Anant Chaturdashi Fast Story

You may have heard about the Pandavas’ victory in the Mahabharata war, but did you know that they regained their lost glory because of the Anant Chaturdashi fast? This fast’s story was narrated by Lord Krishna to the Pandavas, and here it is: After losing everything to the Kauravas in a dice game, the Pandavas were exiled to the forest for 12 years. Living in the forest, they and Draupadi became deeply disheartened and weak. Seeing their plight, Lord Krishna came to visit them. Yudhishthira, sorrowfully, explained their misfortune to Krishna and asked for a way to regain their kingdom. Krishna advised him to observe the Anant Chaturdashi fast. He explained that worshiping Lord Anant with this fast would destroy all sins, fulfill desires, and bring victory across all realms. Krishna then narrated its story: In the Satyuga, there lived a Brahmin named Sumant, who married a noblewoman named Diksha. They had a daughter named Sushila. Unfortunately, Diksha passed away due to a fever. To care for Sushila, Sumant remarried a woman named Karkasha, who did not love Sushila and treated her poorly. When Sushila grew older, Sumant worried about her marriage. He approached the learned sage Rishi Kaudinya, who agreed to marry Sushila. After their marriage, Karkasha gave Sushila nothing to take with her. Heartbroken, Sushila left with her husband. On their way to Kaudinya’s ashram, they saw women performing the Anant Chaturdashi fast by the Yamuna River. The women explained that this fast is highly virtuous and brings wealth and prosperity. Inspired, Sushila vowed to perform the fast. She prayed and tied the sacred Anant thread. Soon, Kaudinya’s home flourished with wealth and happiness. Unaware of Sushila’s fast, Rishi Kaudinya misunderstood its significance. One Anant Chaturdashi, in anger, he tore the sacred thread and threw it into the fire. This act angered Lord Anant, and Kaudinya’s prosperity began to decline. Realizing his mistake, Kaudinya asked Sushila for an explanation. She revealed the importance of the fast. Filled with remorse, Kaudinya ventured into the forest seeking forgiveness. On his journey, he met a mango tree, a cow, a bull, a pond, an elephant, and a donkey, and asked them if they had seen Lord Anant. They all denied. Despairing, Kaudinya decided to end his life. At that moment, Lord Anant appeared, revealing his cosmic form. Lord Anant explained that the beings Kaudinya encountered were humans in past lives, now facing the consequences of their actions. Kaudinya apologized for his sins and vowed to observe the Anant Chaturdashi fast. Soon, he regained his lost prosperity. Krishna concluded by encouraging Yudhishthira to observe this fast with his family, ensuring their salvation. May Lord Anant’s blessings be with you, and may Anant Chaturdashi bring prosperity to your life!