Tuesday 26 July 2011

Akshaya Tritiya - The Golden Day

Hindus believe in the theory of "mahurats" or auspicious timings in every step in life - be it to begin a new venture or making an important purchase. Akshaya Tritiya is one such momentous occasion, which is considered one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu Calendar. It is believed, any meaningful activity started on this day would be fruitful.

Once a Year
Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day of the bright half of Vaishakh month (April-May), when the Sun and Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year.

Holy Day
Akshaya Tritiya, also known as "Akha Teej", is traditionally the birthday of Lord Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. People conduct special Pujas on this day, bathe in holy rivers, make a charity, offer barley in a sacred fire, and worship Lord Ganesha & Devi Lakshmi on this day.

The Golden Link
The word "Akshaya" means imperishable or eternal - that which never diminishes. Initiations made or valuables bought on this day are considered to bring success or good fortune. Buying gold is a popular activity on Akshaya Tritiya, as it is the ultimate symbol of wealth and prosperity. Gold and gold jewelry bought and worn on this day signify never diminishing good fortune. Indians celebrate weddings, begin new business ventures, and even plan long journeys on this day.
Myths Around Akshaya Tritiya
The day also marks the beginning of the "SatyaYug" or the Golden Age - the first of the four Yugas. In the Puranas, the holy Hindu scriptures, there is a story that says that on this day of Akshay Tritiya, Veda Vyasa along with Ganesha started writing the great epic Mahabharata. Ganga Devi or Mother Ganges also descended on earth on this day.
According to another legend, during the time of the Mahabhrata, when the Pandavas were in exile, Lord Krishna, on this day, presented them an 'Akshaya Patra,' a bowl which would never go empty and produce an unlimited supply of food on demand.
The Krishna-Sudama Legend
Perhaps, the most famous of the Akshaya Tritiya stories is the legend of Lord Krishna and Sudama, his poor Brahmin childhood friend. On this day, as the tale goes, Sudama came over to Krishna's palace to request him for some financial help. As a gift for his friend, Sudama had nothing more than a handful of beaten rice or 'poha'. So, he was utterly ashamed to give it to Krishna, but Krishna took the pouch of 'poha' from him and relished having it. Krishna followed the principle of 'Atithi Devo Bhava' or 'the guest is like God' and treated Sudama like a king. His poor friend was so overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality shown by Krishna, that he could not ask for the financial favor and came home empty handed. Lo and behold! When he reached his place, Sudama's old hut was transformed into a palace! He found his family dressed in royal attire and everything around was new and expensive. Sudama knew that it was a boon from Krishna, who blessed him with more than the wealth he actually intended to ask for. Therefore, Akshaya Tritiya is associated with material gains and wealth acquisition.

Bright Births
It is also believed that people born during this time shine bright in life. Many luminaries were born during this period: Basaveshwara born on May 4, Ramanujacharya and Adi Shankaracharya on May 6, Swami Chinmayananda on May 8 and Lord Buddha on May 16. Akshaya Tritiya is also celebrated as the birthday of Lord Parashurama, one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu.

Things To Do on Akshaya Tritiya

On this day articles given, in form of alms, dakshina to guru, these things include grain money, and donations.

Anushtaans done for Mahalaximiji, the Goddess of wealth, will be beneficial for blessings of prosperity all year round.

Visit Mahalaxmiji Mandir, and 4 coins should be thrown in all 4 directions, this will open doors to wealth.

Married women wear a red thread with vermillion around their necks and invoke good wishes in a Shiv mandir for longevity of their husbands. Unmarried ones put it on the feet of Lord Shiva to get the husband they wish for.

•  .
Visit Shiv mandir with neem leaves and after offering to Shiva put under the pillow of a sick person, the person will recover from his illness and evil eyes



It is believed that one gets ‘punya’ in life by doing good deeds on this day. It is desirable to:
•  Feed cows with green fodder.

•  Resolve to take up the education expenses of a deserving, needy child.
•  Forgive and forget the past and renew relationships with friends and relatives
•  Resolve to give up a bad habit – smoking, drinking etc.
•  Resolve to start a good habit – learn and practise Yoga.
•  It is the best day to go for new investments like fixed deposits in Banks, Post Office Savings Scheme, and Insurance Policies etc. It is ideal day for starting new ventures.
 •  It is the best day to call your parents in far off places and take their blessings. Thousands of marriages are performed on this day.

Daan on Akshaya Tritiya

* Some special Daanas are suggested on Akshaya Tritiya.    They are:
* Jala Daanam (giving water) is for wealth.
* Shayana Daanam (giving bed) gives all happiness
* Vasthra Daanam (giving clothes) gives long life
* Kumkum daanam (giving vermillion) gives best position in    life and also long life for husband
* Chandana daanam (giving sandalwood) prevents accidents
* Thamboolam- It makes a man as ruler of a nation
* Naarikela Daanam (giving coconut) gives salvation to    forefathers.
* Butter milk daanam (giving curdmilk) gives ability to study      high.
* Udakumbha Daanam ( giving water in silver vessel with safron, Tulasi with betul nut) gives    desired results for those who wants to get marry or those who wants to have a child.
* Padaraksha (giving slippers) will prevent us from going to hell after death.
* Chatra Daanam (giving umbrella) will remove many obstacles in life

On that day, we have to perform Madhusudhana puja, with Tulasi archan chanting Sri Vishnu Sahasranaamam. And also some special Daanas are suggested on that day, here it is:

1) Jala Daanam (Water daanam to brahmin with betul nut and dakshina) it is for wealth.

2) Shayana Daanam (giving bed) it gives all happiness

3) Vasthra Daanam (giving clothes) Ayushyam, Long life

4) Kunkum daanam _ it gives best position in life and also long life for husband

5) Chandana daanam- it avoids from accidents

6) Thamboolam- It makes a man as ruler of a nation

7) Naarikela Daanam- (Coconut daanam)Our last 7 pithrus will get relief from naraka

Butter milk daanam- its for vidhya praapthi

9) Udakumbha Daanam- Giving water containing in borzz or silver vessel filling water with paccha karpooram and safron and Tulasi with betul nut and dalshina.it gives Gaya Shrardha phalam, its the most important daanam to be given for those who wants to get marry, who wants to getout of pithru shapas, and peoples who wants to have a child.

10) Padaraksha- (slipper) this daanam will avoid us from entering into naraka

11) Chatra Daanam-(umbrella) it removes many obstacles in life

Most of all this we have to take bath in Mahanadis, that is ganga,yamuna, godhavari, sindhu,sarawathi,narmada,krishna, bheemarathi, phalgu, sarayoo, Gandaki, gomathi, kauveri, before sunrise it gives immense phala.

And also one more daanam is suggested to give on that day thats wheat, its for the satisfaction of Indra , Indra is a reason for getting rain and growing many eatables on earth, thats why veda mantra says :

Indra Shrshtaani Draveenani dehi shittim Dhakshasya Subhagathva masmey

Posham Rayeenaam arishtim thanoonam swadhmaanam vachah sudhinathva manham

So choose any daanam, or if possible give all the daanams and wash our bad karmas, and do sadhana here in our Sadhana Bhoomi Bharatha.

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