DEVOTEE:
Greetings, viewers. On this cloudy evening in Shadhikunja, I offer my respects to Mother Bamatara and begin today’s episode. Welcome to all new viewers of the "Gupta Sadhak Shyama Khyapa" YouTube channel, and thank you to our long-time friends for staying with us. Greetings, Gurudev.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Greetings, my son.
DEVOTEE:
Gurudev, we use a specific grass in various religious rituals called Durba grass or Durba-dal. We would like to learn about this grass from you today.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
This grass is very significant. You have likely heard of Durvasa Muni. There are many legends about him in the Puranas, and while they don’t always align, I will share the essence of what is known. Durvasa Muni used to perform intense fire sacrifices (Hom). Even the gods were afraid of him because he was known for his curses. Once, while at Lord Narayana’s abode, everyone was terrified of what curse he might utter. Durvasa was synonymous with curses. He performed so many sacrifices that the intense heat caused him to bleed from his nose and mouth.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
I have had similar experiences myself. During intense spiritual practices, I have been hospitalized four times because of bleeding from my nose and mouth. Despite numerous scans, the doctors found nothing, but the bleeding was severe—it would drip from my nose. I was given injections to stop it. Durvasa Muni also experienced this, and he chose Durba grass as a remedy. He would consume the juice of Durba grass, which effectively stopped the bleeding. That is one reason why Durba is so famous.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Another characteristic of Durba is its resilience. If you step on it, it might flatten, but after a while, it stands upright again. It doesn’t die easily. It has immense life force. We use Durba in two types of rituals: those for the gods (Dev-kaj) and those for the ancestors or funeral rites (Pret-kaj).
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
For instance, in funeral rites, if a daughter has to perform the rituals because there is no son, she is not allowed to touch Kush grass. In such cases, the priests make a ring out of Durba grass for her to wear. They also use a bundle of Durba to sprinkle water. Kush is restricted for women because it is believed that touching it could end their lineage—though this is traditional lore. In ancestral offerings (Pindo-daan), Kush is used extensively. However, priests advise that Kush should be separated and left on the bank rather than thrown into the water. Durba is used as a substitute whenever Kush is unavailable.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
During Durga Puja, specifically on Ashtami (the eighth day), a very special offering called Arghya is prepared. It is highly valued. This Arghya consists of 108 blades of Durba grass and 108 whole grains of Atap rice, wrapped in a red cloth or Altapata (lac-dyed paper/cloth). We use fresh wood-apple (Bel) leaves, place the Durba and rice on them, and scent them with sandalwood and Agaru. This bundle is tied with a red thread and offered to the Goddess. It is placed on a conch shell filled with water, and after the Arati, it is offered to the Mother. This particular Arghya is quite expensive in the market; priests sometimes charge 10,000 to 20,000 rupees for it on Ashtami. Those who know its value make sure to secure it.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
There is a Sanskrit mantra associated with this: "Durbakshata samayuktam, bilvapatra tathaparam, shovanam shankhapattrastham, grihanarghyam harapriye."
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
This is an offering to Goddess Durga. The word ‘Akshata’ refers to the whole rice grains. After the offering is made, the Durba is believed to carry the life force. Even the gods have said that a floral offering is incomplete and impure without the presence of Durba grass. If you have fewer flowers but include Durba, the offering is considered complete.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
In Ganesh Puja, we make bundles of 21 Durba blades and offer them into the sacred fire. Its importance is vast.
DEVOTEE:
It seems Durba is essential in every aspect, from the worship of gods to ancestral rites. You mentioned it stays "alive." Perhaps that is why it is used in rituals—it symbolizes the return of life.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
That is a possibility. As I said, a floral offering is considered "impure" or incomplete without Durba. Sometimes, when we don't have enough flowers, we perform the entire Puja using only Durba.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
There is a story about this. Once, Lord Indra wanted to stop a sacrifice being performed by a sage—I believe it was Durvasa Muni, though I might be remembering the name wrong. Narada Muni informed Indra that the sage was performing a massive sacrifice to take over Indra’s throne. Indra, in a panic, ordered that no flowers should bloom in the forest so the sage couldn't complete his Puja. When the sage found no flowers, he simply said, "No matter, I will use Durba grass." He completed the entire sacrifice using Durba. Eventually, Indra had to surrender and ask for forgiveness, as the sage explained he was performing the ritual for world peace, not to take the throne.
DEVOTEE:
That is a beautiful story, Gurudev. It highlights why Durba is used in fire sacrifices. We often see the use of 21 blades in Ganesh Puja as well.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Yes, the medicinal and spiritual qualities of Durba are immense.
DEVOTEE:
Gurudev, I believe Durvasa Muni was also the father of Ravana.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
(Correcting) No, Ravana’s father was Vishrava Muni.
DEVOTEE:
Ah, I apologize to the viewers for the mistake. It was Vishrava Muni. Gurudev, thank you for this wonderful discussion on Durba grass. Its resilience and presence in all rituals are truly fascinating. I hope our viewers enjoyed this as well. Greetings, Gurudev.
GURU SHYAMA KHYAPA:
Greetings, son.