Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Akshaya thrithiai...

(Thanks pictures source from http://moralstories.wordpress.com)

What is so special about Akshaya thrithiai? What is the history behind it? Which god is special on that day? What is the significance of buying gold on that day? What are the other thigs aspicious to purchase apart from gold?
Akshaya Tritiya, variously spelt as Akshya Thiritiya, Akshaya Tritiiya and also called Akshaya Trithi.Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May), when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year. This is one of the four most auspicious days of the year for Indians. The word Akshaya, a Sanskrit word, literally means one that never diminishes, and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. Akshaya Tritiya is one such momentous occasion, which is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Vedic Calendar. People conduct special Pujas on this day, bathe in holy rivers, make a charity, offer barley in a sacred fire, and worship Lord Ganesha & Devi Lakshmi on this day.
'Atchayam' means growing without reducing or waning. Like the divine vessel 'Akshaya pathiram' with undiminishing food, one celebrates this day which bestows prosperity as 'Akshaya Thirthiya'.

And according to the puranas, this day marks the beginning of the Treta Yuga, which is the second out of four yugas, or ages of man, in Hindu religion, following the Satya Yuga of perfect morality and preceding the Dvapara Yuga. The most famous events in this yuga were Lord Vishnu's fifth, sixth and seventh incarnations as Vamana, Parasurama and Ramachandra respectively.
The legends associated with Akshaya Thruthiyai are thus:
The main legend is from Mahabharata. When Pandavas were in exile, Lord Krishna gave Draupadi a bowl called the Akshaya Pathram. The word Akshaya means that which never diminishes and this bowl is said to have given infinite food to the Pandavas.
In the Mahabharata, the Pandavas received the Akshaya Pathram (bowl) from Lord Krishna on this day. The Akshaya Pathram provided unlimited food for the Pandavas during their exile. Due to this reason, people believe that anything that is acquired on this day will be replenished
Kuchela, the poor friend Of Krishna went to see Krishna with some aval (poha) tied in his upper cloth. Kannan welcomed Kuchela happily and putting a handful of poha in his mouth uttered the word “Akshayam”. At once, the humble abode of Kuchela became a palace & he became a very prosperous man.
Associated with the Mahabarata, is another story for the day. It was on this day that the Pandavas unearthed weapons that decided their victory over the Kauravas. Also, it is also believed that Goddess Vijaya Chamundeshwari killed Asura on this day. It is on this day that Veda Vyasa, along with Lord Ganesha, started writing the Mahabharata.
And according to the puranas, this day marks the beginning of the Treta Yuga, which is the second out of four yugas, or ages of man, in Hindu religion, following the Satya Yuga of perfect morality and preceding the Dvapara Yuga. The most famous events in this yuga were Lord Vishnu's fifth, sixth and seventh incarnations as Vamana, Parasurama and Ramachandra respectively.
According to the Vedas, it was on the day of Akshay Tritiiya that Veda Vyasa along with Lord Ganesha started writing the epic, Mahabharata
There is also another legend associated with the day, also known as Akha Teej, in North India. This is celebrated as the birthday of Parshurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu marking the beginning of Golden Age. Parshuram is the son of Jamadagni and Renuka. One day, when Jamadagni got angry with his wife Renuka, he commanded Parshuram to kill her. In obedience to his father’s command, he killed his mother. In return, when Jamadagni offered his son a boon, he got his mother back to life.

Many people offer tharpanams to forefathers on this day. This is done to incur their blessings. It is very good to worship, Shiva Parvathi, Shriman Narayanan, Sri Lakhmi Devi on this day. Lakshmi is supposed to have chosen this day to worship Lord Kubera on this day, to be blessed with Kubera Sampath. Krutha Yuga is said on have started this day. Just like a yuga lasts for millions of years, any action done on this day is supposed to yield, benfits, multifold times. Any new venture started on this day will last long and well. So this day is supposed to be auspicious for registering a business deal, buy a new property, open new accounts and last but not least to buy new clothes, jewellery etc. It does not end there, it is the most ideal day to do charity, help the physically challenged, do financial helps for higher studies for needy, deserving people as well. It is said that giving curd rice to others improves longevity of life. Distribution of sweets, helps to get over the obstacles in getting married. Distribution of grains and cereals, prevents accidents and untimely death. By giving cattle feed, prosperity will increase. So, let us do good deeds on this auspicious day and pray for good things in life.
This is why this day is considered to be a good time to bring home Goddess Lakshmi, in any form, gold, silver or platinum. Valuables that are acquired on this day are said to be replenished endlessly.


(collection from net)

1 comment:

Madhavan said...

excellent narration and most useful tips on akshaya thirthi . . .

I have been searching for this past few weeks and thanks to jayshree