A variety of short grass (Cynodon dactylon), coloured light or dark green, which is commonly found in marshland.
Durva is used for all kinds of worship, be it the domestic Satyanarayana Puja or the elaborate, public Durga Puja. It is indispensable during any sacrifice. Whenever water has to be offered in prayer, it is done by dipping a bunch of durva into the water and sprinkling it on the deity. This grass is considered a purifier. It is also used to purify the cremation site . Durva is dipped into water, which is then sprinkled on the site. It is believed that with this purification, the soul of the dead person will go to heaven, even without the recitation of mantras.
Durva is mentioned in the Rig Veda as being auspicious. The Vamana Purana states that it can be used as medicine. According to the Agni Purana, durva cures problems related to bile. It is also considered a female deity who is invoked to fulfil desires.
Durva came to be called Goroma. Go is “Mother Earth” and roma is her hair. Therefore durva is also considered the hair of Mother Earth. This is because compared to other grasses, durva is very firmly rooted in the ground and difficult to pull out.
According to the Vamana Purana, durva was produced from Vasuki`s tail. However, in the Bhavishya Purana, durva is believed to have been produced from the hair on Vishnu`s hands and thighs (other sources say it was from his back) as he supported the Mandara mountain during the samudra manthan. As the mountain moved with the churning, it rubbed against him. Some of his hair fell down, touched by amrita, as durva.
According to another story, when the gods obtained amrita from the ocean, they drank it quickly, before the demons could wrest it away. In their haste, a few drops of amrita spilt on the grass below, which became immortal. This grass was durva.