Akshaya Thrutheeya - The Meritorious Day

AkSHaYa ThRUtHEeYa

Vaisaakha Sukla Trutheeya is celebrated as Akshaya Thrutheeya, one of the most auspicious days in Hindu calendar.

Akshaya means...

the one that is not perishable; everlasting;

the one that makes everything in life abundant.

Trutheeya is the 3rd day in Hindu Lunar calendar known as Jaya thithi.

Akshaya Thrutheeya is assumed as the day Tretha Yuga had commenced known as Tretha Yugaadi. It is also reckoned as Kalpaadi (Niilalohita).

According to sacred scripts,

Tretha Yuga had commenced on 3rd day of the bright fortnight (sukla Thrutheeya) in the lunar month Vaisakha Masam;

Krutha Yuga on the 9th day of the bright fortnight (sukla Navami) in Kaartheeka Masam;

Dwaapara Yuga on the New Moon day (Bahula Amaavaasya) in Maagha Masam;

Kali Yuga on 13th day of the dark fortnight (Trayodasi) in Bhaadrapada Masam;

In MahaBharatha, Lord Sri Krishna enlightened Dharmaraja about the significance of Akshaya Thrutheeya.

Vishnu Purana; Bhavishyottara Purana have also described the prominence of Akshaya Thrutheeya.

Astrologically Akshaya Thrutheeya is the day royal planets Sun and Moon will be in their signs of exaltation;

Sun in Aries (Mesha Raasi) and

Moon in Vrushabha Raasi (Taurus).

If the day coincide with Wednesday and Rohini constellation it is considered to be more meritorious.

Special celebrations are held at all Vishnu related temples on this sacred day of Akshaya Thrutheeya;

Brundavanas of Sri Raaghavendra Swamy including the Moola Brundavana at Mantralayam will be adorned with Chandana lepana on the day of Akshaya Thrutheeya.

At Simhachalam Sri Varaaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, special celebrations are held on this sacred day with a unique ritual called Chandanotsavam.

It is only on this particular day in the year, Lord gives darshan in Nija roopa without any decoration which is otherwise always fully covered with Chandana (sandalwood paste).

Worshiping Lord Sri Krishna with Chandana (sandalwood paste) on this day is highly meritorious;

Ya: karothi thruteeyaayaam Krushnam Chandana Bhooshitham!

Vaisaakhasya sithe pakshe sayaachyuta mandiram!!

One who worships Lord Sri Krishna with Chandana on this day will attain Vishnu Loka.

Reading/Listening/sponsoring Sri Venkatesa Mahaatmya (Srinivasa KalyaAna) PuraAna for a week-days starting from this day is highly meritorious.

Giving daana on this auspicious day is given lot of significance; which is highly sacred; celestial that will give multi-folded meritorious results.

What daana can be given/prescribed on the day of Akshaya Thrutheeya?

Though there are many types of charities that can be given; giving Udaka Kumbha Dana on this auspicious day is given lot of prominence.

Yesha DharmaGhato Dhattoh Brahma Vishnu Sivathmaka

Asya Pradhanathsakalam mamasanthu manoratha;

Meaning: Let this water pot called Dharma Ghata signifying the trinal lords (Brahma, Vishnu and Siva) bring unto me fulfilment of all desires. This can be given either in memory of fore fathers or to please the Lord;

Apart from Udaka Kumbha Daana; what else can be given as charity on this day?

·        wheat;

·        curd rice;

·        umbrella;

·        paada raksha;

·        vasthra (clothes);

·        Gho-Daana (cow),

·        Bhoodana;

·        Hiranya Daana (Gold/silver/Cash)

Giving on this day is sacred, punyadayaka.

which will produce multi-fold and everlasting (Akshaya) merits.

Vasantha Pooja: giving Paanaka, Kosambari etc. (Palahara Pooja), to Brahmanas;

Yava homa, Yava Daana, Yava Bhakshana on this sacred day is meritorious - paapa parihaara;

AKSHAYA THRUTHEEYA = SADE THEEN MUHURTHA

In Hindu electional astrology Akshaya Thrutheeya is an auspicious day when one need not look into the Almanac (Panchaanga) to select an auspicious moment. It is called as Sade Theen Muhurtha.

Sade theen means 3½ and muhurtha means auspicious time.

Four such auspicious days in Hindu calendar are…

·        Chaithra Sukla Prathama (Paadyami) – Ugaadi day;

·        Vaisakha Sukla Thrutheeya (Tadiya) – Akshaya Thrutheeya;

·        Aaswayuja Sukla Dasami (Vijaya Dasami) – Dussera;

·        Kaartheeka Sukla Prathama (Paadyami) – Bali Paadyami;

Akshaya Thrutheeya is one of the most sacred days (Parvadina) in Hindu religious/spiritual calendar.

Maxims of sacred texts prescribe that during any Parva-Punya kaala one should perform meritorious activities (punya kaarya) like Snaana - Daana - Prayer - Pithru tharpana etc.

PARASHURAMA JAYANTHI

Akshaya Thrutheeya is reckoned as Sri Parashurama Jayanthi the sacred day Lord Parashuraama (Lord Vishnu’s Avathara) was born; Arghya to be given to Parashurama Devaru with the following sloka…

Jamadagnisutho Veera Kshatriaanthakara Prabho!

Gruhaanaarghyam Mayaa Dattam Krupayaa Parameswara!!

6th in the line of Dasavatharas, Parashurama was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born to Sage Jamadagni (one of the Saptha Rishis) and Renuka in Tretha Yuga.

Born in the clan of Sage Bhrigu he is also known as BhargavaRama.

He derived his name Parashurama from his weapon called Parashu (axe).

In sloka # 61 of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram,

Lord Vishnu is described as Khanda-Parashuh;

Parashurama the axe wielder.

He is the one with a punishing axe.

The power of that axe was so immense that all Kshathriyas who were arrogant were destroyed by it. He is the Lord wielding the invincible axe which was like a thunderbolt.

We come across the character of Parashurama in the epics Ramayana and Maha Bharatha.

Bheeshma, Drona and Karna of Mahabharatha fame were his disciples.

Lord Parashurama was known for his ardent devotion towards his parents.

Known for his valor and aggression Lord Parashurama killed the evil minded Kshathriyas 21 times to protect the world from their oppression and to suppress their pride and arrogance.

He later donated the land thus acquired to Brahmins and created a new land by pushing Samudra back throwing his arrow.

The area of land thus acquired came to be known as Parashurama Kshethra (Parashurama Srushti) which is believed to be the region between Arabian Sea and the western Ghats stretching from Nasik in Maharashtra up to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu covering the coastal belt of Kerala along with the Konkan region of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra.

ESSENCE OF AkShAyA ThRuThEeYa

Akshaya Thrutheeya is one of the most sacred days (Parvadina) in Hindu religious/spiritual calendar.

Giving daana is one of the essentials of Akshaya Thrutheeya,

but how it should be? that pleases the supreme God Sri Hari;

Lord Sri Krishna says in Bhagawadgita....

'Patram pushpam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati

tad aham bhakty-upahritam ashnami prayatatmanah'

(Bhagawadgita - 9th Canto - sloka # 26)

That means whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, that I accept, offered with pure-mind and devotion.

It is not the intricacies of their design, elaborateness of the ritual, nor the splendour of gold and wealth exhibited, nor even the number of devotees attending, that contribute to their essential success.

Ultimately it is the sincerity and devotion (Bhakti) that counts in divine worship.

The very language and diction of the above stanza clearly sound the note that the material objects that one might offer are of no value to the Lord of the Universe, but it is the devotion and love that prompt the offerings that are accepted by the Deity.

Be it "a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water” it is but an insignificant thing that you offer; be it a golden temple, or be it a dry leaf, "whosoever with devotion offers" whatever be the offering, Lord Sri Krishna assures "THAT I ACCEPT."

Perhaps this could be the quintessence of Akshaya Thrutheeya the meritorious day.

For, when lovingly given, it becomes "a devout gift" and when it is offered by a sincere "pure minded” devotee, Lord has to accept it.

Therefore, on the whole, it is clear that an offering can be efficient, only when it is accompanied basically by two required conditions;

(a) "offered with devotion" and

(b) "by the pure-minded." (Saattvika)

One should not make a tall claim of giving daana rather, should be performed selflessly with utmost humility.

Publicizing everywhere the daana given, one will lose its merits.

Without Na-Mama.... there is no significance for Daana.

When once Na-Mama & Sri KrishnaArpana is said it is only ignorance to make a claim for Daana

To the extent these features are absent all offerings are mere economic waste and superstition breeding false-beliefs.

If properly done, it can serve as a good vehicle to tread the spiritual path of self-development.

We find several pouranic references in this context like, offering of Tandulam (beaten rice/avalakki) by Sudhama (Kuchela) etc.

Akshaya Thrutheeya is believed to be the day Sudhama (Kuchela) went to Lord Sri Krishna and offered Avalakki with utmost humility, sincerity and devotion.

In recent times a tradition has cropped up especially in South India wherein, one would have observed people buying Gold on the day of Akshaya Thrutheeya with a belief that their wealth would get multiplied.

We find citizens rushing to Gold shops forming long queues;

in turn gold and jewel merchants offering fabulous discounts/schemes attracting customers etc.

It is only a myth that has no relevance and sanctity.

If at all anything is happening (good or bad), it is happening according to one's own destiny.

But, giving daana and performing sacred deeds is indeed recommended and prescribed on the day of Akshaya Thrutheeya that will produce multifold meritorious results if not in this birth, at least in future births.

Chaanakya neethi says that be content with what you have already got; but don’t ever be content with your knowledge, self-improvement and charity. Satisfaction and contentment are the two wheels of life chariot.

To have a mind for giving daana when one is prosperous is a fruit of no ordinary austerity.

Maxims of sacred texts prescribe that during any Parva-Punya kaala one should perform meritorious activities (punya kaarya) like Snaana - Daana - Prayer - Pithru tharpana etc...

There is no point in simply celebrating festivals without understanding the significance and spirit behind them.

nA ksHyatHi itHi aksHayA (न क्षयति इति अक्षय) - The one and the only one Entity in this Universe which is everlasting (Akshaya) not perishable is Hari Sarvottama, Lord Vishnu the Supreme God;

Akshaya Thrutheeya – Chandanotsava at

Simhachala Kshethra

A rare and unique temple of Lord Vishnu; the Deity at this temple is known as VaraAha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, a rare form of Lord Vishnu in a unique combination of three figures depicting...

Varaaha in the face;

Naarasimha on the rear side of the head and in tail that of a lion; and

Manushya (human form) in the body.

2½ ft crystal clear idol of the Lord appears in a rare standing posture.

According to Kshethra Mahaatmya, this temple is believed to be in existence since the days of Krutha Yuga.

This unique and combined form of Lord Vishnu’s two incarnations’ viz. VaraAha and Naarasimha (both belonging to Krutha Yuga) got manifested at this place as per the prayers and request (wanted to have darshan of Lord Vishnu’s dual avatharas) of Prahlada (son of Hiranyakasipa) for whose sake Lord Vishnu incarnated as Lord Naarasimha. That day of Lord’s manifestation was incidentally (Akshaya Thrutheeya) Vaisaakha Sukla Thrutheeya.

According to Sthalapuraana, Prahlada was the first person to construct a temple for the Deity and conduct rituals.

In subsequent ages the Lord got manifested (as discovered by King Puruurava) again at this place during the days of King Puruurava (Lunar dynasty) and it was again incidentally on the day of Akshaya Thrutheeya.

It is a custom and tradition since time immemorial to worship Lord Sri Varaaha and Lord Sri Naarasimha on this sacred day of Akshaya Thrutheeya.

At Simhachalam Sri Varaaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple, special celebrations are held on this sacred day when a unique ritual called Chandanotsavam will be held.

This ritual was conducted first by King Puruurava during whose period renaissance of the temple took place.

It is only on this particular day in the year, the Lord gives darshan in Nija roopa without any decoration which is otherwise always fully covered with Chandana (sandalwood paste).

Once in a year on the day of Akshaya Thrutheeya, old Chandana covering on the idol will be peeled off early in the morning, in the evening it will be covered again fully with fresh Chandana. In between time devotees gets an opportunity (for about 12 hours) to witness the Nija Roopa darshana of the Lord.

Chandana paste will be extracted by grinding the sandalwood (Chandana) sticks and the quantity of Chandana used for this ritual would be approx 500 kgs. Peeled off Chandana would be distributed to the devotees as Lord’s Prasaada.

Apart from the day of Akshaya Thrutheeya; Chandana (sandalwood paste) would be applied to the Lord’s idol at Simhachalam on three more occasions during Vaisakha; Jyeshta and Aashaada months in the year.

Ritual of Chandanotsavam attracts thousands of pilgrims from across the country to get a rare darshan of the Lord.

Lord Hanuman opposite to Sri Varaha Narasimha Swamy at Simhachalam was installed by Sri Narahari Theertharu;

Simhachalam is located about 15 km from Vizag (Visakhapatnam) city in Andhra Pradesh which is accessible from all parts of the country by road; rail and air.

Sri KrushnaArpanamAstu

Hari sArvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama

Sri GuruRaajo Vijayate

nAhAm kArtA hAriH kArtA