Anantha Padmanabha Vratam

On the auspicious occasion of Anantha Chaturdasi, September 25, 2026, which falls on Bhadrapada Sukla Chaturdasi, Anantha Padmanabha Vratam was performed at Statue of Equality in the gracious presence of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji. Several devotees participated in the sacred Vratham.

In his discourse on the occasion, Sri Swami explained that the Lord gives darshan in 108 glorious forms at Statue of Equality. Each Divya Desam here is connected with its corresponding original Divya Desam. A small quantity of soil from the original Divya Desam, along with a Saligramam that had been receiving aradhana in that Divya Desam since many years, was brought and placed in the corresponding Divya Desam at Statue of Equality. Thus, there is a sacred spiritual connection between each Divya Desam here and the original Divya Desam it represents.

Of the 13 Divya Desams in the Kerala (Malanadu) region, the Anantha Padmanabha Swami Divya Desam is particularly prominent. Sri Swami recalled that the Alwars referred to the Deity of this Divya desam as Kesava in their devotional hymns. They extolled the glory of chanting the name “Kesava,” saying that even uttering the name once would remove one’s kleshas and difficulties. They also sang of the extraordinary sanctity of the Divya Desam, declaring that even the act of wiping the dust from its premises could destroy the sins accumulated over previous births, however grave they might be.

Sri Swami therefore advised devotees to dedicate some of their time to cleaning the premises of at least one such Divya Desam and thereby make their lives blessed and more meaningful through such service.

Sri Swami also spoke about the spiritual significance of the Anantha Padmanabha Swami Divya Desam in Thiruvananthapuram. He referred to the well-known incident concerning the seven chambers of the Divya desam, which had remained closed over decades. Despite several attempts , only six chambers could be opened while the seventh remains unopened, to this day.

Sri Swami recalled that the ruling family of the erstwhile princely state of Travancore belonged to the lineage associated with Sri Kulasekhara Alwar, the composer of Mukunda Mala. The present-day heirs of this dynasty, who serve as trustees of the Divya Desam, are sincere devotees of the Lord. They have affirmed that the erstwhile Travancore kingdom (present Keralam) itself belongs to the Lord and that they have ruled the kingdom as His servants. This was even stated in an affidavit submitted before the Supreme Court.

Sri Swami compared this attitude to that of Bharata, who regarded the kingdom of Ayodhya, as well as himself, as belonging to Lord Rama. He exhorted devotees to cultivate a similar spirit by considering all their wealth and possessions as belonging to Bhagawan and themselves merely as His servants entrusted with their management.

Sri Ahobila Swamiji then narrated the story associated with the Anantha Padmanabha Vratham. In response to Yudhishthira’s query about the most beneficial Vratham, Lord Krishna narrated the story of a newly married couple, Sheela and Koundinya.

While travelling after their wedding, Sheela came across a group of women dressed in red garments and performing the Anantha Padmanabha Vratham. She joined them and performed the Vratham. Thereafter, she continued to observe it every year.

As time passed, Koundinya’s efforts began to bear fruit and he became prosperous in every respect. However, prosperity gradually made him arrogant. He eventually drove Sheela out of his home. As time passed, he lost his wealth and was reduced to poverty.

While wandering from place to place as a pauper, Koundinya remembered Anantha Padmanabha Swami and began searching for Him. During his journey through a forest, he encountered a mango tree laden with fruit, a lone bull and an elephant. He asked each of them whether they knew where he could find Anantha Padmanabha Swami, but none could provide an answer.

Finally, he met an old Brahmin who answered his question and guided him in performing the Anantha Padmanabha Vratham. Koundinya then asked the Lord, who had appeared in the form of the old Brahmin, about the significance of the mango tree, the bull and the elephant.

The Lord explained that the mango tree represented a learned person who possesses great knowledge but keeps it to himself without sharing it with others. Such a person, despite possessing valuable knowledge, is like a fruit-laden mango tree standing in a remote forest whose fruits are enjoyed by no one.

The lone bull represented a person who gives away things to others that are of no use to himself. The elephant represented a person who performs good deeds.

Koundinya understood the deeper message of these experiences. He later reunited with his wife and continued to perform the Anantha Padmanabha Vratham for many years, eventually regaining his prosperity.

Concluding the narration, Sri Ahobila Swamiji emphasized the central message of the story: one should never become arrogant on account of wealth or prosperity. Wealth should instead be regarded as a gift entrusted by Bhagawan and used for the welfare of those in need.

The observance of Anantha Padmanabha Vratham thus reminds devotees not only of devotion and surrender to Bhagawan, but also of humility, service, sharing of knowledge and wealth, and the responsibility to use one’s resources for the benefit of others.