🙏 Amalaki Ekadashi holds great significance in Sanatan Dharma. Observed during the Shukla Paksha of Phalguna month, this day is dedicated to worshiping the Amla (Indian Gooseberry) tree and Lord Vishnu. Observing this fast is believed to destroy all sins and lead to liberation (moksha).

✨ Significance of Amalaki Ekadashi Fast ✨

🔹 Worshiping Lord Vishnu under the Amla tree grants immense blessings.
🔹 This fast brings wealth, prosperity, and peace.
🔹 Amla is dear to Lord Vishnu, and its worship brings his divine grace.
🔹 Donating on this day yields manifold rewards.

Glory of the Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat

Yudhishthira said to Lord Shri Krishna:
“O Shri Krishna! Please be kind enough to tell me the name and significance of the Ekadashi that falls in the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) of the month of Phalguna.”

Lord Shri Krishna replied:
“O highly fortunate and virtuous Yudhishthira! The Ekadashi in the Shukla Paksha of Phalguna is called ‘Amalaki Ekadashi.’ Observing this sacred fast leads one to attain Vishnuloka. King Mandhata had once asked the great sage Vashishtha the same question, to which Vashishtha had replied:

‘O fortunate one! When Lord Vishnu once spat, a radiant drop, glowing like the moon, fell to the earth. From it arose the great Amalaki (Indian gooseberry) tree, which is considered the primeval tree of all trees. At that time, Lord Vishnu created Lord Brahma for the purpose of further creation. Lord Brahma then created the gods, demons, Gandharvas, Yakshas, Rakshasas, Nagas, and the great sages with pure hearts.

Among them, the gods and sages came to the place where the divine Amalaki tree was present. Seeing it, they were greatly astonished, as they had never seen or heard of it before. Noticing their amazement, a celestial voice resounded from the sky:

“O great sages! This is the most supreme tree, Amalaki, which is extremely dear to Lord Vishnu. Merely remembering this tree grants the merit of donating a cow. Touching it brings twice that merit, and consuming its fruit yields thrice the virtue. This tree is sacred and removes all sins. Lord Vishnu resides at its roots, Lord Brahma in its trunk, Lord Rudra (Shiva) in its branches, the sages in its twigs, the gods in its smaller branches, the Vasus in its leaves, the Maruts in its flowers, and all the Prajapatis in its fruits. The Amalaki tree embodies all deities, and thus, it is highly revered by devotees of Vishnu. Therefore, one should always make an effort to consume its fruit and honor it.”

The sages asked: “Who are you? Are you a deity or someone else? Please reveal yourself clearly.”

Again, a celestial voice proclaimed:
“I am the eternal Lord Vishnu, the creator of all beings and all worlds. Even the learned find it difficult to perceive Me.”

Upon hearing these divine words, the sages glorified Lord Hari with great devotion. Pleased with their prayers, Lord Vishnu spoke:

“O great sages! What boon do you seek?”

The sages said:
“O Lord! If You are pleased with us, kindly reveal a fast that can bestow the fruits of both heaven and liberation.”

Lord Vishnu replied:
“O great sages! If the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha of Phalguna coincides with the Pushya Nakshatra, it becomes supremely meritorious and destroys even the gravest of sins. On this day, one should stay near an Amalaki tree and remain awake throughout the night in vigil. By doing so, one is freed from all sins and earns the merit of donating a thousand cows. O learned ones! Among all fasts, this is the most exalted one, which I now reveal to you.”

The sages asked:
“O Lord! Please tell us the procedure for observing this fast. Who is its presiding deity? What are its mantras? How should it be worshipped? What are the rules for bathing and giving charity on this day?”

Lord Shri Vishnu said:
“O twice-born sages! On this Ekadashi, the observer should wake up early in the morning, clean their teeth, and make a vow:

‘O Pundarikaksha! O Achyuta! I shall observe the Ekadashi fast without consuming food and will eat only on the next day. Please protect me.’

After making this resolution, one should avoid contact with sinners, thieves, hypocrites, immoral individuals, and those who transgress moral boundaries. With a controlled mind, one should bathe in a river, pond, well, or even at home. Before bathing, one should apply sacred mud on the body while reciting the following mantra:

Mantra for Applying Mud (Mrttika Dharana Mantra):
“O Earth, on whom horses and chariots tread, and whom Lord Vishnu measured with His steps during His Vamana incarnation! O sacred mud, please cleanse me of all sins accumulated over countless lifetimes.”

Mantra for Bathing (Snana Mantra):
“O Goddess of water! You are the sustainer of all beings and the protector of life. You govern the essence of all existence. O divine waters, I bow to you. By bathing in you, may I attain the merits of bathing in all sacred rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and divine reservoirs.”

After bathing, one should prepare a golden idol of Lord Parashurama, as per one’s financial capability (one or half a measure of gold). After returning home, one should perform worship and fire oblations (havan). Then, carrying all necessary items, one should proceed to the Amalaki tree. There, one should clean the area around the tree, purify the ground by sweeping and smearing it with a mixture of cow dung and water, and then install a fresh water-filled pot (kalasha) with the following rituals:

1. Fill the pot with five precious gems, divine fragrances, and sacred items.
2. Apply white sandalwood paste to the pot and adorn it with a garland of flowers.
3. Surround the area with the aroma of various fragrant incenses.
4. Arrange a row of lamps to create a beautiful and divine ambiance.
5. Place new items such as an umbrella, shoes, and cloth for worship.
6. Fill a vessel with roasted paddy (laja) and place the golden idol of Parashurama on top of it.

During worship, one should offer prayers to different parts of Lord Parashurama’s body with the following invocations:

• “Vishokaya Namah” – for His feet
• “Vishvarupine Namah” – for His knees
• “Ugraya Namah” – for His thighs
• “Damodaraya Namah” – for His waist
• “Padmanabhaya Namah” – for His navel
• “Shrivatsadharine Namah” – for His chest
• “Chakrine Namah” – for His left arm
• “Gadine Namah” – for His right arm
• “Vaikunthaya Namah” – for His throat
• “Yajnamukhaya Namah” – for His face
• “Vishokanidhaye Namah” – for His nose
• “Vasudevaya Namah” – for His eyes
• “Vamanaya Namah” – for His forehead
• “Sarvatmane Namah” – for His entire body

After this, one should offer an oblation of pure fruits with devotion, saying:

“O Lord of all Lords! O Son of Sage Jamadagni! I bow to You, O Parashurama, the divine incarnation of Vishnu. Please accept this offering of Amla fruits along with my humble respects.”

Thereafter, one should remain awake all night, engaging in devotional singing, dancing, storytelling, and reciting sacred narratives related to Lord Vishnu. By dawn, one should circumambulate the Amalaki tree either 108 or 28 times while chanting the Lord’s names. Then, one should perform the morning aarti of Lord Hari and offer all worship materials to a Brahmin. The pot, idol, two garments, shoes, and other offerings should be donated, praying that Lord Vishnu be pleased in the form of Lord Parashurama.

Finally, one should touch the Amalaki tree, circumambulate it, take a bath, and feed Brahmins before breaking the fast along with one’s family.

By following this Ekadashi Vrat, one attains the merits of visiting all sacred pilgrimages and performing all types of charitable acts and sacrifices. It is undoubtedly superior to all other fasts.”

Sage Vashishtha concluded:
“O King! After saying this, Lord Vishnu disappeared. Thereafter, all the great sages faithfully observed this fast. O best of kings! You too should observe this sacred Ekadashi fast.”

Lord Krishna added:
“O Yudhishthira! This powerful fast liberates a person from all sins.”

📖 Vrat Vidhi (Fasting Rituals) 📖

✔️ Take a morning bath and worship Lord Vishnu and the Amla tree.
✔️ Chant the “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” mantra.
✔️ Observe a fruit-based fast while meditating on God.
✔️ Stay awake at night, singing bhajans and hymns.
✔️ On Dwadashi, offer food to Brahmins and complete the fast with charity.

🌳 The Divine Legend of Amalaki Ekadashi 🌳

🔹 In the beginning of creation, Lord Vishnu’s divine essence gave rise to the first tree – Amla (Indian Gooseberry).
🔹 A divine voice proclaimed:
✨ “Just remembering this tree is equal to donating a cow.”
✨ “Touching it grants the merit of donating two cows.”
✨ “Meditating under it brings infinite blessings.”
✨ “Consuming its fruit rejuvenates even the aged and awakens devotion to God.”

💚 Amla: The Treasure of Health 💚

✅ Beneficial for body and hair
✅ Include in your diet – Amla murabba, chutney, or juice
✅ Home Remedy for Weakness & Low Appetite:
1️⃣ Soak one teaspoon of Amla powder in a glass of water.
2️⃣ Boil the water until it reduces to a cup.
3️⃣ Add Mishri (rock sugar) and dry ginger (sonth) for digestion.
4️⃣ Sip slowly for strength and increased appetite.

🌟 Benefits of Observing This Fast 🌟

▪️ Destroys sins and grants peace to ancestors.
▪️ Brings long life, health, and intelligence.
▪️ Remembrance of Lord Vishnu removes obstacles and leads to salvation.

📅 Amalaki Ekadashi 2025: Date & Parana Timing 📅

🕉️ Parana Time: 6:35 AM to 8:13 AM, March 11, 2025
🕉️ Dwadashi Ends: 8:13 AM
🕉️ Ekadashi Begins: March 9, 2025, at 7:45 AM
🕉️ Ekadashi Ends: March 10, 2025, at 7:44 AM

🔖 “Remembering Lord Hari is the greatest wealth of life.”

🙏 Om Namo Narayanaya! 🙏