Narrator:
Salutations to Shri Shri Gupta Sadhak Shyamakshapa. Greetings. Paying our respects to Gurudev Gupta Sadhak Shri Shri Shyamakshapa, we begin this program from Shantikunja. Let us all listen to the invaluable words of Gurudev.
Disciple:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Tara! Tara! Jai Tara! Jai Bam Tara!
Disciple:
Gurudev, today is a very special day for Bengalis—Akshaya Tritiya. If you could please tell us something about this.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
What is the meaning of the word "Akshaya"? It means that which has no decay or end. Our great saints have said: "He who gives his life completely, has no decay, oh, he has no decay." This word "giving" (charity/donation) is the key.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Today is a day for giving. One who gives on this day, their act of giving becomes "Akshaya"—immortal and endless. That is why the saints wrote that if one sacrifices their very breath, it is a great gift, and that gift remains immortal. Today is such a lunar day—Akshaya Tritiya. Usually, it falls on the third lunar day after the new moon of this month. According to the scriptures, the end of the tithi (lunar day) is the beginning of the vrata (vow/ritual).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is particularly a day for women. Married women apply alta (red dye) and sindoor (vermilion) to each other and share sweets. There is a tradition of giving these to Brahmins, but it is said that giving alta and sindoor to any married woman on this day makes the gift immortal. It is deeply connected to the well-being of one's husband. The shankha (conch bangles) and sindoor are of immense importance, though people today often neglect their significance. A woman wears these for the welfare of her husband. Giving these on this day ensures a long life for the husband and a happy household. This is what the scriptures say, not just me.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Everything is resolved through giving. Today, even during this lockdown, people are still practicing this. Someone just gifted me a copy of the Gita. This gift has now become "Akshaya." This is the essence of Akshaya Tritiya; there isn't much more to it than the virtue of giving.
Disciple:
Gurudev, we also see that Akshaya Tritiya is significant for other reasons. For instance, it is said that on this day, Lord Ganesha began writing the Mahabharata as dictated by Ved Vyas.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes, when the Mahabharata was composed, it was written by Ganesha himself. It was accepted by Lord Brahma and Maha Saraswati. Lord Brahma is flanked by Savitri on his left and Saraswati on his right, with Ganesha in the middle. When Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata, Brahma and Saraswati were the witnesses.
Disciple:
Furthermore, the preparations for the Rath Yatra in Puri begin today. If you could shed some light on that.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Lord Jagannath has many leelas (divine acts). It is difficult to describe them all. Today marks the beginning of his journey, so to speak. Everyone has a journey, and for Him, it is the Rath Yatra. There are many phases, like the Snan Yatra (Bathing Festival).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
There are many intricacies regarding Jagannath that only the temple priests (Pandas) truly know. For example, after the Snan Yatra, the Lord "falls ill" with a fever. During that time, his "diet" consists of pots of pachan (a medicinal decoction made of roots and herbs). Only after the fever subsides does the Rath Yatra proceed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The day of the Snan Yatra in Puri also coincides with the start of the Amarnath Yatra. This year, due to the coronavirus lockdown, the festivities in Puri have been scaled down, and I heard the Amarnath Yatra has been suspended. Usually, on the day of Snan Yatra, the "Chhari" (holy mace) of Amarnath is raised and carried by devotees, including members of the Muslim community who traditionally assist in the journey. The priests accompany the holy mace to Amarnath. After the Snan Yatra, the rituals continue until the day after Kali Puja, when the Lord "comes down" again. On the day of Snan Yatra, the deities in temples from Kalighat to Tarapith are bathed with pots of water by priests who are blindfolded. This is done for all the 51 Shakti Peethas. During these three days of the "menses" of the Earth (Ambuvachi), the temples remain closed to the public while the priests perform these sacred baths.
Disciple:
Gurudev, there is also the tradition of "Khata Lekha" (opening new accounting ledgers) on Akshaya Tritiya. What is that about?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
It is nothing but the ceremonial start of the business year. Businessmen bring their new ledgers to the Goddess. The priest writes the year, date, and auspicious signs on them so that the business prospers. A symbolic doll or figure is drawn, and a coin is used to make an ink impression.
Disciple:
Why are Ganesha and Lakshmi worshipped specifically for this?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Lord Narayan is the preserver (Sthiti) of this universe. Lakshmi represents that stability and prosperity. Ganesha is also a manifestation of Narayan. There is a Puranic story about how Ganesha was brought back to life with an elephant's head, which I will tell you another day. But for today, we seek stability. We worship Lakshmi and Ganesha so that our lives, our families, and the world remain stable and prosperous.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Today is a very auspicious day. Whatever you give today will become eternal. As the poet said: "He who gives his life completely, has no decay." The act of giving is what truly matters today.
Narrator:
Friends, we have heard this special discussion on Akshaya Tritiya from Gurudev. Please subscribe to the "Gupta Sadhak Shyamakshapa" YouTube channel, like the videos, and leave your thoughts in the comments. Keep watching for more valuable videos from Gurudev.
Disciple:
Greetings, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings, son. Blessings.