India is a land of rich and diverse spiritual heritage, providing a treasure of knowledge which we are indeed fortunate to have received by virtue of being born in this land. Just as there is a blueprint made out long before anything comes into existence, be it a house, a car, a television, computer, missile or satellite, in the same way your life too has a blueprint that was made long before you came into existence. You may or may not have realized this, but it is this heritage that lays great emphasis on fasts, vows and festivals that keeps an individual from straying away from the blueprint designed for his life.
How exactly does this happen? Take a closer look and you will discern that these festivals occur at special moments in time. They also commemorate an event long gone, thus signifying the circular movement of time which allows these special moments to return again and again. The term given to these movements is muhurta, and we ought to know that the significance of every muhurta can be felt at every dimension of existence, whether physical, material, emotional, intellectual or spiritual.
One such important muhurta is Akshaya tritiya, which has earned itself the status of a festival that is inherently perfect. Akshaya tritiya, also known as Akhateej, occurs on the third day of the bright fortnight in the month of Baisakh (mid-April to mid-May). The word akshaya literally means that which is constant; stable and is never destroyed. In our lives nothing is constant, everything is continually changing and we feel the burden of this from time to time when we have to adjust ourselves accordingly. In fact, the only example we have of something that is never destroyed is satya or truth, which is but another name for the omnipresent God.
Of course, we have never seen God, but the heritage we have received from our ancestors tells us that there are special muhurtas or moments when one can experience this constant truth and also benefit from the experience. One of these auspicious muhurtas is Akshaya tritiya.
In fact, Akshaya tithi is also known as Ishwara tithi. Tithi means day, and calling it Ishwara tithi signifies that anything that comes into existence on this day will never die. Parashurama, one of the chiranjeevis or immortals, was born on this day. As such, this day is also known as chiranjeevi tithi.
Out of the four yugas, Treta yuga commenced on this day; therefore, it is also known as yugaditithi, which is considered a very significant moment in time as a great metamorphosis in the stratosphere takes place at the moment. It is on this day that Badrinath, one of the four revered shrines in the Himalayas, opens its doors for the worship of Lord Narayana.
On account of the indestructible force of this day, all words you speak, thoughts you think and acts you perform on this day become a part of your hard disc and remain with you life after life. It is therefore understandable that on this day one must make a sincere effort to perform good deeds through japa, tapa, tyaga, daan and remembrance of the Lord so that your bank balance increases.
The predominant tattwa on this day is the akshaya tattwa, that indestructible tattwa which can open those avenues for you which can make you realize your own potential. As such, it is most definitely the day when one should scratch the surface and search within, as the vibrations of this day will make the task so much easier. It is a day to leave behind the destructible acts and perform only those that you will feel happy to have recorded in your file when you look back. Because the indestructible nature of the tattwa that prevails on this day penetrates into every domain of life.
Rise early on Akshaya tritiya and perform havan, repeating one thousand names of Vishnu. After that, if time permits, do japa of guru mantra or akhanda naam sankirtan of Rama. Chanting of the entire Bhagvad Gita is especially significant on Akshaya Tritiya. And if you are fortunate to find someone in need, do help out, as that will earn you the blessings of the Lord. At Sri Swamiji’s tapobhoomi in Rikhiadham, this is how we celebrate this important occasion of Akshaya tritiya.