Akshaya Patra :The Miraculous Pot of Draupadi ? Written By- Dr.Rashmi Vajpayee

 In 2023 Akshaya Tritiya will be celebrated on 22nd April. According to Mahabharata "Akshaya Patra" is a divine vessel that was presented to Draupadi, by the Sun God. It is an essential symbol and the tale happened during the exile years of Pandavas in the Mahabharata. During the exile period, Pandavas wandered across the forest and wherever they stayed, many sages and people used to visit them.

Draupadi and the Pandavas found it hard to welcome and provide food to the guests in exile as they were living in the forest where nothing was available. Therefore Draupadi prayed to Sun god and He granted her the Akshaya Patra. The divine vessel would provide food all time till Panchali takes her food.

Image by  Bhagavad-gita on Facebook 

Some other interpretations of Mahabharata mention the different tales- "Where Draupadi prayed to Shri Krishna; who was extremely depressed to see the condition of his sister Draupadi and the Pandavas; so he granted her with the Akshaya Patra, a pot that would give immense food every day till Draupadi finished eating".  

Pandavas in Trouble-

Kauravas who never spared any chance to bother Pandavas asked Sage Durvasa to visit the Pandavas in the forest. Sage Durvasa was renowned for his short temper and practiced cursing people if he was furious.

  Photo courtesy BR Chopra's 'Mahabharat' via  dailymotion.com 

Kauravas made sure that Durvasa reached the cottage of Pandavas after Draupadi had eaten her meal. Akshaya Patra will not give any food on the day since Draupadi had eaten her food. At the moment when Durvasa’s reached there, Draupadi had just finished eating and was further to go and clean the pot. Pandavas were bound to insist on Durvasa and his followers for food but they had no plan for how they would provide food instantly to such a large number of people.

When Durvasa and his followers went to take a bath in a nearby pond; Draupadi was sitting and crying in the kitchen. Draupadi understood a curse from Durvasa would be terrible to them since thirteen years in exile was already a troublesome disaster. With tears in her eyes, she prayed to Krishna. All of a sudden Krishna appeared in front of her and she explained the crisis.

    Photo courtesy BR Chopra's 'Mahabharat' via dailymotion.com 

 

Krishna urged Draupadi to bring the Akshaya Patra. Draupadi found a single grain of rice sticking to the side of the bowl. She took the Akshaya Patra and gave it to him. Krishna ate that single grain of rice, and at that moment, the entire universe was stomach-full and satisfied with it. Krishna thanked Draupadi and stated that his stomach was full and there was no hunger in the whole universe that day.

 

Down at the pond, sage Durvasa and his followers were supposed to arrive for lunch now, but they all suddenly felt their stomach was full and they were no longer hungry. Sage Durvasa and his followers then silently moved after their bath, without returning to the Pandavas' cottage. Then Draupadi understood that with the little grain of rice in the pot, Shri Krishna satisfied the hunger of all human beings. 

Significance of "Akshaya Tritiya" festival-

According to the Mahabharata, this extremely divine event happened on the day which is celebrated as"Akshaya Tritiya" every year.

It was on this day when Sun god gifted Akshaya Patra to Draupadi. The blessed pot was always full of food and became the source of nutrition for the Pandavas during their exile times. This year Akshaya Tritiya, will be celebrated on 3rd May.

   Draupadi served the food to the sages from "Akshaya Patra" during the exile years.👆 

 Image by KrishnasMercy  via https//bit.ly/2XjRoct

According to Hindu Mythology, it was on Akshaya Tritiya that the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu - Lord Parshurama was born.

Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated on the third lunar day of Shukla- Paksha of Vaisakha month which occurs in April-May every year. This day can be chosen to perform auspicious functions by anybody without asking any astrologer.

•Any person who worships Lord Vishnu on this day with sincerity and devotion is granted with the blessings of Lord Vishnu.

• Akshaya Tritiya is also regarded to be favorable for buying gold, jewelry, ornaments, and utensils.

References-

Ganguli,K.M."Draupadi-harana Parva", Section CCLX.The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dvaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose from the Original Sanskrit Text. Volume 1, Books 1-3.Andesite Press, 2017.

 

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About Rashmi Vajpayee

Hello friends I am DrRashmi Vajpayee,PhD Awardee,Assistant professor and founder of Rashmi Vajpayee's Confessions on Culture.Here I share everything about Indian Culture and Festivals.I hope you guys enjoy my content so keep reading!.

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