Amalaki Ekadashi falls on the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) Ekadashi of the month of Phalguna (February-March). This Ekadashi is named after the sacred Amalaki tree — the Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), known in Telugu as Usiri and in Sanskrit as Dhatri. According to the Puranas, the Amalaki tree is one of the most sacred trees in creation, born from the tears of Lord Brahma shed during meditation on Sriman Narayana, and Lord Vishnu Himself resides within it.
Amalaki Ekadashi combines the spiritual power of Ekadashi fasting with special worship of the Amalaki tree, making it unique among the twenty-four Ekadashis. The fruit of the Amalaki is revered in Ayurveda as Amritaphala — the nectar fruit — and its spiritual significance is equally profound: just as the Amalaki fruit nourishes the body, worship of the Amalaki tree on this Ekadashi nourishes the soul and leads it toward liberation.
The Story
The Padma Purana tells of a kingdom called Vaidisha, ruled by a devout king named Chaitraratha. In his kingdom, everyone — from the Brahmins to the merchants — was devoted to Lord Vishnu. On Amalaki Ekadashi, the entire kingdom would observe the fast and gather at the great temple, where a magnificent Amalaki tree stood in the courtyard, to worship Lord Vishnu through the sacred tree.
On one such Ekadashi, both the king and a humble Vaishya (merchant) worshipped the Amalaki tree side by side. The king offered elaborate puja with gold vessels, costly sandalwood, and rich fabrics. The Vaishya, having little wealth, offered only a few simple flowers, water from his own pot, and a heart overflowing with sincere devotion. Both kept vigil through the night beneath the tree, chanting the names of Narayana.
The Greater Merit
When both departed from this world in due course, it was the Vaishya — not the king — who attained the higher realm. The king, though generous, had performed his worship with a measure of pride in his royal offerings. The Vaishya had offered little materially but had surrendered his entire being to the Lord. The Padma Purana reveals that Lord Vishnu values the sincerity of devotion above the grandeur of offerings. The Amalaki tree, in which the Lord resides, witnessed both hearts and rewarded the one that was truly surrendered.
Padma Purana on Amalaki Ekadashi
“He who worships the Amalaki tree on this Ekadashi with a pure heart obtains merit equal to donating a thousand cows. Lord Vishnu, who dwells in the Amalaki, accepts even the humblest offering made with love.”
The Sacred Amalaki Tree
The Amalaki tree holds a position of extraordinary reverence in Vedic and Puranic literature. The Skanda Purana declares that all the Devas reside in the Amalaki — Brahma in its roots, Vishnu in its trunk, and Shiva in its branches. The Padma Purana adds that bathing an Amalaki tree with water is equivalent to bathing Lord Vishnu Himself, and sitting beneath it in meditation is equal to meditating at a tirtha.
In Vedic tradition, the Amalaki is considered second only to the Tulasi in sacred trees. Its fruit is used in temple offerings, its wood in sacred fire rituals, and its very presence sanctifies the ground on which it grows. On Amalaki Ekadashi, special puja is performed at the base of the tree with water, sandalwood paste, flowers, incense, and a lamp — treating the tree as a living form of the Lord.
How We Observe at JETNJ
Upavasa
A complete fast from sunrise on Ekadashi through sunrise on Dvadashi, with the mind absorbed in the Lord who resides in all of creation.
Amalaki Puja
Special worship is offered to the Amalaki tree (or Amalaki fruits placed on the altar), with water, sandalwood, tulasi, flowers, and a lamp, honoring Lord Vishnu's presence in the sacred tree.
Night Vigil
Devotees keep vigil through the night, chanting Vishnu Sahasranama and the Divya Prabandham, meditating on the Lord's presence in all living things.
Dvadashi Paranam
The fast is broken on Dvadashi morning with tulasi water and prasadam that includes Amalaki fruit, completing the vrata with gratitude.
Patram Pushpam Phalam Toyam Yo Me Bhaktya Prayacchati — A leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water — whoever offers Me these with devotion, I accept.
— Bhagavad Gita 9.26
Based on the Padma Purana, the Skanda Purana, and the teachings of the Sri Vaishnava Acharyas. Published for educational and devotional purposes by JETNJ — Sanjeevani Jeeyar Asramam.
