History
Akshay Tritiya is closely related to the legend of the Akshay Patra – a marvelous divine vessel, which would give any amount of food in a day, till Draupadi takes her food.
When the Pandavas were in exile in the forest, several people including saints and maharishis’ used to visit them. The Pandavas found it difficult to provide food to the visitors. As per the advice given by Shri Krishna, Yudhishthira prayed to Surya (Sun), and obtained the divine Akshay Patra. The divine bowl would give limitless food all day till Draupadi takes her food. With the Akshay Patra the Pandavas were able to give food to all their guests.
Kauravas who never spared any chance to bother Pandavas requested "Anger Rishi" sage Durvasa to visit the Pandavas in the forest late in the afternoon. Sage Durvasa was known for his short temper and used to curse people if he was angry. Sage Durvasa and his disciples reached the forest after Draupadi had taken her food. Pandavas had no idea how they would provide food suddenly to such huge number of people. The Pandavas requested sage Durvasa to go and take bath in the river so that they can keep food ready.
During that difficult situation, Draupadi began to pray to Krishna for his help. Shri Krishna immediately appeared before Draupadi and ate a single grain of rice sticking to the side of the Akshay Patra, and said that his stomach was full. At that moment, the entire universe was stomach-full and satisfied with it.
Sage Durvasa and his disciples who were taking bath got the feeling as if they were eaten a big feast and they were no longer hungry. So they began to walk fast from that place, even without informing the Pandavas and Draupadi.
With the little grain of rice in the Akshay Patra, Shri Krishna satisfied the hunger of all living beings. We celebrate Akshay Tritiya on this divine day.
