Akshay Tritiya – The Festival of balanced energy

Akshaya Tritiya is one of the most auspicious occasions for Hindus and has become synonymous with bounty and buying gold. However, Akshaya Tritiya as per the Dharmic traditions celebrates the balance of energy in the universe and is a day for personal spiritual sadhana. Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third lunar day of Shukla Paksha of Vaisakha month. In Sanskrit, the word “Akshaya” means “never diminishing” and is believed to bring good luck and success.

Shukla Paksha Tritiya which is considered one of the most sacred days in the Hindu Panchanga, celebrates the coming together of the Sun and Moon on the same day for period which is considered very auspicious. This the only day in the year when both the Sun and Moon are in exalted positions. As per Jyotisha or Vedic astrology such formation is possible only when the Sun enters Aries and Moon is in Taurus simultaneously in their exalted positions. This is the same period when just as the Sun and the Moon, masculine and feminine energies, Agni and Soma, Lakshmi and Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti forces are both at their highest point of power and grace and in complete balance with one another.

The day also marks the birth of Bhagwan Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. It is also believed that on this day Bhagwan Ganesh began to write Mahabharata. Akshaya Tritiya has great significance as itihasa tells us that Maa Ganga descended on earth on this day. The Pandavas received Akshaya patra from Surya deva which served them during their vanavas. Adi Shankara composed the beautiful Kanakadhara stotram. Vyasadeva began his composition of the sacred Mahabharata amongst many auspicious tidings. The construction of the Ratha for the Ratha Yatra begins on this day.

As both masculine and feminine, Shiva and Shakti energies are balanced on this day, a Sankalpa for happiness in relationship is celebrated by married women who wear a red thread with vermillion around their necks, invoking blessings and harmonious tidings as well as the longevity of their partners. Worshipping Lord Shiva brings blessings into the homes. Unmarried women place the red thread at the feet of Lord Shiva to find a partner who resonates with their higher Self.

As per the puranas, one will be granted good fortune if Dakshina and gratitude are offered to the needy and to our Gurus. It is also believed that on Akshaya Tritiya any sincere wish made or action commenced will likely be fruitful and successful. It is a day that we can go beyond the limitations of our karma both individually and collectively. Our prayers for world peace along with making offerings and contributions to the less fortunate will bring harmony into our lives and for the planet overall.

Pitri Tarpanam (honoring the ancestors) on Akshaya Tritiya is auspicious and said to appease our ancestors with offerings of flowers, rituals and mantras on their behalf. Great blessings flow from our ancestors from these realms beyond our earthly existence. People bathe in sacred rivers before sunrise, offering prayers to Surya Deva. People perform special Pujas on this day offering barley into the sacred fire, and worshipping Bhagwan Ganesha & Devi Lakshmi for health and for both spiritual and material prosperity.

Seeking the blessings of parents and the elderly in the family on this day is believed to bring peace and prosperity into our lives. Many of the traditional practices on Akshaya Tritiya are a manifest of a Sankalpa for universal joy, prosperity, harmony and well-being, taking in the full light and vitality of both the Male and Female energies, Sun and Moon, Agni and Soma, Lakshmi and Vishnu, Shiva and Shakti forces.