Kusha

‘Kusha’ is a holiest kind of grass which is used on different occasions in Hindu religion. The Brahmanas uses it on the occasion of every Vedic retuals. Followers of Vaishnav call also make use of it on several occassions. Traditionally, it is believed to be associated with holiness & also enhances the effect of Vedic in antras several times.

Kusha is also called ‘Dharbham’. It is found in almost every part of India. Its original scientific name is Eragnostis cyano suroiles. it is believed that this grass can not be cultivated on any land from however, if grows itself on the land fetils & suitable for its cultivation.

There are several relgious stories which are popular and associated with it. It has been said to be born from Brahma in few of them & also to be born of hairs of Lord Vishnu. according to another historical belief, when Sita was again going inside earth then, the Lord Rama jumped to pull her but could catch only few hairs of Sita. Later, these hairs took the form of Kusha.

An another belief, links it with ‘Samudra-Manthan’ and Amrit (Elixir). It is said that a great & fierce battle took place between Gods & demons as soon as Elixir part came out of ‘Samudra Manthan’. Taking benefit of this situation, jayant, a son of Indra ran away with this elixir pot and continued to wander hither-thither for 12 years. During these wandering days, jayant kept this. Amrit Khembh (Elixin Pot) at the four different places. The used to keep Amit Kumbh always on Kusha grasses. Today, Mahakumbha festival is organised on these four places in India.

In some of the researches, it has been addressed as an insulator to radiations and energy. Whereas it has been described as good conductor of sounds of different kinds. It is beleived that its use sentralises negative energy effect on human body while there is more effect of Vedic mantras on account of its use.

The waters of Kusha are used differently on different occassions of sacred religions practices & has symbolic significance. Normally, a ring made of Kusha leanes are put into ring finger of right hand before performing vgyas & religious rituals. On accassion of death related retuals (or cremation) single leaf ring is while on other religions rituals occassion, ring made of two leaves of Kusha are worn. On occassion of Pitripiya. Amavarya, Puja, three leaves ring is were while four leaves made ring are advised to wear in ring finger on the occassion of large Puja ceremony in temples.

Traditionally, it is believed that once used Kusha leaves made ring can be used second times provided it has been sacrified in due manner. but it can be repeately used only upto seventh times. On the contrary, same rings can not be used more tan once on occassion of unably Yogic & rituals practices or Pitri Puja, Pind-daan, creation or death etc.

There is classical methodoligoes for cutting of Kusha grasses. it cannot ever been cut. it is cut only on pratham tithi (!st day) of Krishna Paksha of Bhadra Maas with the user of Vedic mantras which is mentioned below.

Kusha is also used in another way on different religious occassions. The Gangajal (waters of never Ganga) is thrown on gods & lands where puja is to be performed & is called ‘Abhishek’ before performing Yagayas through bunch of Kusha grass leaves.

Kusha is used for prosperity fertility and family welfare. As such, it is used generally, in the worship of Lord Gansha, Lord Vishnu etc. while in worship of Lord Shiva, it is never used.

In several religious texts, Kusha grasses have been used as weapons. Saints had killed Raja Ben, the father of as weapons. Saints had killed Raja Ben, the father of Prithu with these Kusha leaves, similarly, Balraamjee had killed Romharshan rishi in Najmi Sharanga through Kusha leaves. Mother Sita, always used to keep Kusha leaves with her to keep Ravan aloof from her.

Kusha grass’s relation is linked with Rishi Vishvamitra & on this basis, he is called Vishwamitra. Ring made of Kusha leaves are called – ‘Pavitri’. Indeed, its use is considered holy & most essential on the occassion of religious rituals perfor mance in Hindu religion.