Sanghadeepam 2 Akshaya Thriteeya

Dear Sanghbandhus,

 

Here we present a new  biweekly column. This is an initiative to introduce or bring in more information on our Hindu culture. A brief write up based on our Puranas, Vedas, other scriptures, characters, incidents, festivals, great saints, etc will be presented here for the benefit of all of us. All are welcome to participate enthusiastically. Your ideas, suggestions, critiques, corrections and even a whole essay are very much needed to keep this column ticking. 

The column is named Sangha Deepam, a humble but resolute attempt to light up the minds brighter by the day.  

First of its kind had since been posted here dedicated to Vishu. The second is about Akshaya Thriteeya. Please read on and do not forget to mark your candid comments underneath.

This year's Akshaya Thriteeya had been observed on 26th April. Like many other celebrations, this too was marred by the destructive virus. But still, in the true spirit of this auspicious day, we all would have made some good beginning.

Akshaya Thriteeya is celebrated on the third day of the Shukla Paksham ( white phase of moon) of Vaisakha month of the Hindu calendar Vikram Samvat. As the name indicates, Akshaya is the one that has no khyaya or end or destruction. Thriteeya means third. The third day of Shukla Paksham. So, it is 'eternal third day' that is celebrated as Akshaya Thriteeya. Obviously this day is considered as the most auspicious day for beginning new initiatives or construction or marriages. Most importantly this is the day that is best suited for indulging in charity work. Giving away is the mainstay of the Hindu ethos. Renunciation is the essence of our saintly culture. By any yardsticks, Akshaya Thriteeya is one of the most auspicious opportunity to elevate oneself towards higher levels and hence giving on that day will help us elevate and sustain to those levels throughout the life- the rosy way to salvation...

Like in every special day in Hinduism, Akshaya Thriteeya also have so many legends connected to it. All such legends have equal validity. The following are the most prominent among such legends:

1) It was on this day, Sudama (Kuchelan) has been bestowed upon with all prosperity by Bhagwan Krishn. 

2) This the birthday of Lord Patasuram

3) This is the day when Lord Ganesh started writing Mahabharatham

4) This is the day Kuber attained the custodian of the celestial treasure.

5) This is the day Bhagirath had brought Ganga to earth.

6) It was on this day that Bhagwan Krishn had made the Akshaya paatram of Draupathi a never ending source of food that stops supplying only after Draupathi herself fulfills her hunger.

So, by any legend, it is a great day. Any initiative on this day is believed to bring about prosperity. Perhaps this is the reason, of late, people had started buying gold on this day. This is an unconnected interpretation that has nothing to do with Akshaya Thriteeya. Let us show our compassion to give away what we can, instead of trying to accumulate wealth on this day. 

However in a lighter vein, buying gold is a good investment in the present situation as any other investment like FD or Mutual finds fetches diminishing returns. Gold is an asset that has no kshaya. Investing in it has never brought loss, as much as our experience goes. So, there is nothing wrong in encouraging in investing in gold at least on this auspicious day. But, it is totally wrong to interpret the festival as an exclusive day for buying gold. Begin with giving away. Prosperity follows charity, for sure.