Darbha, Dārbha, Darbhā: 27 definitions
Introduction:
Darbha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi, biology. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation1) Darbha (दर्भ) is a type of grass commonly used in ritualistic worship, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.11, while explaining the mode of worshipping Śiva:—“[...] nine vessels of different sizes should be kept by the sensible devotee. Darbha grass shall be spread and cool water sprinkled over these vessels with Darbha grass. Reciting the oṃkāra, the intelligent devotee shall sprinkle the various materials of worship. [...]”.
2) Darbha (दर्भ) is used in the worship of Śiva, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.14:—“[...] a person desirous of liberation (mukti) shall worship him with Darbhas. O best of sages, the number everywhere is a hundred thousand times”.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: The Purana IndexDarbha (दर्भ).—A son of Āṅgirasa.*
- * Vāyu-purāṇa 65. 104.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
Kavya (poetry)
Source: archive.org: The ocean of story, vol. 1Darbha (दर्भ) grass is the most sacred of the various kinds of grasses (kuśa, dūrva, etc.) held in special veneration. The origin of darbha grass is explained in numerous legends. It is said to have been formed from the hairs of Viṣṇu which came off while, in his tortoise incarnation, he was acting as a pivot for Mount Mandara at the Churning of the Ocean. Another story relates that while the gods were drinking the amṛta after the Churning a few drops fell on the grass and thus made it sacred. It enters into nearly all important ceremonies among the Hindus. It is used in the famous “sacred thread” (upanayana) ceremony, at weddings, in offering up prayers or invoking deities, at funerals, at a śrāddha, at sacrifices, and at numerous other ceremonies connected with initiation, magic, pregnancy, menses, and different forms of ordeals.
Kavya (काव्य, kavya) refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.
Ayurveda (science of life)
Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)
Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgrahaDarbhā (दर्भा) refers to the medicinal plant known as “Desmostachya bipinnata (Linn.) Stapf” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning darbhā] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).
Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)
Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha ChikitsaDarbha (दर्भ) is the name of an ingredient used in the treatment of snake-bites such as those caused by the Mahāmaṇḍalī-snakes, according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Accordingly, one of the treatments is mentioned as follows: “Paste of plaintain stem root, mango, Darbha, Uśīra and Mastukā is to be applied on the veins. A drink prepared out of the said ingredients can also be administered”.
Unclassified Ayurveda definitions
Source: Chulalongkorn University: Department of Eastern Languages (Pali-Sanskrit Section) (ay)Darbha (दर्भ) or Darbhamaṇi refers to one of the Maṇis (protection amulets) mentioned in the Atharva-veda. Maṇis refer to small round objects made from natural plant parts or from the solid coverings of animal bodies. It has the properties of being an amulet for protection and warding off evil spirits. or as an herb for treating illnesses. Sudev Krishna Sharman G. listed 9 types of Maṇi [e.g., darbha-maṇi—means Kusa grass or sacred grass used in rituals. Religious (Desmostachya bipinnata)] according to the Atharvaveda including specifying assumptions about the meaning.
Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.
Pancaratra (worship of Nārāyaṇa)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama TextsDarbha (दर्भ) refers to a type of Grass found inside a temple-complex which symbolizes the “male organ and genital hairs” (of the human body) in the analogy of “the human body as a temple”, as discussed in chapter 30 (Kriyāpāda) of the Padmasaṃhitā: the most widely followed of Saṃhitā covering the entire range of concerns of Pāñcarātra doctrine and practice (i.e., the four-fold formulation of subject matter—jñāna, yoga, kriyā and caryā) consisting of roughly 9000 verses.—Description of the chapter [lakṣmyādipāṇigrahaṇa-vimānādipratiṣṭhā]: [...] Just as the temple compound is the structural analogy to the human body, so the Yajamāna should meditate on these parts of his own body during the various pratiṣṭhā ceremonies. The Jīva pervades the whole structure, and throughout, the following structural elements have their corresponding anatomical analogy in the main human body; [e.g., the darbha-grass, the male organ and genital hairs] [...] (48-53).
Pancaratra (पाञ्चरात्र, pāñcarātra) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Narayana is revered and worshipped. Closeley related to Vaishnavism, the Pancaratra literature includes various Agamas and tantras incorporating many Vaishnava philosophies.
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Google Books: Consecration Rituals In South AsiaDarbha (दर्भ) refers to a type of grass used in the ritual for the re-installation of damaged idols from the temple, according to Kerala ritual texts such as the Śaivāgamanibandhana, Prayogamañjarī and the Īśanagurudevapaddhati.—[...] After the ablution the pot used for the tattvakalaśa is kept upside down on the seat (pīṭha) and the bundle of darbha grass (kūrca) on top of the pot, facing the south, which is unusual in temple rituals. Then the priest sits facing the idol while the door of the sanctum is closed and imagines that his own iḍā, piṅgalā and suṣumnā and those of the idol are one. [...]
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (vastu)Darbha (दर्भ) is used for worshiping Agni (preliminary to Vāstupūjā), as discussed in chapter 12 of the Viṣṇusaṃhitā: a Sanskrit text written in 2600 verses which covers typical Pāñcarātra topics through a narrative dialogue between Aupagāyana and Siddha Sumati.—Description of the chapter [yāgabhūmi-lakṣaṇa]: [...] Once the site has been selected, the land should be cleared, plowed, sown and harvested, plowed again, leveled, etc., and, after a prayer requesting the lingering spirits to depart, strings are laid to mark out the holy plot. Then a pit is dug, into which a pot is placed and there filled with precious gems and covered over with mud, stones and water; on top of this place, Agni is worshipped as darbha-grass is burned; this is followed by vāstupūjā (36-48). [...]
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
Shilpashastra (iconography)
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (shilpa)Darbha (दर्भ) refers to “grass” which is wound around the garbhagṛha during the purification of divine icons (bimba), as discussed in chapter 16 of the Viṣṇusaṃhitā: a Sanskrit text written in 2600 verses which covers typical Pāñcarātra topics through a narrative dialogue between Aupagāyana and Siddha Sumati.—Description of the chapter [bimba-śuddhi]: [...] [After jalādhivāsa]—Thereupon, having purified the temple precincts after the Śilpins et, al. have left, a sūtra-thread and darbha-grass are wound around the garbhagṛha-sanctuary and worship is offered to it (41-46). Agnihoma is then done 108 times (47-51), and an elaborate kumbhapūjā is attended to in the course of which the various powers and deities are invoked into the waters contained in the pots (52-84). [...]
Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.
General definition (in Hinduism)
Source: archive.org: Vedic index of Names and SubjectsDarbha (दर्भ) is the name of a grass in the Rigveda and later. In the Atharvaveda it is used for the calming of anger (manyu-śamana) and as an amulet for protection against the scattering of one’s hair or the striking of one’s breast. It is also said to be ‘rich in roots’ (bhūri-mūla), to possess a thousand leaves (sahasra-parṇa) and a hundred stalks (śata-kāṇḍa).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraDarbha (दर्भ) or Kuśa, is Poa cynosuroides (synonym of Desmostachya bipinnata): a sacred grass used in some sacrificial ceremonies. It is considered very undesirable in cultivated ground.
Source: HereNow4U: Jaina Pāribhāṣika ŚabdakośaDarbha (दर्भ) or Darbhavidyā refers to a type of Vidyā (occult science) as defined in the Jaina Pāribhāṣika Śabdakośa.—Darbha refers to that Vidyā, in which the kuśa (grass) is first treated by chanting Mantras; then the patient is treated with it, which makes him free from the ailment.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Biology (plants and animals)
Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and DrugsDarbha [दर्भ] in the Sanskrit language is the name of a plant identified with Imperata cylindrica Imperata cylindrica (L.) P.Beauv. from the Poaceae (Grass) family. For the possible medicinal usage of darbha, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.
Darbha in the Malayalam language is the name of a plant identified with Desmostachya bipinnata (L.) Stapf from the Poaceae (Grass) family having the following synonyms: Uniola bipinnata, Poa cynosuriodes, Eragrostis cynosuroides.
Darbha in the Marathi language, ibid. previous identification.
Darbha in the Sanskrit language, ibid. previous identification.
Darbha in the Telugu language, ibid. previous identification.
Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)1) Darbha in India is the name of a plant defined with Desmostachya bipinnata in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Poa cynosuroides Retz., also spelled cynosuriodes (among others).
2) Darbha is also identified with Imperata cylindrica It has the synonym Calamagrostis lagurus (L.) Koeler (etc.).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· Annuario del Reale Istituto Botanico di Roma (1908)
· Flora Palaestina (1756)
· Journal of Applied Ecology (1999)
· Encyclopédie Méthodique, Botanique (1783)
· Naturalia monspeliensia. Série botanique. (1958)
· Journal of Cytology and Genetics (1983)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Darbha, for example extract dosage, side effects, chemical composition, pregnancy safety, diet and recipes, health benefits, have a look at these references.
This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarydarbha (दर्भ).—m (S) A grass esteemed sacred and used in sacrifices &c., Poa cynosuroides. 2 fig. A burnt or withered crop. Ex. śēta karapūna darbha jhālēṃ. darbha ghēūna ubhā asaṇēṃ To be waiting for opportunity to do one some injury.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishdarbha (दर्भ).—m A grass esteemed sacred and used in sacrifices, &c. darbha ghēūna ubhā asaṇēṃ To be waiting for opportunity to do some injury.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryDarbha (दर्भ).—[dṛbh-ghañ ac vā] A kind of sacred grass (Kuśa grass) used at sacrificial ceremonies &c.; शरासः कुशरासो दर्भासः सैर्या उत (śarāsaḥ kuśarāso darbhāsaḥ sairyā uta) Ṛgveda 1.191.3. दभैर्रर्धावलीढैः (dabhairrardhāvalīḍhaiḥ) Ś.1.7; R.11. 31; Manusmṛti 2.43;3.28;4.36.
Derivable forms: darbhaḥ (दर्भः).
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Dārbha (दार्भ).—a. (-bhī f.) Made of darbha grass; दार्भं मुञ्चत्युटजपटलं वीतनिद्रो मयूरः (dārbhaṃ muñcatyuṭajapaṭalaṃ vītanidro mayūraḥ) Ś.4 (v. l.)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryDarbha (दर्भ).—m.
(-rbhaḥ) 1. Kusa or sacrificial grass, (Poa cynosuroides.) 2. A kind of reed, (Saccharum spontaneum.) 3. Another species, (S. cylindricum.) E. dṛbhi to collect, to arrange, affix ghañ; or dṝ to tear, Unadi affix bha.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryDarbha (दर्भ).—i. e. dṛbh + a, m. 1. Kuśa, or sacrificial grass, [Mānavadharmaśāstra] 3, 216. 2. Another kind of grass, [Suśruta] 1, 137, 19.
— Cf. [Old High German.] zurft (zurba), [Anglo-Saxon.] turf.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryDarbha (दर्भ).—[masculine] bundle or bunch of grass, [especially] of the sacred Kuca grass.
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Dārbha (दार्भ).—[feminine] ī made of Darbha grass.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Darbha (दर्भ):—m. (√2. dṛbh) a tuft or bunch of grass ([especially] of Kuśa grass; used for sacrificial purposes), [Ṛg-veda i, 191, 3; Atharva-veda] etc.
2) Name of a grass (different from Kuśa and Kāśa, [Suśruta i, 38]; Saccharum cylindricum, [Horace H. Wilson]), [Lalita-vistara xvii, 89; Suśruta]
3) ([Pāṇini 4-1, 102]; [gana] kurv-ādi [varia lectio]) Name of a man, [Pravara texts ii, 3, 1] ([Āśvalāyana-gṛhya-sūtra; Kātyāyana etc.])
4) ‘of a prince’ See dambha.
5) Dārbha (दार्भ):—mf(ī)n. made of Darbha grass, [Lāṭyāyana]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English DictionaryDarbha (दर्भ):—(rbhaḥ) 1. m. Kusa or sacrificial grass; a kind of reed.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Darbha (दर्भ) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Ḍabbha, Dabbha.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusDarbha (ದರ್ಭ):—[noun] = ದರ್ಭೆ [darbhe].
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+10): Darbha pull, Darbhabatu, Darbhacira, Darbhagrumushti, Darbhagurumushti, Darbhah, Darbhaipul, Darbhakundika, Darbhakusuma, Darbhamaya, Darbhamuli, Darbhamushti, Darbhana, Darbhapathraka, Darbhapattra, Darbhapavitra, Darbhapavitrapani, Darbhapinjula, Darbhapinjuli, Darbhapula.
Full-text (+275): Vidarbha, Ikshudarbha, Brahmadarbha, Samdarbha, Sthuladarbha, Darbhamaya, Hrasvadarbha, Vrishadarbha, Darbhapushpa, Darbhanupa, Darbhahvaya, Sudarbha, Darbhamushti, Darbhayana, Darbhamuli, Brihaddarbha, Darbhasamstara, Rukshadarbha, Darbhalavana, Darbhi.
Relevant text
Search found 132 books and stories containing Darbha, Dārbha, Darbhā; (plurals include: Darbhas, Dārbhas, Darbhās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Devala-smriti (critical study) (by Mukund Lalji Wadekar)
10.1. Enumeration of seven kinds of Darbhas < [Chapter 9 - The distinctive features of the Devalasmriti]
10.3. The preparation and utility of Kurca < [Chapter 9 - The distinctive features of the Devalasmriti]
10.2. Wearing of ring in the Anamika finger < [Chapter 9 - The distinctive features of the Devalasmriti]
Samarangana-sutradhara (Summary) (by D. N. Shukla)
Expiatory Rites in Keralite Tantra (by T. S. Syamkumar)
2. Expiatory Rites in Tantrasamuccaya < [Chapter 3 - Expiatory Rites in Kerala Tantric Ritual Manuals]
1.1. Expiatory Rites in Prayogamañjarī < [Chapter 3 - Expiatory Rites in Kerala Tantric Ritual Manuals]
Skanda Purana (by G. V. Tagare)
Chapter 224 - Procedure of Śrāddha < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]
Chapter 19 - Greatness of Pitṛkūpikā Tīrtha < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]
Chapter 123 - Glory of Śukla Tīrtha < [Section 1 - Tīrtha-māhātmya]
Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 22 - The rites on the eleventh day for the ascetics < [Section 6 - Kailāsa-saṃhitā]
Chapter 27 - The rite of sacrifice < [Section 7.2 - Vāyavīya-saṃhitā (2)]
Chapter 12 - The procedure of Sannyāsa < [Section 6 - Kailāsa-saṃhitā]
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