Akshaya Tritiya Vrat Katha | Legend of Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya Vrat Katha

Lord Shri Krishna says to Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, "O Partha! In ancient times, there was a Vaishya named Mahoday. Mahoday was very truthful, soft-spoken, pure heart and worshipped the gods and Brahmins. He loved to listen to various types of virtuous stories. If he got even a little time from his daily work, he would go to listen to Satsanga etc. Despite being distracted by other work; his mind was always engrossed in the contemplation of the scriptures.

One day on the way he heard some sages describing the importance of Akshaya Tritiya associated with Rohini Nakshatra. That sage was saying that Akshaya Tritiya, when combined with Wednesday, is going to give great and innumerable results.Lord Nara-Narayan, Hayagriva and Parashurama were incarnated on the day of Akshaya Tritiya. On this rare occasion, the donations, Havana, worship etc. deeds done give eternal results. Whatever donation, Havana, worship or Tarpana is done for the gods and ancestors on this day, its virtue never diminishes.

After hearing the greatness of Akshaya Tritiya fast from the sages, the Vaishya started thinking in his mind that this is a very good fast, hence I should also earn the benefits of it. Thinking this, the Mahoday reached the banks of Ganga. He offered the sacred water of Ganga to his ancestral deities for Tarpana. After performing the Tarpana, he returned home and donated two pitchers of water, Khand or Batasha, salt, Yav or barley, Godhuma, Dadyodana (curd and rice), reed and various types of milk products to the Brahmins as per his capacity with full devotion.

Hey Partha! The heart of his wife was trapped in the bondage of the great illusion i.e. Maya. Therefore, she kept trying her best to stop her charitable husband from doing charity etc. But due to his very generous and kind nature, he was always engrossed in religious activities etc. While living a happy life, that Vaishya finally attained salvation by thinking about the Lord.

Hey Yudhishthira! In his next birth, Mahoday Vaishya was born as a Kshatriya. at a place called Kushawapuri. He got infinite happiness and wealth in this birth. Making good use of his wealth, he performed great Yajnas and Havans and provided excellent Dakshina. Various types of cow donations, gold donations, food donations and donations of various items were made. Helped the poor, beggars and blind as much as possible. Despite doing so much charity, his wealth did not end. Even in this life, Mahoday enjoyed the best types of pleasures and lived a noble life. This was the effect of the Akshaya Tritiya fast observed by the Mahoday in his previous birth. In his previous birth, he gave up the attachment to wealth and opulence and did good deeds like charity, charity, Havan etc. selflessly, as a result of which he got inexhaustible wealth in this birth.

Hey Parth! In this way the description of the story and greatness of Akshaya Tritiya is completed. So, listen to the rules of this fast! - On the day of Tritiya, one should take a bath, worship Lord Vasudeva and perform deity tarpan etc. Food should be taken only once a day. On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, Yava (Barley) Havan is performed. On this auspicious occasion, a pitcher full of water along with Kanak, Shad Rasa grains, Yav, Godhuma, Chanak (Gram), Satua and Dadyodan should be donated. In this fast, donating seasonal fruits etc. grown in the summer season is also considered very important.

On the conjunction of Vaisakh Tritiya and Rohini Nakshatra, Lord Shiva is worshiped and Udakumbha Dana is offered. One who does this attains Shiva Loka. The mantra of Ghatdaan is as follows -

Udkumbha Dana mantra-

एष धर्मघटो दत्तो ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवात्मकः।
अस्य प्रदानात्तृप्यन्तु पितरोऽपि पितामहाः॥
गन्धोदकतिलैमिश्रं सान्नं कुम्भं साक्षिणाम्।
पितृभ्यः सम्प्रदास्यामि अक्षय्यमूपतिष्ठतु॥

Esha Dharmaghato Datto Brahmavishnushivatmakah।
Asya Pradanattripyantu Pitaro'pi Pitamahah॥
Gandhodakatilaimishram Sannam Kumbham Sakshinam।
Pitribhyah Sampradasyami Akshayyamupatishthatu॥

Which means, "I donate this Ghat in the form of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, may my ancestors and great-grandfathers be satisfied with this donation. I am donating the Ghat along with myrrh, sesame seeds, food and Dakshina. This donation May it become eternal for the ancestors."

O innocent one! On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, whatever beloved thing is donated to God like umbrella, shoes, cow, land, gold and clothes etc., it becomes inexhaustible if it is dedicated to Lord Shri Krishna. Hey Partha! I have told you the entire importance and rituals of Akshaya Tritiya, there is nothing secret between you and me. The chanting, penance, Havan-sacrifice, charity and charity done on this date never gets destroyed and the worship and offerings for the gods and ancestors provide inexhaustible results. That is why it is called Akshaya Tritiya. In this way the ritual of Akshaya Tritiya fast described in Bhavishyapurana was completed.

Description of fasting on Akshaya Tritiya is also found in Vishnudharmottara Purana. According to Vishnudharmottara Purana, fasting on the day of Vaisakh Shukla Tritiya results in inexhaustible virtue. When it is associated with Krittika Nakshatra, its effect becomes greater, and one gets eternal results of all the auspicious deeds done. According to Puranas, during the fast of Akshaya Tritiya, Lord Akshata is worshiped. The person who, on this date, after taking bath with holy water, offers Akshata and Sattu to Lord Vishnu and who offers Sattu and Pakwana to Brahmins after doing Homa with Sattu and Akshata, attains the fruit of Akshaya Punya.

Hey Bhrigunandana! One who observes the fast of even one Tritiya by following the above rules, gets the results of the fast of all the Teejs. In this way the Akshaya Tritiya fast described in Vishnudharmottara Purana was completed."