Darbha, kusha grass is used by the Hindus while performing religious duties.
This is normally worn, after making a ring of it, in the Right Ring Finger.
Dharbha is to be kept above the left ear lobe, if one is to make use of the toilet, while performing the religious duties.
Dharbha is not to be dropped on the ground in its form as a ring; it has to be restored to its earlier state as grass before dropping to the ground.
Darbha is also called Pavithra, Holy.
In Ayurveda, Darbha grass is also used as a medicine to treat dysentery and menorrhagia, and as used as a diuretic (to promote free flow of urine).
Darbha worn in the Right Ring Finger by Hindus for religious ceremonies.
Dharpa,Kusha Grass is worn on the Right Ring Finger by Hindus for Religious Functions,
Since Vedic age, Darbha grass is treated as sacred plant and according to early Buddhist accounts, it was the material used by Buddha for his meditation seat when he attained enlightenment under Bodhi tree.
This grass was mentioned in the Rig Veda for use in sacred ceremonies and also to prepare a seat for priests and the gods.
Scientific findings On Dharpa. Kusha Grass.
Darbha grass ringIn recent medical research, Darbha or Kusha grass has been observed to block X-Ray radiation.
Darbha is used by hindus as mat, ring on right hand ring finger while chanting vedic mantras, performing homam and all religious rituals.
For ceremonies related to death only Single leafed Darbha is used; for Auspicious and daily routine a ring made of two leaves is used; for inauspicious but not death related functions, (like Amavasya Tharpanam, Pithru Pooja etc) a three leaf Dharbham ring (Pavitram) is used and for the prayers in a temple, a Four-leaf Darbha ring is used.
Darbha has the highest value in conducting the phonetic vibrations through its tip.
Priests in India dip this tip in water and sprinkle allover the house or temple to purify the place.
During Fire-ritual (Homa), darbha is placed on all four sides of fire to help block all negative radiations.
During eclipses, darbha are placed on vessels containing water and food, so that negative effect of rays from eclipse does not spoil them.
Darbha is not cultivated everywhere but it grows naturally in selective places and is available in northeast and west tropical, and northern Africa ; and countries in the Middle East, and temperate and tropical Asia
For religious purposes, it is not cut or plucked on everyday, but only on Krishna Paksha Padyami (Next day after FullMoon day).
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Traditional tropical grass, Darbha, has been identified as an eco-friendly food preservative.
This finding was evolved in a research study undertaken jointly by the Centre for Nanotechnology and Advanced Biomaterials (CeNTAB) and the Centre for Advanced Research in Indian System of Medicine (CARISM) of the SASTRA University, Thanjavur, under the supervision of Dr. P. Meera and Dr. P. Brindha respectively.
Darbha (Desmotachya bipinnata) is a tropical grass considered a sacred material in Vedic scriptures and is said to purify the offerings during such rituals. At the time of eclipse, people place that grass in food items that could ferment and once the eclipse ends the grass is removed.
A systematic research was conducted by the SASTRA University researchers, in which cow’s curd was chosen as a food item that could ferment easily. Five other tropical grass species, including lemon grass, Bermuda grass, and bamboo were chosen for comparison based on different levels of antibiotic properties and hydro phobicity.
Electron microscopy of different grasses revealed stunning nano-patterns and hierarchical nano or micro structures in darbha grass while they were absent in other grasses.
On studying the effect of various grasses on the microbial community of the curd, darbha grass alone was found to attract enormous number of bacteria into the hierarchical surface features.
These are the bacteria responsible for fermentation of cow’s curd.
During eclipse, the wavelength and intensity of light radiations available on the earth’s surface is altered. Especially, the blue and ultraviolet radiations, which are known for their natural disinfecting property, are not available in sufficient quantities during eclipse.
This leads to uncontrolled growth of micro-organisms in food products during eclipse and the food products are not suitable for consumption. Darbha was thus used as a natural disinfectant on specific occasions, say researchers at SASTRA University.
Further, the scientists say that darbha could be used as a natural food preservative in place of harmful chemical preservatives and the artificial surfaces mimicking the hierarchical nano patterns on the surface of darbha grass could find applications in health care where sterile conditions were required.The ring made of kusha grass is worn on the ring finger of the person performing the ritualistic ceremonies. These rings are known as pavitra (sacred) rings for the puja orPavitri. The head priest or the the Yajmaan (person for whom puja is done) wears this darbha ring, representing the sacred knot or hair-curl (Skt. shrivatsa) of Vishnu.
The sanctity of dharba or kusha,is as old as the Indian gods.Puranas tell how Vishnu assumed the form of the Cosmic Tortoise (Skt.kurma) whose shell served to support Mandara,the mountain that served as a dasher in the churning of the sea of milk. As the mountain rotated,several hairs were rubbed from the tortoise’s back.With time,they washed ashore and became Kusha.
Later, when the amrita (nectar) was obtained and distributed among the gods,some drops fell on the grass which further sanctified it imbuing it with healing properties.Therefore,in the tradition hair-cutting of Vaishnava toddlers, the hair is touched with kusha before it is cut. It was used as a ritual seat as far back as the Vedas,and the Bhagavad Gita (ch.6) stipulates that,covered with a skin and a cloth,it is the appropriate seat for meditation.Therefore,it was one of the first offerings made to the Buddha.
For religious purposes, it is not cut or plucked on everyday, but only on Krishna Paksha Padyami (next day after FullMoon day).
In Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says in Chapter 6 entitled Dhayan Yoga:
Bg 6.11 To practice Dhyan yoga, one should go to a secluded place and should lay Kusha grass on the gorund and then cover it with a deerskin and a soft cloth……
Science says about Darbha:
In recent medical research, Darbha or Kusha grass has been observed to block X-Ray radiation. It is scientifically known as Panic grass and of genus borage species. It can grow up to 2 feet and it appears pointed at the top.
Significance of Darbha:
Kusha grass is meant to have Lord Vishnu’s potency. It is believed that this grass has immense purifying properties. It is worshipped by Vaishnavas on the special day in Bhadrapada month (August – September) called Darbhashtami.
The significance of Darbha grass is also found in Buddhist culture. It is believed that Sakyamuni Buddha sat on a Darbha mat to meditate and got enlightened under the Bodhi tree. The capital city of Malla kingdom of Buddhist is named Kushinagara, just to honor Kusha grass. It was in this city Lord Buddha was cremated.
Citation.
.https://vimeo.com/103492186
http://bharatuntoldstory.tumblr.com/post/73862062109/darbha-grass-or-kusha-grass-is-scientifically
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/darbha-grass-identified-as-a-natural-preservative/article7002014.ece
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