Akshaya patra

Mahabharata Vanaparva Section-III

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah

Yudhistir, then approaches his Guru Dhaumya, and asks him how he can give sustenance and look after the brahmanas who followed him into the forest. Dhaumya asks him to propritiate the sun god Surya, and instructs him on how to do that, and gives him the 108 names of Surya. Dhaumya tells Yudhistir, when the world was created, all the creatures were hungry, and taking fatherly compassion on them, Sun God, using his rays drew up the water, and reduced his energy, so that lunar energy can make it into rain onto the lands. Thus vegetation was able to grow. Hence it is the energy of sun that is there in all vegetation, and it is this food that sustains all life on earth, and hence Sun is the father of all.
Yudhistir, purifies himself in ganga water, makes his mind stable, withdraws mind from all external influences, and prays to Sun god Surya, thus, "You are the eye of universe, maker of day, you are soul of all existence, you are the origin of all things, you sustain the world. The siddhas, charanas, yakshas, guhyakas follow you for boons. All the beings bow down to you. In you are the five elements, intelligence, lustre, knowledge, and ascetism. Vishnu chakra with which asuras are defeated is forged with your energy by vishwakarma. You illumine the earth with your rays and provide warmth to the people. You are the lord of manus, manwantara, manushyas (humans). During the pralaya (final dissolution), the fire samvartaka that burns the worlds are from you. You are called Indra, Vishnu, Brahma, Prajapati. You are fire and subtle mind. Food is grown with your rays, O Lord of food, grant me boon of abundance of food."
Lord Surya (Sun god) pleased with Dharamaraja's prayer, appeared before him and gives him a copper vessel and tells him 'this vessel will provide unlimited food for 12 years to your family and your guests as long as Draupadi serves to the guests without partaking of the food for the day. Once Draupadi takes food, the food is exhausted for the day. You will gain your kingdom in 14 years".
Yudhistir, having obtained the boon, bows down to his Guru dhaumya, and uses the copper vessel which is called 'Akshaya patra' to feed the guests daily and used to take food after that. Draupadi used to take food at the last.
They proceeded to woods of 'Kamyaka' along with the brahmanas.

Hari Om