Akshay Tritiya is often the occasion for buying gold in many a household. Given the current sky-rocketing prices of the yellow metal, one wonders who would manage that feat this year. Well, why must people be buying it anyways? Apparently, it is believed that all the activities performed on this day are "akshay", that is, without any decrease/loss.
The notion is rooted in a tale from 'Mahabharata'. The Pandavas have to abdicate their throne after the game of the dice, and are forced to live in the forest. Nothing can please the wicked Duryodhana more. Just to harass them still further, he consciously sends Rishi Durwasa with his entire retinue to visit the poor Pandavas.
It is already late in the evening. The wicked idea that Duryodhana is harbouring is that the Pandavas would have to host all these guests which they would not manage, and given the notorious bad temper of Rishi Durwasa, a curse would surely follow, thereby making the tough life of the Pandavas still more difficult.
Draupadi has just cleaned up all the vessels when the tired and hungry guests reach the doorstep. She is in a terrible fix. Lord Krishna, her saviour forever, notices her discomfort. Carefully, he looks at all the vessels. In one of these, he locates a miniscule most tiny leaf of the vegetable cooked for the last supper. He eats it with utmost joy, and belches with complete contentment. That very minute, all the guests, too, feel fulfilled. Krishna blesses Draupadi that this "akshay patra" would always be full.
What could be the significance of the myth? For one thing, it means that the rishi and his retinue, pure souls basically, are fulfilled when the Lord is happy. That munificence should be the real "akshay patra." Does the myth mean that a woman should be better at the management of her household? I would rather say that the tale tells you that 'never be a Duryodhana, no use it is' as the entire universe itself will conspire to help the good. In my opinion, that eternal contentment is the real magic Krishna performs!
Hope the very many dastardly Duryodhana's bustling busily in each and every corner of the private space and the public sphere would take this cue so that normal life would be "akshay", and forever!
Pratima@ There is an Armenian tale, it seems. Three apples fell from the heaven, one for the narrator of a story, one for the listener, and the last and the best for the person who took it to heart!
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