Akshya tritya : Analytical approach : By Shri Sanjeev Ranjan Mishra

A note on Akshya tritya :

As per Muhurth Granth three lunar days (tithis) are said to be very auspicious. These are called Sade-Teen Muhurtas also. These Tithis are
A) First Tithi of Bright Half ofChaitra starting of Hindu New Year.
B) Tenth Tithi of Bright Half of Ashvina -Vijay Dashmi day ,
C) Third Tithi of Bright Half of Vaishakha (Akshya Tritiya- Parshuram Jyanti and
D) First Tithi of Bright Half of Karttika are called “Sade-Teen (3 ½) Muhurth”.

The first three tithis are counted as full and the last one as half Tithi and constitute Sade - Teen Muhurth. These tithi are important from historical, religious and astrological point of view. Sun and moon are astrologically believed to be at their most exalted equal brightness on this day. On the day of Akshya Tritya both luminaries Sun and Moon are in exaltation or near to exaltation and this is unique in year –so it is said to be very auspicious. In astrology three factors are said to be most important -

a) Lagna ( signifing physical thing)

b) Sun ( Soul -source of life)

c) Moom ( mind (मन) reflector of light--the cause of life and suffering )

So if two of these factors becomes powerful -the day becomes more auspecious- On Akshya tritiya day Sun and Moon position is relatively powerful in relation to zodiac . This year Akashya tritya falls on Monday 09 May - Sun in Bharni and Moon in Mrigshira nakshtra . BUT TODAY A RARE ASTROLOLOGICAL PHENOMENON IS TAKING PLACE -mercury transit over Sun creating a mini eclipse situation --since it is an eclipse though by Mercury -the effect of Sun is slightly reduced and that of Mercury is enhanced. So the effect of Akashya tritya is slightly reduced.

Other significance of Akshya tritya -;
A) On this day that Goddess Annapoorna Devi was born.
B) Kubera received his wealth and position as custodian of wealth and property with Goddess Lakshmi on this day.
C) It is the birthday of Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of god Vishnu.
D) On this day in Mahabharata, Yudhishtira receives the Akshya patra,- which he uses to serve food for all the needy in his kingdom.
E) In more recent history, Adi Shankara recited the Kanaka Dhara Stotr on this day for the sake of the poor couple at whose house he stopped for Bhiksha and was offered their only available gooseberry.
So Akshya tritya is one of the most auspicious day for Muhurth –but like all other Muhurth lagna suddhi and planetary position in relation to one;s natal chart is must. Please also remember initiation / conducting of activities like wearing sacred thread (Upnayana), ending of fast, house construction and entering thereof, traveling and plantation is prohibited.

Sanjeev Ranjan Mishra ji explains :   बसंत पंचमी भी शुभ तिथि है पर इन तिथियों की श्रेणी मै नहीं है -- अक्षय का अर्थ है जिसका क्षय न हो --तो वैसे सभी कर्म जिसको हम बनाये रखना चाहते है इस समय किये जाते है. ध्यान रखे मुहुर्त हमेशा व्यक्तिगत होता है सामूहिक नहीं--व्यक्तिगत का अर्थ है आपके लिए आपके सन्दर्भ मै -तो हमेशा मुहुर्त व्यक्ति की कुंडली के आधार पर ही निकला जायेगा --और मुहुर्त शास्त्र के सभी नियम देखे जायेंगे. तिथि की शुभता केवल तारा बल प्रदान करता है और अक्षय की विशिष्टता.देता है केवल तिथि के आधार मुहुर्त बताना उतना ही अप्रमाणिक है जितना नामाक्षर के आधार पर फलादेश करना .