Akshaya Tritiya is a sacred springtime festival in the Hindu and Jain traditions. It is considered to be one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar to begin a new venture, project or resolution, or undertake any new beginning, as whatever is begun on this day is believed to achieve eternal success. The day of Akshaya Tritiya is also Parasurama Jayanti, the birthday of Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu. It signifies the turn of the Satya Yuga to Treta Yuga.
With all these incredible changes happening on a global scale, and so much uncertainty, it is important to embrace and anchor ourselves in these traditions and values. As Pujya Swamiji often says, we must preserve our Nature and Culture to protect our Future, and celebrating festivals like these is an important part of this.
In this national lockdown against the Coronavirus, we lit diyas (oil lamps) not only to celebrate these festivals but in honour of the Sadhus whose lives were viciously taken in the Palgarh mob lynching. Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji – Muniji and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji offered beautiful and divine blessings and gave a special Satsang where they shared inspiring words with the Parmarth community and our global online audience.
Pujya Swamiji explained how chaos in our lives only stems from the chaos in our own minds. Our own ignorance of who we are leads to our egos, which results in suffering, the illusion of separation, and dis-ease. He urged us all on this sacred day of new beginnings to meditate, introspect and look within for the Truth. “Today,” He said, “Let us stay at home and pledge to bring about a new Yuga (a new era) of Oneness, of health in the mind, body and spirit, and of harmony within ourselves and our communities. Then there will be peace within our homes, within our communities and within our families.”
Pujya Swamiji also focused on the subject of child marriage, something that tragically occurs frequently during the Akshaya Tritiya holiday, along with the mass marriages that occur throughout the country. He gently reminded us that child marriage is illegal, and shared: “Childhood marriage means destruction of life. Such a young age and so much of a burden. There should be no child marriage. We should make parents understand this. To believe that we should betroth a girl as early as possible, or that we will have to give a lump-sum dowry if she comes of age – these are all false thoughts. But believe this: Just educate a girl, and see how proud you will be. Educate her, let her progress, just as you do your son. And, say ‘No’ to child marriage.”
Sadhviji, meanwhile, explained the significance of Akshay Tritiya, as the day when the Mahabharata war ended and the day when the Satya Yuga began. She shared her wisdom on how we can all end the war within our own selves and live in the Satya Yuga, today and every day, by being the Light and spreading the Light.
