PAVIHTRAM - பவித்ரம்

Pavithram ( Dharbai or Gold or Silver) has to be worn on the ring finger in the Right hand . In our hands ,

Thumb represents Vaayu ,
Indes finger , the Sky ,
Middle , the element of Fire ,
The Ring finger , the appu or Water and
The small finger , Pruthvee tattvam .

The significance of Water is celebrated in Mantra Pushpam and Udhaka Saanthi Mantrams . That is the significance of the Ring Finger for wearing Pavithram . 

The darbhai Pavitram is to be worn on the ring finger of the right hand, in a circular formation, prior to starting any religious rite like homa, dana, yaga-yagna – in fact any deva or pitru karma. This ubiquitous adornment on the finger of the karta of any ritual is called a ‘pavitram’, and it is necessarily made of darbhai.

There are a few options for the leaf to be used as darbhai. The type known as viswamitra is available in plenty.  In the absence of this other grass leaves like that of paddy, wheat, yava and usiram (vlamicheri ver-vetteriver) can also be used.

Pavitram made of gold cannot substitute a darbhai. When a karma starts one has to necessarily have a darbhai pavitram on, even if one is already wearing a swarna pavitram. Any reference to pavitram means only darbhai. During Achamaneeyam time,  it has to be held over the right earlobe.

Two numbers strand pavithram is used for auspicious functions. Three numbers strand pavithram is used for darpana like in-auspicious functions. One number strand is used for ka - vettrmas at death. Though the number of leaves may change, the shape, size and method of preparing it do not change. 

If the karta has to drink water or milk etc.,during the ritual, during the ceremony, he should not drink with the pavitram on. He should lodge it over the right earlobe and drink. The pavitram should not be kept elsewhere or handed over to anyone. 

Similarly while accepting karpoora harathi during Deva puja, or doing paada prakshalana (a ritual of washing another person’s feet) the pavitram must be removed from the finger and placed above the right earlobe.

Koorcham is used for springling water from water vessel. It numbers are also like Pavithram for auspicious and in-auspicious functions. 

Pavithram is useful for the Kartha / Yajamana and Ridwigs to safeguard against dristi from others / non believers. Also the evil spirits are driven away. 

Once the cleansing arising from the observance of Vaidhika Karma by one wearing Pavithram made of Kusa grass is over , the pavithram has to be discarded . Achamanam should be done after discarding it.