‘Durva’ are blades of grass which are used in the worship of Shri Ganesh. They are his favourite and no ‘puja’ of the Lord is complete without offering ‘Durva’. The story behind why Shri Ganesh likes ‘durva’ and why it is used in his worship, is found in the Ganesh Puran. Let’s delve into it today.
Once there was a asura called Analasura. He had great strength and had amassed a lot of power. He wanted to rule the three worlds. To achieve his ambition he started doing atrocities on the Devas. He attacked them frequently and caused massive damage. The Devas were having a tough time and they prayed to Shri Vishnu. Shri Vishnu directed the Devas to Shri Ganesh for assistance.
The Devas went to Shri Ganesh and briefed him about the atrocities and extensive damage created by Analasura. Shri Ganesh assured the Devas that he would help them. When Analasura attacked the Devas, Shri Ganesh took him by his trunk and devoured him.
The asura generated a very high temperature inside the stomach of Shri Ganesh. It was impossible to bring down the heat with water, nectar, sandalwood paste, flowers etc. All attempts to bring down the heat by Adishesha also failed. Shri Ganesh was finding the heat unbearable.
Just then, eighty eight thousand sages brought bundles of ‘durva’ (grass) and offered them to Shri Ganesh from head to toe. The extreme heat completely subsided.
Shri Ganesh blessed the sages and said ‘Durva grass alone could quench the fire in my stomach. Hereafter, no puja will be complete without this grass. Mere twenty one blades of this wonderful grass will suffice to win my favour.’ The Devas and the sages were extremely happy and thanked Shri Ganesh for his blessings. They installed Bhalchandra Ganesh at that spot in a temple and worshipped him with ‘durva’.
