The Devas and the Asuras thanked Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and with their blessings resumed the churning. Subsequently the Kamadhenu cow, Ucchashravas horse, Kalpavriksha tree etc. also came out of the ocean. These were shared by the Devas and the Asuras.
The next to come was the beautiful Goddess Lakshmi. She looked so beautiful that the Devas and the Asuras stopped churning and simply gazed at her.
Eager to get her attention, the Devas scrambled to get a chair for her to sit. The apsaras [dancing maidens] danced for the Goddess and in the end handed her a garland.
In those days, it was customary for a woman of marriageable age to choose her own husband. This was called as 'swayamwara'.
All the Devas, Asuras and Gods [Even Lord Vishnu had come in his human form] were waiting for the Goddess to choose. Every God wondered who would be the lucky one.
Goddess Lakshmi saw all the assembled Devas, Asuras and Gods. She studied Dark God Vishnu with his beautiful twinkling eyes and mischievous smile.
She smiled once and garlanded Lord Vishnu, choosing him above all the others.
The Gods cheered when they saw Goddess Lakshmi marry Lord Vishnu. She was the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity and he was the Preserving God. They all sensed that she was the Goddess Supreme, who had manifested herself as Lakshmi to become Lord Vishnu's wife - his power and his strength.
Akshaya in Sanskrit means one that's never diminishes (a-kshaya) and the day is believed to bring good luck and success.
Tritiya day is auspicious. So there is no need to look for an auspicious time i.e. no "muhurat" required on this day. This is the only day in any year when the Sun which is the lord of the planets and Moon which is the lord of creativity are in exaltation meaning at their peak of radiance. During the month of vaishaakha, the sun is in the Mesha (Aries), the first sign of the zodiac, where it is in an exalted or most powerful position to give benefits. The moon is also in a powerful position. This combination of the planetary energies is believed to create abundance whereby any auspicious activity commenced on this day leads to continued growth of beneficial results throughout the year. Astrologically this is extremely auspicious. That also makes this day one of the most popular dates in Hindu calendar for marriages and partnerships.
Economically this day is quite productive for marketers as they cash in on the festivity to boost their sales. Marketers indulge in high voltage advertisement campaigns especially the jewellery stores. In fact people in India and overseas book jewellery in advance and take delivery on Akshaya Tritiya day. It's a day of frenzy buying for all precious metals especially gold. Sales on Akshaya Tritiya day usually increases four to five times compared to normal days. Traditionally the preference for customers is to buy light-weight jewellery, diamond jewellery but today's economic superpower India sees several buyers preferring diamond jewellery purchases.
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