SHANK - CONCH SHELL

 

 

 

Shankh mean Conch Shell

In Hindu religion, Shankh, is of great importance and symbolizes luster, brilliance, purity and auspicious. In India the sound of the conch is associated with the sacred syllable AUM, the first sound of creation. A Shankh (conch) is a natural cover/wrapper of an oceanic worm/creature that protects it from the out side attacks/dangers, and when the worm grows up it comes out from it and leaves it away forever.

 

Types of Shankh (Conch):

1. Dakshinavarti Shankh (दक्षिणावर्ती शंख): The Shankh that is open from right side is known as “Dakshinavarti Shankh” It is a rare, white in color and contains a brownish line on it.2. Vamavarti Shankh (वामावर्ती शंख): It opens from left side that’s why it is called Vamavarti; it is used in all the religious activities. Astrologers recommend this Shankh to remove the negative energy.There are a lot of more types of Shankh but the above two are the main types of Shankh.

 

Spiritual Importance:

Shankh literally means ‘pacifying the inauspicious’.  In Hinduism, origin of the conch shell took place during the Samudra Manthan or churning of ocean. Bhagwan Vishnu accepted SHANKA for his special adornment, so Shankh belongs to Bhagwan Vishnu. The most famous Shankha is the Panchajanaya of Lord Vishnu.

Shankh is one of the 14 gems (Ratna) received from churning sea (Samudra Manthan).  As per Vedas, Shankh’s sound is a symbol of victory and Shankh produces the sound of OM

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श्रीमद् भगवद् गीता अध्याय-1 (15)

पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनञ्जयः |

पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः ||

श्रीकृष्ण महाराजने पाज्चजन्य नामक, अर्जुनने देवदत्त नामक और भीमसेनने पौण्ड्र नामक महाशंख बजाया। __________________________________________

 

Scientific Analysis:

1. According to Vedic science, as far as the Shankh’s sound goes, it destroys the harmful micro bacteria from the atmosphere or at least makes them unconscious. (Modern science and scientists also accepted the fact)

2. According to Astrological Science, Shankh’s sound destroys the negative energy from the atmosphere.

3. Playing Shankh regularly is beneficial in respiratory diseases like asthma and liver problems.

4. Playing Shankh is equal to doing Pranayam (yoga) that saves us from the most deadly diseases like heart attack, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases, lever related problems etc.

5. Offering water to sun by the Dakshinavarti Shankh protects one from the eye disorders.

6. Regular use of a Shankh removes deafness and impediments.

7. A Shankh contains plenty of calcium, brimstone and phosphorous in it, and when we put water in a Shankh for a while, water becomes fragrant and sterile. That’s why this water is used in religious rituals, prayers and also sprinkled over the people.

8. Shankh water is sprinkled over the people to protect them from the skin diseases.

9. Good for the health of heart patients and the diabetics, if uses the water stored in the Shank all the night.

10. According to VASTU SHASTRA, having a Shankh in home removes all the VASTU DOSH (Architectural Defects) of buildings.

 

Shankh is also part of classical Indian musical instruments and there is also a mudra based on it in classical dance. There are also numerous legends and myths associated with the conch shell in the vast Hindu literature.

 

Leaving aside the mythology part, the conch shell's significance can also be corroborated by science. If you try holding a shankha near your ear, the sound of the gently humming ocean can be heard. This is actually the natural vibration or cosmic energy of the Earth which gets magnified on entering the conch shell.