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Amalaki Ekadashi Story – Amalaki Ekadasi Vrat Katha

Amalaki Ekadashi is observed during the waxing phase of moon in Phalgun month (February – March). An interesting story of Amalaki Ekadashi was once narrated by Sage Vasishta and is found in the Brahmanda Purana. Amalaki Ekadasi Vrat Katha is listened to by those people observing the fast.

Once there was a prosperous kingdom named Vaidisa and it was ruled by King Chaitraratha. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu and the people in the entire kingdom were very rich and had no worries. All this was due to the blessings of Lord Vishnu.

Once on Amalaki Ekadashi, the king and the people in the kingdom went to a Vishnu Temple located on a riverbank and made offerings to Lord Vishnu and an Amalaki Tree (Gooseberry) in the temple premises. The king also made offerings to Lord Parashurama.

The king and his followers remained awake during the night. Then a hungry hunter came there and impressed by the devotion of the people present there he joined in the bhajans and did not sleep that night. Next morning the hunter had a renewed and refreshed feeling and he went home and had his meal.

Years later this hunter died and was reborn as a King named Vasurath as a result of observing the Amalaki Ekadasi.

One day King Vasurath during one of his hunting expeditions lost his way and was caught by tribal people. They considered the king as their enemy and started to torture him with sword and spear. But to their surprise none of the weapons touched the king and he did not feel any pain nor did he have any injury.

The stunned tribal people heard a voice from the sky which said that the King is blessed by Lord Vishnu as he had observed the Amalaki Ekadasi and so you will not be able to harm him. The king was set free by the tribals.

The king later learned from a saint about this past life and started observing the Ekadasi Vrat.

The story explains that devotional acts performed without any desires will help in this birth and all other births. The hunter performed Amalaki Ekadasi without wanting any favor – he just performed it as he felt to do it and this was amply rewarded by Lord Vishnu.