By Nandini Radha devi dasi
Akshaya-tritiya is one of the most important and auspicious days in the Vedic calendar. The term ‘Akshaya’ means that which has no ending or no impediment and ‘Tritiya’ refers to the third day after the new moon in the month of Vaishakh which brings good luck and success. This day is considered to reap excellent results for any sincere endeavor and is thus a huge blessing for all spiritual practices. According to the Vedic scriptures, there are certain astrological combinations that favor the beginning of new projects and some astrological influences inhibit the success of the new initiatives. Akshaya-tritiya is the most favored day, as this particular day has no inauspicious or inhibiting factor within it. Any donation made on this day for the right cause is declared to yield inexhaustible results. Devotees consider this day as a reminder to surrender whatever they have in the service of Lord Krishna.
Things that devotees can particularly do on this day include:
1. Recite from spiritual scriptures such as Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam.
2. Offer prasad to family, friends and the community.
3. Offer charity.
4. Make donations.
5. Begin a commitment to practice spiritual life.
6. Visit the temple to present an offering to Lord Krishna with devotion.
This day is marked by several important historical events as indicated below, which directly illustrate the greatness of Akshaya Tritiya:
(1) Srila Prabhupada incorporated the League of Devotees, at Jhansi on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya in the year 1953.
(2) This day marks the beginning of the 21-day Chandan-yatra festival wherein due to the summer season, the Deities are covered with a sandalwood paste to cool Their bodies.
(3) Lord Parashurama appeared on this day.
(4) Mother Ganga descended to Earth on this day.
(5) This day marks the beginning of Treta-yuga.
(6) The great sage Srila Vyasadeva began composing the Mahabharata (Lord Ganesha start writing it) on this day.
(7) In Simhachalam, Lord Nrsimha gives His darsan once a year on this day. The rest of the days He is fully covered with sandalwood paste.
(8) The construction of new chariots for Ratha Yatra in Jagannath Puri begins on this day.
(9) In Badrinath, the temples of Gangotri and Yamunotri are closed during winter. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya the shrines re-open for the pilgrims.
(10) On this day, Shri Vallabhacarya started his worship of Shreenathji.
(11) Goddess Annapoorna Devi appeared on this day.
(12) Sudama visited Lord Krishna at Dwaraka on this day.
(13) The Pandavas received the Akshaya Patra (the magic pot which had an inexhaustible supply of food) from the Sun-God on this day.
(14) Kubera received his wealth and position as custodian of wealth on this day.
(15) Garuda-Vahana Seva is held in Kumbakonam on this day.