Dharba - Holy grass

Dharba is a holy grass with a lot of significance in sanatana dharma. It's botonical name is Eragrostis cynosuroides. It is called as Kus or Kusha in Hindi. Brahmins use this Dharba grass in all functions, auspicious or inauspicious. A performing person needs to wear a ring made of this Dharbam. Below are a few scientific applications of Dharba

Absorber of harmful rays:

During the Eclipse time, these Dharba are used to cover all food items to protect them from the harmful ultra violet radiation. It is also said that Dharba can also absorb 60% of X-rays if placed between the body and the X-ray machine.

Conductor of phonetic vibrations:

Before a homam, brahmins perform a site-cleansing act known as "Sudhhi Punyaahavachanam". While reciting the selective versus, they hold the Dharbha 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 Dharbha. The Holy Grass known as Dharbha has the highest value in conducting the phonetic vibrations through its tip. It acts as the transmitter of the vedic phonetic vibrations from brahmins to water. Then this water is sprinkled in every nook and corner of the place where the function is held. A Dharbha without the tip is considered of no value, as the conductor-type value is lost in it."

Ramayanam is written by sage Valmiki but Lava and Kusha spread it across the length and breadth of the country. Just like that Dharba which is transferring the vibrations into water. Valmiki aptly named the boys as 'Kusha' the tip and 'Lava' the other end. Lava Kusha gave us the phonetic vibration of word "Rama" by singing Ramayanam

Usage:

While chanting and reciting some Vedic phrases and versus, one needs to wear a ring made of Dharbha 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 Dharbha 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 Dharbha ring is used. And for the Temple Prayer and Pooja, a Four-leaf Dharbha ring is used. Also, when a fire ritual known as Agni Santhana is performed, these Dharbha are spread all the four sides of the Agni Kundam.