27.4.09

Akshaya Tritiya snippets

Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third thithi (day) of the bright half of the lunar month Vaisakha. This year it falls on April 27. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, Sage Veda Vyasa, also known as Krishna Dwaipayana, dictated Mahabharatha to Ganesha. On this day, the birthday of Parashurama, the sixth facet of Lord Vishnu, is also traditionally observed. Kuchela, also known as Sudhama, a poor Brahmin and schoolmate of Sri Krishna, visits Krishna to ask for some financial favour. He carries with him a handful of beaten rice. Kuchela is ashamed to give this to Krishna, but the lord snatches the small bag from his schoolmate and eats a handful of the beaten rice. Kuchela is taken aback by the Lord’s gesture and returns home. He is amazed to see a palace in the place of his old hut with his wife and children wearing new clothes. This day, when the frugal fare accepted by the lord was returned manifold to Kuchela, is observed as Akshaya Tritiya. Akshaya means that which never diminishes. The Pandavas are said to have received the Akshaya Pathra (the never emptying bowl of food) from Lord Krishna on this day. It provided unlimited food for the Pandavas during their exile. Any charity done on this day is said to come back manifold. Southeast, Northwest and East come into primary importance on this day. Astrologically too, the Sun and the Moon are most radiant and placed in exaltation on the Askhaya Tritiya day. On the home front, donation of food grains to old age homes or dependent senior citizens is suggested. Since the directional significance for marriage is strong, marriage negotiations can begin on this day. House warming ceremonies on this day are recommended. Domestic and business discussions begun on this day tend to conclude agreeably. Sudarshana Homa and Lakshmi Puja may be performed; food donated to old age homes, orphanages, schools for the blind, physically and otherwise handicapped on this day can indeed bestow health, harmony and happiness to families and businesses.  

No comments: