The Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica).

Emblic myrobalan, Phyllanthus emblica.

The Indian gooseberry, or emblic myrobalan. The simile of an āmalakī in the palm of one’s hand is used to illustrate yogic perception (yogipratyakṣa) where the clarity aspect (compared to a crystal) is emphasized. See, e.g., Dharmottara’s Nyāyabindhuṭīkā 1.11. It is also used to illustrate omniscience, or seeing all aspects of things, probably on the analogy of being able to see through the semi-transparent skin of the berry into its interior structure.

The Indian gooseberry or emblic myrobalan Phyllanthus emblica.

Phyllanthus emblica.