Dharbham is a Vedic Sacred Grass. It is also called as Darbha or Kusha or Kush Grass, Kusa, Darbhai.
Darbham grass is a special type of grass which is used in Hindu rituals for purificatory process. In Rig Veda also it is mentioned about dharbai.
When a fire ritual known as Agni Santana is performed,these Dharbham are spread all the four sides of the Agni Kundam. The usage varies according to the functions.
While reciting the selective versus,the preists hold the Dharbham bunch in their hand and placing the tip point of it over the vessel containing water.Thus the recited vibration values are absorbed by water in the vessel through the Dharbham.Later, they sprinkle the Holy water at every nook and corner of the place,where the function is held.
It is really a marvel, that in those days of Vedic Era, the Sages & Saints of Hindu land used to control the Magnetic path disturbances, just by simply using this Dharbham. Blades of the razor-sharp grass have been converted by rishis into potent missiles to kill demons and errant kings. Rishis created a missile using kusha grass to kill the wicked king Vena.Darbham is used in Shraddha rituals.
Some say that the grass became sacred when drops of amrita or nectar fell on it during the churning of the cosmic ocean. Another story tells us that the pot containing amrita was placed on kusha grass and that's how it came to be considered immortal. Dharbham cannot be planted and grown everywhere.It only grows naturally at selective places.
Pavitram
A “pavitram” made of “darbham” (sacred grass) is to be worn on the ring-finger of the right hand as a prelude to the performance of any ritual, auspicous or otherwise.
one needs to wear a Pavithram (ring made of Dharbham) on his right hand ring finger. This is most essential, while performing all the rituals, such as Agni Santhanam, Thiru-Aaradhanam, all sorts of Havans known as Homam etc.In all functions, auspicious or inauspicious,a performing person needs to wear a ring made of this Dharbham.
The set comprises of:
1. Set of 12 ring made of kusha grass is wore on the ring finger of the person performing the ritualistic ceremonies. These rings are known as pavitra (sacred) rings for the puja or Pavitri. The head priest or the the Yajmaan (person for whom puja is done) wears this darbha ring, representing the sacred knot or hair-curl (Skt. shrivatsa) of Vishnu.
2. Set of 12 bundles of sacred Kusha grass with roots for purifying during the puja or ritual ceremonies. Kusha grass is known to be the purifying object.