Significance of Phalguna Masa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi – Aamalaki Ekadashi

As narrated by Sree Krishna Paramathma to Yudhishtira

Dharmaraja,

Phalguna Masa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is called AAMALAKI Ekadashi..Observance of this Ekadashi ( Complete fasting, without even drinking water) and keeping jagaran under the sacred AMLA tree, will help to get punya equivalent to giving as dhana of one thousand cows.

Once upon a time, King Mandhatha requested Saint Vasishta to explain him regarding the origin of AMLA tree as well as how it attained sacredness .

During PRALAYA, the entire universe was destroyed. MAHA VISHNU while going to his abode to decide the recreation of the universe, spit. The spit was shining like moon and the place where it fell was converted into a GOOSEBERRY tree (AMLA tree) with plenty of branches and leaves filled with AMLAS. Thereafter, MAHAVISHNU created BRAHMA ,  other DEITIES (Devas)and the rest of the populace.

BRAHMA reached the AMLA tree and started thinking about the origin of the tree. He heard an etherial voice (Ashareera vani) which said “ This tree is very much liked by MAHA VISHNU. Mere thinking of this tree will fetch the thinker the punya equivalent to performing a godhana. Touching this tree and eating AMLA will be beneficial. MAHA VISHNU, BRAHMA and RUDRA reside in the  trunk of AMLA tree. All the other DEITIES (Devas) reside in the branches of the tree, VASOOS reside in the leaves, MARUTHS reside in the flowers and PRAJESHWARAS reside in the AMLAS.  This tree is to be worshipped by all Vishnu Bhakthaas.”

The saints present there at that time started wondering about the source of the etherial voice suspecting whether it is a divine voice or someone else’s. The voice informed them that it belongs to MAHA VISHNU. The saints were very happy and started praying MAHA VISHNU. As per the request of the saints, MAHA VISHNU told them about the observance of a sacred , not- too- difficult- to follow and very much beneficial vrata.

MAHA VISHNU said :  Phalguna Masa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is very sacred. Observance of this Ekadashi ( Complete fasting, without even drinking water) and keeping jagaran under the sacred AMLA tree will help to get  punya equivalent to giving as dhana of one thousand cows. It will help to get rid of the consequences of all the bad deeds performed earlier (“papaas”)

When requested by the saints the procedure for performance of the vrata, MAHA VISHNU said:

1. Pray Bhagavantha early in the morning seeking His help in the successful culmination of the fast.

2. Brush teeth and finish bathing.

3. Don’t converse with people of questionable character & undesirable behaviour

4. Take bath in a river applying mrithika

5. Go to AMLA tree, keep a kalasha with pancharatna. Keep umbrella, footwear and new cloth along with it.

6. Decorate the kalasha with flowers. Keep diyas (Deepas) around the kalasha.

7. In a vessel, spread puffed paddy (ARALU), keep the golden idol of Parashurama ( if affordable) in it and perform pooja

8. Perform arghya pradaana (Like Janmaashtami)

9. In the night, keep jagaran accompanied by vadhya ghosha, music, dance and devotional songs.

10. Perform pradakshina to AMLA tree ( 28 or 108 times)

11. On Dwadashi morning, perform pooja with mangala harathi.

12. Perform pooja to brahmins and give Parashurama idol as dhaana

13. Touch the AMLA tree, perform pradakshina and feed Brahmins.

14. Take food along with family.

By doing as mentioned above, the punya attained will be more than the punya attained by performing all theertha snanas and all yagnas.

MAHA VISHNU disappeared after saying as above.

All the saints performed the vrata and were immensely benefitted.

Courtesy: Sath Katha Sagara – Sadachara Taranga 3 ,– Aithareya Shodhana Prakasha Peetha,  Bangaluru – Translated version from Kannada for the benefit of interested Samaj Bhandhvas- For internal use only)

(Contributed by Shri Ramdas)

Significance of Pushya Maasa Shukla Paksha Ekadashi – Puthradhaa

The significance of all ekadashis as enumerated in Padma Purana had been compiled by Late Sri Bannanje Vadiraja Acharya of Coimbatore. These stories have been published by Sree Sree Vidhyesha Theertha Sripada swamijee of Bhandarakere Mutt vide Aithareya Shodha Prakashana Peetah, Bangalore  through the book " SATHKATHA SAGARA. SADACHARA THARANGA - 3.

As narrated by Sree Krishna Paramathma to Yudhishtir Dharmaraja,

Pushya Maasa Shukla Paksha Ekaadashi is a very sacred. SRIMAN NARAYANA is the “devatha” of this ekaadashi. Sincere observers of this ekaadashi (complete fasting, without even drinking water) will be endowed with very good education and fame. An ithihaasa related to the reaffirmation of the greatness of this ekaadashi is narrated below:

In the good olden days, BHADRAVATHI was ruled by King SUKETHUMAAN. His wife CHAMPAKAA was very beautiful, loyal and God-fearing. The royal couple did not have any children and they were very upset. The king was  contemplating even to commit suicide due to childlessness, but gave up the idea as it was a sinful act.

One day, the king rode into the forest in the early morning alone on his horseback . He kept wandering into the forest aimlessly till noon. He felt thirsty and suffered a lot as he could not find water nearby to quench his thirst. As he wandered further, he found a pond. He got down from the horse and went to the pond. There he found a saint engrossed in deep meditation.

When the saint finished his meditation, the king , with folded hands, enquired about him and the purpose of his visit to the pond. The saint said they were “vishve devathaas” and had come to the pond for bathing as well as to observe the ekaadashi on the forthcoming Pushya Maasa Shukla Paksha ekaadashi. When the king narrated about his childlessness, the saint advised him to observe complete fast, without even drinking water on  Pushya Maasa Shukla Paksha ekaadashi and due to the blessings of SRIMAN NARAYANA.

The king stayed back in the forest to observe Pushya Maasa Shukla Paksha ekaadashi, performed pooja to SRIMAN NARAYANA on next day (Dwadashi) before breaking fast. He went back to his kingdom after getting the blessings from the saint.

In due course, Queen CHAMPAKAA gave birth to a lovely and healthy child. As the child grew up, he inherited the kingdom as well as all the good qualities of his father and ruled to the full satisfaction of his all his subjects.

Those reading and hearing this story sincerely will get the punya, equivalent to the punya attained by the performance of AGNISHTOMA YAGA.

(Courtesy: Sath Katha Sagara – Sadachara Taranga 3 ,– Aithareya Shodhana Prakasha Peetha,  Bangaluru – Translated version from Kannada for the benefit of interested Samaj Bhandhvas- For internal use only)
(Contributed by Shri Ramdas)