Akshaya Tritiya, festival of “the never diminishing”
Akshaya Tritiya holds great meaning in Indian culture. It is symbolically and beautifully woven with Indian mythology since time immemorial. Many important episodes of Puranas, which suggest “bountifulness” or “endless grace”, happen on this day.
Known as the day of endless bounty for Hindus and Jains, the term “Akshaya” translates to “never diminishing” in Sanskrit, while “Tritiya” signifies the “third,” as the festival is observed on the third lunar day of the Vaishakh month. It is widely believed that actions or prayers performed on this day yield lasting benefits, whether in the form of prosperity, success, spiritual growth, or happiness. Many consider it a day when wishes, if prayed for sincerely, are granted.
Curious about the remarkable episodes believed to have occurred on Akshaya Tritiya? Let’s delve into the stories that make this day so extraordinary!
The Incarnation of Annapurna
The day Parvati took the form of Annapurna to save the earth from starvation was Akshay Tritiya.
Shiva begging from Annapurna. Chromolithograph. Credit: Wellcome Collection. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)On Akshaya Tritiya, Goddess Parvati took the form of Annapurna Devi, the Goddess of Food, to save the earth from starvation. When Parvati left the earth, it became barren, and hunger plagued all living beings. Unable to bear the sight of suffering, she appeared in Kashi (Varanasi) as Annapurna and began feeding the needy, becoming a symbol of sustenance and grace.
Ved Vyasa dictating Mahabharata to Ganesha
It is believed that Ved Vyas along with Ganesha started compiling the Mahabharat on the day of Akshay Tritiya.
Rishi Ved Vyasa, sought Lord Ganesha’s help to transcribe the Mahabharata as he dictated it. Ganesha agreed but laid down a condition: his pen must not pause even for a moment while writing. Vyasa accepted but countered with his own condition—that Ganesha must fully understand each verse before writing it down. To gain time for composing, Vyasa cleverly recited complex and intricate verses, which required Ganesha to pause briefly to comprehend them. This ingenious collaboration between divine intellect and human wisdom gave birth to the monumental epic, the Mahabharata.
The gift of Akshaya Patra to Yudhisthir
Yudhisthir received the boon of Akshay Patra from Surya on Akshaya Tritiya.
During the Pandavas’ thirteen-year exile, many Brahmans accompanied them into the forest, creating a significant challenge for Yudhishthir, who was deeply concerned about how to feed everyone. Seeking divine intervention, Yudhishthir meditated on Lord Surya, the Sun God. Moved by his devotion, Surya blessed him with the Akshaya Patra, a miraculous vessel capable of providing an endless supply of food to satisfy countless people each day—until Draupadi, the Pandavas’ queen, had taken her share of the meal.
Birth of Parshuram
The day Parashuram was born was Akshaya Tritiya.
One of the ten avatars of Vishnu, Parashuram, holds a significant place in Indian mythology. Born to Jamadagni, one of the revered Saptarishis, and his wife Renuka, he was the result of their intense penance seeking a divine child. Answering their prayers, Vishnu incarnated as their son, initially named Rambhadra. Later, Lord Shiva bestowed upon him the Parashu (axe) as a blessing, earning him the name Parashuram—meaning “Ram wielding an axe.”
Sudama meets Krishna
This meeting of Sudama and Lord Krishna took place on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
Sudama meets Krishna. A print from 1920’s. Pic credit: WikipediaSudama and Krishna, childhood friends who studied together at Sandipani Rishi’s ashram, shared a bond that transcended their vastly different circumstances—Sudama was a humble and impoverished Brahmin, while Krishna was a royal. Years later, at his wife’s urging, Sudama visited Krishna in Dwarka to seek his assistance. Krishna welcomed his old friend with immense love and honor, treating him like royalty. Despite forgetting to ask for help, Krishna, understanding his friend’s unspoken needs, blessed him abundantly. When Sudama returned home, anxious and empty-handed, he was astonished to find his modest hut replaced by a grand mansion, his fortunes completely transformed by Krishna’s divine grace.
Kuber
God Shiva bestowed upon Kuber this boon on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
Kuber, originally made a demi-god and the king of Lanka by Lord Brahma, faced a dramatic turn of fate when Ravana seized his kingdom, forcing him to seek refuge in the Himalayas. There, he devoted himself to intense meditation on Lord Shiva. Pleased with his penance, Shiva blessed Kuber with kingship over the Yakshas and the prestigious role of custodian of all earthly wealth. From that moment, Kuber became revered as the god of wealth, embodying prosperity and abundance.
Ganga’s descent to Earth
The day on which Bhagirath was able to bring Ganga to earth was Akshaya Tritiya.
King Bhagirath of the Suryavamsa dynasty, after intense penance, succeeded in bringing the sacred river Ganga down to earth to purify the souls of his ancestors and grant them salvation. However, the force of Ganga’s descent was so immense that it threatened to devastate the earth. Alarmed, Bhagirath prayed fervently to Lord Shiva, who agreed to receive Ganga in his matted locks, softening her powerful fall. Shiva then released Ganga gently, dividing her into seven distinct streams, ensuring her descent was both graceful and life-giving.
Draupadi Vastraharan
The day Draupadi’s sari seemed endless was the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
In the fateful Game of Dice, the Pandavas lost everything to the Kauravas, including their queen, Draupadi. Seizing the moment to humiliate both Draupadi and the Pandavas, Duryodhan ordered his brother Dushasan to drag Draupadi into the court and disrobe her. Helpless and dishonored, Draupadi fervently prayed to Lord Krishna for her protection. Answering her call, Krishna bestowed his divine grace, causing her sari to extend endlessly. As Dushasan tried in vain to unravel it, the cloth kept piling up on the courtroom floor until he was utterly exhausted, safeguarding Draupadi’s honor.
Construction of the great chariots for the Puri Rath Yatra
In Odisha annual construction of the great chariots for the Puri Rath Yatra festivities begin on Akshay Tritiya day.
The main street in Puri comes alive as vibrant stalls line its sides, where artisans craft new wheels and structural parts for the grand ratha of Lord Jagannath. This bustling activity is both a monumental effort and a festive celebration, brimming with devotion for the revered deity. Interestingly, the English word “Juggernaut” traces its origin to the mighty ratha of Lord Jagannath. It signifies a “literal or metaphorical force regarded as merciless, destructive, and unstoppable,” a term that first emerged in the mid-nineteenth century.