Akshaya Tritiya, Auspicious Festival of Prosperity

Akshaya Tritiya also known as Akha Teej or Akha Trij is an annual spring time festival of the Hindus and Jains. It is celebrated on third day of Sukhl Paksha of Vaishakh month every year, falls during April or May month as per English calendar. Akshaya is the Sanskrit word which means wealth that never diminishing’ and Tritiya means ‘third’. Bhagwan Parsuram was born on Akshaya Tritiya thus this is highly important day for Brahmin community and celebrated as Parshuram Jayanti as well.

Significance of Akshay Tritiya

Akshay Tritiya also signifies endlessness thus sage believe that the benefits of doing any jaap, meditation, Yagna, Pitra-Tarpan, Dan-Punya -donation on this day remains with the person forever. As per Hindu Astrology, the AkshayaTritiya is the only day of entire year which do not need any muhurta -auspicious time to start any new ventures and whole day is free from all bad effects. Thus businessman are always in a wait for this day to start new project, work and task. To buy gold and silver on this day is believed to be very auspicious on this day. Goddess Lakshmi deity of wealth and prosperity will be blessed devotee who invests in gold and silver on this day.

Akshaya Tritiya in Jainism, Story of King Rishabha Deva, first Tirthankar of Jainism

Akha Teej is associated with Lord Adinatha, also known as Rishabhadeva, first of the twenty-four Tirthankaras of Jainism.Thus it is believed to be very auspicious day in Jain community and they celebrate this day to memorialize Tirthankar Rishabdev's ending of one-year fast by consuming sugarcane juice poured into his cupped hands. Jain People who observe the year-long alternative day fasting known as Varshi-tap completes their Tapasya with parana by drinking sugarcane juice on this day. Akshaya Tritiya is the day of establishement of the very first "ahara charya" the methodology to prepare and serve food to Jain monks.

Akshaya Trititya and Birth of Parashurama

Akshya Tritiya marks the birth of Lord Parashurama the sixth incarnation of supreme Lord Shree Vishnu. ‘Parashurama’ means ‘Ram with an Axe’ and he was born in a Brahamana family to Jamadagni and Renuka. This was the time when the earth was burdened by the overwheiming military forces owned by brutal and demonic kshatriya kings. When His family was tormented by the ruling class, he picked up his axe to teach them a lesson and killed all such demonic kings twenty one times. Thus it is said that Parshurama had made earth free from Kshatriya 21 times. Thus this day is highy auspicious for Brahman community across the world.

Akshaya Tritiya and Mahabharata

Mahabharata, one of the most sacred and important Vedic epics full with moral legends and lofty philosophy. It is believed that on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, great sage Veda Vyasa began the composition of the Mahabharata, one of the most sacred and important Vedic epics of Sanatan Dharma. It is also said that saint Ved Vyasa had dictated the entire epic to Ganesha, the god of wisdom and obstacle removal.

Akshaya Tirtitya and Pandavas blessed with Akshaya Patra

Pandavas received Akshaya Patra - inexhaustible vessel from the lord Sun in order by supreme Lord Shree Krishna. When the Pandavas lived in exile of 13 years many kings, ministers and Brahmin used to visit them in forest. Once, Lord Krishna with reached in forest to meet Pandavas and warm well come by the five brothers but Draupadi remained inside the kitchen. Lord Krishna walked into the kitchen and greeted his sister Draupadi. She offered an empty bowl of rice and regretted her inability to serve him in the excepted way. However Shri Krishna found out one grain of rice, eat it and feeling completely satisfied. Along with Shri Krishna, whole universe and every living life on earth being felt the same satisfaction that day because it was offered with love and devotion. The above incident happened on the third day of Shukla Paksha of Vaishakh month thus celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya from ancient time. Lord Krishna blessed then and told that Lord Sun will produce and offer unlimited food until Draupadi eats from it last.

Akshaya Tritiya and the story of Sudama met Lord Krishna

The popular tale of Akshaya Tritiya is associated with Lord Krishna and Sudama, childhood friend and devotee of Lord Krishna. Sudama was very poor approaches to his friend for some help to spent remaining life. Sudama did not have anything else except the pouch of poha and felt ashamed to offer his gift to the King of Dwarka – Lord Shri Krishna. But lord Krishna did not forget his poor childhood friend Sudama and warm welcome in Dwarka. Lord Krishna accepted his rice and gave two world in two bytes of rice on the Akshaya Tritiya. Sudama was overwhelmed by the hospitality shown by the Lord Krishna thus he could not ask for financial support and went back to home with empty hand. But when he arrived at his home he saw that his small hut was converted into a palace and his family was wearing royal attire. Sudama knew that this was the blessing of his friend Krishna who blessed him with more wealth than he needed.

This is how the AkshayaTritiya is the festival, which is considered as a Golden Day for Hindus and Jains. A holy dip in the river Ganges on this day is considered to be very auspicious. As per Vedic scriptures, knowledge gained and charity done on Akshay Tritiya is very fruitful.