What is Akshaya Tritiya? What is its significance?
By Navistha Vashist - May 13, 2021
Akshaya Tritiya
The literal meaning of Akshaya Tritiya is the never-ending, 3rd phase of the moon. Akshaya means: never-ending/eternal. It is characterized as in sense of happiness, pleasure, joy, and love. Tritiya means 3rd phase of the moon or the 3rd lunar day.
Akshaya Tritiya drops on the third day of the Shukla Paksha (as the name suggests) of the Vaisakha month. ( Vaisakha: is the month of April & May according/in the Hindu Calendar)
This day in simple words means the third day of imperishable prosperity and wealth!
Importance of Akshaya Tritiya:-
This day has such extraordinary significance, a lot of auspicious moment had taken place on this particular day,
• On this day, Lord Parshuram was born, he was the 6th Avatar or incarnation of the Supreme Lord Vishnu.
• This day also symbolizes the beginning of Treta Yuga.
(There are 4 Yuga as per Hinduism: 1st- Satyuga, 2nd- Treta Yuga, 3rd- Dwapara Yuga, 4th- Kali Yuga). All 4 Yuga has their purpose.
• On this day, Ved Vyas narrated the Mahabharata to Lord Ganesha! ( Ganesha: Son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva).
• On this day Surya Dev (the Sun god) gave 'Akshaya Patra' the exhaustible vessel to Yudhishthir (the eldest son of the Pandu or the big brother among the 5 Pandavas).
The inexhaustible vessel aka The Akshaya Patra stocked or supplied the Pandavas with limitless food and water every day.
• Lord Shri Krishna changed his childhood friend Sudama's fortune from Poor to Wealthy on this day.
(Story: Sudama was Lord Shri Krishna childhood friend he was poor and a Brahmin, one-day Sudama goes to Shri Krishna to his castle and ask him for some financial assistance, Sudama precisely had a handful of rice (beaten rice- poha) for Shri Krishna. He was embarrassed to give it to Krishna but the lord accepted it with utmost love and respect. Shri Krishna cared for Sudama like a king, he welcomed Sudama by washing his feet. Sudama was crushed by his love and warmth, and sudama forgot to mention and ask for financial help and When he went back empty handed, he was astonished by seeing his broken hut replaced by a beautiful palace, and his wife and children dressed in royal attire and jewellers. Sudama understood that it was a boon from Krishna, His fortunes changed from rages to riches. Without asking, he got more then what he hoped for).
• River Ganges descended to earth on this day.
• On this day, Lord Kuber was positioned as 'Lord of Wealth'.
With all such auspicious events occurring on the same day, it makes this day such a wonderful & great time to remember the god and worship him!
Celebration:-
On this day Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi are largely Worshiped. It is a good omen if you prefer keeping an auspicious event like a wedding, new business, investment, home or puja, or any kind of inauguration. This is the perfect timing for buying Gold or Silver as it is considered auspicious! This is a ritual of taking bath in the holy water, which is important. Devotees do observe an all-day-long fast on a great day. It is advisable not to eat anything non-vegetarian, smoke, or consume alcohol. Don't break your fast in the evening, rather finish it on the next day after taking a bath and offering food to the Lord first! If you're implementing your time in remembering God, please don't kill your time on the phone or doing something else, it's just not the way, sit in a peaceful place and chant his name and read the holy book. Not only does it makes a person feel happy and peaceful but, will feel energetic also, reading a holy book will give you a lot of knowledge, which is indeed given from the lord himself as it is Shruti.
What to eat on Akshaya Tritiya?
•Puran Poli
•Shrikhand
•Thalipeeth
•Modak.
•Chaklis
~जय श्री कृष्णा
