Amalaka Ekadashi/World Wildlife Day | आमलकी एकादशी/विश्व वन्यजन्तु दिवस | 2079 Falgun 19 | Hamro Patro

Amalaka Ekadashi/World Wildlife Day

Conversation of Mandhata and Vasistha Muni

Welcome to the Amalaki Ekadashi of this year, allow me to introduce this divine event by following conversation between ancient King Mandhata and renowned scholar Rishi, Vasistha Muni.

King: Great Sage Vasistha Muni, please kindly deliver mercy to me and narrate me a holy fast which can eternally purify me.

Vasistha Muni then narrates the result of observing Amalika Ekadashi and its importance. Fasting this Ekadashi is equally purifying as donating thousand cows. This Ekadashi is so liberating that even a hunter who hunted animals for his living throughout his life attends liberation and salvation from all his sins as he observes this Ekadashi.

Listening to this, King decided to observe this Ekadashi. After taking a river bath in the dawn, King and his followers visited a Vishnu Temple where an Amaliki tree grew. I will later describe what this tree is? King now offered water, flowers and various materials to this tree, worshiped this tree followed by a prayer to praise Lord Parshuram. Ramayana apparently brings evidence when Lord Rama also worshiped this divine tree of "Amalika" and narrated its importance to his followers.

Ekadashi meaning
According to the Hindu calendar, the eleventh date that comes twice a month is called Ekadashi. Ekadashi that is observed in the shukla Pakshya (Waxing Moon) of Falgun Month is Amaliki Ekadashi and this Ekadashi is also known as Falgun Shukla Ekadashi.

Ekadashi before Holi
This Ekadashi alarms the celebration of upcoming Holi, so hereby I wouldn't miss to wish you a happy forthcoming Holi of this year. This Ekadashi correlates with the fruit "Amala" which is also called Indian gooseberry and in Sanskrit this fruit is called "Amaliki". Amaliki tree is worshipped in this day as an existence of Lord Vishnu.

Vishnu Purana states that from the divine kingdom of Vishnu once a bright object fell down to the earth which later turned as a tree of Amala or Amaliki, this is why Sanatan people use leaves, branches and roots of Aamala in their worship and other traditional rituals. This divine fruit "Amalika" or "Amala" is a crucial ingredient mentioned in Ayurved, one among the most cited panacea "Trifala" dust "Amala" has its peculiar significance in health and rituals.

World Wildlife Day, 2023


Background:
"Partnership for wildlife conservation"

Forest and Livelihoods play a very vital role in sustaining both, people and the planet. Acknowledging the importance of wildlife for human existence and to fill the gap between people and nature, the world is observing this day.

Every year, on March 3, the World Community celebrates World Wildlife Day to raise awareness on protecting all wildlife and plants found in the world.

Theme for the year 2023 is "Partnership for wildlife conservation". As a way to highlight the central role of forests, forest species, and ecosystem services in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people globally, and particularly of Indigenous and local communities with historic ties to forested and forest-adjacent areas. This aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 12, 13, and 15, and their wide-ranging commitments to alleviating poverty, ensuring sustainable use of resources, and conserving life land. This day also advocates for different wildlife management models and practices that ensure the sustainability of both, humans and wildlife for the health of the planet.

The earth is commonplace for every creature and plant in the world, the protection, promotion, and presence of all creatures and plants is the responsibility of human beings.

Nepal also has a history of destruction and illegal killing of animals and plants due to the activities of theft hunters, importers, and smugglers. Since every creature has its importance and contribution to the ecosystem of the world environment, the protection of all beings is essential today. For the sustainability of human life, it is important to protect the wildlife and the plants.

The international trade of wild animals and plants was discussed at a conference in the early 1990s on behalf of the UN member by the state of Thailand. This discussion was called CITIES, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. According to CITIES, around 8 species of animals and 49 species of plants are in extinction due to international trade. These animals and plants should be safe and international trade is to be largely controlled.

Today is a day to remember the exciting contribution of CITIES to the control of those endangered species.

The theme of world wildlife day 2020 is "Sustaining all life on earth" acknowledging the presence of all wild animals and plants for the sustainability of human lives. Remembering and honoring all those who are working to preserve and uplift the development of wildlife and good wishes for the coming days.

Suyog Dhakal