The story of the Akshaya Patra…

Hi!! Did you guys know, that today is Akshaya Tritiya!! It is a very auspicious day for Hindu people. Technically, Akshaya in Sanskrit means 'Neverending' or  'Endless' in terms of prosperity, and Tritiya is the third day of the Vaishaka Maasa (Second month of the Hindu calendar). Akshaya Tritiya is the day of prosperity. There is a legend, that states that any good that is done or bought (like gold, or knowledge, or any kind of property) shall be multiplied throughout the year!!

There are many stories relating to Akshaya Tritiya. Today, I'll be telling the story of the Akshaya Patra, and how Krishna saved the Pandavas from the anger of Sage Durvasa. Let's go...

A long, long time ago, during the time of the kings of Hastinapur, the Pandavas played a fateful game of dice with their uncle, Shakuni. What a fateful game it was! Yudhistira was to play with Shakuni. As they played, Yudhistira bet many things. He bet his crown, his palace, his jewels. He was even going to bet his wife, Draupadi!! But, his brothers warned him against it. They eventually lost the game, and fell prey to the consequences of Dhritarashtra, the king of Hastinapur. He was influenced by his son, Duryodhana, to exile the Pandavas for thirteen years!!

The Pandavas led a simple life in the forest. They built themselves a small hut, with wooden logs for walls and a green garden, filled with little saplings of fruits and vegetables. A frugal life they led. They received visits from many dignitaries, sages, kings and ministers who were horrified at the turn of events. They came to discuss matters with the Pandavas and show their support. Draupadi, the lady of the house, found it very difficult to extend their hospitality to these numerous guests because they were destitute in exile and living in the forest where nothing was available.

One day Krishna suddenly came to visit the Pandavas. Along with him came his large regiment of numerous men. The Pandavas received Krishna with a grand ceremony (Which wouldn't have been actually grand. What do you expect, they lived in a forest!), and they all sat outside and began to talk happily. However, Draupadi wasn't anywhere to be seen. She didn't come out to greet Krishna. Instead, she was weeping in the kitchen. After some time, Krishna sensed that something wasn't right. Something was fishy. Krishna, being all-powerful, saw what had happened to Draupadi using his magic. He made a very simple excuse and said that he was thirsty and would go to drink water. He ran inside to the kitchen, and tried to console Draupadi. 

"Draupadi. Draupadi! What happened? Are you all right?" he asked her. She said nothing, but just showed him an empty pot. She exclaimed, "O Krishna, you bring along a whole army of men without any notice. What am I supposed to do? Anyways, even if you did tell us that you were coming, I still wouldn't have been able to give you and your followers any food. Look at this patra. It is empty! There is no food left!" Krishna inspected the copper pot, and the inside of it too. "O Panchali, you say there is no more food? But can't you see this?" Krishna questioned Draupadi. He lifted a mere grain of rice out of the pot. " A single grain of rice, if offered to God with love, becomes the Beeja, and fills everyone's tummies," stated Krishna. He ate the rice, and for that day,  the whole universe was full. "I am pleased with your devotion to me. I shall give you the Akshaya Patra. Until you eat YOUR day's fill, it shall keep producing food."

The news of Draupadi's new patra reached Duryodhana's ears. He was enraged!!! He wanted to curse them so badly!! His face turned red. His fists clenched in anger. He roared to the skies!!! "How is this possible?!! I banish them, and then they get unlimited food?!! What is this?!!" Hearing his uproar, Shakuni limped up to him, "Putta, don't get agitated. We must think of a plan. Don't worry, I shall have one by tomorrow. Then, we can say goodbye to those Pandavas. MwaHaHaHa!!!!" He assured Duryodhana.

The next day, Shakuni told Duryodhana, " Chinna, I have a plan. We must invite Sage Durvasa to our palace. Then, we can send him to the Pandavas' place. They would've finished their food, and Draupadi certainly would've finished hers, too!! Durvasa will be angry on them for not serving him food, and then he shall curse them! Ha! My plan is foolproof!! I shall go and personally invite the sage myself." Duryodhana hugged his uncle and told him that he would gladly accept his plan.

Durvasa walked into the palace of Hastinapur, and shouted, "Hey Duryodhana!! What do you want? I am hungry. Where is the food?!?!?!?!" Duryodhana answered, "O sage, we are very thankful that you are here - " He was interrupted by Durvasa, "WHERE'S THE FOOD???!?!?!" Duryodhana told him that the palace cooks had gone to sleep, and it would be rude to wake them up. He also said that he and his tribe of followers ( who were right by his side ) may eat at the Pandavas' hut. Durvasa was happy. he would finally get some food after a long days' travel.

He reached the river-side hut, and stormed in (Durvasa had a habit of storming into places). "I'd like some food, please!!!!!!" shouted Durvasa. Krishna was currently staying with the Pandavas, and he told them to bow at the feet of the sage. "Namaskara, acharya. We didn't get word that you were coming!" said the Pandavas. They were worried. They had no food to give to Durvasa! Durvasa shouted, "Me and my clan shall go and bathe in the nearby river. If the food is not ready by then, I shall give you the worst curse I have ever given!!!!" The Pandavas were scared. The Akshaya Patra had finished making food, because Draupadi had finished eating her day's fill. They all prayed to Krishna, "O Madhusudhana, please save us; Please!!!" Krishna told all of them to come into the kitchen. He then stared into the Akshaya Patra. As usual, there was only one grain of rice left in the pot. "You people are strange, I say! You say there is no food to feed Rishi Durvasa, but when I see your kitchen, you bestow a feast!! Really, you people have gotten your screws loose since you came to the forest!" He picked up the grain of rice and dropped it in his mouth. He swallowed it as if he were eating a feast, "Mmmmmm... Yummmmm…"

He reminded them, "Remember when I came here and asked for water? I gave this pot to Draupadi that day. I told her that - " He was interrupted by Draupadi, "A single grain of rice, if offered to God with love, shall become the Beeja, and fill everyone's tummies." Instantly, Durvasa's starving stomach filled itself with food. All of his men's tummies filled themselves with food. They couldn't eat another morsel. They felt sooo sleepy!! " Gurugale, I don't feel hungry. We should leave now. It would be bad to reject the Pandava's food. We shall run away." said one of Durvasa's men. He agreed. They quickly dried their bodies, and disappeared into the night. The Pandavas couldn't thank Krishna enough. Krishna just wanted their devotion. They promised him that they would remain ever faithful. And for that day, the whole universe fell fast asleep, with bellies full of food.

Moral: Sow your seeds of belief in God and you shall reap the                    fruits of devotion

Fun Fact Nº 1: There are many other stories relating to Akshaya Tritiya.                                  For instance, there is the Birth of Parashurama                                                  (Parashurama Jayanthi), VedaVyasa started to recite 

                                the Mahabharata to the writer, Ganesha, Ganga flew                                        down to Earth, and many more!!

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