As per Muhurta Granth, three lunar days (tithi) are said to be very auspicious. These are called Sade-Teen Muhurtas also. These Tithi’s are
A) First Tithi of Bright Half of Chaitra starting of Hindu New Year.
B) Tenth Tithi of Bright Half of Asvini – Vijay Dashami day,
C) Third Tithi of Bright Half of Vaishakha (Parshuram Jayanti or Akshaya Tritiya)
D) First Tithi of Bright Half of Kartika
The first three tithi are counted as full and the last one as half Tithi and constitute Sade – Teen (3 ½) Muhurta. These tithis are said to be most auspicious for any Muhurta as anything done on this day results in positive results.
All these lunar dates are important from the historical, religious, and astrological points of view. Out of this 3 ½ Muhurta- Akshaya Tritiya (3rd lunar day of Vaishakha month) has special importance.
Off late, Akshaya Tritiya is widely publicized through different communication channels. Let’s see its importance for the common public.
Astrological significance
In astrology Luminaries strength has special significance as all other planets derive their strength on the basis of Sun and Moon. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, both luminaries Sun and Moon are in exaltation or near to exaltation and this is unique in a year – so it is said to be very auspicious. It is said that any activity started on this day never exhaust (Akshaya) or has everlasting effect.
In astrology, three factors are said to be most important: –
a) Lagna (signifying physical thing)
b) Sun (Soul -source of life) or
c) Moon (mind reflector of light–the cause of life and suffering)
So if two of these factors become powerful – the day becomes more auspicious. On Akshaya Tritiya day Sun and Moon position is relatively powerful in the zodiac.
Historical Significance
A) On this day that Goddess Annapoorna Devi was born. Goddess Annapoorna is the Goddess of food and nourishment. With the blessing of the Goddess, one’s food and nourishment never exhausts.
B) Kubera received his wealth and position as custodian of wealth and property with Goddess Lakshmi on this day.
C) It is the birthday of Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of the God Vishnu.
D) On this day in Mahabharata, Yudhishthira receives the Akshaya Patra, – which he uses to serve food for all the needy in his kingdom.
E) In more recent history, Adi Shankara recited the Kanaka Dhara Stotra on this day for the sake of the poor couple at whose house he stopped for Bhiksha and was offered their only available gooseberry. The Kanakdhara Strotra is one of the most powerful Strotra for attracting/ or getting the blessing of Goddess Lakshmi.
Spiritual and Cultural significance
It is unfortunate that like several other astrological concepts, signification of Akshay Tritiya too has been grossly abused in the popular media – TV, internet and print. The two most incorrect, yet widely hyped interpretations of this particular day are:
- Purchase of gold, ornaments, jewelry, utensils and even household items brings good luck and prosperity;
- Since this is an auspicious day where both luminaries are very strong, it is a favorable muhurta for everyone for any activity;
NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. Let’s understand why:
A) The Sanskrit word “Akshaya” comprises of “A” (that which does not) and Kshaya (decay). So Akshaya literally means that which does not decay, diminish or erode. By extension, this implies that any activity done on this day never exhausts and gives increased beneficial results.
The Vedic scriptures classifies two kinds of activities – one pertains to the physical body and the other to one’s soul. Now by definition, any physical matter or tangible material are subject to decay over time. Thus, any form of gold, utensils etc. that is purchased to get over financial hardship will also get destroyed and these can never be truly be “Akshaya” or indestructible.
Thus, any investment in physical matter on Akshay Tritiya will not deliver everlasting prosperity as is propagated commonly.
The activities that actually do not decay are those that satisfies the soul as it is the soul which never gets destroyed. Accordingly, the Akshaya Tritiya becomes a very auspicious muhurta for all spiritual activities such as Jaap, Mantra Sadhana/Siddhi, charity or donation, prayer/ meditation and so on. These not only ‘do not exhaust’ (Akshaya) but also gives us the inner strength to face challenges of life through positive multiplier effect.
B) There is nothing generic about Astrology and this is truer in the case of selecting a Muhurta for any desired activity. While some Tithis are indeed more powerful than others by virtue of planetary configurations of that moment, the same cannot be applied universally for everyone on this planet. A specific day, howsoever auspicious in general can also be completely unsuitable for an individual or for a specific activity.
This is because the Lagna, Lagna Lord and the ongoing Dasha of an individual play a major role to determine the suitability of an activity by selecting an appropriate muhurta for the same. It would completely unfair and incorrect to declare any muhurta as auspicious just on the basis of tithi, yoga, Nakshatra, and on the basis of transiting planets, without any reference to the individual horoscope. So muhurta cannot be general it is always specific with reference to individual, event or activity.
Coming to the upcoming day, this year Akshaya Trithiya falls on 14th May, 2021. Despite the inherent strength of the luminaries, this will not be a very auspicious day as Moon is with Rahu in Taurus and is also hemmed between Sun and Mars.
So, if you are planning to conduct any positive activity on Akshaya Tritiya in anticipation of future benefits, it is important to verify it vis-à-vis your own horoscope and consideration of all factors that goes into Muhurta selection. It is possible that even with the strong placement of the luminaries on this day, a specific activity actually backfires if executed without full due diligence with respect to an individual.
