Amalaki Ekadasi
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, Amalakii EkAdasi. He who faithfully observes a fast on this
EkAdasii obtains enormous wealth, gets free of the effects of all kinds of sins,
and attains liberation. Fasting on this EkAdasii 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 Amalakii EkAdasii and following the prescribed rules and regulations of
worship.
"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, not was there every 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 EkAdasii.
"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.
"Once, in the month of Phalguna (February - March), the holy fast of Amalakii
EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii 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 Amalakii 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
Amalakii tree and accept our humble obeisances.'
Then they prayed to the Amalakii tree: 'Oh Amalakii, Oh offspring of Lord
BrahmA, you can destroy all kinds of sinful reactions. Please accept our
respectful obeisances and these bumble gifts. O Amalakii, 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 EkAdasii 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 Amalakii EkAdasii 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.
'What is going on here?' he thought. What he saw in that lovely forest
beneath the holy Amalakii tree was the Deity of Lord DAmodara being worshiped
upon the Asana of a waterpot, and what he heard were devotees singing sacred
songs describing Lord Shri 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 EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii and returned to
the city of VaidishA. The hunter then returned to his hut and happily ate his
meal. In due time the hunter died, but the merit he had gained by fasting on
Amalakii Ekadasii 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 was strong and fearless, as effulgent as the Sun, and as
handsome as the Moon. In strength he was like Shri Vishnu, and in forgiveness
like the Earth itself. Very charitable and every truthful, King VasUratha
always rendered loving devotional service to the Supreme Lord, Shri 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
longstanding 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.' 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 ask 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 Shri 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.
"Therefore, Oh King Mandhata," the venerable Vasishtha Muni concluded,
"...anyone who observes this holy Amalakii EkAdasii 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.
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, Amalakii EkAdasi. He who faithfully observes a fast on this
EkAdasii obtains enormous wealth, gets free of the effects of all kinds of sins,
and attains liberation. Fasting on this EkAdasii 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 Amalakii EkAdasii and following the prescribed rules and regulations of
worship.
"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, not was there every 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 EkAdasii.
"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.
"Once, in the month of Phalguna (February - March), the holy fast of Amalakii
EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii 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 Amalakii 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
Amalakii tree and accept our humble obeisances.'
Then they prayed to the Amalakii tree: 'Oh Amalakii, Oh offspring of Lord
BrahmA, you can destroy all kinds of sinful reactions. Please accept our
respectful obeisances and these bumble gifts. O Amalakii, 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 EkAdasii 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 Amalakii EkAdasii 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.
'What is going on here?' he thought. What he saw in that lovely forest
beneath the holy Amalakii tree was the Deity of Lord DAmodara being worshiped
upon the Asana of a waterpot, and what he heard were devotees singing sacred
songs describing Lord Shri 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 EkAdasii 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 EkAdasii and returned to
the city of VaidishA. The hunter then returned to his hut and happily ate his
meal. In due time the hunter died, but the merit he had gained by fasting on
Amalakii Ekadasii 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 was strong and fearless, as effulgent as the Sun, and as
handsome as the Moon. In strength he was like Shri Vishnu, and in forgiveness
like the Earth itself. Very charitable and every truthful, King VasUratha
always rendered loving devotional service to the Supreme Lord, Shri 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
longstanding 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.' 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 ask 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 Shri 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.
"Therefore, Oh King Mandhata," the venerable Vasishtha Muni concluded,
"...anyone who observes this holy Amalakii EkAdasii 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.
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