Why is Amla Navami celebrated as a festival? Is Amla a Superfood?

Amla Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of the bright half of the Kartik month. On this day, the worship of the Amla tree is performed. It is believed that Lord Vishnu resides in the Amla tree on this day. Performing this puja is believed to bring happiness and prosperity to the family. On Navami day, women, along with their families, perform puja under the Amla tree and accept the food prepared for the puja as prasad.

Legend:

In ancient times, Goddess Lakshmi set out on a journey across the Earth to decide how to worship Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva together. She realized that Lord Shiva preferred the bel leaf, while Lord Vishnu favored the tulsi leaf. She wondered how she could perform both their worship simultaneously. Then she noticed an Amla (Indian gooseberry) tree, which had the qualities of both deities. It was a superior fruit with various beneficial properties. Under this tree, Goddess Lakshmi performed the worship of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and she arranged a feast for the sages. Since then, the tradition of celebrating Amla Navami on the ninth day of the bright half of Kartik month began.

Observance:

On Amla Navami, women or men observing the fast listen to this story. The story goes like this: In ancient times, there was a childless virtuous merchant. One day, his neighbour suggested that if they offered a child as a sacrifice in the name of Lord Bhairav, they might be blessed with a son. The merchant rejected this idea, but his wife accepted it. One day, she found an opportunity and sacrificed a girl child near a well, invoking Lord Bhairav.

As a consequence of this sacrifice, a curse befell the merchant's wife, and the spirit of the sacrificed girl began tormenting her. When the merchant inquired about her condition, she revealed the truth. The merchant explained that those who committed sins like cow slaughter, brahminicide, and child sacrifice had no place in the world. He advised her to go to the banks of the Ganges, worship Lord Shiva, and take a dip in the river to get rid of her affliction. The merchant's wife went to live by the Ganges as advised. After a few days, an old woman in disguise appeared before her and advised her to observe the Amla Navami fast by circumambulating an Amla tree and offering worship. Following this guidance, the woman observed the fast and eventually gave birth to a beautiful son.

This story highlights the concepts of human psychology, divine grace, sacrifice, and righteousness.

Puja Ritual:

Wake up before sunrise and take a bath to purify your body and mind. Sit beneath an Amla tree, facing the eastern direction, and decorate the tree beautifully with flowers, incense, sandalwood paste, and colors. Prepare various puja items like vermillion, rice, incense, lamps, and flowers. During the puja, take a raw thread or a mauli and circumambulate the Amla tree while chanting the prayers. This should be done seven times. After the puja, perform the Aarti with camphor or ghee lamp. Offer prayers and seek blessings. This festival holds significant importance in Hindu culture. It is a reminder of the consequences of sinful acts and the power of penance, worship, and fasting in seeking divine blessings and redemption.

Notable Facts:

Why did Goddess Parvati choose the Amla tree for worship?

In Hinduism, every natural element is considered divine. Anything that contributes to the well-being of life and the environment is revered as equivalent to the divine. The Amla tree is highly regarded in Indian culture as it is believed to possess divine qualities and is considered a source of many benefits. According to the Skanda Purana, Lord Vishnu is particularly fond of the Amla tree. It is said that the Amla tree was the first to appear among all trees, and it is referred to as the "Adiroha," meaning the first one to manifest. Brahma, the creator, is believed to have initially created the Amla tree before creating all other forms of life. The Amla tree is revered for its ability to destroy all sins and fulfill all desires. In the Skanda Purana, it is even stated that anyone who worships Lord Hari (Vishnu) under the Amla tree during Kartik month and consumes food under its shade gets rid of all their sins, and their merits increase manifold.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, Amla is considered a potent medicinal fruit that provides various health benefits. It is a rich source of vitamin C and other essential nutrients. Amla is known to boost immunity, help in heart-related ailments, and provide benefits for the skin and hair.

Given these divine and medicinal attributes, the protection of the Amla tree is of utmost importance, as it is believed to serve the well-being of all living beings and the environment. In Sanatan Dharma, it is considered a sacred duty to worship and protect such trees that are seen as divine manifestations.

Writer: - Ruchi Tewari