Ananta (infinite)

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For other uses, see Ananta.
Representation of Vishnu, the primary bearer of the epithet
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Ananta (

Sanskrit: अनन्त, lit. 'Without end'), is a Sanskrit term, and primarily an epithet of Vishnu.[1]

Vaishnavism

Vishnu sleeps on the coils of Ananta (the World Snake). He will awake for the next cycle of creation which heralds the destruction of all things. Sculpture. From India, c. 14th century CE. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

It is one of many of the

names of Vishnu.[2] Ananta is also a name of Shesha, the celestial snake, on which Vishnu reclines in the cosmic ocean.[3]

In the

Nagas in Patala. By the grace of Ananta, Garga was able to master the sciences of astronomy and causation.[4]

It is said[

kalpa.[4]

Ananta is also an epithet of

Skanda, Krishna, Balarama, earth, and the letter A.[5]

Vedanta

Ananta is one of four types of objects or categories of being:

  • Ananta has a beginning but no end
  • Nitya has neither beginning nor an end
  • Anitya has a beginning and an end
  • Anadi has no beginning, but has an end

According to the

satcitananda (being-consciousness-bliss)" refers to the Infinite, the single non-dual reality.[6]

It denotes Brahman[7] as one of six attributes which are prajna, priyam, satyam, ananta, ananda and stithi that are said to manifest themselves in space, which is common to all six bases.[8]

Brahman has no initial cause and is known as anadikarana, the uncreated who is not a product, which means Brahman has no material cause and is not the material cause of anything.[9] Ananta is the infinite space,[10] the infinite space is Brahman.

Yoga

According to the

Yoga Sutras, Patanjali stresses upon the use of breath to achieve perfection in posture which entails steadiness and comfort, by making an effort, the effort meant is the effort of breathing. The effort of breathing has been highlighted by the term, Ananta, in Sutra 2.47.[12] Ananta was called Patanjali because he desired to teach Yoga to human beings, he fell from heaven to earth landing in the palm of a virtuous woman named Gonika.[13]

Jainism

According to Jainism the pure soul of each life form is:[14]

  • Ananta-gyana (Endless Knowledge)
  • Ananta-darshana (Endless Perception)
  • Ananta-caritra (Endless Consciousness)
  • Ananta-sukha (Endless Bliss)


The 14th of the 24

Jain Tirathankaras is known as Ananta or Anant Nath.[15]

Buddhism

Ananta also appears in the

Buddhist iconography as one of three female deities emanating from Dhyani Buddha Amitabha.[citation needed
]

References

  1. ISBN 9780143414216
    .
  2. ^ Shri Vishnu Sahasranamam.
  3. ISBN 9780595350759
    .
  4. ^
    ISBN 9788176252263
    .
  5. ISBN 9788170223757
    .
  6. ISBN 9781475111576
    .
  7. ISBN 9780941524445
    .
  8. ISBN 9781616402402
    .
  9. ISBN 9788120812918
    .
  10. ISBN 9780761826521
    .
  11. ISBN 9781577319870
    .
  12. ISBN 9780892818204
    . ananta meaning of.
  13. ISBN 9788171569649
    .
  14. ISBN 9788178357232
    .
  15. ^ Pratiyogita Darpan: General Studies of Indian History. Upkar Prakashan. p. 44.
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