Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat Katha

Amalaki Ekadashi Vrat Katha

The beginning
Dharmaraj Yudhishthira asked Shri Krishna, “O Janardan, what is the name of the Ekadashi in the Shukla paksha of Phalgun, and how is its fast kept?”
Shri Krishna said, “O King, this Ekadashi is called Amalaki Ekadashi. On this day the amla tree is worshipped along with Vishnu ji. Once King Mandhata asked Maharishi Vasishtha about a good vrat. Listen to the story that Vasishtha ji told him.”

The story
In ancient times there was a beautiful city called Vaidish, where the chanting of the Vedas could always be heard. A king of the Moon dynasty named Chaitrarath ruled there. He was learned and walked the path of dharma. No one in his kingdom was poor or miserly. Everyone was a devotee of Vishnu ji, and young and old alike kept the Ekadashi fast.

Once, the Amalaki Ekadashi of Phalgun Shukla paksha came. That day the king and all his people happily kept the fast. The king went to the temple with his people. There they set up a kalash filled with water and worshipped Dhatri, the amla tree, with incense, lamps and food offerings. They all prayed, “O Dhatri, we bow to you. Accept our offering and take away our sins.” Then everyone stayed awake all night in the temple, singing bhajans and listening to the katha.

That night a hunter came to the temple. He fed his family by hunting birds and animals, and he had done many bad deeds in his life. He was weak with hunger and thirst. Hoping to get something to eat, he sat down in a corner of the temple. Sitting there, he began to listen to the story of Vishnu ji and the glory of Ekadashi. So, like everyone else, he too stayed awake the whole night.

In the morning everyone went home. The hunter also went home and ate his food. Some time later he died.

Without knowing it, he had kept the fast and the night vigil of Amalaki Ekadashi. By that merit, in his next life he was born as the son of King Vidurath, and he was named Vasurath. When he grew up he became the king of ten thousand villages. He was bright like the sun, cool and gentle like the moon, and forgiving like the earth. He spoke the truth, cared for his people, gave in charity every day, and was a devotee of Vishnu ji.

One day King Vasurath went into the forest and lost his way. Tired, he fell asleep under a tree. Just then a band of robbers from the hills arrived. They held an old grudge against the king. Seeing him alone, they ran at him shouting and attacked him with all kinds of weapons. But no weapon could hurt him. The moment a weapon touched his body, it fell away as softly as a flower.

Then a beautiful, shining goddess appeared from the king’s body. Her eyes blazed with anger. The robbers could not stand before her power, and in a short while they all fell, defeated. When the king woke up, he saw his attackers lying defeated around him. He wondered, “Who protected me in this forest?”

At that moment a voice came from the sky: “O King, who in this world can protect you except Lord Vishnu?” Hearing this, the king bowed to Vishnu ji in his heart. Then he returned to his city and ruled with dharma.

Maharishi Vasishtha said, “O King, all this was the power of that Amalaki Ekadashi, whose fast and vigil the hunter had kept without even knowing it.”

May Vishnu ji keep faith and peace in every heart.
Bolo Shri Hari Vishnu Bhagwan ki Jai!