Significance and Benefits of Blowing a Shankh or a Conch Shell

 

 The origin of Shankh:

1. According to Purana, The first Shankh (conch shell) originated during the churning of the milky ocean Samudra-Manthan. It was one of the 14 gems offered by the ocean.

2. Another legend says that Lord Vishnu killed the demon named Shankhasura, who had stolen and hidden the sacred Vedas in the ocean. On its retrieving, the lord blew the cone-shaped bone of the dead demon’s ear. On blowing it, the sound of ‘OM’ emanated. Hence came the name Shankha. 

Importance of Shankh as per Indian Scriptures:

As per this mantra recited in Shankh puja, each part of the Shankh is the abode of deities.

Shankham chandrarka daivatyam

madhye varuna daivatam

prusthe prajapati vidhyat

agre ganga saraswati

 

Meaning: In Shankha (Conch), surya (Sun) and Chandra (Moon) resides. In its middle Varuna Devata is seated. On its back is Prajapati and in the front are the river goddesses Ganga and Saraswati.

Twampura sagarotpannah 

Vishnuna vidhratah kare

poojitah sarva devaischa

paanchajanya namostute

Meaning: In ancient times You rose from the ocean and was held by Vishnu in His Hand. You are worshipped by all the gods. Accept my Salutations to Panchajanya

Trailokye yani teerthani 

vasudevasya cha aagyaya

Shankhe tisthanti viprendra 

tasmat shankham prapoojayet

Meaning: All the pilgrimage sites of the three worlds are seated inside the conch by the command of Shri Krishna. O best of the wise men, therefore Shankh has to be worshipped.

Paanchajanyaye vidhmahe

pavamaanaaye dheemahi

tannah shankhah prachodayat.

Meaning: Let us meditate on Panchajanya (Shankha of Sri Krishna) and on Pavamana, May that sound of Shankha awaken our Consciousness.

In the Satyug, Dwapar Yuga, and Tretayug, Shankh was used as a signal to start or end the war of the day.
Lord Krishna holds shankha which is called Panchjanya, possessing all the five elements. He used to blow Panchjanya at the end of each day’s Mahabharat battle. At the start of the battle, all the warriors of Pandavas and Kauravas sounded their respective sankhas to generate confidence in the foes.

Significance of Shankh used in Puja ritual:

According to Vedic scriptures, two separate Shankhs are used in a puja ritual. 

• One for blowing before the start of ritual and 

• The other for actual puja ritual i.e. to keep in the puja. 

The shankh which is used for blowing should not be kept for puja.

1. A very important point should be noted from the Hindu puja rituals. In every puja ritual, sound vibrations are created with the help of two articles namely Shankh (conch) and ghanta (bell). Sound vibrations produced by shankh are called Shankhanad while that of the bell is known as Ghantanad. Gabtanaad purifies and energizes the lower part of the atmosphere around us, while Shankhanaad purifies the atmosphere above us. Hence both of them are very important in a puja ritual.

2. During the puja ritual, the pointed portion of Shankha is directed toward the deity. The pointed portion of Shankh attracts the Chaitanya and energy frequencies deriving from the deities’ images. These are dispersed from the other end of Shankh purifying the atmosphere and everything around it.

3. A shankh is filled with water before the actual puja of a deity and following the puja of Kalash. Then it is ritualistically worshipped by offerings of sandalwood paste, flowers and Tulsi leaves. After the shankh puja, the worshipper sprinkles the water filled in shankh on himself and the articles of puja. The water filled in shankh is considered as pure as the water of the Ganga river. It is also used for giving holy baths (Abhishek) to the deities. 

 

Types of Shankh:

The following types of Shankh are considered sacred in Sanatan dharma.

1. Daksinavarti Shankh: It has spirals turning in the counter-clockwise direction, is considered to be the most valuable, and is believed to be the abode of Goddess Laxmi. This variety is only found in the Indian Ocean and that too very rarely. 

2. Vamavarti Shankh: If the spirals of the conch coil towards our left, then it is left turned (Vamavarti) shankh. Generally, a left-turned shankh is preferred for the puja ritual.

3. Gaumukhi ShankhGanesha Shankh

4. Kauri Shankh

5. Moti Shankh

6. Heera Shankh

Why do we blow Shankh?

Spiritual Benefits of blowing Shankh (Conch):

1. When the conch is blown with controlled breath, the primitive sound of "Om" emanates from it. This eternal sound is the origin of all Vedas. This creates an armor of Chaitanya (Divine consciousness) in the environment. 

2. Blowing the shankha keeps the mind free from negative thoughts.

3. When the shankh is blown, the activated energy stored in the universe gets attracted towards the place of worship which is not only beneficial to the person who is blowing the shankh but also to all those who hear it.

4. The blowing of a conch shell enhances the positive vibrations such as courage, determination, optimism, willpower. 

5. The blowing of shankh makes the atmosphere holy and pure and conducive for the spiritual practice (sadhana) of the individual.

Health benefits of blowing Shankh (conch): 

1. The blowing of shankha removes the Rajas & Tamas frequencies (both are distressing ) and attracts only Sattva ( pure and divine) prevalent in the atmosphere. The Sushumna Nadi of the blower is activated maintaining a proper balance of Agni and Vayu elements.

2. Its sound destroys the diseases prevailing in the atmosphere and hence it is widely used for preparing Ayurveda medicines. Conch shell ash or Shankh bhasm is also used as a medicinal remedy.

3. Stammering of a child can be corrected by regularly blowing the shankh.

4. According to modern science, the regular blowing of conch-shell opens the heart blockages. It is also an exercise for healthy lungs and thus improves the respiratory system and other throat problems.

5. stomach pain, indigestion, problems in the intestines, joints, liver, stones, etc. are cured.

6. Removes wrinkles and stretches the face muscles. The fine lines of the face also disappear.

7. Removes stress and keeps our mind cool by providing regular blood circulation in our brain.

Benefits of Shankh according to Science:

 
1. During an experiment, a group of scientists has found that diseases like cholera, plague, and thyroid cannot survive in an environment where the shankh is blown regularly.

2. Due to the specific geometry of a shankh, when it is blown it generates remarkable energy vibrations. These vibrations affect the body and environment positively. 

3. In the Conch, there are calcium, phosphorus, and sulphur properties. The water contained in it absorbs the medicinal and healing properties of the conch. 

Using the water kept in the conch overnight has many benefits:

Benefits of Conch water

• beneficial for our bones, teeth 

• cures many skin diseases, rashes, allergies, etc.

• Dark Circles under the eyes can be cured by gently rubbing with Conch for five minutes per day before sleep

• When added with rose water and washing hair with this mixture. The natural colour of hair will be restored within few days.

What is the correct way of blowing a Shankh?

While blowing, one must raise his head a little backward and be focused. Take a deep breath and blow the Shankh in a single deep breath. 

How can we identify a genuine Shankh?

• The simple test is to hold the Shankh near your ear. If you hear a pleasant sound like that of an ocean, then it is a genuine Shankh.

• An original Shankh can also be identified by looking at its X-ray. A genuine shankha has rib-like horizontal raised lines near the opening. These lines are inside the shankh too. While fraudsters can make false lines on the outside, the lines inside cannot be changed. These can be seen in the X-Ray.