Ananta (Sanskrit: अनन्त, lit. 'Without end'), is a Sanskrit term, and primarily an epithet of Vishnu
It is one of many of the names of Vishnu. Ananta is also a name of Shesha, the celestial snake, on which Vishnu reclines in the cosmic ocean.
He is also called Sankarshana, and is also one of the four vyuhas, or primitive forms of Vishnu, the other three being Vasudeva, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha.
In Gaudiya accounts, he expands himself as Garbhodakshayi-Vishnu in the beginning of the universe to create Brahma. In other words, Sankarshana/Ananta is believed to be Narayana himself.
In the Mahabharata, Ananta, or Shesha, is the son of Kashyapa, one of the Prajapatis, through Kadru as her eldest son. Kadru had asked her sons to stay suspended in the hair of Uchchaihshravas’s tail who on refusing to do so were cursed to die at the serpent-yajna of Janamejaya. Ananta was saved by Brahma who directed him to go to the nether world and support the world on his hoods, and thus became the king of the Nagas in Patala. By the grace of Ananta, Garga was able to master the sciences of astronomy and causation.
In Hindu tradition, it is said that Rudra will emanate from the face of Ananta and consume the three worlds at the end of a kalpa.
In the first few chapters of the Puranas, it is also said that Ananta preached the Bhagavata to the Four Kumaras, who in turn passed on this message. At some point, the message was passed to sage Maitreya, who in turn preached it to Vidura.
According to legends, Shesha is married to Nagalakshmi. As per the Garga Samhita, she is considered to be the personification of the divine ocean called the Kshira Sagara.
Other Relevant Information
Ananta Narayan (Patti Dian): The Patti Dian of Lord Jagannath is known as Ananta Narayan, appearing with four arms, dark blue color, and holding a conch, mace, and chakra.
Ananta Basudev Temple: Located in Bhubaneswar, this temple (built in the 13th century) is dedicated to Lord Krishna (as Ananta Basudev) and Balaram (standing under a seven-hooded serpent), reflecting a similar worship pattern to the Puri temple.
Ananta Brata Osha: A special ritual dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Ananta form, observed for seeking prosperity and devotion.
Mentions in Other Sects
Vedanta - Ananta is one of four types of objects or categories of being - Nitya, Anitya, Anadi and Ananta. According to the Vedanta School, the term Ananta used in the phrase "anadi (beginningless) ananta (endless) akhanda (unbroken) satcitananda (being-consciousness-bliss)" refers to the Infinite, the single non-dual reality
Buddhism - Ananta also appears in the Buddhist iconography as one of three female deities emanating from Dhyani Buddha Amitabha
Shaiva School of Yoga - Ananta is also the name of the serpent who overheard Lord Shiva teaching goddess Parvati the secrets of yoga. When Lord Shiva learned of Ananta’s eavesdropping, he ordered Ananta to share that learning with the entire human race. Therefore, Ananta assumed human form as Sage Patanjali and taught the Eight Limbs of Yoga for the well-being of mankind.
Note [in context to state of being in vedanta] :
1. Ananta has a beginning but no end
2. Nitya has neither beginning nor an end
3. Anitya has a beginning and an end
4. Anadi has no beginning, but has an end
