Amalaki Ekadashi or Amalaki Ekadashi is a Hindu
holy day, celebrated on the 11th day (Ekadashi) of the waxing moon, in the
lunar month of Phalguna (February–March). It is a celebration of the amalaka
or amla tree, known as the Indian gooseberry.
The god Vishnu, for whom Ekadashis are sacred, is
believed to reside in the tree. The amla tree is ritually worshiped on
this day to get the grace of the deity. The day marks the beginning of the main
celebrations of the festival of Holi, the Hindu festival of colours.
Significance
Tree worship is an integral part of Hinduism, which
believes the Universal Spirit or omnipresent deity lives in everything.
The veneration of the amla tree in
particular is due to the belief that the deity Vishnu lives in and near the
tree, particularly on Amalaki Ekadashi. In some traditions, his wife Lakshmi,
the deity of wealth, is said to dwell in the tree. It is believed that Vishnu's
avatar Krishna and his consort Radha reside near the tree.
Another reason for the worship are its supposed
medicinal qualities used in Ayurvedic medicinal preparations, primarily due to
its rich content of vitamin C in fresh fruit.
Legend
The legend of a ritual fast is also called a Vrata
katha.
According to the legend narrated for the occasion,
King Chitrasena and his subjects observed the Vrata of Amalaki Ekadashi. During
one of his hunting trips, Chitrasena lost his way in the forest and was
captured by the rakshasas (demons) who attacked him with weapons. Though he
remained physically unharmed, the king fell unconscious as more demons
surrounded him. A divine power in the form of a light emerged from his body and
destroyed his attackers and then vanished. On regaining consciousness,
Chitrasena was stunned to see all the attackers killed. A divine voice
(Akasavani) announced that this was due to the observance of the Ekadashi Vrata.
Following this incident, the Vrata became popular in the kingdom, which led to
peace and harmony.
According to Brahmanda Purana as narrated by
the sage Vasishtha, king Chaitraratha of Vaidisa and his subjects were blessed
with riches due to the worship of Vishnu. Once, on Amalaki Ekadashi,
Chaitraratha and his subjects worshiped Vishnu and the amla tree near
the Vishnu temple, on a riverbank. He also worshiped Parashurama, a sage-avatar
of Vishnu. The devotees fasted and remained awake the whole night, singing
bhajans in praise of Vishnu. A hungry hunter joined the group and followed the Amalaki
Ekadashi Vrata. As a result, after his death he was reborn as King Vasurath.
Vasurath is described as undergoing a similar experience to King Chitrasena
from the earlier tale. The main difference is that Vasurath does not perform
the Vrata in this life but in his previous life. The moral of the tale is told
to be that the performance of Amalaki Ekadashi Vrata, without any desire and
just pure devotion, results in the grace of Vishnu, in this and next lives.
Practices
The observer of the Vrata should have a ritual bath in the morning. The devotee or priests ceremonially bathe and water the tree and then worship it with a puja ritual. Devotees gifts are offered to Brahmin priests praying for prosperity, wealth and health. Devotees also listen to the Vrata katha of Amalaki Ekadashi. Offering of food and charity is prescribed on this day; the virtue is equated to the performance of a vajapeya, a somayajna sacrifice.
Though the festival of Holi begins on Vasant Panchami, it is on Amalaki Ekadashi that the main festivities begin. The day marks the beginning of the climax of Holi, culminating on four lunar days later on the full moon. From this day, people start playing with colours.