A sign of fertility or potential missiles to overthrow demons, grass, the simplest of plants, is closely linked to indian mythology

Au00a0sign of fertility or potential missiles to overthrow demons, grass, the simplest of plants, is closely linked to indian mythology

In Hindu rituals, grass plays an important role. Rings made of grass are often worn before starting either the ritual of Homa (offerings via fire) or Puja (flower offerings). It is said to purify the participants. At Ganesha temples, offerings of blades of grass are very common. The use of grass in rituals dates back to the Vedic times, which is 1500 BC by the most conservative estimates. The grass is variously known as Kusha and Durva.

Scholars and priests are not clear if they refer to two separate species of grass or the same grass. No one is absolutely sure what species of grass is used. The grass used is different in different parts of India. Species identified with sacred grass include Cynodon dactylon, Desmostachya bipinnata, Imperata cylindrica and Panicun dactylon. The unique feature associated with Kusha grass is it has sharp edges.

The unique feature associated with Durva grass is that they are hardy plants, great survivors, whose roots go deep in search of water. Pluck a blade of grass and it will sprout back, making them powerful symbols of regeneration, renewal, rebirth, fertility and hence prosperity. This is why this grass is offered to householder gods like Ganesha, and not to hermit gods like Shiva.

Sita is said to have placed a sacred grass between herself and Ravan during her days in Lanka, warning him never to cross it. If he did, his head would burst into a thousand pieces. This makes the grass the Sita-Rekha that prevents Ravan from crossing the line of propriety with the faithful wife of another man.

Some say the grass represents the hair of Brahma; others say it is the hair of Vishnu. In one folk variant of the Ramayana, it is the hair of Sita as Sita entered the earth, a distraught Ram tried to hold on to her but could only catch a few strands of hair that turned into Kusa grass whose sharp edges cut his fingers.

Another folk narrative states that Sita gave birth to only one son called Luv. One day, she left the child in the care of sage Valmiki and went to the forest to collect firewood. While she was away, the child wandered off. Valmiki, not finding the child, became tense. He took Kusha grass, turned it into a doll and using his magical powers created another son, who was the very likeness of Luv. Which is how the twin brother of Luv, Kusha, came into being.

Blades of 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.

Some say the Durva grass became sacred as drops of Amrita fell on it during the churning of the ocean of milk. This is why grass is immortal. Another story tells us that the pot containing Amrita was placed on Kusha grass which is why it became immortal. This pot of Amrita was brought down from heaven by the eagle, Garuda, as the price of his liberation; he was enslaved by his step-brothers, the snakes.

After having secured the nectar from Amravati, the city of the gods, Garuda placed the pot on a ground covered with green grass. As the Nagas moved towards the pot intent on drinking the nectar, Garuda said, "It is considered improper to drink this divine liquid without taking a bath or at least rinsing your mouth."
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The Nagas agreed and rushed to the river to take a dip. When they were away, the pot on the grass was left unguarded. Indra descended and took the pot back to Amravati. "Why did you not stop him?" asked the Nagas on learning of the theft. "Oh," said Garuda, "Was I supposed to guard Amrita? But I am not your servant anymore. You set me free, remember?" The Nagas realised Garuda was right. They could do nothing. They had lost their chance to sip the nectar of immortality.

They rolled on the blades of grass on which Amrita had been placed. As a result, they acquired the magical ability to shed their skin and replace it with a new one; this ensured that they never grew old.
They also licked the blades of Kusha grass hoping to get at least a drop of the celestial drink but the edges were so sharp that they split the serpents' tongues.