According to mythology, Shankha is one of the fourteen precious gems obtained during the churning of the ocean. It is also called the brother of Lakshmi because it is born along with Lakshmi. That is why Lakshmi resides in the house where there is a Shankha. In an interesting incident about the origin of Shankha, it is said in the Puranas that when there was a war between the Gods and the demon Shankhachunda, Lord Shankha killed Shankhachunda with the trishul he received from Lord Vishnu, cut him into pieces and threw his skeleton in the ocean and from those skeletons, Shankha originated. This incident is also mentioned in the 18th chapter of the Prakrit section of the Brahmanvarta Purana. Shankha is also mentioned among the nine treasures.
In other texts, it is said about Shankha-
Shank Chandrakadivatam Madhya Varunaadivatam. Prishthe Prajapatim vidhadagte Ganga Saraswatim.
Treloki means Tirthani Vasudevasya Chajni. Shen
Darshanan Hi Shankhasya Ki Phir Se Sparshanan Tu Vilyam Yanti Papani Himavad Bhaskarodam.
That is, the Shankha is a divine form like the Sun and the Moon, with Varuna residing in the middle, Brahma in the back and the Ganga and Saraswati rivers residing in the front. The benefits derived from pilgrimage are the same benefits as are derived from seeing and worshipping the Shankha. That is why the Shankha is worshipped. Just as snow melts due to the heat of the sun, sins are destroyed by the mere sight of a Shankha. In the Atharva Veda, the Shankha is spoken of as the destroyer of sins, the provider of longevity and the destroyer of enemies. The Shankha is also mentioned in poems like Ramayana, Mahabharata, etc.
Many Gods and Goddesses hold the Shankha as a weapon. In the Mahabharata, the conch was blown to announce the start of the war and to encourage the soldiers, which is mentioned in the Gita-
Panchjanam Rishikesho Devadattam Dhananjaya Pandram Dadyamau Mahshanakh Bhimkarmo Vrikodara.
In the Mahabharata, the start of the war at sunrise and the end of the war at sunset were both announced by blowing the conch. In ancient texts, the conch has been said to be a symbol of victory, fame and purity. It has special significance in Sanatan Dharma culture. Due to this significance, it is worshipped and blown on all auspicious occasions. It has also been proved in scientific research that the sound of the conch keeps the environment free from harmful bacteria and outbreaks. Place of Origin: Although the conch is found in almost every sea, in India it is mainly found in the Bay of Bengal, Madras, Puri coast, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari and the Indian Ocean.
Main types of Shankh: There are mainly three types of Shankh - Vamavarti, Dakshinavarti and Ganesh Shankh.
Vamavarti Shankh is the most commonly used. It is used for playing during Puja rituals and other auspicious functions and sometimes for decoration. It is customary to play in the morning and evening after Aarti. It is played in two ways, with the lips and by placing it on a metal cylinder, called Dhaman and Puran respectively. Playing the Shankh also has medicinal properties. Playing it prevents respiratory diseases. Not only this, consuming the water kept in it and its ashes also prevents many other diseases. These medicinal properties are specifically mentioned in Ayurveda.
Dakshinavarti Shankha is considered to be the true form of Lakshmi. It is very valuable and not available everywhere. It is open from the right side. There are two types of this Shankha - male and female. It is not used for blowing. It is installed for the permanent residence of Lakshmi in the house and to get other desired fruits.
Ganesh Shankha is pyramid shaped. It is installed and worshipped for freedom from debt and poverty and to get education. Ganesha is the god of all these works, so it is considered to be a form of Ganesha. Astrological Importance of Shankha In astrology, Shankha is considered to be related to the planet Mercury. It is divided into four castes, the basis of which is its color. From this point of view, Shankhas are of four colors - white, carrot-like and brown, light yellow and brown.
Scientific Importance
Shank is a marine product, placed in the mollusc family. It is the shell of a special type of marine creature. Its various scientific and medicinal properties have been mentioned above. Apart from the three main conches mentioned above, the details of some other conches are as follows.
Gomukhi Shankh
The shape of this conch is like the face of a cow. It is considered to be a form of Shiva Parvati. For the attainment of wealth and the fulfillment of other desires, it is placed facing north, as opposed to south. It is believed that drinking the water kept in it frees one from the sin of cow slaughter. It is especially worshipped in the nakshatras of Visakha, Pushya, Ashlesha etc. It is also called Kamdinu Shankh.
Vishnu Shankh
It is white in colour and has the shape of Garuda. People belonging to the Vaishnava sect keep it in their homes, who consider it a form of Vishnu. It is believed that where there is Vishnu, there is also Lakshmi. That is why in the house where this conch is installed, Lakshmi and Narayana reside in it. It is also believed that by filling Gangajal in this conch in Rohini, Chitra and Swati nakshatras and chanting mantras and giving that water to a pregnant woman, one gets a beautiful, knowledgeable and healthy child.
Panchajanya Shankha
This is the weapon of Lord Krishna. It is considered a symbol of victory and fame. It has the shape of five fingers. It is installed to keep the house free from Vastu doshas. It also reduces the ill effects of Rahu and Ketu.
Annapurna Shankha
This is heavier than other conches. It is used to enhance luck and attain happiness and prosperity. Filling this conch with Gangajal and consuming it in the morning awakens a sense of satisfaction in the mind and eliminates anxiety.
Moti Shankha
It is small in size and has the aura of a pearl. It is also installed in the prayer room like Dakshinavarti Shankha to receive the blessings of Lakshmi. Its installation leads to prosperity and progress in business. Regularly chanting Lakshmi mantra in it and offering 11 grains of rice in it soon pleases Lakshmi.
Diamond Shank
It is white, transparent and shiny like a crystal. It is a source of wealth but very rare. It emits seven colors like a diamond. It is used to enhance love and protect from Shukra Dosha. Its installation also brings the blessings of planet Venus.
Tiger Shank
This Shank has stripes like a tiger on it which looks very beautiful. These stripes are red, pink, black and brown in color. Its installation increases self-confidence and provides relief from diseases caused by Saturn, Rahu and Ketu. Along with this, tantric power is also transmitted to the mind of the seeker. Meaning is that the Shank has many properties. These properties are spiritual, scientific and medicinal as well. Keeping these properties in mind, it should be installed.
