Guest guest Posted May 16, 2009 Report Share Posted May 16, 2009 HINDU RITUALS AND ROUTINES - WHY DO WE FOLLOW THOSE? Akshaya Tritiya... Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej is a Hindu holy day, that falls on the third Tithi (Lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of Hindu month of Vaishakha. This day is ruled by god Vishnu, the preserver-god in the Hindu Trinity. It is also traditionally celebrated as the birth day of the Hindu sage Parashurama, the sixth avatar (incarnation) of the god Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, on this day the Treta Yuga began and the river Ganges, the most holy and sacred river of India , descended to the earth from the heaven. The word "Akshaya" means the never diminishing in Sanskrit and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. The day is particularly considered auspicious for buying long term assets like gold and silver, including ornaments made of the same; diamond and other precious stones; and the real estate. The legend states that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya shall continue to grow and bring prosperity. Hence, it is normal to see many of the new ventures, like starting a business, ground breaking for constructionon the Akshaya Tritiya. Myths & Legends Krishna & Kuchela In the most famous story associated Akshaya Tritiya, Kuchela, a poor Brahmin and schoolmate of Sri Krishna, visited Krishna with the intention of asking some financial favor. Kuchela, also known as Sudama, carried with him handful of poha or aval (beaten rice). On reaching, the palace of Krishna at Dwarka, Kuchela was ashamed to give the ‘poha’ to Krishna . But the ever playful Krishna noticed the small bag in the hand of his schoolmate and soon grabbed it and ate a handful of ‘poha’. Kuchela could not believe his eyes, Krishna , the king, eating his poha. It is said ‘Athiti Devo Bhava’ (Guest are equal to God) and Krishna treated Kuchela like a God. The poor Brahmin was so overwhelmed by the love shown by Krishna that he forgot to ask for financial help and returned home empty handed. On reaching his village Sudama could not find his old hut. Instead his hut was replaced by a palace. His wife and children were wearing good clothes and everything that was old and worn out was replaced with new. It didn’t take long for Kuchela to realize that all this was the ‘leela’ of the ever-smiling Sri Krishna. The day Kuchela met Sri Krishna was hence observed as Akshaya Tritiya. Another legend happened in the Mahabharata. While the Pandavas were in exile, Sri Krishna presented them with an Akshaya Patra – a bowl which gives unlimited amount of food. It is believed that Krishna had presented it on a Trithiya day. Therefore it is believed that all investments on the day will only increase in value. Parshurama Parshurama, the personification of Valour and the sixth Incarnation of Vishnu was born on Akshay Tritiya, also known as Aksha Teej. Parshurama's father's name was Jamadagni and his mother's name was Renuka. One day Jamadgini, for some reason ordered Parshurama to kill Renuka. Renuka was Jamadgini's wife and Parshuram's mother. It was a hard request to fulfill. For Parshurama the quality of obedience was obviously more powerful, so he killed his mother Renuka. Jamadgini was pleased with Parshurama for heeding his order and asked his son to ask him (his father Jamdgini) for whatever he desired. Parshuram asked that his mother become alive again! So Renuka was brought back to life. Parshuram thus proved in himself, the qualities of love, intelligence and devotion towards both his parents. One thing to note is that Parshuram obviously inherited his short temper from his father Jamadgini. Jamadgini was killed by Sahararjun, a Kshatriya king. Because of the above reason Parshuram vowed that he would kill all the Kshatriyas on earth. When the kshatriyas fled to escape the wrath of Parshuram, the earth was left unprotected.. Kashyap Muni called all the kshatriyas back. Parshuram made mountain Mahendra his abode. Laxmi & Kubera It is believed that god Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, is the richest deity. Lakshmi Tantram says that even Kubera will pray to goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu, on this day. On this day, a day-long Kubera Lakshmi Puja is performed in which an image of Lakshmi is worshipped along with Sudarsana Kubera Yantra, symbolising Kubera. Satya Yug Akshay Tritiya has many associations in the Hindu mythologies. Primarily, this day is believed to mark the beginning of the Satya Yug, the first of the four Yugas. Mahabharat The Puranas tell the story of Ved Vyas beginning to compose the epic Mahabharat, with Lord Ganesh writing it down, on Akshay Tritiya. Ganga Goddess Ganga is also believed to have descended to earth on this day. Sagar, a king of Ayodhya, had no children. On doing a long penance he was promised, and got, sixty thousand sons. He then decided to perform a horse sacrifice. Indra, the lord of the heavens, when he heard of this, got scared and stole the horse and took it to the nether region.. The sixty thousand Sons reached the nether region after searching the earth for the horse and manhandled a sage by mistake, thinking he had stolen the horse. The sage in anger cursed them and turned them to ashes. Sagar on hearing this prayed to Goddess Ganga to come down to earth and with her water to bring salvation to his Sons. His son and grandson also carried out the penance and it was only Bhagirath, the great, great grandson, who managed to propitiate Ganga . The Goddess came down on earth in a rush, her impact being mitigated by being caught in Shiva’s matted hair. She was led to the nether regions by Bhagirath. Hence the Ganga is divided into three parts. One part which remained in the heavens was called Mandakini. The part that came down to earth is known as Ganga , and the part (lowing in the nether region is called the Bhagirathi, named after the king Bhagirath. dil se, Bharath.Krishna Doha, Qatar Explore and discover exciting holidays and getaways with India Travel Click here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 16, 2009 Report Share Posted May 16, 2009 Dear Bharat Krishna, Thank you very much for your series.Very nicely done with stories and pictures associated with the rituals.This one about Akshayatrithiya is also very elaborate. Keep up the good work .Our thanks for such a nice series. regards, Sreedevi Menon Om Namo Narayanaya --- On Sat, 5/16/09, zumbrys <zumbrys wrote: zumbrys <zumbrys[Guruvayur] HINDU RITUALS AND ROUTINES - Part 47guruvayur Date: Saturday, May 16, 2009, 12:30 AM HINDU RITUALS AND ROUTINES - WHY DO WE FOLLOW THOSE? Akshaya Tritiya... Akshaya Tritiya, also known as Akha Teej is a Hindu holy day, that falls on the third Tithi (Lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of Hindu month of Vaishakha. This day is ruled by god Vishnu, the preserver-god in the Hindu Trinity. It is also traditionally celebrated as the birth day of the Hindu sage Parashurama, the sixth avatar (incarnation) of the god Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, on this day the Treta Yuga began and the river Ganges, the most holy and sacred river of India , descended to the earth from the heaven. The word "Akshaya" means the never diminishing in Sanskrit and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. The day is particularly considered auspicious for buying long term assets like gold and silver, including ornaments made of the same; diamond and other precious stones; and the real estate. The legend states that any venture initiated on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya shall continue to grow and bring prosperity. Hence, it is normal to see many of the new ventures, like starting a business, ground breaking for constructionon the Akshaya Tritiya. Myths & Legends Krishna & Kuchela In the most famous story associated Akshaya Tritiya, Kuchela, a poor Brahmin and schoolmate of Sri Krishna, visited Krishna with the intention of asking some financial favor. Kuchela, also known as Sudama, carried with him handful of poha or aval (beaten rice). On reaching, the palace of Krishna at Dwarka, Kuchela was ashamed to give the ‘poha’ to Krishna . But the ever playful Krishna noticed the small bag in the hand of his schoolmate and soon grabbed it and ate a handful of ‘poha’. Kuchela could not believe his eyes, Krishna , the king, eating his poha. It is said ‘Athiti Devo Bhava’ (Guest are equal to God) and Krishna treated Kuchela like a God. The poor Brahmin was so overwhelmed by the love shown by Krishna that he forgot to ask for financial help and returned home empty handed. On reaching his village Sudama could not find his old hut. Instead his hut was replaced by a palace. His wife and children were wearing good clothes and everything that was old and worn out was replaced with new. It didn’t take long for Kuchela to realize that all this was the ‘leela’ of the ever-smiling Sri Krishna. The day Kuchela met Sri Krishna was hence observed as Akshaya Tritiya. Another legend happened in the Mahabharata. While the Pandavas were in exile, Sri Krishna presented them with an Akshaya Patra – a bowl which gives unlimited amount of food. It is believed that Krishna had presented it on a Trithiya day. Therefore it is believed that all investments on the day will only increase in value. Parshurama Parshurama, the personification of Valour and the sixth Incarnation of Vishnu was born on Akshay Tritiya, also known as Aksha Teej. Parshurama's father's name was Jamadagni and his mother's name was Renuka. One day Jamadgini, for some reason ordered Parshurama to kill Renuka. Renuka was Jamadgini's wife and Parshuram's mother. It was a hard request to fulfill. For Parshurama the quality of obedience was obviously more powerful, so he killed his mother Renuka. Jamadgini was pleased with Parshurama for heeding his order and asked his son to ask him (his father Jamdgini) for whatever he desired. Parshuram asked that his mother become alive again! So Renuka was brought back to life. Parshuram thus proved in himself, the qualities of love, intelligence and devotion towards both his parents. One thing to note is that Parshuram obviously inherited his short temper from his father Jamadgini. Jamadgini was killed by Sahararjun, a Kshatriya king. Because of the above reason Parshuram vowed that he would kill all the Kshatriyas on earth. When the kshatriyas fled to escape the wrath of Parshuram, the earth was left unprotected. . Kashyap Muni called all the kshatriyas back. Parshuram made mountain Mahendra his abode. Laxmi & Kubera It is believed that god Kubera, the treasurer of the gods, is the richest deity. Lakshmi Tantram says that even Kubera will pray to goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu, on this day. On this day, a day-long Kubera Lakshmi Puja is performed in which an image of Lakshmi is worshipped along with Sudarsana Kubera Yantra, symbolising Kubera. Satya Yug Akshay Tritiya has many associations in the Hindu mythologies. Primarily, this day is believed to mark the beginning of the Satya Yug, the first of the four Yugas. Mahabharat The Puranas tell the story of Ved Vyas beginning to compose the epic Mahabharat, with Lord Ganesh writing it down, on Akshay Tritiya. Ganga Goddess Ganga is also believed to have descended to earth on this day. Sagar, a king of Ayodhya, had no children. On doing a long penance he was promised, and got, sixty thousand sons. He then decided to perform a horse sacrifice. Indra, the lord of the heavens, when he heard of this, got scared and stole the horse and took it to the nether region.. The sixty thousand Sons reached the nether region after searching the earth for the horse and manhandled a sage by mistake, thinking he had stolen the horse. The sage in anger cursed them and turned them to ashes. Sagar on hearing this prayed to Goddess Ganga to come down to earth and with her water to bring salvation to his Sons. His son and grandson also carried out the penance and it was only Bhagirath, the great, great grandson, who managed to propitiate Ganga . The Goddess came down on earth in a rush, her impact being mitigated by being caught in Shiva’s matted hair. She was led to the nether regions by Bhagirath. Hence the Ganga is divided into three parts. One part which remained in the heavens was called Mandakini. The part that came down to earth is known as Ganga , and the part (lowing in the nether region is called the Bhagirathi, named after the king Bhagirath. dil se, Bharath.Krishna Doha, Qatar Explore and discover exciting holidays and getaways with India Travel Click here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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