Amalaki Ekadashi

Amalaki (Āmalakī) is the ekadashi of shukla paksha in the twelfth lunar month, Phalguna (February-March). The name comes from the Sanskrit "āmalakī" — the Indian gooseberry, one of the most honored plants in Ayurveda. Tradition connects it with the worship of the amalaki tree, in which, by legend, Vishnu dwells.

Place in the system

Ekadashi is the eleventh tithi of the lunar month. Amalaki falls eleventh in the bright half of Phalguna, the last lunar month before Chaitra; it is followed by Papamochani, which, in the purnimanta reckoning, is already named for Chaitra and closes the yearly circle.

Amalaki (the Indian gooseberry) is one of the most important plants in Hinduism and Ayurveda. Tradition holds Vishnu to dwell within it. The Amalaki ekadashi is a day on which honoring this tree is especially favorable.

Practical meaning

Tradition connects this day with honoring the amalaki and with prayer for health; offering its fruit or an infusion of it is a common form of such honor.

The Amalaki background works through wholeness. Tradition sees in amalaki a union of opposing qualities. The Amalaki ekadashi teaches one to see the whole within what looks contradictory on the surface.

In Indian folk practice Amalaki is a day on which it is customary to offer amalaki to the temple (or eat its fruit), read prayers to amalaki, and give thanks for health. It is one of the most widespread ekadashi practices tied to a specific plant.

In daily practice

Amalaki is a day for health. If you have the chance, offer amalaki fruit to a temple or a home altar and pray for health.

Amalaki also suits fasting: fruit, water, light food. The fast here supports health.

Amalaki also suits an offering to the temple: a gift of amalaki or another healing plant. The offering here works through gratitude for health.

How much this day is yours is refined by Tara Bala. Amalaki sets a background of health and wholeness, and the personal layer shows how far it matches your circumstances today.