India gave birth to many remarkable persons who dedicated their lives to improving society. On September 26, 2022 this year, we will commemorate the birth anniversary (Jayanti) of Maharaja Agrasen, one of those outstanding individuals. He is credited with founding the Vaishya, or Aggarwal Samaj, and was born into the Kshatriya Samaj. He was a generous philanthropist who supported Ram Rajya and social activities.
On the occasion of his birth anniversary (Jayanti), people commemorate him, honor him, and swear to uphold his beliefs. But why did he form the Aggarwal Samaj, and on whose advice? Let’s find it out here:
Who was Maharaja Agrasen?
The Suryavanshi Maharaja Vallabh Sen gave birth to Maharaja Agrasen at Ballabgarh, Agra, about 5143 years ago. He was Shursen’s older brother and the eldest child of King Vallabh. It is stated that the Dwapara Yuga was coming to a close and the Kaliyuga was just being started. The ruler of Agrodaya, whose capital was Agroha, was Maharaja Agrasen. No one was left without a voice under his gracious administration.
His ideas were similar to those of the Ram Rajya since, according to mythology, he was born during the final phase of the Dwapar Yuga or the Ram Rajya. At that time, the monarch was the servant of the people and always worked in the best interests of his subjects. His town’s name was Pratapnagar. He later established the town of Agroha. He also enjoyed birds and animals, thus he placed a strong emphasis on ending the practice of offering sacrifices of animals during Yagyas. He is said to have sided with the Pandavas in the Mahabharata conflict.
Agrasen Jayanti: When and How Is It Celebrated?
On Pratipada, during Ashwin Shukla, after the Dwapara Yuga and the start of the Kaliyuga, Maharaja Agrasen was born. As a result, every year during the month of Ashwin, Agrasen Jayanti is observed on Pratipada Tithi of Shukla Paksha. During Shukla Paksha, Ashwin is regarded as the first day of Navratri, greatly increasing its auspiciousness. His anniversary is being commemorated this year on September 26, 2022, with celebrations starting fifteen days earlier. There are people who are in confusion regarding the Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti celebration date as the dates varies every year as shown in the table below.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 26 Sep | Mon | Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti | HR |
| 2023 | 15 Oct | Sun | Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti | HR |
| 2024 | 3 Oct | Thu | Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti | HR |
| 2025 | 22 Sep | Mon | Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti | HR |
| 2026 | 11 Oct | Sun | Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti | HR |
The founder of Vaishya Samaj, also known as Aggarwal, was Maharaja Agrasen. Jains, Maheshwari, Khandelwals, and other groups are represented in the society, therefore members of these groups gather together to commemorate Maharaja Agrasen’s birth anniversary with fanfare and ritualistic adoration. On this day, large-scale activities are also planned in some locations, and protests are held. The entire community takes part in this event and enjoys a variety of performances, dances, and competitions.
What is the significance of Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti?
The Agrahari and Agrawal tribes were founded by Maharaja Agrasen. As a result, King Agrasen’s birthday is commemorated on Agrasen Jayanti. The terms “Agra” and “wal,” which both signify son, are combined to form the word “Agrawal.” As a result, Agrawal alludes to the “Son of Agrasen.” For the people who are Maharaja Agrasen’s descendants, Agrasen Jayanti is a very important day. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva urged Maharaja Agrasen to perform penance for Goddess Lakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi arrived in response to his devotion and instructed him to launch a company that would provide wealth to his people for years to come. Agrasena started his own business.
The communities of Aggarwal and Agrahari are said to have benefited from the bounty up to this point. Since then, people from the Agrahari and Agrawal communities have continued their commercial heritage. Agrasena was advised to find a new kingdom by the goddess Lakshmi. Thus, the kingdom of Agroha was established. At that location, a magnificent temple honoring Vaushni Devi and Agrasen was built. It’s close to Hisar, Haryana. Even starting a new business on this day is seen as incredibly fortunate.
Wrapping Up:
For over 108 years, Maharaja Agrasen reigned over the kingdom of “Agrodaya.” He acquired renunciation after listening to Kuladevi Mahalakshmi’s teachings and gave his eldest son Vibhu the throne of his country, Agreya Ganrajya. Maharaja Agrasen’s life was primarily guided by three principles: economic equality, democratic rule, and social equality. Maharaja Agrasen’s name continues to be associated with all those legendary rulers who dedicated their entire lives to promoting the welfare of their nations and people.
