Post # 024
Akshay Tritiya - On this day, long ago!
Today is Akshay Tritiya, an auspicious day in both Hindu and Jain traditions. Akshaya signifies 'everlasting' prosperity. Tritiya signifies 'the third lunar day' of the Vaishakha month of the Hindu calendar.
People choose this day to start new ventures, make expensive investments like property and gold. The trending joke is that the only gold one can buy this year is Mariegold, Saffola gold or Nescafe gold.
Amidst all this, I wanted to know what the significance of the day is. Here are a few things I learnt.
In Jainism, this day signifies Rishabhdev (the first thirthankara) ending his one-year fast by accepting sugarcane juice from the king Shreyans. It is also called Varshi Tapa.
There is a beautiful story from Mahabharata signifying this day. This happens during Pandava's exile to forest.
The Sungod, pleased with Yudhisthira's devotion, offers him, as a boon, the Akshaya Patra, the inexhaustible vessel, saying food cooked in the vessel will not be over till Draupadi has taken her last bite.
One day, Sage Durvasa and his retinue come to the Pandavas' ashram after Draupadi had finished her lunch. Now, Durvasa was known for his temper. He would curse like we swear. So, Draupadi quickly prays to Krishna. Krishna appears, listens to her plight, takes the vessel and puts the one last morsel sticking to it in his mouth. The Lord of Universe ate - the entire universe was satiated. Durvasa, his hunger and his anger were averted. This event happened on this day, about 5000 years ago.
Today is also the birthday of Sage Parashuram, the sixth avataar of Lord Vishnu. Hence this day is also called Parashuram Jayanti.
Ved Vyas is supposed to have started dictating the Mahabharata today. His stenographer was none other than Ganesha.
Goddess Ganga is supposed have descended to Earth on this day and became River Ganga.
On this day, Sudama offered his humble gift, Poha, to his childhood friend Krishna. Krishna ate his first handful and Sudama's family back home became wealthy enough for the seven generations. The Goddess of prosperity, Laxmi, Krishna's consort, prevents him from eating the second morsel. This ACK always brings tears in my eyes.
On this day, Kubera became the Lord of Wealth.
In Odisha, the annual construction of Ratha Yatra chariots begins today.
