Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akti or Akha Teej is a highly auspicious and sacred day for the Hindu and Jain Communities. It falls on the third Tithi (lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of Vaisakha month. It is observed as an auspicious time regionally by Hindus and Jains in India and Nepal, as signifying the "third day of unending prosperity". Since it is considered to be the most auspicious day, all the activities (spiritual or material) undertaken on this day bring desired results. It offers the best time especially for those engaged in spiritual activities like Meditation, Yoga, Japa, Reading Scriptures and the like.
As per Vedic literature, any auspicious day must be
utilized for cultivating spiritual strengths. This is done through reading of
scriptures, special pujas, the family deity worship (Ishta Dev), charities,
offering homage to one's ancestors, associated with devotees, feeding Brahmins,
planting and watering trees, feeding the poor, sponsoring education and the
like.
Akshaya Tritiya Significance:
In Sanskrit, the word
"Akshaya" (अक्षय्य) means
“never endingness” in the sense of "prosperity, hope, joy, success",
while Tritiya means "the third phase of the moon". It
is named after the "third lunar day" of the spring month of Vaisakha in
the Hindu calendar, the day it is observed.
Results of activity on
this day do not diminish. Instead, they multiply. According to scriptures,
there are two kinds of activities. One pertains to one's body
(physical/material) and the other to one's soul (spiritual). The former is
subject to erosion (impermanent in nature) and the latter is associated with
eternal bliss (permanent in nature). Results from activities associated with
the body are not permanent where those from activities associated with one's
true nature (soul) are permanent and never diminish. Therefore, the benefits of
performing Meditation, Japa, Yajna, Pitra-Tarpan (offerings to one's
ancestors), Dan-Punya (Charities) on this day are permanent because they
satisfy one's inner self (soul).
Akshaya Tritiya Puja and Yagna:
Akshaya Tritiya is said to the most auspicious day
of the year. Any charity or good act performed, or gold purchased or puja
conducted on this day never diminishes and continues to grow or appreciate. It
is day is ruled by Lord Vishnu. He is worshipped along with Laxmi and Kuber on
this day. According to Hindu mythology, Treta Yuga began on Akshaya Tritiya day.
Why is Akshaya Tritiya Celebrated?
Jain tradition
 |
Lord
Rishabhdev is considered the founder of Jain philosophy. |
Jainism commemorates Lord Rishabha, the first Jain Tirthankara, who broke His
year-long fast on this day by sipping on Sugarcane juice. Lord Rishabha was
actually a King who renounced everything when He realized the truth that death
is inevitable. This day is celebrated by the Jain community in honor of Lord
Rishabha. Some Jains refer to the festival as Varshi
Tapa.
 |
| A one anna coin issued by the British-Indian government depicting Rishabhanatha, first Jain Tirthankara, accepting sugarcane juice from King Shreyans |
Hindu tradition
Akshaya Tritiya is considered a very powerful and
auspicious day and is celebrated by Hindus and Jains in India, Nepal, and the rest
of the World for new ventures, marriages, and expensive
investments in gold or other property, and any new beginnings. It is
also a day of remembrance for the loved ones who have died. The day is
regionally significant for women, married or unmarried, who pray for the well-being of the men in their lives or the one they may in the future get engaged to. After
prayers, they distribute germinating gram (sprouts), fresh fruits, and Indian
sweets. If the Akshaya Tritiya falls on a Monday (Rohini), the festival is
believed to be even more auspicious. Fasting, charity, and helping others
on this day is another festive practice. In Hinduism, the Akshaya Tritiya
festival has many significant events/incidences connected to it
1) The iconic Indian Epic Mahabharata was
narrated by Rishi Veda Vyasa to Lord Ganesha to write. It was on the day of
Akshaya Tritiya that the narration and writing commenced.
2) Lord Krishna's close childhood friend, Sudama,
was extremely poor and the Lord was the King of Dwarka. An interesting Akshaya
Tritiya's story says that once Sudama decided to visit his friend Lord Krishna, he requested some financial help. As they were meeting after several years
Sudama carried a gift. The gift was some Poha (flat rice) made by his wife when
Sudama arrived. Lord Krishna personally went to receive him from the gates and
presented him with Royal treatment and hospitality. It is depicted in the story
that Lord Krishna washed Sudama's tired feet Himself Sudama was extremely
conscious of his gift but Lord Krishna with child-like enthusiasm snatched it
from him and ate happily ate the Poha. The two friends spent some memorable
time together Upon returning Sudama found his mere hut of a house was
transformed into a proper house, his children and wife were in good clothes and
there was money and wealth, which never diminished. Thus Sudama was gifted by
Lord Krishna with unending prosperity and wealth. This happened on the day of
Akshaya Tritiya, a day of unending wealth, by the grace of Lord Krishna.
3) Legend has it that when the Pandavas were in
exile in the jungle, Yudhishtira, the eldest of Pandavas was presented by Surya
Devta (Sun God), with an Akshaya Patra, a bowl that could produce an inexhaustible supply of food. Thus the Pandavas never had to go hungry, even
though they were in the jungle.
4) Lord Kuber was granted the prestigious post of
being in charge and control of Heavenly wealth and treasures on the day of
Akshaya Tritiya. Though Kubera was a Demon or Rakshasha He was promoted to the
status of Lordship. Thus Lord Kubera is worshipped on Akshaya Tritiya to be
blessed with opulence, wealth, treasures, luxuries, and to ensure the increase
and protection of wealth.
5) One of the ten Lord Vishnu's Avatar, Parasurama
was born on Akshaya Tritiya, in the Treta Yug.
6) On the Day of Akshaya Tritiya. Goddess Ganga
River Ganga) agreed to descend to Earth being pleased with King Bhagiratha's
austere penance. Her force of flow was so strong that it could have flooded the
Earth. Bhagiratha then requested Lord Siva to help. Lord Shiva contained
Goddess Ganga's flow in His matted hair. Thus Ganga flowed down to Earth with a
controlled force, and till now keeps us in India supplied with limitless water
and food.
In Odisha, Akshay Tritiya is
celebrated for the commencement of sowing of paddy for the ensuing Kharif season.
The day starts with ritual worship of mother Earth, the bullocks, other
traditional farm equipment, and seeds for blessings of a good
harvest. After plowing in the fields, the sowing of paddy seeds is done as a symbolic start for the most important Kharif crop of the state. This ritual is
called Akhi Muthi Anukula (Akhi - Akshay Tritiya; Muthi -
fistful of paddy; Anukula - commencement or inauguration) and is celebrated
with much fanfare throughout the state. In recent years the event has received
much publicity due to ceremonial Akhi Muthi Anukula programs
organized by farmers’ organizations and political parties. The construction of
chariots for the Ratha Yatra festivities of Jagannath Temple also
commences from this day at Puri.
Benefits of Akshaya Tritiya Pujas:
· ➤Attracts wealth, money, and richness
· ➤Offers wisdom, intelligence and prosperity
· ➤Best for success in business and career
· ➤Offers blessings of Lord Narayana and Goddess Laxmi
· ➤For protection, good health, and happy family life
· ➤For success and removal of obstacles in Business and Career
· ➤For spiritual upliftment and benefits
· ➤For protection and relief from diseases
Happy Akshaya Tritiya,
everyone.
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