There is a vrata (austerity) known as “Rambha vrata”. As soon as we hear the name - Rambha, our mind goes to think about the heavenly nymph. But that is not what we are talking about. In Sanskrit language, a banana tree is also known as ‘rambha’. Amongst the vratas we do, it is customary to worship banana tree. That is known as “Rambha vrata”. We can find this name usually in calendars and almanacs. Those who do not know about this mock with names such as ‘Rambha vrata’,‘Menaka vrata’ etc. Let us first try to understand why a banana tree is to be worshipped.
During the days when Lord Shiva was performing penance in the hills of Himalayas, Himavantha utilized her daughter, Parvathi to serve Shiva. We know about this story. Then, Manmatha comes there, spoils Shiva’s penance, Parvathi goes back to her father out of fear and such incidents happen. You have heard of this story earlier. At that moment, sage Brugu comes to mother Parvathi and suggests her to perform “Rambha vrata” in order to get Shiva as your husband. He continued to tell why that vrata has to be undertaken – “Lord Brahma has two wifes, Gayatri and Savitri. Out of them, Savitri devi is the most beautiful one. Since she is very beautiful, she felt that her husband would constantly be around her. Hence, she did not offer pranams or any respects to Brahma. Initially, despite Savitri’s disrespectful attitude, Brahma was around her all the time. But Savitri devi considered that it is because of her beauty and she mockingly laughed seeing Gayatri devi. She too smiled at Savitri devi and said “O Savitri! You are the most beautiful one. But, you are forgetting to offer pranams and respects to husband. Some or the other day, you might have to face his curse.” Savitri devi continued to laugh in a much aggressive manner and went inside waving off her braid.
One day, when Lord Brahma was coming, Savitri devi behaved as if she did not observe him. As a result, he became extremely furious. He then cursed her to become Rambha tree (Banana tree). Only then she realized her mistake. Immediately, falling onto the feet of her husband, she prayed to not abandon her. Lord Brahma out of grace said, “Savitri, in the form of banana tree, perform penance and wash off the sins you accumulated by being disrespectful to me.” Saying so, he sent her away.
Following the instructions of her husband, Savitri devi took birth as banana tree and performed penance for her husband. Then Lord Brahma appeared to her on Jyesta Shuddha Thadiya day and said, “Savitri, you are coming with me. That is good. But, the people residing on this Earth must also receive your blessings. You have reobtained me by praying to me in the form of a banana tree. Hence, your aspect will be there in these banana trees forever. Those who pray to you in this form will get all their desires fulfilled. The unmarried girls will secure a good person as husband.”
Parvathi devi performed this vrata and attained Lord Shiva as her husband. Such a divine vrata is this “Rambha vrata”. Let us pray to mother as “Om Savitri devyai namaha”. That is why, the banana tree and banana leaves are considered to be very auspicious. They are used for auspicious events and functions. This is the vrata that is done by mother herself.
Jai Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta!