Akshaya Tritiya – A Special day of Auspiciousness
Are you doing anything special today? Asked one of my colleague. No, not really but, what is so special about today? I asked. Today is Akshaya Tritiya, which is supposed to be an auspicious time to start any new ventures, businesses, work and even buy gold’ Explained my friend.
I became curious about this Akshaya Triti, did a bit of research, and came up with some interesting information and historical incidents. Firstly, a tithi is a lunar day, the time it takes for the longitudinal angle between the Moon and the Sun to increase by 12°. Tithi plays an important role along with nakshatra in Hindus’ daily as well as special activities in selecting the muhurta.Nakshatra refers to a Star and muhurta is the time or the auspicious time.
So, people in Vedic culture of Eastern tradition, follow astrology based on lunar calendar to do anything important or significant in life which means, starting a new job, wedding, naming ceremony, new business, buying some property etc.
Thus, Akshaya Triti (Today in India and for Australia – tomorrow), falls on the third Tithi (lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of the pan-Indian month of Vaishakha and one of the four most important days for Hindus. I wondered why?
Some of the reasons or explanations that found are,
Because, it is an auspicious day of the birthday of Lord Parasurama who is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
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| Took this Photo during my trip few weeks ago at Murwillumbah, NSW |
On this same day, about 5000 years ago on this day Veda Vyas began to write Mahabharata, which turned out to be a huge book of 100,000 verses. He wanted a suitable personality – a Scribe to pen this epic volume. He requested Lord Ganesh to take up this task of writing. Ganesh agreed on one condition that, he would write as long as there is no break to the flow of words being spoken. Veda Vyasa agreed to the condition but, himself put a condition that Whatever Ganesh writes, he should do so, only after comprehending the full meaning of the verse. This way, whenever he needed some break, Vyasadev would throw some tricky verse and before Ganesh realise the meaning, he would start his dictation again.
The word “Akshay” in sanskrit means-inexhaustible, and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. On the same day, in Mahabharata it is mentioned that a wonderful vessel called Akshaya Patra was given to Yudhishthira by the Lord surya which held a never-failing supply of food to the Pandavas every day. The Sun God, who gave the vessel advised Pandavas that the vessel will remain with them for next 12 years and will supply continuous supply of food in a day, till Draupadi takes her share of food for the day. What happens after Draupadi takes her share? Of course, there is a wonderful pastime mentioned in Mahabharata where, Duryodhana tricks the ever angry sage Durvasa and his thousands disciples to visit pandavas who are living in the forest with bare necessities. And, when Durvasa reaches Pandavas hermitage and informs them that he is going to take bath in the nearby river and along with will be coming to have lunch at their place. By then, Draupadi already had her share of food for the day and the vessel will not give any more for the day. She desperately calls out and prays to Krishna, who immediately appears but to her dismay asks her for something to eat. Really, are you joking Krishna? Exclaims Draupadi. But, Krishna convinces her to look at the vessel for any piece of food that is remaining. Draupadi goes to see, finds few food grains, and offers it to Krishna with great hesitation. Lord Krishna happily eats the food grains and the moment he eats them, Durvasa and all his disciple who had a bath in the river and just finished their morning rites suddenly felt their stomachs full, as if they had a heavy lunch.Durvasa fearing the wreath of fiery Bheema, hastily left the place because, they became afraid that they will not be able to honor the Prasad or food that will be offered to them and which inturn might make the hosts, especially Bheema angry and displeased.
Thus, it is considered lucky and auspicious to do charity on this day.
Akshaya Tritiya is also considered as the first day of the Start of Satya Yuga. Also, on this day both the planets Sun and Moon are exalted at the same time, providing beneficial effects.
There is also the story of Sudama Brahmana,who visited his childhood friend Lord Krishna on this same day to ask for some help, becasue he was poor and unable to feed his family.Lord Krishna was so happy to see his friend, received him and treated him with utmost respect and fed him nice meals. After all this, Sudama became hesitant and shy to ask his friend for the help. But, Lord Krishna asked Sudama, what he had brought for him. He saw Sudama was trying to hide puffed rice tied in a cloth. He took it forcibly and had few morsels of the puffed rice. Finally, Sudama returned to his place, without asking anything from Krishna. However, Lord Krishna who is the Super Soul of all the living beings became satisfied by the puffed rice and even though Sudama did not ask for anything verbally, Sudama’s home instantly turned into a beautiful palace. There was beautiful furniture inside and treasure chests, filled with gold and jewels. There was food on the tables, delicious sweets, and wonderful drinks. Sudama’s family’s rags turned into robes fit for royalty.
So friends, that is about the Akshaya Triti.By the way, In India today is this special day, In Australia it is tomorrow and USA probably not finished.
You can check by entering your place, http://www.drikpanchang.com/festivals/akshaya-tritiya/akshaya-tritiya-date-time.html?l=21376&year=2017.
People in India generally buy gold because, the belief is that anything done on this day keeps growing.Akshya. And, also try to do some good things, start any new work, new business, buying etc. By the way, as per Indian lunar calendar Akshaya Triti is one of those 3 days, on which you can do anything (good) and the results will be auspicious, no need to check anything else. Good Luck and have a Good weekend.
