This plant is the same as Kusha or Munja also called panic grass and belongs to the genus borage. It is found in damp marshy and low-lying areas. Brahmins always keep some in their houses and it is used for purification in all kinds of ceremonies. It grows to a height of about two feet and is thinly pointed at the top. It is extemely rough to touch, and if rubbed the wrong way, it may cut through the skin. The word Kusha is related to the Sanskrit Kushala meaning sharp in the sense of keen intelligence (because of the sharp tips of the grass). The brahmacarin who used to fetch this grass for the guru was also known as kushala (expert). It is used to make Pavitra rings for wearing during puja, Kurcas to use in kumbha pujas or for purifying different objects by touching or sprinkling liquids, making ropes which are used to encircle objects like deities or brahmacarins, making mats to sit on during pujas or meditation, and laying around and lighting the sacrificial fire (yajna) in the ceremony called Kushandika. It is also ground up and the essence used for Kusha oil (to be used in Summer for it's cooling effects) and Kusha flavored sarbat also drunk for it's cooling effects. Darbha Grass is identified with Lord Visnu and is believed to possess the power to purify anything. It is worshipped on Darbhashtami in the month Bhadrapada (August-September).
Stories concerning the origin of Darbha/Kusha:
1. Said to have been produced from the churning of the ocean of milk.
2. Said to have fallen to Earth from the pot of Amrita (which was produced from the churning of the ocean of milk.)
3. Equated with the hairs on the body of Lord Varaha (the Boar) avatara of Visnu. (see Bhagavata Purana 3.13.35)
Courtesy – www.ramanuja.org
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