Amudhasurabhi – The Divine Begging Bowl In Manimekhalai Amudhasurabhi is an inexhaustible vessel or the divine begging bowl in Buddhism, which would get filled with food whenever its possessor desired. Details of this vessel are to be found in the early Tamil poem Manimekhalai written in the early centuries of the present era by Seethalai Sathanar. The story of the vessel also served to expound the Buddhist ideal of dana (charity).
Legend has it that there once lived an ascetic named Aputra in Madurai begging in a Lakshmi temple. He always shared his food with poor and needy and had true knowledge of Vedas. Amudhasurabhi – The Divine Begging Bowl In Manimekhalai In a particular year, there was famine in the region when god Indra became angry. During this period of suffering, one day goddess Saraswati appeared and gave him the magic bowl, Amudhasurabhi. Manimekhalai refers to Sarasvati as the goddess of all things related to mind, and goddess of language, knowledge and arts. Amudhasurabhi always filled up every day with mountains of food, which Aputra shared with the needy. The famine continued for 12 years, yet the bowl always filled up. Aputra, like a boy, mocked Indra because he had the magic bowl to help the needy. Indra takes revenge by making rains plentiful and showering everyone with so much prosperity that no needy were left. No one was poor, and Aputra felt frustrated that he had no one to donate food from his abundant magic bowl to. Then, one day, people of Java (Indonesia) met him. Indra was not generous to them, and many were dying of hunger in Java. Aputra left for Java in a ship. A storm hits the ship, and Aputra lands on Manipallavam Island. Aputra died on that island. Manimekalai, the heroine of the epic, found the same bowl there. Using Amudhasurabhi, she offered food to the needy. Amudhasurabhi vessel would be filled with food only if it was held by one who led a virtuous life, was self-sacrificing and pure in thought. Amudhasurabhi can be compared to the Akshaya Patra was gifted by Surya to Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas during the exile period. Manimekalai 11.(lines 92-96) Benefactors to the able are just traders in virtue; Those who satiate the hunger of the feeble are who embody virtuous life in this world; Of all those who live in this densely packed world – One who gives food is one who gives life. ஆற்றுநர்க்கு அளிப்போர் அறவிலை பகர்வோர் ஆற்றா மாக்கள் அரும்பசி களைவோர் மேற்றே உலகின் மெய்ந்நெறி வாழ்க்கை மண்திணி ஞாலத்து வாழ்வோர்க்கு எல்லாம் உண்டி கொடுத்தோர் உயிர்கொடுத் தோரே. Manimekalai is a Buddist epic, generally dated around 5th Century CE. It follows the life of Manimekalai, who is the daughter of Madhavi from Silappathikaram (the premier epic in Tamil literature). She is given the ‘Amudha Surabhi’ (never empty food bowl) which will satiate the hunger of all living beings. While giving her the Amudha Surabhi, the goddess Deeva Thilakai explains to her the virtue of feeding the hungry. The Goddess says “Those who give to able men who can do something back for them are just traders in virtue. They do virtuous deeds expecting something in return. Those who remove the hunger of the feeble ones embody virtuous life in this world. There are in this atom packed world. In this world one who provides food to the needy is one who gives life to them”. Feeding the hungry was considered the highest form of virtue. The phrase “உண்டி கொடுத்தோர் உயிர்கொடுத் தோரே” – ‘One who feeds is one who gives life’ is very popular in Tamil Nadu. It is derived from Puranaanooru poem number 18. Similarly the phrase ‘அறவிலை பகர்வோர்’ – ‘traders in virtue’ is from Puranaanooru poem no. 134. ஆற்றுநர் – those who are able (to do some thing in return) அறம் – virtue விலை பகர்வோர் – who tell price (trader) ஆற்றா – unable / feeble மாக்கள் – people மேற்றே – follows மெய்ந்நெறி – true path (virtuous) மண் திணி – atom packed ஞாலம் – world உண்டி – food K RAJARAM IRS 8226 On Sun, 8 Feb 2026 at 08:38, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty < [email protected]> wrote: > *AKSHAYAPATHRAM-PART 1* > > Dear friends, > > This posting is about the Akshaya Pathram given by Soorya Deva to > Yudhisthira during forest life. I have collected the information from > Google search AI mode by interaction QA. Hope the reading will be > interesting for most members of the Groups. *This posting is least > intended to all knowing and finding fault members*. Repeating information > is removed without losing the rhythm. > > Gopalakrishnan 08-02-2026 > > *"Akshayapathram" (or Akshaya Patra) is a term from* Sanskrit meaning > "inexhaustible vessel". It refers to several prominent cultural, > religious, and social entities: > > *Maha bharatha* > > In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, the Akshaya Patra was a divine copper > vessel gifted to Prince Yudhishthira by the Sun God, Surya. It provided a > never-ending supply of food to the Pandavas during their exile, lasting > every day *until Draupadi finished her meal. * > > *Q Can you enlighten more how Soorya deva gave Akshyapathra to > Yudhisthira?* > > In the Mahabharata, the story of the Akshaya Patra begins early in the > Pandavas' 12-year exile after they lost their kingdom in the game of dice. > > *The Context of the Gift* > > The Dilemma: When the Pandavas entered the forest, they were followed by a > large *group of Brahmanas* (sages and priests). As a righteous king > (Dharmaraja), Yudhishthira felt it was his duty to provide them with food, > but he had no resources in the wilderness. > > The Counsel: Seeing Yudhishthira’s distress, his family priest, Sage > Dhaumya, advised him to pray to the Sun God, Surya, who is the source of > all nourishment on Earth. > > *The Divine Blessing* > > The Penance: Yudhishthira stood in the River Ganges and performed > rigorous penance, chanting the 108 names of Surya with deep devotion. > > The Appearance: Pleased by his sincerity, Surya appeared before him in a > dazzling form. > > The Vessel: Surya presented Yudhishthira with a copper vessel (Akshaya > Patra) and promised that *it would provide an inexhaustible supply of > food for 12 years of their exile.* > > The Condition: The vessel had one specific rule: it would produce > unlimited food every day until Draupadi (the Pandavas' wife) finished her > own meal. Once she ate, cleaned the vessel, and kept upside down, *the > pot would remain empty until the next morning. * > > Significance in the Exile > > This divine gift allowed the Pandavas to maintain their hospitality even > in poverty, feeding thousands of sages daily. It is also the subject of a > famous later episode where Sage Durvasa visited after Draupadi had > already eaten, and Lord Krishna intervened to save them from the sage's > curse. > > Q Why did Yudishira gave Akshayapathra to Droupati rather than keeping > himself? Did Sooryadeva gave any instruction to hand over it to Droupati? > > Actually, Surya Deva gave the Akshaya Patra specifically to Yudhishthira, > but he included a very strict divine instruction regarding Draupadi that > made her the natural keeper of the vessel. > > *Here is why she held the vessel:* > > Surya Deva's Mandate: *When Surya Deva appeared, he explicitly told > Yudhishthira that as long as Panchali (Draupadi) held the vessel and had > not yet eaten her meal, the food within it would remain inexhaustible.* > > The Specific Condition: The divine property of the vessel was tied to > Draupadi's hunger. It would provide unlimited portions for any number of > guests, but the moment she finished her own meal, it would become a normal, > empty pot until the next sunrise. > > *Role of the Householder*: *In Vedic tradition, the lady of the house is > the "Annapurna" (giver of food).* Since Draupadi was responsible for > serving the family and their guests, it was practically necessary for her > to manage the vessel. She would eat last only after everyone else—including > the thousands of visiting sages—had been satisfied. > > Yudhishthira handed it to her to ensure they could uphold the Dharma of > hospitality, as her role in the kitchen was the "trigger" for the pot's > magic. > > These resources explain how Surya Deva's instructions and Vedic tradition > dictated Draupadi's role in managing the Akshaya Patra: > > Q Did the Brahmins there while the Pandavas were during Anjathavasa? > > During the Agyatvas (the 13th year of incognito exile), the Brahmins and > sages who had accompanied the Pandavas during their first 12 years were not > with them. > > *Here is how the transition happened:* > > Departure of the Brahmins: Before entering the kingdom of Matsya to live > in disguise, Yudhishthira formally requested all the Brahmins and > followers to return to Hastinapura or their own abodes. This was a > strategic necessity because staying in a large group would have made it > impossible for the Pandavas to remain unrecognized. > > The Family Priest's Guidance: Their family priest, Sage Dhaumya, did not > stay with them in the palace but provided critical instructions on how to > behave in a royal court to avoid detection. > > The Disguises: To blend into King Virata’s court, the Pandavas themselves > took on humble roles, including Yudhishthira, who disguised himself as a > Brahmin courtier named Kanka. > > Previous Forest Life: In contrast, during the preceding 12-year Vanvas > (forest exile), thousands of Brahmins did live with them in the Kamyaka and > Dvaitavana forests. It was during this earlier period that the Akshaya > Patra was used daily to feed them. > > By the time they entered Agyatvas, the "inexhaustible vessel" was no > longer needed for a large assembly, as the Pandavas were now earning their > own livelihoods as palace servants. > > Q I like to know how Akshayapathram was disposed? Did it suddenly > disappeared? > > In the Mahabharata, the Akshaya Patra did not simply "disappear" in a > mystical burst of light. Instead, its divine power was subject to a > specific time-bound contract. > > *1. Expiration of the Boon* > > When Surya Deva granted the vessel to Yudhishthira, he explicitly stated > that its magical properties would last only for the 12 years of their > forest exile (Vanvas). > > The Power Loss: Once the 12th year concluded and the Pandavas prepared for > their 13th year (Agyatvas) in disguise, the vessel lost its ability to > produce food. > > The Return: Traditionally, it is believed that after the exile ended, the > vessel was either returned to Surya Deva or it remained as a normal, > powerless copper pot. > > 2. A Local Legend (Udupi) > > A popular regional belief in South India *suggests a different fate.* > According to this tradition, the philosopher Madhvacharya (believed to be > an incarnation of Bhima) *eventually "excavated" or recovered the vessel. > * > > It is said to be kept today at the Udupi Sri Krishna Temple in Karnataka. > > Believers claim its presence is why the temple is famous for its massive, > uninterrupted daily food distribution (Anna Dana). > > 3. Transition to Agyatvas > > The vessel was not taken into the Agyatvas (incognito year) for practical > reasons. To remain hidden, the Pandavas had to live as servants. Carrying a > legendary, giant copper vessel from the Sun God would have immediately > revealed their royal identities to King Virata and his subject > > Q Did Aksyapathra was a giant vessel as told now? > > No, the Akshaya Patra was not a "giant" vessel in terms of its physical > size. *It was a portable, hand-held object that gained its "giant*" > reputation from its infinite capacity rather than its physical dimensions. > > In the original Mahabharata (Vana Parva), its physical characteristics are > described as: > > Material: It was specifically called a copper vessel (tamramayampatram). > > Form: It is described as a bowl or a pot (patra or sthal) that Draupadi > could easily carry and wash after her meal. > > *The "Miracle" Size:* The vessel appeared normal on the outside, but it > could produce four types of food (those to be chewed, sucked, licked, and > drunk) in infinite quantities until Draupadi ate. > > Why do people think it was giant? > > Modern Symbolism: The name is now used by the Akshaya Patra Foundation, > which uses giant industrial cauldrons (some holding 1,300 to 2,600 litres) > to feed millions of children daily. This modern imagery often replaces the > ancient description in people's minds. > > The "Durvasa" Incident: Because the vessel fed 10,000 disciples of Sage > Durvasa in a single sitting, people often imagine it must have been massive > to hold that much food, but the text clarifies that it was a divine > multiplication of food within a standard-sized pot. > > In short, it was a divine copper bowl that fit in the hands of a single > person, not a massive fixed cauldron. > > Q What was the Durvasa incident? > > The "Durvasa incident" is a famous story of how Lord Krishna saved the > Pandavas from the wrath of the quick-tempered Sage Durvasa after the > Akshaya Patra’s power for the day had ended. > > The Setup: Duryodhana’s Plot > > Knowing the Akshaya Patra’s one limitation—that it would stop producing > food once Draupadi finished her meal—Duryodhana hatched a plan. *He sent > Sage Durvasa and his 10,000 disciples to the Pandavas' forest hut > specifically after Draupadi had eaten, cleaned the vessel, and* put it > away (often described as keeping it "upside down" to signal it was retired > for the day). > > *The Dilemma* > > When Durvasa arrived and demanded a meal, the Pandavas were terrified. > Failing to feed a guest of such stature was a grave sin and would surely > result in a devastating curse. *Yudhishthira asked the sage to first > bathe in the river while they "prepared" the food. * > > Krishna’s Miracle > > Desperate, Draupadi prayed to Lord Krishna. He appeared instantly but, to > her shock, claimed he was starving and demanded food. > > The Hidden Grain: Krishna insisted on seeing the "empty" Akshaya Patra. > > Upon inspection, he found a single grain of rice (and sometimes a small > piece of a leaf) stuck to the rim or neck of the vessel. > > The Cosmic Satisfaction: *Krishna ate that single grain with great > relish. Since he is the "soul of the universe," his satisfaction was > instantly felt by every living being.* > > *The Sage's Reaction*: Down at the river, Durvasa and his 10,000 > followers suddenly felt intensely full, as if they had just finished a > massive banquet. They began to burp in satisfaction. > > The Resolution > > Afraid that Yudhishthira had already prepared a giant feast they could no > longer eat, Durvasa and his disciples quietly fled through another route to > avoid the embarrassment of refusing the King's hospitality. Thus, > Krishna’s act of eating one morsel satisfied thousands and saved the > Pandavas from certain destruction > > Q A natural question arise in my mind- Did Droupati did not clean > Akshayapathra well , so that a bit of spinach / rice stuck to it? > > That is a legendary question! It’s the ultimate "human" moment in a divine > story. While it looks like a kitchen fail on Draupadi's part, there are > three ways to look at that tiny piece of spinach: > > 1. The "Divine Design" Perspective > > In most traditional tellings, that single leaf or grain was not a sign of > Draupadi being messy. Instead, it was divine intervention. It is believed > that Lord Krishna, knowing the trouble coming from Sage Durvasa, caused > that one bit to remain "invisible" or stuck so that He would have a > "reason" to save them. Without that bit, the miracle of satisfying the > universe's hunger wouldn't have a physical anchor. > > Q So just like a cloud was setup during war by Lord Krishna to stop > the war, the spinach leave bit was also artificially created by Lord > Krishna? > > *That is an excellent connection*! You are pointing to a recurring theme > in the Mahabharata: Krishna’s "Divine Play" (Maya). > > Just as Krishna created a "fake sunset" *by masking the sun with a cloud > (or his Sudarshana Chakra*) to trick Jayadratha during the Kurukshetra > war, *many scholars and devotees believe the bit of spinach was indeed an > "artificial" or "divine" setup.* > > Here is how those two events compare: > > 1. The Manipulation of Reality > > The War (Jayadratha's Death): Krishna manipulated the macrocosm (the > sky/sun) to create an illusion of time passing to force Jayadratha out of > hiding. > > The Forest (Durvasa Incident): Krishna manipulated the microcosm (the > vessel) to find a way to intervene. By "finding" or "placing" that leaf > there, he turned a potential curse into a miracle. > > 2. Why was the "Setup" Necessary? > > In both cases, Krishna followed a specific rule of Dharma: > > He rarely performed miracles "out of thin air." He usually took a tiny > piece of existing reality and expanded it. > > To save the Pandavas from Durvasa, he needed a physical link to the act of > eating. If the pot were truly, perfectly empty, there would be no "food" > for him to technically "eat" to trigger the cosmic satisfaction. > > Just as he used a cloud to "stop" the sun, he used a leaf to "fill" the > universe. > > 3. Was Draupadi in on it? > > The text suggests Draupadi was genuinely distressed. When Krishna asked > for food, she cried and said, "Don't joke with me, Krishna, I have just > washed the pot and kept it away!" This proves that from a human > perspective, she had cleaned it perfectly. The leaf appearing was a > divine "glitch" introduced by Krishna to solve the problem. > > The Philosophical "Tad": > > In Sanskrit, there is a concept called "Yatha Pinde Tatha Brahmande" (As > is the atom, so is the universe). > > The Leaf represented the "Atom." > > The Satisfaction of the 10,000 Sages represented the "Universe." > > *By "creating" or "finding" that leaf, Krishna showed that he doesn't need > a feast to be happy—he just needs an excuse to help his friends.* > > *I will continue in the next part* > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Thatha_Patty" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/968685630.136246.1770520133291%40mail.yahoo.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/968685630.136246.1770520133291%40mail.yahoo.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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