Pt. Shri. Vedavyasacharya
Ekadasi
People say that food should not be eaten on a banana leaf on Dwadashi day. When asked whether there is any scriptural authority for this, it is explained in the text Smritya Artha Sagara with the following reference:
“Rambha palasha patrecha yo bhunkte dwadashi dine,
sapta janmarjita punya tatkshanadeva nashyati.”
This means:
A person who eats on a banana leaf on Dwadashi loses the punya (merit) accumulated over seven births instantly.
Therefore, one should make a sincere effort not to eat food on a banana leaf on Dwadashi day.
However, in large samaradhane (community feasts) and similar occasions where banana leaves are commonly used for serving food, if one prays to the Lord seeking forgiveness and then eats, it is not considered a serious fault.
