The Tritiya of Shukla Paksha of Jyeshtha month is celebrated as Rambha Tritiya. This year, Rambha Tritiya will be celebrated on 08 June 2024. Apsara Rambha is worshiped on this day. We can find descriptions about the Apsaras in our scriptures the Veda Puranas. As per the scriptures, these Apsaras live in the Devlok.
Apsara Rambha was born from the sea during the Samudra Manthan, hence Goddess Rambha is worshiped on this day. Married women also observe fast on this day for the long life of their spouse, good luck and happiness. Unmarried girls observe this fast so that they find a suitable groom. It is believed that this fast provides fruits quickly.
Mythological reference to Apsaras
Apsaras are related to Devlok and heaven. Devlok represents divine happiness, prosperity and enjoyment. The presence of Apsaras depicts the beauty of a woman and her ability to fascinate anyone. Apsaras have divine powers with which they can hypnotize anybody.
Atharveda and Yajurveda also have references about the Apsaras In the Satapatha Brahmin, the Apsaras are depicted swimming as birds in ponds. The description of the famous Apsara Urvashi is found in the Rigveda. Apart from this, the Puranas mention how Indra would call upon Apsaras to break the penance of sages who are engaged in austerities. Some popular and special Apsaras are Rambha, Urvashi, Tilottama, Maneka, Ghritachi and Kunda etc.
Mythological stories of Apsaras Urvashi’s freedom from Ravana’s curse, stories of Pururava, Vishwamitra and Maneka, Tilotama and Rambha have been very popular. Apsaras are famous for their beauty, influence and powers. Among these Apsaras, Rambha is one of the most popular.
Story of Rambha’s birth from the Samudra Manthan
Daitya Raj Bali’s kingdom had spread across all the three worlds. This led to a scare amongst the Devas including India. They wanted to reclaim their kingdom. So all the Devas along with Brahmaji approach Lord Vishnu for a solution. In such a way, Brahma Ji along with the Gods go to Shri Vishnu to restore the place of the Gods. Lord Vishnu calls for a Samudra Manthan through the combined effort between the Devas and Daityas. He informed the Devas that they will be able to regain their control only if they consume the Amrut that will be derived from the Samudra Manthan of Shir Sagar.
Lord Vishnu incarnates himself as a tortoise to carry out the Samudra Manthan. He supports the Mandarachal Mountain on his back to facilitate Samudra Manthan. This way several items are obtained from the Samudra Manthan. An Apsara Rambha and a Kalpvruksh too are obtained out of this Manthan. Both of these receive a place in the Dev Lok. Finally, even Amrut is obtained from this Manthan. The Devas consume this Amrut and receive their powers again. Indra Raj then defeats Daitya Raj Bali and reclaims the Indralok.
Rambha was born from the Samundra Manthan on account of fourteen Stotras, hence these Stotras are considered very beneficial and are worshipped widely. They are as follows:
लक्ष्मीः कौस्तुभपारिजातकसुराधन्वन्तरिश्चन्द्रमाः।
गावः कामदुहा सुरेश्वरगजो रम्भादिदेवांगनाः।
Rambha Teej Katha
On the occasion of Rambha Teej, married women perform this fast mainly for the long life of their husbands and unmarried girls fast on this day for the attainment of a worthy groom. Rambha is considered to be the form of Shri Lakshmi and also the form of Shakti, a devotee is blessed with both of these by worshiping Rambha on this day.
The story of Rambha Tritiya goes like this, there was once a happy Brahmin couple. They used to worship Goddess Lakshmi regularly. However one day the Bharmin had to travel out of the village for work. He explains this to Bhramini and leaves for work. However, the Bharmini starts feeling very upset as the Bharmin does not return for several days. She remains despaired and stressed. One night she dreams that her husband has had an accident. She wakes up from a dream and starts mourning. Just then, Goddess Lakshmi comes to her house in the disguise of an old woman. The old woman asks Bharmini the reason behind her sorrow. Brahmani then narrates the entire story to the old woman.
As a solution, the old woman asks the Brahmani to fast on the Rambha Tritiya which falls in the Jyeshtha month. The Brahmini fasts and worships on the day of Rambha Tritiya as told by that old woman. As a result of this fast, her husband returns home safely. Just as the influence of Rambha Teej protected the spouse of the Brahmin, it protects the spouse of all women who observe this fast.
Some stories related to Apsara Rambha
The description of Rambha is also found in the Ramayana period. Rambha was a famous Apsara in all three worlds. There is also a mention of Rambha as the wife of Nalkuber, the son of Kuber.
According to a legend, when Rambha comes to dissolve Vishwamitra’s penance, Vishwamitra curses Rambha to become Shila. Then Rambha is freed from the curse by a Brahmin. In another situation, Rambha also curses Ravana when Ravana misbehaves with Rambha.
Importance of Rambha Tritiya Pujan
On the day of Rambha Teej, married women worship pairs of bangles with wheat, cereal and flowers. Unmarried girls keep this fast to get married to a suitable groom. Performing Puja on the day of Rambha Tritiya ensures one is blessed with everything related to beauty such as attractive beautiful clothes, ornaments and cosmetics. Moreover, the body remains healthy and one looks youthful.