Amalaki Ekadashi
Phalguna Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is known as Amalaki Ekadashi. Amalaki Ekadashi falls between Maha Shivaratri and Holi. Currently it is observed in month of Ferbruary or March in English calendar.
This Ekadashi Vrata originates from the word Amalaki meaning gooseberry and its observance brings prosperity and great benefits. According to the legend King Chaitraratha ruled the Kingdom of Vaidisa. He was a loyal devotee of Lord Vishnu and due to the blessings of the Lord the kingdom prospered. On the holy Ekadashi day the King and his subjects observed fast and prayers with devotion praying the whole night. A hunter passing by also joined in the gathering with faith and devotion and later went home to his meals. Due to his observance of this holy day he was reborn as a King in his next birth named Vasurath. Once on an expedition the King lost his way and was captured by some tribes who considered him their enemy and began torturing him with their weapons. But to their surprise none of the weapons could harm him. Then they heard a Divine voice from the sky informing the King and the tribes about the merit accrued due to observance of the Amalaki Vrata in his previous life. The King was released and he ensured that throughout his life he observed the Ekadashi Vrata. All the routines observed during Ekadashi vrata are observed on this day except that the Amalaki tree is worshipped with water, incense and flowers and Brahmins are fed beneath this tree.
The Thirteenth month in the lunar(Vedic) calendar is the Adhik Maas or Purushottam or Mal Maas when every third year one extra month is added to the lunar calendar. There are two Ekadashis in this month Parama Ekadashi in the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksh) and Padmini Visuddha Ekadashi in the bright fortnight(Shukla Paksh) of the month.
It is believed that by observing Amalaki Ekadasi, a devotee attains Moksha and washes away all the sins committed. Special pujas and offerings are made of Amalaki Tree and Lord Parashurama on the day.
There are numerous folk tales and stories in Puranas that extols the greatness of Amalaki Ekadasi.
Most devotees fast on the day and keep vigil in the night. Those people observing partial fasting abstain from food made of rice.
Significance of Amalaki Ekadashi:-
As per the Hindu calendar, the day attains more significance because of its relation to other festivals. Perhaps, the most popular festivals such as Holi too are known to consider Amalaki Ekadashi as the beginning of grand celebrations. Worshipping a tree by referring it to God is one of the symbolic representations of Hinduism from a broader perspective. Devotees are known to offer their sincere prayers to the God when needed the most. With the widespread belief that the Universal Spirit resides in the amla tree, more worshippers are known to offer their prayers to the God by each passing year.
Goddess Lakshmi is considered to be the omnipresent deity during certain instances because of which people offer their sacred prayers to the Goddess of Wealth. Also, it is highly speculated that Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, along with his beloved Radha is known to reside near the tree. People have totally different motives in mind whenever they are praying to the amla tree. For instance, the most significant health benefits from a medicinal perspective, the amla tree is known to offer prosperity and health to all those who pray to it. Amla tree is largely used for the manufacture of modern medicines that are included with Vitamin C.
Amalaki Ekadashi Puja Rules:-
On this day the devotee observes fast from the sunrise of ‘Ekadashi’ to the sunrise of next day ‘Dwadashi’. On the day of Amalaki Ekadashi devotes worship ‘Amla’ tree and Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Lord Vishnu resides in ‘ amla’ tree. One who is unable to keep fast for a whole day can observe partial fast or fast for half of the day. According to the ritual devotees must have to consume only satvik food on this day of Amalaki Ekadashi. This is highly auspicious day to earn blessings of Lord Vishnu by offering prayers with devoted soul.
As division of the rituals, the devotee who observe fast on the Amalaki Ekadashi first take holy bath followed by hammering water on the Amala tree. Along with this, the incense sticks and the flowers are also used according to the Amalaki Ekadasi rituals. After performing Puja, the devotees present clothes and some other things to the ‘pandit’
Mantram of Amalaki Ekadashi Vratam:-
The devotee can chant this mantra. It is the most powerful mantra of Lord Vishnu.
Sri Vishnu Moola Mantra:
“Om Namo Bhagwate Vasudevay Namah”
Reciting the mantra to maximum time gives more and better results. One can easily earn blessings of Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu by observing the day of Amalaki Ekadashi and chanting this mantra or "
Vishnu sahasranamam".
Amalaki Ekadashi from the Brahmanda Purana :-
King Mandhata once said to Vasishtha Muni, “O great sage, kindly be merciful to me and tell me of a holy fast that will benefit me eternally.”
Vasishtha Muni replied. “O king, kindly listen as I describe the best of all fast days, Amalaki Ekadasi.He who faithfully observes a fast on this Ekadasi obtains enormous wealth, gets free of the effects of all kinds of sins, and attains liberation. Fasting on this Ekadasi is more purifying than donating one thousand cows in charity to a pure brahmana. So please hear me attentively as I tell you the story of a hunter who, though daily engaged in killing innocent animals for his living, achieved liberation by observing a fast on Amalaki Ekadasi following the prescribed rules and regulations of worship.”
The Kingdom of Vaidisha
“There was once a kingdom named Vaidisha, where all the brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and shudras were equally endowed with Vedic knowledge, great bodily strength, and fine intelligence. Oh lion among kings, the whole kingdom was full of Vedic sounds, not a single person was atheistic, and no one sinned. The ruler of this kingdom was King Pashabinduka, a member of the dynasty of Soma, the moon. He was also known as Chitraratha and was very religious and truthful. It is said that King Chitraratha had the strength of ten thousand elephants and that he was very wealthy and knew the six branches of Vedic wisdom perfectly.”
“During the reign of Maharaja Chitraratha, not a single person in his kingdom attempted to practice another's dharma (duty); so perfectly engaged in their own dharmas were all the brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras. Neither miser nor pauper was to be seen throughout the land, never was there ever a drought or flood. Indeed, the kingdom was free of disease, and everyone enjoyed good health. The people rendered loving devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Vishnu, as did the king, who also rendered special service to Lord Shiva. Moreover, twice a month everyone fasted on Ekadasi. "In this way, O best of kings, the citizens of Vaidisha lived many long years in great happiness and prosperity. Giving up all varieties of materialistic religion, they completely dedicated themselves to the loving service of the Supreme Lord, Hari.”
Observing Amalaki Ekadasi
“Once, in the month of Phalguna (February - March), the holy fast of Amalakii Ekadasi arrived, conjoined with Dvadasi. King Chitraratha realised that this particular fast would bestow especially great benefit, and thus he and all the citizens of Vaidisha observed this sacred Ekadasi very strictly, carefully following all the rules and regulations.”
“After bathing in the river, the king and all his subjects went to the temple of Lord Vishnu, where an Amalaki tree grew. First the king and his leading sages offered the tree a pot filled with water, as well as a fine canopy, shoes, gold, diamonds, rubies, pearls, sapphires, and aromatic incense. Then they worshiped Lord Parashurama with these prayers: ‘Oh Lord Parashurama, Oh son of Renuka, Oh all-pleasing one, Oh liberator of the worlds, kindly come beneath this holy Amalaki tree and accept our humble obeisances.’ Then they prayed to the Amalaki tree: ‘Oh Amalaki, Oh offspring of Lord Brahma, you can destroy all kinds of sinful reactions. Please accept our respectful obeisances and these humble gifts. O Amalaki, you are actually the form of Brahman, and you were once worshiped by Lord Ramachandra Himself. Whoever circumambulates you is therefore immediately freed of all his sins.’
“After offering these excellent prayers, King Chitraratha and his subjects remained awake throughout the night, praying and worshiping according to the regulations governing a sacred Ekadasi fast. It was during this auspicious time of fasting and prayer that a very irreligious man approached the assembly, a man who maintained himself and his family by killing animals. Burdened with both fatigue and sin, the hunter saw the king and the citizens of Vaidisha observing Amalaki Ekadasi by performing an all-night vigil, fasting, and worshiping Lord Vishnu in the beautiful forest setting, which was brilliantly illuminated by many lamps. The hunter hid nearby, wondering what this extraordinary sight before him was.
The fortunate hunter
‘What is going on here?’ he thought. What he saw in that lovely forest beneath the holy Amalaki tree was the Deity of Lord Damodara being worshiped upon the Asana of a waterpot and he heard the devotees singing sacred songs describing Lord Krishna's transcendental forms and pastimes. Despite himself, that staunchly irreligious killer of innocent birds and animals spent the entire night in great amazement as he watched the Ekadasi celebration and listened to the glorification of the Lord.”
“Soon after sunrise, the king and his royal retinue - including the court sages and all the citizens - completed their observance of Ekadasi and returned to the city of Vaidisha. The hunter returned to his hut and happily ate his meal. In due time the hunter died, but the merit he had gained by fasting on Amalaki Ekadasi and hearing the glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as well as by being forced to stay awake all night, made him eligible to be reborn as a great king endowed with may chariots, elephants, horses, and soldiers. His name was Vasuratha, the son of King Viduratha, and he ruled over the kingdom of Jayanti.
King Vasuratha
“King Vasuratha was strong and fearless, as effulgent as the Sun, and as handsome as the Moon. In strength he was like Sri Vishnu, and in forgiveness like the Earth itself. Very charitable and every truthful, King Vasuratha always rendered loving devotional service to the Supreme Lord, Sri Vishnu. He therefore became very well versed in Vedic knowledge. Always active in the affairs of state, he enjoyed taking excellent care of his subjects, as though they were his own children. He disliked pride in anyone and would smash it when he saw it. He performed many kinds of sacrifices, and he always made certain that the needy in his kingdom received enough charity.”
“One day, while hunting in the jungle, King Vasuratha strayed from the footpath and lost his way. Wandering for some time and eventually growing weary, he paused beneath a tree and, using his arms as a pillow, fell asleep. As he slept, some barbarian tribesmen came upon him and, remembering their long standing enmity toward the king, began discussing among themselves various ways to kill him. ‘It is because he killed our fathers, mothers, brothers-in-law, grandsons, nephews, and uncles that we are forced to aimlessly wander like so many madmen in the forest.’
The Great Rescue
So saying, they prepared to kill King Vasuratha with various weapons, including spears, swords, arrows, and mystic ropes. But none of these deadly weapons could even touch the sleeping king, and soon the uncivilised, dog-eating tribesmen grew frightened. Their fear sapped their strength, and before long they lost what little intelligence they had and became almost unconscious with bewilderment and weakness. Suddenly a beautiful woman appeared from the king's body, startling the aborigines. Decorated with many ornaments, emitting a wonderful fragrance, wearing an excellent garland around her neck, her eyebrows drawn in a mood of fierce anger, and her fiery red eyes ablaze, she looked like death personified. With her blazing chakra discus she quickly killed all the tribal hunters, who had tried to slay the sleeping king.”
“Just then the king awoke, and seeing all the dead tribesmen lying around him, he was astonished. He wondered, ‘These are all great enemies of mine! Who has slain them so violently? Who is my great benefactor?’ At that very moment he heard a voice from the sky: ‘You asked that who helped you. Well, who is that person who alone can help anyone is distress? He is none other than Sri Keshava, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He who saves all who take shelter of Him without any selfish motive.’
“Upon hearing these words, King Vasuratha became over-whelmed with love for the Personality of Godhead Sri Keshava (Krishna). He returned to his capital city and ruled there like a second lord Indra (king of the heavenly regions), without any obstacles at all.
Conclusion
“Therefore, Oh King Mandhata,” the venerable Vasishtha Muni concluded, “...anyone who observes this holy Amalaki Ekadasi will undoubtedly attain the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu, so great is the religious merit earned from the observance of this most sacred fast day.”
Thus ends the narration of the glories of Phalguna-sukla Ekadasi, or Amalaki Ekadasi, from the Brahmanda Purana.
Note: If the Amarlaki tree isn't available then worship the sacred Tulsi tree. Amalaki ekadasi is a good day to plant Tulsi seeds as this is the beginning of spring and good weather will be there soon.
Amalaki Ekadashi Vrata Katha as Per Garga Samhita:-
Narad Muni said O Maithil ! Please hear about the topics of the Gopis which destroys all ones sinful activities awards piety, fulfils all ones desires and is the source of all auspiciousness.
There is country named Ushinara in South India. Once there was no rain fall in this country for ten years. The prosperous cowherd men of this place became afraid of the severe drought and they left for Braja Mandal along with their relatives and cows. O King! They came and lived at the transcendental abode of Vrindavan near Jamuna under the guidence of Nanda Maharaj. By the benediction of Ramachandra many gopis took birth in their families. They were all transcendental beautiful and decorated with fresh youth. O best of the kings! After seeing beautiful Krishna they became enchanted and in order to know how to please Krishna they approached Shri Radha.
The gopis said O Radhe! O daughter of King Vrisabhanu! O lotus eyed one! Please instruct us about a vow by which we can please Shri Krishna. Krishna the son of Nanda Maharaj and who is rarely attained even by the demigods is under your control. O Radhe! You are the enchanter of the entire universe and expert in all the scripture.
Shri Radha said, you should observe Ekadashi in order to please Shri Krishna. The the lord certainly be controlled there is no doubt about it. The gopis said, O Radhike ! please tell us the names of Ekadashis which occures during a full year and how one should observe Ekadashi. Radha replied, Ekadashi first appeared from the body of Lord Vishnu during the wanning moon in the month of November/December in order to kill demon Mura. Then this exalted Ekadashi appears every month in different form. For your benefit I am describing their names. Utpanna, Moksada, Saphala, Putrada, Sat tila, Jaya,Vjaya, Amlaki, Papamochani, Kamada, Varuthini, Mohini, Apara, Nirjala, Yogini, Devasayani, Kamini, Pavitra, Aja, Padma, Indira, Pasankusa, Rama, Prabodhini these are the twenty-four Ekadashis which occure during one complete year. Apart from them there are two more Ekadashis namely Padmini and Parama which occures during an extra leap year month. Any one who chants the names of these twenty-six Ekadashis, obtainsthe result of observing the vow of Dvadasi for the entire year.
O damshells of Braj! Now hear about the rules and regulations for observing Ekadashi. On the day before Ekadashi one should sleep on the floor eat only ones and control the sences. He should also drink water only ones and remain neat and clean. On the day of Ekadashi one should rise early in the morning during Brahma muhurta and offer obeisances to Lord Hari. To take bath with well water is the lowest, to take bath in a pond is medium, to take bath in a large pool is the highest and to take bath in a river is the best of all. A pious person should take bath in this way and give up his anger and greed. One should not apply oil on the day of Ekadashi. A person should give up associating with low class sinful and atheists on the day of Ekadashi A person who is observing the vow should carefully avoid the association of those who speak lies, who blaspheme the brahmins, who steal others things, who enjoy the association of others wife, who are miscreants and who do not show respects to the exalted personalities. On the day of Ekadashi one should worship lord Keshava with devotion and offer Him palatable foodstuffs, one should offer lamp in the temple of the lord. One should hear the glories of the vow from the mouth of a brahmin and then give him sufficient dakshina. One should remain awake on the night of Ekadashi while singing the transcendental glories of Krishna. One should avoid eating in a bellmetal plate, eating meat, pinkdal, any kind of intoxicant, spinach, honey preboiled rice, eating more then ones and indulging in sex life on the day before Ekadashi. On the day of Ekadashi one should give up gambling, sleeping, eating betalnuts and pan, brushing teeth, criticising others, cheating, stealing,becoming anvious,indulge in sex life, becoming angry and speaking lies.
On the day of Dvadasi one should not eat on a bellmetal plate, Urad Dal, Honey, Oil and contaminated food stuff. One should strictly follow these rules and regulations. The gopis said O Greatly learnedone! Please explain to us the proper time for observing Ekadashi. Shri Radha replied, if the tithi of dasami is consists of fiftyfive dandas then one should not fast on the next day rather he should fast on the day of Dvadasi. If an Ekadashi is conjoined with a fraction of second of Dasami then such an Ekadashi should be rejected like a pot of ganges water mixed with a drop of wine. If an Ekadashi extends on the day of Dvadasi then one should fast on the day of Dvadasi. O damshells of Braja by hearing the glories of Ekadashi one obtains the result of Vajpayee Sacrifice. The result one obtains by following a vow of a Dvadasi is equal to that of feeding 88,000 brahmins. By observing the vow of Ekadashi one obtains one thousand times more results then the result one obtains by donating the entire earth with all the oceans and forests. Observing the vow of Dvadasi is adviced as the means of deliverance for those who are absorbed in the ocean of material existence which is filled with the mare of sinful activities. If human beings observe Ekadashi by remaining awake on the night of Ekadashi then even if they are very sinful they do not go to the fearful abode of Yamaraja.
A person who worships lord Hari with devotion on the day of Dvadasi by offering him Tulasi leaves never become touched by sin just as a lotus leaf remains untouched
by water. The results of performing one thousand horse sacrifices and one hundred Raja Suya sacrifices is not even equal to the one sixteenth portions of the results obtained by observing Ekadashi. By observing Ekadashi a person delivers ten generations of his mothers family, ten generation from his fathers family and ten generations from his wifes family. A cow may be a white or black but both are qualitatively same because both give milk. Similarly the Ekadashis of both the waning moon and waxing moon are same in awarding piety,
O Gopis! An Ekadashi burns to ashes aheaps of sinful reactions of a person accumulated from one hundred life times. The charity given on the day of Dvadasi may it be less or more or given with or without proper rules and regulations, awards merits equal to that of a mountain. A person who hears the topics of Hari on the day of Ekadashi obtains the result of giving the entire earth which consists of seven Islands in charity. The piety one achieves by taking bath in the holy place of Gaya and seeing the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu is not even equal to the one sixteenth portion of piety obtained by observing Ekadashi. The merit one obtains by giving charity at Prabhasa Ksetra, Kuruksetra, Kedarnath, Badrikashrama, Kashi, Sukaraksetra, during solar and lunar eclips, as well as giving charity during four hundred thousand Sankrantis (When the sun enters into a perticular rasi) is not even equal to one sixteenth portion of merit one obtains by fasting on Ekadashi.
Shri Radha continued O Gopis! Just as Ananta is best among the snakes, Garuda is best among the birds, Lord Vishnu is best among the demigods, the brahmana is best among the varnas, banyan tree is best among the trees and tulasi is best among the leaves similarly the vow of Ekadashi is best among all the vows. The result one obtains by performing austerities for ten thousand years is obtained simply by observing the vow of a Dvadasi. O damshells of braja! Such are the glories of the vow of Ekadashi. All of you should immediately observe this vow.
The gopis said, O beautiful one! O daughter of king Vrisabhanu! You are expert in all scriptures. Even the statement of Brihaspati is baffled before the statement of you. O Radhe! You are directly the ocean of transcendental knowledge. Please describe to us perticularly the names of those who had previously observed these Ekadashis. Radha replied, O Gopis! Inorder to regain their lost kingdom the demigods had observed this sacred Ekadashi long long ago. King Vaishanta observed this Ekadashi inorder to deliver his forfather from the abode of Yamaraja. The sinful king Lumpaka who was rejected by his subjects observed the vow of Ekadashi and regained his lost kingdom. King Ketumana of Badravati who had no son observed the vow of Ekadashi according to the instruction of the learned brahmins and was blessed with a son. Once the wives of the demigods instructed the wife of the brahman to observe Ekadashi. Though that wife of the brahman was an ordinary human being yet she achieved prosperity and heavenly pleasure. Both Pushpa danta and Malyavan became ghosts due to being cursed by their enemies, but by observing the vow of Ekadashi they regained their original forms as Gandharva. In the ancient time inorder to built a bridge on the ocean and to kill Ravana Ramachandra observed this Ekadashi. At the end of the annihilation the demigods observed the vow of Ekadashi under the Amalaki tree for the benefit of entire world.
Sage Medhavi observed the vow of Ekadashi according to the instruction of his father and became freed from the bad association of Apsaras and thus became fully effulgent. A Gandharva named Lalit became a demon by the curse of his wife but by observing this Ekadashi he regained his position as a Gandharva. By observing the vow of Ekadashi many great kings like Mandata, Sagara,Kakutstha, Muchukunda and Dhundhumara went back to the spiritual world. By observing Ekadashi Lord Shiva became freed from the curse of brahma. A son of a Vaishya named Dristhabuddi returned to Vaikuntha by observing this Ekadashi. King Rukmangada also observed the vow of Ekadashi. As a result he enjoyed the whole world as his kingdom and yet the end of his life returned to Vaikuntha with his subjects. King Ambarisa also observed this Ekadashi and as a result even the inevitable curse of Lord Brahma could not touch him. A yaksa named Hema Mali became afflicted by leapracy due to the curse of Kubera but observing the vow of Ekadashi he became as good as the moon. By observing Ekadashi king Mahijit was blessed by a son and at the end of his life returned to Vaikuntha.
In Satyayuga there was a king named Shobhana who became the son-in-law of King Muchukunda. He observed Ekadashi and attained a beautiful place among the demigods in Mandara Mountain. Even today he is ruling his kingdom with his wife Chandrabhaga like Kubera. O gopis! Know it for certain that the vow of Ekadashi is the highest of all. There is no tithi as auspicious as the tithi of Ekadashi.
Narada Muni concluded, after hearing this description from Shri Radha the gopis properly observed the Ekadashi inorder to attain the favour of Krishna. As a result of their observing Ekadashi lord Hari became pleased with them and performed Rasa dance with them on the full moon night in the month of Agrahayana (November).
This holy narration about Ekadasi from Sri Radha is not even described in Srimad Bhagavatam ,so holy is this Garga Samhita anyone who find faults with Garga Samhita will enter a hellish planet.
Amalaki Ekadasi as Per Brahmanda Purana (Purana called the Fifth Veda):-
Ancient Vedas begin with the stories of Brahma. Finding himself on a lotus, Brahma, as embodied mind, began to search for an answer to four questions: Who am I? What the world around me? Who created the world? What is my relationship with Him? It is believed that any reasonable person sooner or later, given these issues. When trying to find the answers appear at the head of Brahma, turned in the direction where he was looking for an answer.
Finding no response from the outside, four-headed Brahma realized that the answer is — inside and sat in meditation. Clearly heard in the heart of the two syllables "TA-PA", he understood what it meant: "Try using constraints to meet the Lord of the feelings of feelings, which is the Source of Eternal Delight." Brahma long exposed himself severely restricted and so heard the sound of the flute, which were invested all the Vedas, Knowledge.
Receiving answers to their questions, Brahma saw himself and his destiny — he had to create the conditions in the universe for to billions of living beings can fulfill their desires here and go back through the self-improvement — in the world of eternity, knowledge and bliss. Amalaki Ekadasi — a holiday, a reminder of the ultimate goal of any human way of life.
Lord Brahma in the sozidaniyaKogda something in the realm of Vaydisha everything was full of Vedic sounds that recreate the spiritual reality. Ruled the country for religious and just king of the Lunar Dynasty Citraratha. To celebrate the Amalaki Ekadasi king and all the people Vaydisha went to the temple of Lord Vishnu, where the tree grew Amalaki, which once worshiped the Lord Rama. Vozna these wonderful prayer Citraratha king and his subjects were awake all night, praying and worshiping in accordance with regulations. At this blessed time of fasting and prayer in congregation came a hunter.
Murder — it is always a sin, which is still exacerbated by the fact that the state has flourished, and, therefore, the killing of animals can be avoided. Coming closer, the hunter was surprised to discovered before him an unusual spectacle: a sacred tree Amalaki he saw sitting on the throne of the vessel with water deity of Lord Damodar, worshiped and is worshiped sacred hymns. Hunter all night in great astonishment beheld the celebration.
Described that in due time the hunter died, and, despite its not just life, it is a reward for fasting Amalaki Ekadasi and hearing the glories of God was born the great king. Once once in a difficult situation, the king was saved Vasuratha unknown. Ask who defended him from his enemies, he heard a voice from heaven: "You ask who helped you? Who was the only one who can help in trouble for everybody? None other than Sri Krishna, rescues have taken shelter of Him without selfish motives. " Upon hearing these words, the king Vasuratha filled with love for the Lord. He returned to his capital and ruled it freely, like a second Indra. Therefore, anyone observing the holy Amalaki Ekadasi to reach the supreme abode of Lord Vishnu, for so great a reward for the purest celebration of this holiday.
What is Meant by Parana:-
Parana means breaking the fast. Ekadashi Parana is done after sunrise on next day of Ekadashi fast. It is necessary to do Parana within Dwadashi Tithi unless Dwadashi is over before sunrise. Not doing Parana within Dwadashi is similar to an offence.
Parana should not be done during Hari Vasara. One should wait for Hari Vasara to get over before breaking the fast. Hari Vasara is first one fourth duration of Dwadashi Tithi. The most preferred time to break the fast is Pratahkal. One should avoid breaking the fast during Madhyahna. If due to some reasons one is not able to break the fast during Pratahkal then one should do it after Madhyahna.
At times Ekadashi fasting is suggested on two consecutive days. It is advised that Smartha with family should observe fasting on first day only. The alternate Ekadashi fasting, which is the second one, is suggested for Sanyasis, widows and for those who want Moksha. When alternate Ekadashi fasting is suggested for Smartha it coincides with Vaishnava Ekadashi fasting day.
Ekadashi fasting on both days is suggested for staunch devotees who seek for love and affection of Lord Vishnu.
Rituals Followed during Vaishnava Amalaki Ekadashi:-
•On the day of Vaishnava Amalaki Ekadashi observing complete fast is very beneficial and is done in remembrance of Sri Krishna. The vrat stars with sunrise on ekadashi and continues till the dawn if the 12th day. As per the Vedic teaching, eating during pre-dawn hours is not advised on any ekadashi. If for any reason the vrat is accidentally broken, it must be continued for the remaining day.
•The fast of Vaishnava Amalaki Ekadashi is broken on the ‘dwadashi’ (12th day) by seeing the time mentioned in the Vaishnava calendar. The fast is broken by taking the ‘charnamrit’ (water after washing Krishna’s feet). If partial fast is observed it is broken by eating nuts or fruits.
•On Vaishnava Amalaki Ekadashi certain species and food can only be eaten like fruits, all nuts, potatoes, milk, coconut, rock salt and black pepper to name a few. Eating rice and all form of grains are not allowed on ekadashi.
•Lord Vishnu is the main deity on Vaishnava Amalaki Ekadashi. Devotees make special offerings for the lord and chant Vedic mantras and sing devotional songs in His praise.
Amalaki Ekadasi vrat and its significance:-
• Follow the general rules of the Ekadasi vrat. Please refer to our article, “Ekadasi: What to do and what not to do” for more details.
• Worship Amla tree with incense, fruits and flowers.
• Faithfully worship Lord Parashurama (Lord Vishnu).
• It is believed that Lord Vishnu, goddess Lakshmi, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma reside in the Amla tree. One obtains great religious merit by touching the tree and by eating the fruit. Therefore, prepare Ekadasi dishes with Amla, offer to Lord Vishnu, distribute the prasad and eat the prasad. We already know the health benefits of Amla!
• Observing Amalaki Ekadasi vrat is more purifying than donating one thousand cows to a pious brahmana.
• The faithful observer is bestowed with immense wealth and is freed from the effects of past sins.
• Ultimately, the observer is blessed with liberation and residence in Lord Vishnu's abode.
