Gold prices have fallen from the November 2012 high by over 25 per cent and are at their lowest in the last one-and-a-half years, tempting many more households than in the past to consider gold purchase this Akshaya Tritiya. But unlike Janmashtami or Ganesh Chaturthi, the origins of this festival and importantly, how to celebrate it, are not very clear.
Mythological origin
Akshya Tritiya falls on the third day of the waxing moon in the month of Vaisakh. Scripture experts we spoke to agreed that the festival is associated with Lord Vishnu, but came up with many different theories about its origins. The popular one says Lord Parasurama, an avatar of Vishnu, took birth this day. Others say that this was the day Sudama, living in penury, was blessed with untold riches by his friend Krishna.
Another belief is that Vyasa and Lord Ganesha started writing Mahabharata on this day. A myth that more closely related with gold is that Adi Sankara composed the Kanaka Dhara stotram, which brought forth a shower of golden goose-berries, on this day.
The temples for the pilgrims of Badri Kedar Yatra or the Char Dham Yatra, opens on the Akshaya Tritiya day, according to a prominent Vaishavaite scholar. In Orissa, this day is celebrated as an agricultural festival when offerings are made and seeds are sown.
Significance
Scripture experts explain that ‘Akshaya’ means that which does not reduce. Hence, the belief that anything started on this day will grow without diminishing. This is how the practise of buying assets considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity — typically gold and real estate started.
Spiritual gurus lament that the ‘buying’ aspect of Akshaya Tritiya has over-shadowed the giving and ritual aspects in recent years. “Buying gold is auspicious any day as it indicates that you are prospering,” says Yogi Ashwini of Dhyan Ashram, “but it is important to do Vishnu sadhnas on this day and spend time in Ishvarapranidhan (surrender) and try for the betterment of your birth.”
Vishaka Hari, a Hari Katha exponent, said the idea of buying gold is a “gross misuse” of the day’s purpose. She quoted from the Matsya Puranam on the significance of this day. “Fasting, praying and charity to deserving, when done with a peaceful mind will offer the benefits of performing a Rajasuya Yaga”, she added.
Some believe that giving on this day, multiplies the return effect. “Charity done on this day is believed to yield multi-fold benefit,” says Somasundara Sastrigal, a vedic scholar, “and keeping in mind the hot summer, giving curd rice and buttermilk is practised.”