Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam. Tell me.
Devotee:
In various Pujas, Shraddha (funeral rites), offerings, and Upanayana (sacred thread ceremonies), we see the use of Kush grass. Could you please tell us something about the significance of this Kush grass?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Look, since ancient times, the sages and rishis performed all their spiritual work using Kush. Kush is the strength of the Brahmins. Without Kush, a Brahmin is powerless. Always remember that the power of a Brahmin lies in Kush.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is why Kush is used in all ceremonies. As you know, during Shraddha, Annaprashan (first rice-eating ceremony), marriages, or sacred thread ceremonies, two things are always used: the Kush-anguriya (a ring made of Kush grass) worn on both hands, and the Tripatra (three leaves of the grass). Kush is a type of grass.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Usually, it doesn't die easily. If the root remains, it will grow back no matter how much you cut it. Because it is used in every ritual... but when it comes to the worship of the Vamans (referring to a specific path of worship), the Mother (Goddess) is free-spirited, so a Brahmin is not strictly required there. Anyone can perform that worship. In those cases, the use of Kush is minimal.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The most significant use of Kush is during Paraloukik Kriya (funeral and post-death rituals). Just as a banana leaf is needed, Kush is equally essential, as is Ganga water. These three are vital.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, Kush has a unique property: it blocks "Gravitation." That is why, when we perform Pindo-daan (offering food to the deceased) during funeral rites, we spread out a layer of Kush first. The Pindo is placed on top of it because the soul cannot touch gravitation. That is the primary reason Kush is used there.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In every ritual—marriage, rice-eating, or sacred thread ceremonies—Kush is indispensable. As I said, Kush is the Brahmin's strength. Whether it's the Kush-anguriya or other items, they are used heavily in rituals related to the departed. Both the one performing the ritual and the priest must wear the Kush ring.
Devotee:
Gurudev, is there a specific mantra to be recited while wearing the Kush ring?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
No, there is no specific mantra. The Brahmins prepare it. Those who perform the funeral rites for their family must wear it. Also, water is always sprinkled using the Tripatra (three blades of Kush). Only Kush water is used for purification and during Shanti-Swastyayan (peace-seeking rituals).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Kush is like nectar; Kush water is considered an elixir. In ancient lore, there was a dynasty known as the Kush dynasty. Chanakya destroyed that Kush dynasty. Whether this grass originated from that is hard to say for certain, but there is a link.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Just as you cannot easily destroy Kush grass—it grows back like the blood of Raktabija—there is a mythological connection that may not be "scientific" in the modern sense, but the scientific aspect we do know is that Kush resists gravitation. When we sit for Sadhana (spiritual practice), we use a Kush-ashan (a mat made of Kush).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, regarding the power of Brahmins—modern Brahmins might not have that same power, but the tradition of using Kush mats, Kush rings, and the Tripatra remains. It is used for both auspicious "Dev-kriya" and in funeral "Pret-kriya."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
When we offer Pindo, it is always on Kush because, as I mentioned, it is "Anti-Gravitational." The soul "sucks" or absorbs the essence of the offering, which is why the ancient pundits insisted on using Kush during these rites. If a Brahmin allows it, others may sit on a Kush mat as well, but usually, it is reserved for the priest.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
After the funeral rites, the Pindo is either given to a cow or immersed in water. However, the Kush grass used must be separated. If you throw the Kush into the water with the offering, it is said to destroy the lineage. Therefore, Brahmins advise: "Separate the Kush; throw it on the dry bank, not in the water. Only the Pindo should go into the water."
Devotee:
Gurudev, for those who live abroad or in foreign countries, if they cannot find Kush grass for a Shraddha ceremony, can they use something else?
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Yes. If Kush is unavailable, they use Durba grass (Bermuda grass). Generally, it is said that women should not touch Kush; they aren't given Kush mats or Kush rings. Instead, women use rings made of Durba grass. If a woman has to perform funeral rites, she uses Durba. This is our tradition. I don't know the exact "science" behind why women shouldn't touch Kush, but the long-standing custom is to provide them with a bundle of Durba for sprinkling water.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Along with Kush, Ganga water and black sesame (Til) are essential. When Tulsi (holy basil) is offered to Lord Narayana, black sesame is required. Similarly, during funeral rites, sesame is used extensively—it is called Tilokanchon.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Ganga is extremely pure. Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya spoke at length about the Ganges; even he said, "I do not know your full glory." Ganga originally resided at the feet of Lord Vishnu. Her only task was to wash His feet. When Bhagirath performed penance in the Himalayas to bring Ganga to earth, Lord Shiva was pleased and asked what he desired. Bhagirath asked to bring Mother Ganga to the mortal world.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Shiva, who is easily pleased, granted the boon. But Ganga did not want to leave Vishnu's feet. When Shiva called her, she initially refused. Lord Vishnu, fearing that Shiva's anger might cause a cataclysm, told Ganga she must go. As she descended, Shiva caught her in his matted hair (Jata).
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
This is a metaphorical story. Geographically, the Himalayas are covered in ice. The water that trickles down from the melting ice of Kailash is the Ganga. Scientifically, it is noted that glacial water doesn't easily grow worms or bacteria. This is why, in the old days, widows would only drink Ganga water. They wouldn't drink tap water because, back then, the washers in the taps were made of leather, and their social customs were very strict.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
So, Shiva told Bhagirath, "Go, and she will follow you." Ganga was afraid of the sins of the mortal world. She said, "The world is full of sin; I cannot carry that burden." Shiva reassured her with a mantra: "Sadyo pataka samhanti, sadyo duhkha vinashini; sukhada mokshada Ganga, Gangeiva parama gati." (Ganga destroys sins instantly, removes sorrows, and provides both happiness and salvation; there is no path higher than Ganga.)
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is why Ganga water is used in both auspicious Pujas and funeral rites.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
To summarize, Kush is the strength of the Brahmin. If someone goes missing and is not found for 12 years, an effigy is made of Kush grass and cremated to perform their final rites. This is the tradition—after 12 years of a person being missing, Kush is used to represent their body for the funeral.
Devotee:
Pranam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pranam, baba. Pranam.