The hidden message of Akshaya Yritiya (Akha Teej)

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This year, Wednesday, May 11, was the holy day of Akshaya Tritiya,

called Akha Teej in North India.

 

Akha Teej has a bad name for mass child marriages and government

agencies have rightly announced a ban on such practices. Meanwhile,

Akha Teej draws more flak as a commercial event for jewellers, since

many believe it's lucky to buy gold this day.

 

Under the commotion lurks the question: just why is this particular

day so favoured for weddings, griha pravesh and the shubh arambh of

any venture, personal, professional or commercial? It falls on the

third day (tritiya) of the bright half of the month Vishaka. The sun

and moon are believed, astrologically, to be at their most exalted

brightness that day. It's also the birthday of Mahavishnu's sixth

avatar, Parashurama. Our ancestors passed on the belief that with

such good vibrations in the universe, any project or relationship

begun that day would be long lasting (`akshaya' means `eternal').

 

But it's praying to Mahalakshmi this day and donating to charity

that's considered most auspicious and lucky for individuals and

companies. (However, the saints and seers also urge that any day

that comes from God, meaning all days and every minute in them, are

good.) ...

 

Since giving is good for us, what if we celebrated Akha Teej by

giving and not buying? The gods promise more bounty that way. Grain

(an euphemism for food), clothes and money for learning/livelihood

top the auspicious list: cooperative social responsibility disguised

as a donor benefit!

 

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=70004