Why Kusha or Durba grass is considered so sacred?

Once upon a time, there was a powerful demon named Vrutrasura who terrorized the Devas. Even Indra's mighty weapon, the Vajrayudha, failed to defeat him. Brahma intervened, soaking the Vajrayudha in his kamandal and instructing Indra to attack again. This time, the weapon successfully defeated the demon. In his vengeful rage, Vrutrasura tried to strip the world of water's power by immersing himself in every water body. To counter this, Brahma transformed untouched water bodies into sacred Darbha grass, showcasing its significance in purifying rituals across various traditions.

In another story, Garuda, the divine eagle, sought to liberate his mother from slavery and brought back the elixir of immortality, 'Amrit,' from Heaven. While initially at odds with the Devas and Indra, Garuda later befriended them. As a gesture of goodwill, he permitted Indra to reclaim the vessel containing 'Amrit.' During this exchange, a few drops of Amrit fell on the Darbha grass beneath the vessel, endowing it with everlasting sanctity. This myth also explains why, according to the Puranas, snakes have forked tongues after licking the sharp Darbha grass.

Kusha grass, holds significant importance in Hindu rituals and ceremonies. It is considered sacred and is widely used for various purposes in religious practices. Here are some key aspects of the significance of Darbha grass in Hinduism:

Purification and protection: Darbha grass is traditionally used to purify and protect the space where religious ceremonies, pujas, and yajnas take place. It is believed to create a shield against negative spiritual influences, ensuring a sanctified atmosphere for worship.

Connection with devas: Bundles of Darbha grass are often placed in sacred water pots (kumbhas) used during worship. These bundles act as a channel to connect with the divine realm of Devas, amplifying the power of prayers and rituals.

Protection through rings: Rings made from Darbha grass, known as Darbha Pavitram, are worn by priests and individuals during prayer rituals. These rings are believed to shield the wearer from negative spiritual energies and enhance the effectiveness of their prayers.

In weddings: In wedding rituals, women wear a belt made of Darbha grass. Similarly, spiritual aspirants (brahmacāris) wear a Darbha grass belt during their spiritual initiation ceremonies (upanāyanam).

Ancestor worship: Darbha grass is a must in rituals for the Pitṛs (Ancestors) like tarpanam. Bundles of Darbha are used to invoke ancestors, and water and offerings are made through blades of Darbha grass.

During eclipses, particularly solar eclipses, the use of Kusha grass holds special significance in Hindu rituals. According to traditional beliefs, the period of an eclipse is considered impure, and therefore, activities such as cooking, eating, and other daily chores are avoided during this time.
Devotees spread Kusha grass on food items, especially pickles, to purify them. The sharp and purifying qualities of Kusha grass are believed to cleanse the food and make it suitable for consumption during the eclipse. Additionally, the grass is often placed on top of water containers to prevent the water from getting contaminated by eclipse.