All about Dharba – The holy grass - On the occasion of today’s Solar eclipse.

I am writing this article on Dharba - the holy grass, on the occasion of the Solar Eclipse today, 21st June 2020, when Dharba is used extensively in Hindu families.  

Dharba is a tropical grass considered a very sacred material in Vedic scriptures and is said to purify the offerings during several Hindu rituals.

Also called Darbha and Dharbham, the botanical name is "Desmostachya bipinnata". Hindus, mostly under the directions of Brahmins use this holy grass (usually dried) in all functions, auspicious and inauspicious.

Dharba has been identified as an eco-friendly food preservative. At the time of an eclipse, people place the grass on and also in food items and in food containers to protect the food from the ill-effects of radiations emanating during the eclipse.

During an eclipse, the wavelength and intensity of light radiations available on the earth’s surface are altered. Especially, the blue and ultraviolet radiations, which are known for their natural disinfecting property, are not available in sufficient quantities during an eclipse. This leads to uncontrolled growth of micro-organisms in food products during the eclipse and the food products are not suitable for consumption. So Dharba is used as a natural disinfectant on such occasions.

Once the eclipse ends the grass is removed.

During various Hindu rituals, auspicious or inauspicious, the performing person needs to wear a ring made of Dharba (you can see the picture of these rings above this article). But many have lost the reason of why it is to be used in the first place. While chanting and reciting some Vedic phrases and verses, one needs to wear a ring made of Dharbham on his right-hand ring finger. This is most essential while performing all the rituals, such as Agni Shanthanam, Aaradhanam, all sorts of Havans known as Homam.

The count of leaves depends upon the function that is held. For some functions related to death, only single leaf Dharbham is used; for auspicious and daily routine a ring made of two leaves is used; for inauspicious but not death-related functions, (that is Amavasya Tharpanam, Pithru Pooja etc.) a three-leaf Dharbham ring is used. And for the Temple Prayers and Pooja, a four-leaf Dharbham ring is used.

Also, when the holy fire ritual known as Agni Shanthanam is performed, the Dharba leaves are spread on all the four sides of the Agni Kundam, for the protection of the ceremony.

Whenever any function is held, firstly they perform a site-cleansing act known as "Shudhhi Punyaahavachanam". While reciting the selective versus, they hold the Dharbham bunch in their hand and place the tip point of it over the vessel containing water. The vibrations from the recited verses are said to be absorbed by the water in the vessel through the Dharbham. Ancient Rishis found that the Holy Grass - Dharbham has the highest value in conducting the phonetic vibrations through its tip. Later, they sprinkle the Holy water at every nook and corner of the place, where the function is held. A Dharbham without the tip is considered of no value, as the conductor-type value is lost in it.

Ropes made of this grass are used to encircle deities to purify them. These ropes are also given to the Brahmacharinis (unmarried women) for their protection.

In Ayurveda, Dharba grass is used as a medicine to treat dysentery, menorrhagia and for the treatment of diuretic.

All this proves that our ancient Rishis had great knowledge that continues to benefit us from times immemorial.

Let us save our ancient science and our great heritage.