Kusha grass

The kusha (Sanskrit: कुश) grass, the darbha (Sanskrit: दर्भ) grass and the pavitram (Sanskrit: पवित्रम्), are the Sanskrit terms for Desmostachya bipinnata grass. This grass is of literary and ritual significance in Hinduism.[1]

Image of pavitram grass used in a tarpanam.

In the performance of Vedic rituals such as the homam and tarpanam, the kusha grass is shaped like a ring and is worn by a priest on the ring finger of his right hand.[2]

Literature

The Rigveda prescribes the sprinkling on the soma juice upon kusha grass in the performance of a rite.[3]

The Garuda Purana states that the kusha grass is born of the hair of Vishnu, and that it offers residence to the essence of all three of the Trimurti. It is among the many substances that is declared to be impossible to become impure despite frequent usage.[4]

The Bhagavata Purana features a legend from the Uttara Kanda in which Sita does not leave behind her son Lava in Valmiki's hermitage as she usually does while going out. The sage observes the boy's absence, and concludes that some animal had carried him away. Believing that Sita would not be able to bear the loss of her son, Valmiki creates an identical son from kusha grass and places him on Lava's cot. When the bewildered Sita noticed Lava's doppelganger, the sage explains what he had done, and she decides to raise the boy as Lava's twin, and names him Kusha.[5]

The Varaha Purana describes one of the seven continents of the earth named kushadvipa, surrounded by the ocean of milk and containing seven mountains.[6]

References

Dalal, Roshen (2014-04-18). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin UK. p. 711. ISBN 978-81-8475-277-9.
Prakash, Dr Ved. Significance of Indian Medicinal Plants and Mushrooms. Krishna Publication House. p. 417. ISBN 978-93-90627-49-3.
www.wisdomlib.org (2021-08-27). "Rig Veda 1.28.9 [English translation]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
Shastri, J. L.; Bhatt, G. P. (2004-01-01). The Garuda Purana Part 3: Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology Volume 14. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 866. ISBN 978-81-208-3881-9.
Krishna, Nanditha (2014-05-15). Sacred Plants of India. Penguin UK. p. 202. ISBN 978-93-5118-691-5.
Books, Kausiki (2021-10-24). Varaha Purana Part 2: English Translation only without Slokas. Kausiki Books. p. 87.

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[1] Dalal, Roshen (2014-04-18). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin UK. p. 711. ISBN 978-81-8475-277-9.

[2] Prakash, Dr Ved. Significance of Indian Medicinal Plants and Mushrooms. Krishna Publication House. p. 417. ISBN 978-93-90627-49-3.

[3] www.wisdomlib.org (2021-08-27). "Rig Veda 1.28.9 [English translation]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-12-16.

[4] Shastri, J. L.; Bhatt, G. P. (2004-01-01). The Garuda Purana Part 3: Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology Volume 14. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 866. ISBN 978-81-208-3881-9.

[5] Krishna, Nanditha (2014-05-15). Sacred Plants of India. Penguin UK. p. 202. ISBN 978-93-5118-691-5.

[6] Books, Kausiki (2021-10-24). Varaha Purana Part 2: English Translation only without Slokas. Kausiki Books. p. 87.