Amlaki Ekadashi !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

In Brahmanda Puranam Sage Vashishta narrates to King Mandata about the glories of Amlaki Ekadashi.  King Mandata earnestly enquired Sage Vasishta to explain the means to attain the highest of pieties in one's life.  Sage Vashishta continued whoever observes Amlaki Ekadashi with utmost devotion and faith in Lord Hari would be rewarded with the highest of merits known as ‘Salvation’, faithful observation of this Ekadashi would bring the devoutness of hundreds of cows given as alms to Brahmin/ Go Dhanam and it eradicates all the sins of the worshipper.

There was a city named Vaidisa ruled by King Chaitraratha.  He was a righteous ruler and wisely ruled his kingdom, all the people in his kingdom were lived a happy and prosperous life.  The people in his Kingdom were virtuous; all the four Varnas performed their 'Dharma' truthfully and they were followed all the rituals prescribed in Sastras in a perfect manner.

King Chaitraratha was a strict follower of Ekadashi.  It was an Amlaki Ekadashi day; he went to the river banks and performed ablutions and arrived in a temple of Lord Vishnu situated on the river banks.  There he was found an Amla Tree in the temple premise.  The King was aware that the Amla tree is the dwelling place of Lord Vishnu.   He fervently placed a pitcher full of water beneath the Amla tree along with all the offerings in the form of precious jewels, umbrella, sandals, clothes and offered prayers to Lord Parasurama.   King Chaitraratha and his men continued to worship Lord without any intake and chanting the glorious verses of Lord Hari.  In the night he and his men were awake and engaged in chanting the name of Lord.   While the worship of Lord Hari was in progress, there arrived a hunter and he was very tired of hunger.  The loud voices of chanting and singing praising the glories of Lord made him curious and witnessed the entire rituals and finally he had meticulous dharshan of Lord Damodara.  Thus, the fortunate hunter spent the Ekadashi day engaged in the worship of Lord Hari along with King Chaitraratha and his men.  As usual on the day of Dwadashi, the King and his men were returned to the palace after Parana and morning prayers.  Likewise, the hunter also returned home and had his meal.

After several years, the hunter died and took birth as a prince due to the merits he had achieved by observing Amlaki Ekadashi.  He was born as the son of a righteous King Vidurath who was the ruler of the City Jayanthi and the child was named Vasurath, year’s passes by Vasurath grown into a charming young adult.  In due course of time Vasurath was crowned as the King of Jayanthi.    King Vasurath was very wise and courageous; he was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.

One day, King Vasurath went for hunting with his men.  In the middle of the woodlands   he gone off track and trapped in the forest.  Soon he realized that he was in the middle of a deep forest with no one to help him.  He was tired of hunger and soon drifted to sleep.  While he was asleep, a few outcaste men arrived there with their deadly weapons.  They with all their mounted rage started to infuriate the King.  Surprisingly, even a single weapon couldn't harm his body.  The men continued their heinous act, suddenly a beautiful woman transcended from the body of the King Vasurath.  She was fuming with rage, her eyes were red like fire balls and she was holding a dice in her hand.  She started to fight with the men and killed them effortlessly.  At this moment King opened his eyes and saw the dead bodies of the outcast men were all around him.  He sincerely offered his prayers to Lord for saving him from the danger.  He could listen to a mysterious voice replied that he was saved by Lord Keshava who is the sole protector of all souls.   Eventually King Vasurath returned to his palace and ruled the city wisely for many years.  During his regime the entire city was prosperous with rich natural resources and people were lived happily.

Sage Vasishta continued, whoever fast and worships Lord Hari on this day of Amlaki Ekadashi would attain the Lotus feet of Sriman Narayana and it would eradicate the sins of the listener.

 

Jai Sriman Narayana !!