AKSHAYA TRITIYA – WHAT TO DO AS PER SANATANA DHARMA SHASTRA ?
There isn't a single reference in Dharma Shastra which says that on Akshaya Tritiya we need to buy gold or buying gold will increase our gold savings in the locker. If you would like to follow the real way to practise austerities associated with Akshaya tritiya exactly as per Dharma Shastra, then read on.
Akshaya Tritiya is the first day of Treta Yuga, in our Vedic calendar. After Krita Yuga (also called Satya Yuga), comes Treta Yuga, then Dwapara Yuga and now we are in the final and last yuga for this cycle which is Kali Yuga. We are in the 5125th year of Kali yuga and we have more than 4,27,000 years for Kali yuga to end. The only way to ensure that we and our future generations survive the onslaught of Kali yuga which distracts people from path of dharma is to follow our Nitya Karma anushtana and Vratas mentioned in Dharma Shastra. In fact Akshaya tritiya is a Vratam to be followed by men and women. So what to do on this day as mentioned in our Dharma Shastras which are Rishi Vaakyaas?
1. Have an early morning usual bath at home. Then later Sea bath (Samudra Snanam) is recommended during punyakala in the timings given in the article and is considered to be highly meritorious on this day. It will give benefits of Sahasra Go Danam (1000 cow donation) and Bhumi Danam (donating a land) in Kurukshetra as per shastras. If you cannot go to sea, then river bath, temple theerta (temple holy tank) bath is also meritorious. If not, then have a bath at home. While having bath, keep some akshata (rice mixed with turmeric) on head and have a bath.
2. Men should perform Sandhyavandanam after bath, while women should take bath and prepare for Sri Laxminarayana Pooja on this day. Preparing neivedhyam and doing the necessary arrangements for the Pooja - While women do this, men should start preparing for tarpana.
3. Men who don't have their respective fathers should perform tarpana, as doing tarpana on this day will satisfy the pitrus (ancestors) for 2000 years immensely and they would bless you with a long life to perform more Dharma Karyas.
4. Then as a couple both husband and wife (if both not available, then at least either one) should perform Lord Laxminarayana Pooja with with Chandan (sandalwood paste) and flowers and lot of Akshata (raw rice mixed with turmeric). If you don't know elaborate or even short Pooja rituals, then just chant 'Om Laxminarayanaya namaha' either 11, 21, 51, 108 or 1008 times, offer flowers and Akshata at the feet of Laxminarayana. You can do archanai with Ashottaram (108 names) for Vishnu and Laxmi too if you know. Show neivedhya, camphor and finish the Pooja. One who know Vishnu Sahasranama can chant it.
5. This day, a special, highly meritorious act is mentioned in Dharma Shastra which is *Jalakumbhadana* or donating 1 or 2 water-filled pots to a Vedic Brahmin. So how this should be done? One water filled pot for satisfying Devatas and another water filled pot for satisfying Pitrus (ancestors) should be given to same/different Vedic Brahmin/s. Pot should be made of Bronze/Brass/Copper/Mud. Procedure for giving both as per Shastra is written below.
6. Water Pot for satisfying Devatas – Fill the pot with water, tie thread around it, apply chandan/kumkum on pot. Along with the pot keep fruits, pan(betel) leaves, flowers, chandan, turmeric, kumkum, coconut, barley, some money, dhoti etc and give it to the Vedic Brahmin by chanting the below mantra. Before giving the pot to Brahmin do this Sankalpa Mamopatta samasta durita kshya dvara Sri Parameshwara Preetyartam udakumbha-dana-kalpokta-phalam-avaptyartam brahmanaya udakumba danam karishye.
Below is the mantra to be chanted while giving this water pot with other items mentioned to the Brahmana. Face east while giving danam. This danam can be done by ladies also.
Yesha Gharmaghato dato, brahma-vishnu-shivatmakaha,
Asya pradanat-sakala, mama santu manorataha
एष घर्मघटो दत्तो ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवात्मकः ।
अस्य प्रदानात्सकला मम सन्तु मनोरथाः ।।
By doing this, all your desires in your heart (manorataha) will get fulfilled as signified in the mantra.
7. Water pot for satisfying Pitrus (manes/ancestors) – This daanam should be done only by men who don't have their respective fathers alive. Fill the pot with water, add in the pot water, sandal wood paste or powder, flowers, black til. Keep along with the pot, some sugarcane, raw rice, fruits, curd rice, umbrella, hand fan etc and donate it to a Vedic Brahmin. The sankalpa for donation is Mamopatta samasta durita kshya dvara Sri Parameshwara Preetyartam kalpokta-prakarena pitrunam-akshyya-truptyartam-bramhanaya udakumba danam karishye.
Then chant the below mantra and give the above items with the water pot. This should be done only by men those who don't have their respective fathers alive. Face south while giving the danam. This danam cannot be done by ladies.
Yesha gharmaghato datto, brahma-vishnu-shivatmakaha
Asya pradana truptyantu, pitharopi-pithamahaha,
Gandhodhaka tilairmishram sannam kumbha phalanvitam,
Pitrubhya sampradasyami akshyyam-upathishtatu
एष घर्मघटो दत्तो ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवात्मकः ।
अस्य प्रदानात्तृप्तयन्तु पितरोपि पितामहाः ।।
गन्धोदकतिलैर्मिश्रं सान्नं कुम्भंं फलान्वितम् ।
पितृभ्य: संप्रदास्यामि अक्षय्यमुपतिष्ठतु ।।
By chanting this mantra and donating all the above items with the water pot , you will satisfy your ancestors/pitrus forever.
8. If doing all these Daanams physically is not possible due to lack of vaadhyar or Vedic Brahmins coming home, then whatever is the cost of all these items and some additional dakshina can be transferred online to one who works for good cause of upliftment of Sanatana Dharma or your family priest
9. After this have lunch in the afternoon as you will be fasting from morning all this time. Night time meals should be skipped and liquids can be consumed. On this day only one meal - lunch should be had and no dinner.
This would complete 'Akshaya Tritiya' austerities and Vrata for ladies/gents/both. Dharma Shastra says the more you give/donate in Akshaya Tritiya the more will come back to you. If you buy things for yourself due to self-interest like gold bars, jewellery etc then your punya will decrease. This is a day of giving danam / donating to Vedic brahmins. Dharma Karya is the most important karma on this day and it is not a day for buying things for self. So giving danam on this day will help increase your punyas and give you manifold in return for your good deeds.
Veda Ghosham is a unique center of Vedic knowledge which aims to revive Sanatana Dharma and its practices in the true, original way as written by our ancient Rishis. All our sufferings today are because we have left out Nitya Karmas (daily duties) as recommended by Dharma Shastras and are indulging in what is not recommended at all and which are of no use or are of temporary happiness. If you need the path to permanent happiness and want to return to the path of Sanatana Dharma and protect your future generation and children from the bad effects of Kali yuga then reach out to us. Feel free to share this article with your like-minded friends ad family in your social circle.
