Akshaya Tritiya – The supreme abundance

Akshaya meaning Never diminishing.

Tritiya meaning the third day in the lunar fortnight, In the Hindu month of Vaisakha.

This day is considered auspicious with many significant instances as per our Hindu mythology. Many people mark this as their new beginnings, weddings, investing in gold, land and establishing new ventures.

Few of the Significances:

1. Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom and obstacle remover, started writing the epic Mahabharata to Veda Vyasa’s* dictation.

* Krishna Dvaipayana, popularly known as Veda Vyasa is a sage who composed and classified the Vedas, Mahabharata, and many Puranas.

2. It is also celebrated as the birthday of the Hindu sage Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu- Parashurama Jayanthi

3. On this day, Treta Yuga began, and the most sacred river Ganges descended to earth from heaven.

* Sacred river Ganga, it rises in the Himalayas, flows through India and Bangladesh and empties into the Bay of Bengal.

4. It was also the day Goddess Annapurna Devi was born. She is the Goddess of food and nourishment. She is the manifestation of Goddess Parvati.

* Annapurna: Anna meaning food, Purna meaning full.

5. This day, Sudama visited his childhood friend, Lord Krishna in Dwaraka and received unlimited wealth.

When Sudhama was struggling to meet his ends, he went to meet Lord Krishna, he had nothing else to pack for him, except poha in a white cloth. But when he offered that with pure love, Krishna blessed him with all the prosperity.

6. In Mahabharata, Yudhishthira receives the Akshaya Patra, which he used to serve food for his needy kingdom.

*Yudhishthira meditated to Surya deva/ Sun God and sang hymns praising Him. Gladdened by his act, Surya appeared before Yudhishthira and gave him a vessel. He said, “This vessel will feed an inexhaustible supply of food each day, until Draupadi partakes her portion of the food. The vessel will feed you for 12 years henceforth.

7. It is believed that god Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, is the richest deity. Lakshmi Tantram says that even Kubera will pray to goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth on this day.

8. Chandan Yatra starts on this day of Akshaya Tritiya and continues for 21 days. Since the month of Vaisakha is very hot, the cooling effect of sandal wood/Chandan is very pleasing to the body of the Lord.  Special Pujas and aratis are a part of Chandan yatra in Jagannath, Puri.

9. Appearance of Varaha Narasimha swamy was on this auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya

10. Buying Gold, silver or any metal will spread positive energy among the class.

Once upon a time, Kubera, ruled the land of Lanka. His stepbrother Ravana seized the city and all other wealth from Kubera and banished him from the ‘golden’ city of Lanka. Kubera later led a devout life and performed penances and won him the blessings of Lord Brahma and Shiva.

Vishwakarma, the architect of the gods, constructed a fabulous city for him named Alkapuri near Mount Kailash. Mahabharata says that it was on the day of Akshaya Tritiya that Kuber was blessed with the lordship over the wealth of heavens. On this day, he was made the controller of the Northern direction.

Hence, worshipping Lord Kubera, the god of wealth, on the day of Akshaya Tritiya will bless the household with prosperity. Since Lord Kuber had got back a lot of gold on this day, buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya is believed to be a lucky thing.

11. Adi Shankara composed Kanakadhara Stotram. The hymn is called by this name since legend has it that when Adi Shankara recited it, Goddess Lakshmi appeared in front of him and unleashed a stream of gold.

In those days, it was the practice for students to  collect alms from different houses for their daily meal. One day Sankara was on his rounds for Bhiksha. He reached the house of a poor lady. She was so poor; she was not having a proper dress and anything worth the name to give as biksha. Looking at the young boy, she felt sorry that there was nothing in her house to give him. But she did not want to send him away empty-handed.

She could think only of a small amalaka fruit which was in the kitchen. She hesitated to give him such a worthless thing. But she liked the boy so much that she felt compelled to give him something. She brought the fruit from inside the house and gave it to the boy with all respect and love. Her devotion touched Shankara’s heart. He closed his eyes and prayed to Goddess Lakshmi. He composed a Stotra begging Her to shower her grace on the poor lady. Lo! a miracle happened. In answer to Shankara’s prayer, Goddess Lakshmi poured golden amalaka fruits into her courtyard. 

* Adi Shankara was an Indian philosopher who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta.

12. The Vedic scriptures say that knowledge gained, or charity done on this day is very fruitful.

13. It is very lucky day to start new business or venture.

14. Fasts are kept on this day and pujas are performed. In charity, rice, salt, sugar, ghee, tamarind, vegetables, fruit, clothes, are given.

Let us all pray for world’s health and may this Akshaya Tritiya bless us with opulence and prosperity. Here’s hoping happiness comes to your steps. Wishing a bright future in your life.

Samasta loka sukhinobavantu.

References and a few pictures from google.