Word

Ananthasayana

Sanskrit

अनन्तशयन

IAST

anantaśayana

In General

Lord Vishnu in Yoganidra is called Ananthasayana. The reclining Vishnu thus in meditation is served by Ma Lakshmi, adored by Rishis and all of them stay in the space provided by the coil of Anantha, the Seshanaga. The hoods of the Serpant Anantha hold the entire Universe.

Many temple have paintings or sculptures of Lord Vishnu in Anathasayana meditation. The key features are: the serpent Anantha in milky ocean, Vishnu in reclining position with Ma Lakshmi serving, Rishis praying, Brahma do his work sitting on a lotus shoot out of Vishnu’s navel, Devas witness the event with reverence, two Asuras play mischief. The Padmanabha Swami Temple in Thiruvananthapuram has got a large statue of Ananthasayana as the main idol. Sri Ranganathaswami Temple at Sriranga, near Thiruchirapalli is a magnificent temple with Vishnu in Yoganidra.

The concept of Ananthasayana has got a very close resemblance with the scientific concept of Milky Way.

See also: Vishnu

Veda

Vishnu is the supreme God who is omnipotent and omniscient. He extends over the three worlds Bhur, Bhuva, Svah and the other four worlds (mahas, janas, tapas, and satya) above. R.V. (7.100) is about the strides of Vishnu over the Universe.

Purana

The Puranic version of the Vishnu in Yoganidra (reclining Vishnu) in which the Lord maintains the Universe is called Ananthasayana. Lord extend over entire Universe of which Svur Loka (Swarga) is only a part so he is not a resident of Swarga where Indra is the king.