Akshaya Thrutheeya - The Meritorious Day

Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha! Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha! Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaaya! Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaaya Namaha!

Akshaya Thrutheeya (The meritorious day)

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; ever lasting; the one that makes every thing in life abundant. Trutheeya is the 3rd day in Hindu Lunar calendar known as Jaya thithi. According to sacred scripts it is said that, Tretha Yuga had commenced on 3rd day of the bright fortnight (sukla Thrutheeya) in the Hindu lunar month Vaisakha Masam; Krutha Yuga on the 9th day of the bright fortnight (sukla Navami) in Kaartheeka Masam; Kali Yuga on 13th day of the dark fortnight (Trayodasi) in Bhaadrapada Masam and Dwaapara Yuga on the New Moon day (Bahula Amaavaasya) in Maagha Masam. As per the above Time schedule Akshaya Thrutheeya can be assumed as the day when Tretha Yuga had commenced known as Tretha Yugaadi. It is also believed to be the day when one of the Kalpas’ had begun. Akshaya Thrutheeya is the sacred day Lord Parashuraama (Lord Vishnu’s Avathara) was born celebrated as Sri Parashuraama Jayanthi. According Simhachala Kshethra Mahatmya, Akshaya Trutheeya is the sacred and auspicious day; Lord Vishnu manifested in dual form (Varaaha + Naarasimha) at Simhachala Kshethra during Krutha Yuga.

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In Mahabhaaratha, Lord Sri Krishna is said to have enlightened Dharmaraja about the significance of Akshaya Thrutheeya. Sacred scripts like Vishnu Purana; Bhavishyottara Purana are said to have described the prominence of Akshaya Thrutheeya. Special celebrations are held at all Vishnu related temples on this sacred day of Akshaya Thrutheeya, also known as Maadhava Trutheeya occurring in the holy and meritorious month Vaisaakha maasam during Vasantha Ruthu. Vaisaakha maasam is also known as Maadhava maasam in the name of Lord Vishnu who is also known as Maadhava. Astrologically Akshaya Thrutheeya is the day the royal planets (luminaries) Sun and Moon will be in their signs of exaltation; Sun in Aries (Mesha Raasi) and Moon in Vrushabha Raasi (Taurus). If the day is also coinciding with Wednesday and Rohini constellation it is considered to be highly meritorious.

Simhachala Kshethra… (A rare and unique temple of Lord Vishnu)

The Deity at this temple known as Lord 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. With only two hands and without Sudarshana Chakra and Kounch, the 2½ ft crystal clear idol of the Lord appears in a rare standing posture. According to Kshethra Mahaatmya of this temple; it is believed to 2

be in existence since the days of Krutha Yuga. It is said that, 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 the 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 is said to have been conducted first by the 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). 3

Once in a year on the day of Akshaya Thrutheeya, old Chandana covering on the idol will be peeled off early in the morning and in the evening it will be again covered fully with fresh Chandana. In between time devotees gets an opportunity (for about 12 hours) to witness the Nija Roopa darshana of the Lord. When the idol is fully covered with Chandana it appears in a Lingaakaara form. Chandana paste will be extracted by grinding the sandalwood (Chandana) sticks and it is said that 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 divine 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 viz. 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. Based on the concept of Chandanotsavam which is a favourite of Lord Vishnu; at all temples especially that of Vishnu related; this ritual will be held on the day of Akshaya Thrutheeya. We find even the Brundavanas of Sri Raaghavendra Swamy including the Moola Brundavana at Mantralayam will be adorned with Chandana. 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.

We also find a temple of Lord Sri Varaaha Swamy (Aadi Varaaha) at the famous Tirumala hills in Andhra Pradesh where the devotees have darshan of Lord Varaaha before having darshan of Lord Venkateswara. On this sacred day in the year, Sri Badari Naaraayana temple at Badari Kshethra gets opened for darshan and it is believed that to have darshan of Sri Badari Naaraayana on this day is highly meritorious. 4

Customs & Traditions of Akshaya Thrutheeya (What is to be done on this day?) On this auspicious day one should take head bath early in the morning. Taking bath in the river Ganges on this sacred day is said to be highly meritorious. Giving Thila Tharpana to fore fathers is prescribed on this sacred day which is considered to be meritorious. Lord Sri Maha Vishnu should be worshipped in the form of Sri Varaaha, Sri Lakshmi Naarasimha, Sri Krishna and Sri Lakshmi Naaraayana. Worshipping Lord Sri Krishna with Chandana (sandalwood paste) on this day is given lot of significance and merits. It is said that, one who worships Lord Sri Krishna with Chandana on this day will attain Vishnu Loka. Ya: karothi thruteeyaayaam Krushnam Chandana Bhooshitham! Vaisaakhasya sithe pakshe sayaachyuta mandiram!! Reciting Vishnu Sahasra Naama Stothram; stothras related to Lord Varaaha and Lord Lakshmi Naarasimha; on this day are prescribed. Reading/Listening Sri Venkatesa Mahaatmya (Srinivasa Kalyaanam) Puraana for a week days starting from this day is highly meritorious. Giving charity on this auspicious day is given lot of significance; which is said to be highly sacred; celestial that will give multi-folded meritorious results. Though there are many types of charities that can be given; giving Udaka Kumbha Dana on this day is given lot of prominence. Udaka means water, Kumbha means pot. Giving charity of water stored in a pot made up of Copper, Silver, or at least earthen pot (made up of mud) covered with a new cloth to a Brahmin on this auspicious day is said to be sacred and highly meritorious. 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 fulfillment of all desires. This can be given either in memory of fore fathers or to please the deities. Apart from Udaka Kumbha Daana; giving charity of wheat; curd rice; umbrella; paada raksha (chappals); vasthra (clothes); Gho-Daana (cow), Bhoodana; Hiranya 5

Daana (Gold/silver/Cash) on this day is considered to be sacred, punyadayaka which will produce multifold and everlasting (Akshaya) merits. Yava homa, Yava Daana (charity), Yava Bhakshana is prescribed on this day that is highly sacred that helps in getting the sins diluted. Only one time meals is prescribed on this day.

Parashurama Jayanthi This day is also celebrated as Parashurama Jayanthi the day on which Lord Maha Vishnu took the avathara of Parashurama born to the sage Jamadagni. On this day Maha Vishnu is to be worshipped during Pradosha time (1½ hrs time before sunset) in the form of Parashurama and Arghya to be given with the following sloka… Jamadagnisutho Veera Kshatriaanthakara Prabho! Gruhaanaarghyam Mayaa Dattam Krupayaa Parameswara!!

Sade-Theen Muhurtha In Hindu electional astrology, it is believed that Akshaya Thrutheeya is a very auspicious day that, 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 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 First three are reckoned as full thithis and the last one is counted as half thithi, hence it is considered as Sade Theen. Many people try to perform auspicious functions on the above days based on the belief that one need not look into the other aspects of Panchaanga. Though there is no doubt about their auspiciousness and spiritual sanctity; one should not ignore the basic fundamentals of Panchaanga while fixing muhurthas even on the above days especially for functions like upanayanam; marriage; laying foundation for house construction or gruha pravesam.

Akshaya Thrutheeya – Buying of Gold/Silver In recent times one would have observed a tradition of people buying Gold on this particular day; rushing to Gold shops and forming long queues, in the belief that it will become Akshaya (multifold). It is only a myth that has no relevance and sanctity. But giving charity and performing sacred deeds is indeed recommended 6

and prescribed on this day that will produce multifold meritorious results if not in this birth, at least in future births. Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

Sri Varaaha Stothram Namasthe Deva Devesa Varaaha Vadanaachyutha Ksheera Saagara Sankaasa! Vajra Srunga! Mahaabhuja!! UddruthaAsmi Thwayaadeva Kalpaadau Saagaraambhasa! Sahasrabhaahunaa Vishno Dhaarayaami Jaganthyaham!! Aneka Divyaabharana! Yagnasuuthra Viraajitha! Arunaarunaambara Dhara! Divyarathna Vibhuushitha!! Uddyaddbhaanu Pratheekaasa Paadapadma Namonamaha! Baalachandraabhadanstaagra! Mahaabala Paraakrama!! Divyachandana Liptaanga Tapta Kaanchana Kundala! Indraneela Manidyothi Hemaangada Vibhuushitha!! Vajradanstraagranirbhinna Hiranyaaksha Mahaabala! Pundareekaabhithaamraaksha Saamasvana Manohara!! Sruthi Seemantha Bhooshaathman Sarvaathman! Chaaruvikrama! Chathuraanana Sambhubhyaam! Vanditaayathalochana!! Sarvavidyaamayaakaara! Sabdhaatheetha! NamoNamaha! Aananda Vigrahaanantha! Kaalakaala! NamoNamaha!!

Above stothram on Lord Sri Aadi Varaaha (extract from Varaaha Purana) is said to have been recited by Goddess Bhoodevi when Lord Vishnu had incarnated in Varaaha Avathara. This stothram is said and believed to be a remedy for Rahu related problems as Rahu is believed and said to be the Paramaatma Amsa of Lord Vishnu’s Varaaha-avathara. Related post you may like to read from the below given link…

Vaisakha Masam – The distinctive month bhargavasarma

www.bhargavasarma.blogspot.com

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