doraka with a mantra, casting away the old doraka after offering it worship. Salt is forbidden in this vrata. It was³⁸⁷ believed that if this vrata was performed for fourteen years, one reached the world of Viṣṇu.