Ananthache Guna Anantha Apaara

On the auspicious occasion of Anantha Chaturdashi, we offer our heartfelt prayers to Lord Anantha, who is none other than Vittala or Narayana, the Lord with infinite attributes. He is the eternal being who has no beginning and no end, and His qualities are boundless. Every word or even sound we use in our daily lives is an epithet that reveals one of His many divine attributes. Thus, the name "Anantha" itself refers to Lord Narayana, who appeared as Vittala in Pandharpur to bless His devotees.

The story of Lord Vittala’s form is a powerful lesson on the importance of devotion. When Pundalik Maharaj was fully engaged in serving his elderly parents, Lord Narayana appeared to bestow His blessings. However, out of deep love and respect for his parents, Pundalik asked the Lord to wait on a brick until he had completed his duties. Lord Narayana, with His hands resting on His hips, has stood on that brick ever since, fulfilling Pundalik’s request to bless every devotee who seeks His grace at Pandharpur.

Eka Janardhan Maharaj, the composer of this abhang, reminds us that Lord Vittala, also called Anantha, is beyond the full understanding of even the Vedas and sacred scriptures. His beauty is unparalleled, embodying the essence of all beauty. Eka Janardhan Maharaj prays for a merciful glance from Lord Vittala, just as He once ran to bless Pundalik, and humbly asks for the chance to serve Him continuously.

This abhang reflects the boundless compassion of Lord Narayana, whose joy lies in sincere devotion. As Anantha, Lord Vittala is always there to bless, protect, and guide His devotees with infinite love.

अनंताचे गुण अनंत अपार | न कळेचि पार श्रुतीशास्त्री ||१||
तो हा महाराज विटेवरी उभा | लावण्याचा गाभा शोभतसे ||२||
कटीवर कर ठेवी जगजेठी | पाहे कृपादृष्टी भक्तांकडे ||३||
पुंडलिकाचे तेजे जोडलासे ठेवा | एका जनार्दनी सेवा द्रुड देई ||४||

ಅನಂತಾಚೆ ಗುಣ ಅನಂತ ಅಪಾರ | ನ ಕಳೆಚಿ ಪಾರ ಶ್ರುತಿ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ ||ಪ||
ತೋ ಹಾ ಮಹಾರಾಜ ವಿಟೇವರೀ ಉಭಾ | ಲಾವಣ್ಯಾಚಾ ಗಾಭಾ ಶೋಭ ತಸೆ ||೧||
ಕಟೀವರ ಕರ ಠೇವೀ ಜಗಜೇಠೀ | ಪಾಹೆ ಕೃಪಾದೃಷ್ಟಿ ಭಕ್ತಾ ಕಡೆ ||೨||
ಪುಂಡಲೀಕಾಚೆ ತೇಜೆ ಜೋಡಲಾಸೆ ಠೇವಾ | ಏಕಾ ಜನಾರ್ದನೀ ಸೇವಾ ದ್ರಢ ದೇಯಿ ||೩||