Āmalakī Ekādaśī

Please check the date and time for Ekādaśī in your area using below sites.

https://www.vaisnavacalendar.info/

https://vaishnavacalendar.org/

https://www.drikpanchang.com/iskcon/iskcon-ekadashi-list.html

How to perform Ekādaśī

Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 12

Observe fasting on Ekādaśī day (this occurs on the eleventh day after the full moon and the eleventh day after the new moon). On such days no grains, cereals or beans are eaten; simply vegetables and milk are moderately taken, and the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa and reading of scriptures are increased.

Meditations on this auspicious day

Class by Prabhupāda on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.12.19 in Dallas on March 3, 1975

But if you want to realize God, as it is said here, tapasaiva, only by tapasya, only by penance, one can realize. Otherwise not. Otherwise, it is not possible. Therefore, this word is used, tapasaiva. Tapasā eva: "only by tapasya." There is no other means. Tapasā eva param. Param means the Supreme. If you want to realize the Supreme, the Absolute, then you must agree to certain type of tapasya. Otherwise, it is not possible. The preliminary little tapasya. Just like ekādaśī. That is also item of the tapasya. Actually, on the ekādaśī days we shall not take any food, even drink water. But in our society, we are not doing so much strictly. We say, "Ekādaśī, you don't take food grains. Take little fruit, milk." This is tapasya. So, we cannot execute this tapasya? So, if we are not prepared to undertake even this very, very easily executable tapasya, then how we can expect go back to home, back to Godhead? No, that is not possible. Therefore, here it is said, tapasaiva, tapasā eva. Eva means certainly. You have to. Now, executing this tapasya, penances, are you loser? You are not loser. Now, anyone who will come from outside, they will see in our society, our members, boys and girls. They say, "bright faced." Do they not? They see distinction. One priest in plain cloth... I was going from Los Angeles to Hawaii. One priest, he came to me in the plane. So, he asked my permission, "Can I talk with you?" "Yes, why not?" So, his first question was that "I see your disciples very bright faced. How it has been done?" He's sincere. So where is the loss? By undergoing, by denying all these things, sinful activities, we are not loser. We can live very simple life. We can sit down on the floor; we can lie down on the floor. We don't require much furniture, neither large amount of gorgeous dress. So tapasya required.

Excerpt from a lecture by Guru Maharaj; Lord will provide required knowledge; Bhagavad-gita 15.15; 23 May 2021;

When we are in vaidhī-bhakti, we have to do our reps. Later it turns into laulyam, longing. Its there but it needs to be awakened. You will get strength from keeping your quota. Do the best you can with what you have right now but lean into the parts that you can really do. There is a kind of protection in this way. We are already in the material world, and your mind puts out all kinds of stuff. Don’t freak out. Just keep showing up for your bhajan. Then very soon your bhajan will rewrite all the stuff.

Story of Āmalakī Ekādaśī

Padma Purāṇa, Uttara-Khaṇḍa, Chapter 45

Once, Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, the son of Dharma, approached Śrī Kṛṣṇa with great curiosity. "O Kṛṣṇa," he said, "I have heard about the importance and great fruit of Vijayā Ekādaśī. Now, please tell me about the significance of Āmalakī Ekādaśī, which falls in the bright half of the month of Phālguna."

Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, smiled and replied, "O illustrious son of Dharma, listen attentively. I shall narrate the glories of this Ekādaśī as once explained by the revered sage Vasiṣṭha to King Māndhātṛ. This sacred day is especially significant in Phālguna and is known to grant liberation, taking one to Viṣṇu’s divine abode. By fulfilling this vow, one attains the merit of donating a thousand cows."

Hearing this, King Māndhātṛ, filled with wonder, inquired, "O best of brāhmaṇas, when did the Āmalakī tree first appear on earth? Why is it considered pure and capable of destroying sins? How does keeping vigil under it grant such immense merit?"

Sage Vasiṣṭha then began his narration, "O king, long ago, before creation had fully manifested, the entire world was submerged in water. The immovable and movable beings had perished, and both gods and demons had disappeared. Serpents, fiends, and all other creatures had ceased to exist. During this time, as the Supreme Lord meditated, a single drop of divine spittle fell from His mouth onto the earth. From this drop sprouted the great Āmalakī tree, bearing numerous branches laden with fruits. It was declared to be the foremost among trees. Only after the emergence of this sacred tree did Brahmā create all other beings—gods, demons, gandharvas, yakṣas, fiends, serpents, and the great sages."

The celestial beings were astonished upon seeing the Āmalakī tree. As they stood there contemplating its significance, a divine voice echoed from the heavens: "This extraordinary tree is Āmalakī, beloved of Lord Viṣṇu. Simply remembering it grants the merit of donating a cow. By touching it, one's piety is doubled, and by wearing its leaves, the merit is tripled. Therefore, one should make every effort to revere this tree, for it is known to eradicate all sins. Lord Viṣṇu resides at its root, Brahmā dwells above it, and the Supreme Lord Rudra is present in its trunk. Its branches are home to the great sages, while the deities reside in its twigs. The gods remain in its leaves, the Maruts in its flowers, and the lords of all beings are established in its fruits. Indeed, this Dhātrī tree is imbued with the presence of all divine beings."

The assembled sages, filled with awe, inquired, "O divine voice, who are you? Are you a god or some celestial being? Tell us the truth of your identity."

The voice resounded once more, revealing, "I am the ancient Viṣṇu, the creator of all beings and all worlds."

Upon hearing these divine words, the sages fell prostrate and began praising the Supreme Lord: "Obeisance to the self-born, the supreme soul, the eternal one! Repeated salutations to the unfailing, the endless, the omniscient, the lord of sacrifices!" Pleased by their devotion, Lord Viṣṇu spoke, "O sages, ask for any boon that you desire."

The sages humbly requested, "O Supreme Lord, if You are pleased with us, grant us a vow that bestows heaven and liberation, increases wealth and piety, requires little effort, yet yields great fruits."

Lord Viṣṇu then proclaimed, "When the bright half of Phālguna coincides with Dvādaśī and the auspicious Puṣya constellation, it becomes supremely powerful in destroying sins. On this day, one should observe a sacred vow, and worship Me. Such a devotee shall be freed from all sins and attain the merit of donating a thousand cows. Worshipping Me in this form ensures eternal residence in My divine abode."

The sages, eager to understand the procedure, asked, "O Lord, please explain the proper observance of this vow. What hymns should be chanted? What is the correct manner of worship? How should one offer gifts and take a sacred bath?"

Lord Viṣṇu instructed, "On Ekādaśī, one should fast completely, worship Me, glorifying Me through songs, dances, and recitations of sacred texts. and, on the next day, after cleaning one’s teeth, declare: 'O lotus-eyed Lord, I shall now break my fast. Please be my refuge. Thereafter, they should perform ārati, honor brāhmaṇas with gifts, and partake of the sanctified meal."

"O sages, observing this vow bestows the merit of all holy pilgrimages, sacrifices, and donations combined. It is the most exalted among vows."

Having spoken thus, the Lord of the universe disappeared, leaving the sages filled with devotion and determination to observe the vow. O noble king, in the same way, you should also observe this sacred Ekādaśī vow, for it is rare and bestows freedom from all sins."