The Inter-Link of Darbhai with the Pithrus and Japa Yajna

It is said that when appropriate manthras are recited, the pithrus are said said to receive the offerings.

Darbhai's  Role in Manthras-Japam-Pithrus

The sacred grass called darbhai is used as supreme seat for the departed souls and also as a means to attract them to the seat.

To understand how recitals and darbhai go together in producing results, we must know how japa yajna  is done.

Darbhai has an important role in all yajnas, particularly in Japa yajna.

Darbhai in  Japa Yajna

Japa yajna is considered as the supreme yajgya [BG 10-25 “ yajgyaanaam japa yajgyah”]

Manu smrithi describes its supreme nature in this way: [2-85]

“Of all the types of yajgyas sanctioned by Vedas, the best is japa yajgya which is done by utterance.
This is 10 times greater than all the other yajgyas.
The japa yajgya done by the lips is 100 times greater than the one done by uttering.
But the japa done at mind without utterance is 1000 times greater than the one done at lips.”

 There are rules for doing this japa yajgya which when followed meticulously, leads the doer to Brahma dyaanam and ultimately Brahma gyaanam and Release.

The kramam and Anushtaanam [methods] of doing japa are narrated by Bheeshma to Yudhistra
in chapter 194 of Shanthi parvam of Mahabharatha.
[It should be noted here that Yama deva, Kaala deva and Mruthyu deva have
specific roles and are not the same]


These details were originally discussed by a Brahmin, Yama Dharmarajan [he who determines the fruits of paapam and punyam for the jivas], Kaala devan [he who determines the number years for a person],
Mruthyu devan [he who removes the praana vayu from the body] and the king Ikshvahu.

All these dignitaries come to the conclusion that japam must be done seated in the midst of darbhai, with darbhai in hand, darbahi at the head, surrounded by darbhai on all four sides and hidden from sight of others by being enclosed by darbhai bushes.  For such a person who does the japa in such a way, Brahma gyanam will occur.

A similar way of japa was done by Sri Rama when he wanted the oceans to part ways for him to cross it.

Darbhasayanam of Ramar

The place where he did this Darbhaaranyam, was a forest of darbhai.  This kind of complete enclosure by darbhai can have two effects.

[It is said that the kushasdweepa, the present day Africa, derived its name from the abundance of Kusha grass or darbhai growing in that land.]

Darbhai  Grass used  for Tarpanam

Kusha or darbhai is generally associated with japam and control of senses or concentration and meditation on a specific form or view.

The God worshipped by the people of this place was HrishikEsha, who is the controller of Indriyas.

The doer is protected from the doshams of various kinds –t means nothing from outside can touch him or reach him -and also this means that nothing escapes from inside too, which is,  the doer is helped in retaining whatever energy is within himself or generated by his japa.

It is perhaps to the pithrus not to lose their energy or disturb their rupam [form],
while coming down to earthly plane to accept tarpanam, they are seated on darbhai during tarpanam.

Like the manthras of Sandhya vandhanam,
the tarpanam manthras are also derived from the Vedas.

 In Rig veda hymn 15 on Pithrus, it is said,

“They who enjoy pressed juices with oblation seated on sacred grass, come oftenest hither.
Fathers who sit on sacred grass, come, help us:
these offerings have we made for you; accept them.”
The ends of the darbhai act as antennas or conductors.
The way pavithram is made and Koorchcham is made for tarpanam show that it is to attract something and release something once the need is over.  To attract something is agreeable.  But does it release is the question here.

The use of koorcham in tarpanam clarifies this question.

Arrangement of Koorcham

                             East                      

 NorthSouth

West

The out-stretched ends of koorchcham attract or 'conduct' the pithrus into the aasanam of darbhai [this is made out from the manthras uttered then]
and they are sent back to their yadhaasthaanam [original abode] through it only.
It acts as both way transport – to attract and to release.

The direction also matters in placing them.

The koorcham is placed in such a way that its ends face the south, the land of pithrus.

Pavithram 

The pavithram is also worn in such a way that it attracts and returns that which reaches the wearer from different sides.

The movement of the right hand in any karma around his body
at regular intervals shows that the protection is constantly happening around the doer.  

The Sacred Grass called Darbhai or Kusha Grass

Darbha or Kusha grass is a special type of grass which is used in Hindu rituals for purificatory process. This grass is wore as the ring in the ring finger of the person who is performing the rituals. There are legends as well as scientific explorations on this grass. Read on to know more about Kusha grass. 

Darbha or Kusha grass is special element in the paraphernalia of Hindu rituals. 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. There are several references in Hindu books regardings the grass and its utilities. In this article we shall illustrate some of the main utilities of this grass in Hindu way of life.

Sacred Dharbai or Kusha Grass

Kusha grass in Hindu books:

Puranas and Upnishads describe that this grass came into existence after Samudra Manthan, the churning of cosmic ocean. When demigods and demons got ready to churn the cosmic ocean of milk, there was no one to support the base of Madhara mountain. Lord Vishu took the form of Tortoise [Kurma Avatar] and gave the needed support. During the churning, the hairs of the tortoise came out and washed away to the shore. These hairs turned to Kusha grass.

When the Amrita, the nectar was finally achieved, due to improper handling of the nectar, few drops of nectar fell on the grass. This further sanctified the grass giving it more healing properties.

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:
It is given in few websites that there was a scientific study of Kusha grass. They found that this grass can absorb about 60% of radiation. It is proof that this grass has power to absorb all negative radiations in the environment.

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.

Darbha Grass in Hindu Rituals

For Purification: Kusha grass is known to be the purifying object. In Kumbha poojas the grass is used to purify different objects of worship by sprinkling holy waters using the grass. Brahmins put this grass always in their houses and use for any purificatory ritual they perform.

Eclipse: Kusha grass is put on every eatable in the kitchen to keep away the harmful radiation in the environment during the eclipse. Any food without kusha grass after the eclipse is considered contaminated and thrown away for good.

Kusha Mats: The mats made of Kusha grass are used to sit while doing meditation. During any yagnas or ceremonies pandits sit on these mats to perform the ritual.

Kushandika: The sacrificial fire or yagna called Kushandika, these grass are used as sacrifice.

Kusha ropes: Ropes made of this grass are used to encircle deities to purify them. Bhramacharinis or sacred women are given these ropes for their protection.

Essence and Oil: This grass is ground up to make several items like essence and oil. The oil is known as Kusha oil which can be used in summers to get cooling effect.

Drinks: The extract of grass is used to make cool drinks called Sharabhat. These drinks are known for their cooling effect on the body.

There are many more utilities of Kush grass. The word ‘Kushala’ or expert is derived from Kusha grass which infers that usage of Kusha grass makes one expert personality.