The first thing to do before performing the Yajna is to get the sacred Darbha grass! It should be very sharp at one end and be of good quality! One who is very intelligent and sharp in intellect is called “ kusagra buddhi'”--having mind as sharp as the end of darbha grass! There is a variety of darbha grass extremely sharp at its end called “Viswamitra darbha”. Using this sacred darbha, a round formation called “pavithram” is made which has to be worn on the right ring finger. Any ritual has to be done by wearing this “pavitram”.There will not be any impediment in work if it is worn. Special care and attention has to be bestowed to gather this type of darbha grass. A good day has to be specified for collecting this grass. One should go to the place where it is grown since it grows only in clean places. Darbha grass is another form of water says the Veda! No distinction should be drawn between the two!
There is an interesting story related to darbha grass. There was a terrible demon Vrutrasura who tormented the Devas time and again. He invaded heaven and captured many Devas and their wives!This came to the notice of the Indra, king of Devas! He became furious and wanted to put an end to the atrocities of the demon. Nothing could stop the demon Vrutrasura! Indra had no other alternative but to use the all powerful and lethal Vajrayudha! He struck the asura with the Vajrayudha in the hope that it will kill the demon and solve the problem of the Devas! But what a wonder! The unassailable Vajrayudha had no effect on the demon and he grew more ferocious frightening Indra himself! It had just the effect of the touch of the blade of dry grass on Vrutrasura! Indra was shocked to see what had happened! He was totally at a loss and did not know what to do.
The Creator Brahma was a silent spectator to the encounter between Indra and Vrutrasura! He too was amazed at the fall of the Vajrayudha and the discomfiture of Indra, king of Gods. He wanted to help Indra caught in a tight corner! How can the Vajrayudha of Indra fail? The asuras are not only terrible, but have enormous spiritual power and invincibility because of the boons sanctioned by the Devas themselves! Brahma did not keep quiet! He took the fallen Vajrayudha into his hands and drenched it in the water in his ‘kamandal.’ He commanded Indra to attack the asura with the reinforced Vajrayudha and he did as he was bid! The reinforced Vajrayudha had a wonderful effect on the asura! It began cutting him bit by bit! Hands first, legs later and every part of the body of Vrutrasura was systematically cut as blood flowed profusely like a river from his body!
Vrutrasura was infuriated at the humiliation he suffered in the hands of Indra! Instead of feeling sorry for his evil deeds, he wanted to take vengeance on Indra! He now thought that Indra had no power as his Vajrayudha failed! The Creator Brahma too was powerless as he made the Vajrayudha powerful by soaking it in water! So, logically, it was the water in the kamandalu' that was powerful! He felt that he should see that there is no good water available in the world! So thinking, he dragged his profusely bleeding body to every water body and drenched himself!! Both Brahma and Indra were aghast at what the injured demon was doing! Brahma immediately came into action! He converted all other water bodies untouched by Vrutrasura into Darbhas! It is for this reason that Darbha grass is considered equal to water and sacred! During eclipses of the Sun and the moon Darbha grass is spread on pickles and other food materials for this reason! We cannot clean pickles with water! Darbha grass has the effect of cleansing with water! In all our religious rituals Darbha grass is a purifier!
There is another story in our Puranas regarding the sanctity of Darbha grass. Garuda, went to Heaven and brought ‘Amrit’ to end the slavery of his mother! He fought against the Devas and Indra but made friends with him later! He allowed Indra to take back the vessel with ‘Amrit’ soon after the release of his mother from slavery! A few drops of the Divine nectar had spilled on the Darbha grass on which the Amrit kalasa (vessel) was kept as Indra took it away! Thus Darbha grass became immortal and sacred for ever! The snakes, brothers of Garuda, licked the sharp Darbha grass and their tongues were torn!! Thus they became double tongued according to Puranas!
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