Dharbham the Holy Grass

*The Holy Grass known as Dharbham or Dharbai - Kush Grass, Kusa - Eragrostis cynosuroides*

*by TRS Iyengar*


This article is on one of the practices widely used by Indian Brahmins all over using a Holy Grass named *Dharbham or Dharbai.* The botonical name is *Eragrostis cynosuroides* and Hindi they call  as Kus or Kusha. Brahmins in general and Srivaishnavites in particular use this Darbai grass in all functions, auspicious or inauspicious, a performing person needs to wear a ring made of this Dharbham. But many have lost the reason of why it is to be used in the first place. What I learnt from my father is proved to be accurately correct by a Medicine Practitioner. A medical practitioner named Dr. Sadhashiv Rao, once visited my home. When the topic turned to many subjects, I needed to tell him about the Holy Grass named *Dharbham. *When I told him about the usage and the values, he could not just believe my words. So, he took out a bunch of the *Dharbham*from me, went straight to the clinic to take an x-ray of his palm, by covering his hand with the *Dharbham*. To his utter surprise, he found that the grass absorbed about 60% of the (x-ray) radiation! When the so powerful X-ray radiation can be absorbed by the Holy Grass, why can it not absorb the ill-radiations spread over the atmosphere? While chanting and reciting some Vedic phrases and  versus, 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 Santhanam, Thiru-Aaradhanam, all sorts of Havans known as Homam etc.

The count of leaves depends upon the function that is held viz.: 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, (i.e. *Amavasya Tharppanam,Pithru Pooja etc*) a three leaf Dharbham ring is used. And for the Temple Prayer and Pooja, a Four-leaf Dharbham ring is used.

Also, when a fire ritual known as Agni Santhana is performed, these Dharbham are spread all the four sides of the Agni Kundam. Also, during the Eclipse time, these Dharbham are used to cover all food items to protect them from the harmful ultra violet radiation.
Whenever any function is held, firstly they perform a site-cleansing act known as "Sudhhi Punyaahavachanam". While reciting the selective versus, they 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.
They found that the Holy Grass known as 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.

If dharbam is cut & collected on the Avani Amavasya day (falls during 15th August & 15th Sept) it can be retained for usage for one full year. Also, if cut on the Masi Amavasya day then also one can use it for full year. There is a specific slokha for cutting dharbam (the holy grass) that is to be recited while cutting it; I give below the same for readers to know.

*If Dharbam is obtained from a *Brahmin who doesn't know this slokam or versus, the Dharbam is useless, states the Vedic scripts!*

My father, Late *Shri Ramabathrachariar of Mukkur*, fondly called by everyone as *Sriraman*, has taught me the immense values of Dharbham and its usage. With Sanskrit http://www.kandala. org/Class- Info.htm> phonetic sound and vibration, using the Dharbham increases its value. The usage varies according to the functions. 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

Basically all our Vedas and Upanishads are written in Sanskrit, Which basically is a phonetic based language. So I have a feeling that it is not just the mantras being powerful but mainly due to the effects "Sound" has over a humans body. I feel that our ancestors had mastered the art of sound; phonetics and acoustics as such. So when the Vedas was written and the tone set for its deliverance that had no effect whatsoever on a "Man's" body but it should have definitely had a profound effect on a "Woman's" body that would have been the reason why ladies are not allowed to chant mantra or the Vedas or Upanishads or for that matter any of the slokas that a man recites. When we do Paaraayanam, I feel that the reason why girls are not allowed to do that is basically  their physique cannot take the tremendous changes effected due to sustained practice of known as Recital.

This is something that my grandpa's younger brother told me about, when we perform the Kumbabhishekam in a temple, At least 20 learned Vedic scholars would stand near the "*kumba* *jalam"* (holy water kept in the copper or brass vessel) and holding a "Dharbam",one end in their hand and other end in the water would recite all the slokas need or rather do the "Japam" - I think this is because "Dharbam" is a very good conductor of acoustic vibrations - When this happens you can surely find the difference in the water's state before and after such a japam. The reason why i am saying this has reference to my stating that Sanskrit is a phonetic based language and "Sound and Acoustics" does really change things. Our ancestors would have done lot of research into acoustics management resulting in they mastering the art of sound and acoustics and using them to both, their constructive and destructive benefits.

Again this is purely my and only my own opinion.

Apart from the above, Dharbham cannot be planted and grown everywhere. It only grows naturally at selective places and available almost in every state in India. Several persons at many occasions tried to cultivate this plant but failed to see its growth. Why, anyone can try this now if it is possible for them to plant & cultivate in their locations! Sorry, it will not grow as one might think. It has its potential soil selection, magnetic path locations and soil conditions that add value to its growth only in selective places! Some learned scholars name it after Saint Vishwaamitra – hence Dharbham is known and also called as "*Vishwaamitra* ". If it is kept for a longer time, say for more than six months, (excepting the one cut during Masi & Avani Amavasya days.) then it loses its value and the power of absorbing the radiation or magnetic path control values.

Dharbham cannot just be plucked straight or cut on any day; There is a specific Slokha given above, that is to be recited before cutting it; That too it can be cut only on the day next to Full Moon - known as Krishna Paksha Pradamai. A Dharbham without its tip portion is not to be used for making a Ring like item known as "*Pavithram* ".
A word of caution for the new users of this Dharbai / Dharbam. It is sharper than a blade! The edges are so sharp, it might even hurt & cut your palm if handled carelessly, that you'll notice only when you find blood oozing from your palm! Yes, you'll not feel the pain while injuring, but later one feels it. Only when it is wet, you can twist it to the form you need to make the called Pavithram or Bugnams.

Shani Bhagavan


Lord Shani Bhagavan, can be rightly described as the disciplinarian among the Navagrahas. He sculpts one and all to perfection, that the course of His moulding seems to be too arduous for one to go through. However He is also known to shower His blessings abundantly over His devotees. Despite being one of the noted temples of Lord Shiva, Thirunallaru is better known as the abode of Shani Bhagavan. People afflicted by Sadhe Sati, Ashtama Shani and who are going through the phase of Shani Dasa flock here to offer prayers to Shani. Hence it is hailed as a 'Navagraha Sthalam' Sanipeyarchi or Saturn transit is celebrated grandly with special poojas for Shani Bhagavan. It is also a belief that though Shani gets one to work out the results of one's karma, He is also known to treat the righteous without inflicted much suffering. He presents Himself in a pleasant form as a 'Anugraha Murthi’ (one who bestows pleasant things).

Method Of Worship

Kuvalai flowers are used for the worship of Shani while gingelly oil lamps are lit to appease Him. Small packs of black sesame seeds wrapped in a small piece of cloth dipped in gingelly oil are burnt before Shani Bhagavan as a form of worship.


Legend


The main deity or Moolavar, Lord Dharbarenyeswara is a Swayambu Linga (come on its own). Originally the place was a forest with a flourishing growth of Dharba grass or Kusa grass. The impression of the grass on the body of the Lingam still stands as a testimonial fact to the truth. The Lord is also worshipped as Adhimoorthy or Nalarar. Mother Parvati is worshipped as Pranamambika in Sanskrit and Bogamartha Poonmulai-ammai in Tamil.

The most ancient legend has Lord Brahma and other sages who worshipped Lord Shiva here. Lord Shiva appeared before them and taught the Vedas, after which He assumed the shape of a Lingam. Brahma then had the divine sculptor to construct a temple which was called 'Adhipuri'.


As per the guidance of the sage, Nala dipped himself in the Brahma theertham of the temple and entered the sanctom to offer worship to Lord Shiva. It was then that Lord Shani let go off him.

Thirunallaru is also the place where Sambandhar's hymns on Dharbarenyeswara was thrown into the fire and was revived without even a slightest burn during a religious duel that took place between the Jains in Madhurai and Sambandhar. Hence the place also came to be known as 'Pachai Padhigam Petra Thalam’ Sundarar and Appar have also sung the praise of the Lord here.

The most famous legend of the temple has King Nala, afflicted by Shani who went through untold miseries. He lost his kingdom, and was separated from his wife and children and Shani's impact took a toll on his appearance as well when he was bitten by the snake Karakodagan. It was pity that being a king himself, he assumed the role of a charioteer for King Irudhupannan. However he was recoganised by his wife Dhamayanti in the Swayamvaram ( the ceremony of choosing a groom ) arranged by her father in order to track Nala. Nala regained his old form and was reunited with his family. Despite the reunion, Nala bore the torment of a troubled mind and hence sought the guidance of Sage Bharadwaja who directed him to worship Lord Dharbarenyeswara in Thirunallaru. As per the guidance of the sage, Nala dipped himself in the Brahma theertham of the temple and entered the sanctom sanctorum to offer his worship to Lord Shiva. It was then that Lord Shani let go off him.


About the temple

People afflicted by Sadhe Sati, Ashtama Shani and who are going through the phase of Shani Dasa flock here to offer prayers to Shani.

Thirunallar is located 5 kilometers west of Karaikal in the bus route of Karaikal-Mayiladuthurai and Kumbakonam in the state of Tamil Nadu, South India.

Thirunallaru is also one of the seven temples, 'Saptha Vidanga Sthalams', located near Thanjavur. Each Murti or the idol in these seven has the Lord representing a unique dance form. The processional deity or the Somaskandhar is 'Naka Vidangar' and the unique dance He performs here is 'Unmatha Nadanam'. Hence the place is also called as 'Nakavidangapuram'

The Sthala Viruksham or the holy plant is Kusa grass (Darbha). The temple's holy water source is the 'Nala Theertam' along with thirteen other Theerthams.

Any details and information with regards to the temple can be accessed from the Executive Officer, Sri Darbaranyeswara Swami Devasthanam, Thirunallar 609 607 (Tel: 04368-236530 or 236504).

Let us hence surrender to Lord Dharbarenyeswara of Thirunallaru to bestow His blessings over us to lead a righteous life to keep the wrath of Shani Bhagavan at bay. Let us beseech the Lord to grant us the supreme state where one transcends both pain and pleasure and thus abide in the state of everlasting bliss.



Dear Chandru,

Thanks for this new post on Dharabam Very interesting it is!.Your  post made me post the message of Darbaraneyeswara Temple Let us all  surrender to  that Lord and earn His  blessings  please.