We, Indians, especially Hindus believe and follow in mahurats/ auspicious timings in every step in life – Akshaya Tritiya is one such auspicious day, which falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May), when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation- simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year. Also known as “Akha Teej”, it is traditionally the birthday of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
People do special pujas on this day, bathe in holy rivers, make a charity, offer barley in a sacred fire, and worship Lord Ganesha & Goddess Lakshmi.
The word “Akshaya” translates to being eternal , hence valuables bought on this day are considered to bring success or good fortune, especially gold, as it is the ultimate symbol of wealth and prosperity. Indians celebrate weddings, begin new business ventures, and even plan long journeys on this day.
Stores of Akshaya Tritiya:
The day marks the beginning of the “Satya Yug” or the Golden Age – the first of the four yugas.
In the holy Hindu scriptures, it is said that Veda Vyasa along with Lord Ganesha started writing the great epic Mahabharata.
River Ganga or Mother Ganges also descended on earth on this day.
In Mahabharata, when the Pandavas were in exile, Lord Krishna, on this day, presented them an ‘Akshaya Patra,’ a bowl which would never go empty and produce an unlimited supply of food on demand.
On this day, Sudama came over to Krishna’s palace to request him for some financial help. As a gift for his friend, Sudama had nothing more than a handful of ‘poha’. So, he was utterly shamed to give it to Krishna, but Krishna took the pouch of ‘poha’ from him and relished having it.
Krishna followed the principle of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava‘ treated Sudama like a king, who was then so overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality that he could not ask for the financial favor and came home empty handed, but when he reached his home, he saw that instead of his old hut there was a huge manor and found his family dressed in royal attire and everything around was new and expensive. Sudama knew that it was a boon from Krishna, who blessed him with more than the wealth he actually intended to ask for. Therefore, Akshaya Tritiya is associated with material gains and wealth acquisition.
By: Archa Dave
