Celebrating Amalaki Ekadashi — is a very ancient tradition that dates back to time immemorial. It is described as early as the Brahmanda Purana (Puranas are called the Fifth Veda).
The ancient Vedas begin with the history of Brahma. Having discovered himself on the lotus, Brahma, as the personified mind, began to look for the answer to 4 questions: Who am I? What kind of world surrounds me? Who created this world? What is my relationship with Him? It is believed that any reasonable person sooner or later asks these questions. When trying to find answers, Brahma had heads facing in the direction where he was looking for an answer.
Finding no answer outside, the four-headed Brahma realized that the answer was — inside and plunged into meditation. Having clearly heard two syllables of «TA-P» in his heart, he realized what this meant: « Try to satisfy the Lord of Senses, who is the Source of Eternal Delight», by limiting your feelings. Brahma subjected himself to severe restrictions for a long time and so heard the sound of the flute, into which all the Vedas and Knowledge were invested.
Having received answers to his questions, Brahma realized himself and his destiny — he had to create conditions in the Universe so that billions of living beings could fulfill their desires here and, through self-improvement, return back — to the world of eternity, knowledge and bliss. Amalaki Ekadashi — holiday, reminiscent of the ultimate goal of any person’s life path.
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vaidisha, everything was full of Vedic sounds that recreated spiritual reality. The country was ruled by a religious and just king from the Lunar Chitraratha dynasty. To celebrate Amalaka Ekadashi, the king and all the residents of Vaidish went to the temple of Lord Vishnu, where the Amalaki tree grew, which was once worshiped by Lord Rama Himself. Ascending these miraculous prayers, King Chitraratha and his subjects were awake all night, praying and worshipping according to injunctions. At this blessed time of fasting and prayer, a hunter came to the meeting.
Killing — is always a great sin, which was further aggravated by the fact that the state flourished, which means that killing animals could have been avoided. Coming closer, the hunter was surprised by the unusual sight that opened before him: under the sacred tree of Amalaki, he saw the Deity of the Lord Damodara sitting on a throne from a vessel of water, who was worshiped and offered sacred hymns. The hunter spent the whole night contemplating the celebration in great amazement.
It is described that the hunter died in due time, and despite his far from righteous life, he was born a great king as a reward for fasting in Amalaki Ekadashi and listening to the glorifications of God. Once in a difficult situation, King Vasuratha was saved by an unknown person. Asking who protected him from his enemies, he heard a voice from heaven: «You ask, who helped you? Who is the only one who can help everyone in trouble? No one other than Sri Krishna saves those who have taken refuge with Him without selfish motives». After listening to these words, King Vasuratha was filled with love for the Lord. He returned to his capital and ruled it unhindered, like the second Indra. Therefore, everyone who observes the sacred Amalaki Ekadashi will reach the highest abode of Lord Vishnu, for so great is the reward for celebrating this most pure holiday.