The Ekadashi that falls between Mahashivaratri and Holi is Amalaki Ekadashi. The Ekadashi in favor of Falgun Shukla is called Amalki Ekadashi. On the day of Amalaki Ekadashi, the Amala tree is worshiped as a form of Lord Vishnu. That is why Amalaki Ekadashi has special significance in Hindu tradition like other Ekadashis.
Okay, let me also narrate the Amala fruit, this is also called Indian gooseberry and this life-protecting fruit has several other names.
Welcome to the Amalaki Ekadashi of this year, allow me to introduce this divine event by following conversation between ancient King Mandhata and renowned scholar Rishi) Vasistha Muni.
King: Great Sage Vasistha Muni, please kindly deliver mercy to me and narrate me a holy fast which can eternally purify me.
Vasistha Muni then narrates the result of observing Amalika Ekadashi and its importance. Fasting this Ekadashi is equally purifying as donating thousand cows. This Ekadashi is so liberating that even a hunter who hunted animals for his living throughout his life attends liberation and salvation from all his sins as he observes this Ekadashi.
Listening to this, King decided to observe this Ekadashi. After taking a river bath in the dawn, King and his followers visited a Vishnu Temple where an Amalaki tree grew. I will later describe what this tree is? King now offered water, flowers, and various materials to this tree worshiped this tree followed by a prayer to praise Lord Parshuram. Ramayana brings evidence when Lord Rama also worshiped this divine tree of "Amalika" and narrated its importance to his followers.
According to the Hindu calendar, the eleventh date that comes twice a month is called Ekadashi. Ekadashi that is observed in the Shukla Paksha (Waxing Moon) of Falgun Month is Amalaki Ekadashi and this Ekadashi is also known as Falgun Shukla Ekadashi. This Ekadashi alarms the celebration of the upcoming Holi, so hereby I wouldn't miss to wish you a happy forthcoming Holi of this year. This Ekadashi correlates with the fruit "Amala" which is also called Indian gooseberry and in Sanskrit, this fruit is called "Amalaki". Amalaki tree is worshipped in this day as an existence of Lord Vishnu.
Vishnu Purana states that from the divine kingdom of Vishnu once a bright object fell to the earth which later turned as a tree of Amala or Amalaki, this is why Sanatan people use leaves, branches, and roots of Aamala in their worship and other traditional rituals. This divine fruit "Amalika" or "Amala" is a crucial ingredient mentioned in Ayurved, one among the most cited panacea "Triphala" dust "Amala" has its particular significance in health and rituals.
People who are unable to fast on Amalaki Ekadashi due to various reasons will get merit even if they just remember this Ekadashi. There is a scriptural saying that eating amla, which is very dear to Lord Bishnu, will bring triple good luck. It is considered appropriate to fast on Amalaki Ekadashi especially for the attainment of heaven and salvation.
Suyog Dhakal
Liked by:
